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raysmith
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Am I headed toward an Installation Problem?

I recently called Dish to upgrade from a 508 to a 722 w/ HD and scheduled my install for last week. When the installer got there – he said the current location of my dish can't see the 129 signal – my neighbor's garage is in the way. (According to dishpointer,com – he's right!) My dish is attached to the foundation of my house, at ground level at the back corner of our house. The installer said the only thing to do is to move it up, about half way up the side of the house - or on the roof. I suggested keeping it a ground level, but moving towards the front of the house (and away from the neighbor's garage) into a landscaped area, about 8 feet from the house. He said he couldn't do that because they didn't like to bury the cables. It was already 8:00 PM by the time he had gotten there anyway and I said I had to talk to my wife about it - so we postponed.

I believe that spot I identified should allow for a clear shot at all three satellites – but it will require a pole mount of the dish – and of course - burying the cables! I called Dish back and they assured me that this would all be fine – that they will specify that this is a pole mount install and that the new installer (someone other than the one who came the first time) will do everything they need to do to get it done right, etc. etc. etc.

The rep on the phone made it all sound too easy. I am scheduled for installation this Thursday (2/7) and I have some questions that perhaps people here could help me with.

1. Assuming the installer is going to dig a hole 18-24 inches deep – don't we need to contact the utility companies to know where the gas, electric, phone, and water lines are? Seems like that will take a few days – just for that!

2. I assume this is a multi-day operation to dig, pour the cement, bury the cables, then install the Dish at a later date – once the cement is dry, right? Again the rep on the phone said it would all be taken care of.

3. Should the cables be put in conduit for burial? I assume this makes life easier down the road if we need to add any cables later – but would this be a typical install?

4. And finally - I live in suburban Chicago!! There are currently 4 inches of snow on the ground and 3-6 more coming tonight! Is this even feasible this time of year?

I'm not trying to get something for nothing. I am willing to pay additional for a proper installation – in my preferred location. It's difficult when you can't talk to the people doing the install - until they actually come to install it!

I really prefer to keep the dish at ground level. In fact, if I have to, I'd consider going to Direct rather than put a dish on the roof since they don't use 129. However, my preference is to stay with Dish.

Sorry for the long-winded description, but am I headed for trouble here?

Ray Smith
Batavia, Illinois
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S
Scott6760
If you really want it done your way explain that to the installer when he arrives and offer to pay him extra in cash for doing the pole mount and you will bury the cables yourself when the ground thaws. Your upgrade sounds like a PITA even in good weather, I can't imagine trying to do that in 6"+ of snow. As long as he drives the pole into the ground a good 12" PAST the hole for the concrete, there is no need to wait for the concrete to set. Also in that weather HOT water will set the concrete faster.
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DTVTech50051
DTVTech50051
Scott6760 said:
If you really want it done your way explain that to the installer when he arrives and offer to pay him extra in cash for doing the pole mount and you will bury the cables yourself when the ground thaws. Your upgrade sounds like a PITA even in good weather, I can't imagine trying to do that in 6"+ of snow. As long as he drives the pole into the ground a good 12" PAST the hole for the concrete, there is no need to wait for the concrete to set. Also in that weather HOT water will set the concrete faster.
Click to expand...

And when it warms up in the spring the concrete wil crack bc you used a shortcut.
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cparker
cparker
I am admittedly unfamiliar with the technique used by an installer to dig the hole for the pole. If they are using a power auger, then yes, definitely call underground utilities. If it's a hand dig, then they really don't need to call. At least in my experience in construction. You're not going to break a water line with a shovel. And electrical, phone, etc are usually in conduit.

A 2 foot by 2 foot hole that's 2 feet deep is "normal" for a garden... planting a shrub, for instance, and unless you have real reason to believe there's something buried there, I'd just go dig the hole. You look for things like... where's the electric service entrance, gas meter, water meter (water and gas will almost SURELY be buried more than 2 feet deep regardless), phone service entrance... etc.

The fire-on-the-ground method is absolutely valid. And if you can't build the fire right on the spot (for whatever reason) then build it in your grill or in the back yard or whatever and then take the hot coals and dump them on that spot. I live in the western NY area (Buffalo/Niagara Falls) so winter construction is no mystery here. If the ground is deeply frozen... and I strongly suspect it isn't, despite the snow cover, the fire-on-the-ground will work quite well. If only the top 2 to 4 inches is really frozen, then you can actually break through that and then it's "normal" digging. A garden spade or square shovel used in a prying/scraping method will have your hole dug in no time. If you are concerned about underground utilities DO NOT jab-and-jump. Don't stick a spade in the ground and then jump on it to force it in. Take your time and it'll actually be easier than you think.

Concrete will set up and cure perfectly well in freezing weather. Mix it with warm water (not HOT). Pour or shovel it into the hole as you normally would. Put a piece of plastic over it, cover it with an old, thick, blanket, and/or cover it with a deep layer of mulch that won't compress easily. Keep it insulated for a few days. Concrete generates heat as it cures. If you insulate it, it will be just fine. We've poured SIDEWALKS in freezing weather and foundations for homes. Pour it warm and then insulate it. It just plain works and you're not venturing into "experimental" territory.

I would think that for a couple of hours of YOUR time invested into this, the installer will come out, do your pole mount and be on his way and you'll have what you want.
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R
raysmith
Thank you for all the comments and suggestions! We got even more snow yesterday – so I canceled the install that was scheduled for today and postponed it until late March. As much fun as you guys made a campfire in February sound – I think I'll wait until the ground warms up a bit more. Hopefully the snow will have melted and the ground will be soft. That will also give me time to call the utility service to come and mark where the underground wires and pipes are located and to consider the use of conduit. The other lesson I take is that it sounds like it's always a good idea to treat your installer well!

Again, I really appreciate the information coming from this site. With Dish sort of hiding the identity of my installer until they show up, this is really the only way to get some background and ask questions before the actual installation appointment.

Thanks again!

Ray Smith
Batavia IL
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S
Skibum
raysmith said:
With Dish sort of hiding the identity of my installer until they show up, this is really the only way to get some background and ask questions before the actual installation appointment.

Thanks again!

Ray Smith
Batavia IL
Click to expand...

It's likely they don't know who your installer is. :) I don't know what jobs I'll be going to until the morning of getting my equipment. The RSP I work for handles all the precalls and routing. I also don't have a cell phone. :D
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Van
Van
cparker said:
I am admittedly unfamiliar with the technique used by an installer to dig the hole for the pole. If they are using a power auger, then yes, definitely call underground utilities. If it's a hand dig, then they really don't need to call. At least in my experience in construction. You're not going to break a water line with a shovel. And electrical, phone, etc are usually in conduit.
Click to expand...
Regardless of wether its power or hand dug you have to call digsafe or misdig or whatever its called, a spade can easily cut through a phone line and puncture a gas line with one hit. Phone and electrical in conduit are only a very recent thing and only in some area's, the last new subdivision that I worked in in 06 that was still going in had no utilities in conduit outside in the ground.

cparker said:
A 2 foot by 2 foot hole that's 2 feet deep is "normal" for a garden... planting a shrub, for instance, and unless you have real reason to believe there's something buried there, I'd just go dig the hole. You look for things like... where's the electric service entrance, gas meter, water meter (water and gas will almost SURELY be buried more than 2 feet deep regardless), phone service entrance... etc.
Click to expand...
Pole mounts are supposed to be dug deep enough to get below the frost line wich in Chicago is 3ft. If a pole mount is going out front or anywhere along the side ahead of any utility boxes or meters or entry points then you really should call. In some neighborhoods there are utilities that come to the house from the backyard by way of a right of way or an alley. In my neighborhood each house has a ceptic field in the back yard so theres something else to consider.

cparker said:
The fire-on-the-ground method is absolutely valid. And if you can't build the fire right on the spot (for whatever reason) then build it in your grill or in the back yard or whatever and then take the hot coals and dump them on that spot. I live in the western NY area (Buffalo/Niagara Falls) so winter construction is no mystery here. If the ground is deeply frozen... and I strongly suspect it isn't, despite the snow cover, the fire-on-the-ground will work quite well. If only the top 2 to 4 inches is really frozen, then you can actually break through that and then it's "normal" digging. A garden spade or square shovel used in a prying/scraping method will have your hole dug in no time. If you are concerned about underground utilities DO NOT jab-and-jump. Don't stick a spade in the ground and then jump on it to force it in. Take your time and it'll actually be easier than you think.
Click to expand...
Fire on the ground would have to go for a long while and in the city or suburb will get a phone call quickly to the fire department and is also most likely against one or more ordinances. Out in the countryside it can also be a bad idea if your in an area that has controlled burn laws or your in drought such as a large portion of the south east and the west coast. You can clear the snow off the area and cover it with black plastic sheeting letting the sun heat the ground that way and covering it at night with straw or some old blankets to hold in some heat.

cparker said:
Concrete will set up and cure perfectly well in freezing weather. Mix it with warm water (not HOT). Pour or shovel it into the hole as you normally would. Put a piece of plastic over it, cover it with an old, thick, blanket, and/or cover it with a deep layer of mulch that won't compress easily. Keep it insulated for a few days. Concrete generates heat as it cures. If you insulate it, it will be just fine. We've poured SIDEWALKS in freezing weather and foundations for homes. Pour it warm and then insulate it. It just plain works and you're not venturing into "experimental" territory.
Click to expand...
Right on the money there, I've even went so far as to cap the top of the pole with plastic bags to hold in the heat in the pipe.

cparker said:
I would think that for a couple of hours of YOUR time invested into this, the installer will come out, do your pole mount and be on his way and you'll have what you want.
Click to expand...
Another good point, company wide wether its inhouse or not installers are working more and more hours and harder each year for less and less and if you are willing to do a few things before hand and while he's there your more likely to end up with a few extra's from the installer and a positive outcome.
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dishcomm
dishcomm
DTVTech50051 said:
And when it warms up in the spring the concrete wil crack bc you used a shortcut.
Click to expand...

HUH?...Concrete produces heat during the setting/ curing process.
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dishcomm
dishcomm
raysmith said:
I recently called Dish to upgrade from a 508 to a 722 w/ HD and scheduled my install for last week. When the installer got there – he said the current location of my dish can't see the 129 signal – my neighbor's garage is in the way. (According to dishpointer,com – he's right!) My dish is attached to the foundation of my house, at ground level at the back corner of our house. The installer said the only thing to do is to move it up, about half way up the side of the house - or on the roof. I suggested keeping it a ground level, but moving towards the front of the house (and away from the neighbor's garage) into a landscaped area, about 8 feet from the house. He said he couldn't do that because they didn't like to bury the cables. It was already 8:00 PM by the time he had gotten there anyway and I said I had to talk to my wife about it - so we postponed.

I believe that spot I identified should allow for a clear shot at all three satellites – but it will require a pole mount of the dish – and of course - burying the cables! I called Dish back and they assured me that this would all be fine – that they will specify that this is a pole mount install and that the new installer (someone other than the one who came the first time) will do everything they need to do to get it done right, etc. etc. etc.

The rep on the phone made it all sound too easy. I am scheduled for installation this Thursday (2/7) and I have some questions that perhaps people here could help me with.

1. Assuming the installer is going to dig a hole 18-24 inches deep – don't we need to contact the utility companies to know where the gas, electric, phone, and water lines are? Seems like that will take a few days – just for that!

2. I assume this is a multi-day operation to dig, pour the cement, bury the cables, then install the Dish at a later date – once the cement is dry, right? Again the rep on the phone said it would all be taken care of.

3. Should the cables be put in conduit for burial? I assume this makes life easier down the road if we need to add any cables later – but would this be a typical install?

4. And finally - I live in suburban Chicago!! There are currently 4 inches of snow on the ground and 3-6 more coming tonight! Is this even feasible this time of year?

I'm not trying to get something for nothing. I am willing to pay additional for a proper installation – in my preferred location. It's difficult when you can't talk to the people doing the install - until they actually come to install it!

I really prefer to keep the dish at ground level. In fact, if I have to, I'd consider going to Direct rather than put a dish on the roof since they don't use 129. However, my preference is to stay with Dish.

Sorry for the long-winded description, but am I headed for trouble here?

Ray Smith
Batavia, Illinois
Click to expand...
A word about utility locates. Most good etchs know where not to do and if there's a doubt, how to dig....Now I don't know about Illinois but here in NC Power must be four feet below original grade. Gas must be three feet below original grade as does water/sewer. The highest risk is to cable or telco service lines. These may be aerial in your area.
Most states have a "one call" service to locate buried utilities. In NC, onnce the call is made, the locating company 48 hrs to do the locate. In SC it's 72 hrs..Depends upon your state...Now, if any of your utilities are city owned, one call WILL NOT locate these..You must call your city dept of public utilities to get locates performed.
If you have any utilities in the ground "past the meter", one call wil not locate these either without payment of a fee.
Examples of past the meter would be a water line to a goldfish pond or a lawn irrigation system. Also a gas line from your main structure to a permanaently mounted gas grill. Or an electrical line that feeds a shed or other out building..
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rcdallas
rcdallas
It all comes down to who comes to install it.

811 is the national miss dig number. They came out with that about 9-10 months ago.
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osu1991
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

EV News

www.autoweek.com

America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot

New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com www.autoweek.com

The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.


:eek


It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
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harshness
harshness
The EV company to watch out for is SAIC. They seem likely to take over Government Motors at some point.

GM originally struck a JV deal with SAIC to gain access to China. Now SAIC has taken China back with the substantial library of technology GM shared and they're looking to export to Mexico, South America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
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osu1991
osu1991
osu1991
www.canarymedia.com

US EV sales are rising again. Here’s why the recovery is set to last.

Even though sales tanked last year after the end of federal incentives, the American EV sector is on the mend as drivers face sky-high gasoline prices.
www.canarymedia.com www.canarymedia.com
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harshness
harshness
If it weren't for the sky-high electricity prices...

Of course, the real scare with Winter coming is the insane cost of heating oil.
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osu1991
osu1991
www.motortrend.com

GM Is Coming for Tesla, Rivian, and China, on Your Phone and in the Car

GM’s latest tech preview details autonomous highway driving plans, AI-powered OnStar features, and new LMR batteries for future EVs.
www.motortrend.com www.motortrend.com

GM said its next-generation vehicle architecture will provide 40 times more computing power and 30 percent less wiring than before and will expand from the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ to its high-volume SUVs, trucks, crossovers, and fourth-generation EVs, which will be powered by lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic batteries

Despite the politicization and perceived consumer pivot away from EVs in America, GM needs to remain globally competitive, so it's doubling down on its fourth generation EVs, with energy-dense, cheaper-to-manufacture LMR batteries, more efficient motors, and state-of-the-art centralized computing architecture. With a stated goal of cutting the traditional four- to five-year concept-to-production time in half, GM is clearly challenging the concept of "China speed," which in the Chinese automotive industry can be as quick as 18 months from design to start of production. In the AI space, GM is smartly collapsing all of its marque-specific apps under the familiar OnStar brand, while providing more features—both on the phone and in the car—than it ever has before.
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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Bobby
Bobby
Stay In Time - Off Broadway USA
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harshness
harshness
Just In Time - Tony Bennett
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gms49ers
gms49ers
Just Get Through This Night - Styx
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Help Me Make It Through The Night - Sammi Smith
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gms49ers
gms49ers
Make Me Smile/Now More Than Ever - Chicago
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

You can't even trust the cost per ounce info in grocery stores anymore

I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share
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Juan
Juan
dishstaller said:
Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.
Click to expand...
You are paying for the whole thing
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T
telstar_1
Juan said:
You are paying for the whole thing
Click to expand...
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
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Juan
Juan
telstar_1 said:
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
Click to expand...
But a box can weigh more than an ounce..maybe 2...a can might weigh 5 ounces..a bag...not much
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Juan said:
.a bag...not much
Click to expand...
Well, according to the price per ounce on that first bag of coffee he mentions, that would mean the bag weighed over 6 ounces. That bag does NOT weigh 6 ounces. According to Google, an empty bag weighs half an ounce.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
telstar_1 said:
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
Click to expand...
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
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TRG
TRG
Jimbo said:
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
Click to expand...
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
TRG said:
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
Click to expand...
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
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Juan
Juan
dishstaller said:
Well, according to the price per ounce on that first bag of coffee he mentions, that would mean the bag weighed over 6 ounces. That bag does NOT weigh 6 ounces. According to Google, an empty bag weighs half an ounce.
Click to expand...
You need to weigh the actual bag...a deli bag weighs less than that but a thick coffee bag is gonna weigh around an ounce...an empty tin can has some weight
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NYDutch
NYDutch
Juan said:
You need to weigh the actual bag...a deli bag weighs less than that but a thick coffee bag is gonna weigh around an ounce...an empty tin can has some weight
Click to expand...
Products sold by the ounce, pound, etc, should always be priced for the product only. Only the shipping weight should include the packaging.
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harshness
harshness
NYDutch said:
Products sold by the ounce, pound, etc, should always be priced for the product only.
Click to expand...
Unless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.

I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner. ;)

You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
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Jimbo
Jimbo
harshness said:
Unless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.

I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner. ;)

You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
Click to expand...
I would think that all the packaging would already be accounted for ... they weigh the container, subtract that from the scale, then add the product , so its weighing the Product only
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(((Garyd)))
(((Garyd)))
Jimbo said:
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
Click to expand...
Is it real Ice-cream?
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Jimbo
Jimbo
(((Garyd))) said:
Is it real Ice-cream?
Click to expand...
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
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(((Garyd)))
(((Garyd)))
Jimbo said:
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
Click to expand...
Most don't have any milk in them
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Jimbo
Jimbo
(((Garyd))) said:
Most don't have any milk in them
Click to expand...
REAL Ice Cream Does have Milk ... many of them are just Frozen desserts, pretending to be Ice Cream.
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(((Garyd)))
T
telstar_1
Jimbo said:
I would think that all the packaging would already be accounted for ... they weigh the container, subtract that from the scale, then add the product , so its weighing the Product only
Click to expand...
I believe that per federal law the "net weight" of the given commodity, without regard to its packaging or the particular weight of that, must be clearly stated by the producer on the packaging. As in "Net wt. 2 lbs., 7 oz." So now the stores themselves commonly state a $ "per oz." or "per count" figure at the shelf whereas they never used to, supposedly to help people to comparison shop and/or to demonstrate that they are offering good prices. I would make the first assumption that they are simply taking the product label net weight and translating from that, as that would seem both the most logical as well as the easiest. If they're otherwise plopping the product onto a scale to arrive at a stated unit cost, then obviously that adds time & effort.

The ultimate question would be, if they are doing that, what really would it gain them? They'd get to show a very slightly lower unit price, but then presumably the competition between brands would still be even. I don't see how it can really much matter, but on principle there should be rules in this regard.
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T
telstar_1
Jimbo said:
REAL Ice Cream Does have Milk ... many of them are just Frozen desserts, pretending to be Ice Cream.
Click to expand...
For years the soft-serve places had to post signage stating that "We serve ice milk".
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Juan
Juan
telstar_1 said:
I believe that per federal law the "net weight" of the given commodity, without regard to its packaging or the particular weight of that, must be clearly stated by the producer on the packaging. As in "Net wt. 2 lbs., 7 oz." So now the stores themselves commonly state a $ "per oz." or "per count" figure at the shelf whereas they never used to, supposedly to help people to comparison shop and/or to demonstrate that they are offering good prices. I would make the first assumption that they are simply taking the product label net weight and translating from that, as that would seem both the most logical as well as the easiest. If they're otherwise plopping the product onto a scale to arrive at a stated unit cost, then obviously that adds time & effort.

The ultimate question would be, if they are doing that, what really would it gain them? They'd get to show a very slightly lower unit price, but then presumably the competition between brands would still be even. I don't see how it can really much matter, but on principle there should be rules in this regard.
Click to expand...
It's probably just a programming error in the price labeling computer
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TRG
TRG
I buy my coffee beans from a local small batch roaster. The scale they use has a large stainless steel bowl on top. They scoop the beans from large mylar bags containing the roast of your choice. After weighing the coffee the beans are poured into a bag or ground, your choice. I have a grinder and prefer grinding right before I brew.
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KAB
KAB
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

Slow Horses - Apple TV

Just finished S2. Watching Gary Oldman as deshvilved, dejected MI-6 agent, Jackson Lamb, is one of the best things streaming right now. Already 2 more seasons in the works. HIGHLY recommended. And yes, Mick Jagger sings the theme.
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Foxbat
Foxbat
Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.
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KAB
KAB
Foxbat said:
Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.
Click to expand...
I think this new season is a little too slow of a burn (as of ep #4, probably due to new show runner. However, I can't wait to find out what's up with Taverner!
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KAB
KAB
Well, the season finale went balls to the wall. Non stop action and several twisted twists. Gary Oldman at his best. Very well written and executed. Tavener owes Jackson big time. Only "if" was Jack Lowden's (River) cliffhanger, especially admin-st the buzz that he is the next James Bond in waiting.
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klang
Planning to start the new season tonight. :)
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KAB
KAB
I missed somewhere that it was renewed for season 8. That's quite something!
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klang
Another great season.

Sorry to see Flyte go. I also liked the Coe character. Sooner or later someone is going to take Taverner out. I think I will enjoy that.

I read that Lowden (River) was photographed during production of Season 8. Hopefully he will be back for 7 as well.
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K
klang
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Paramount+

Season 2 order already in hand:

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1

I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
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klang
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.
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klang
klang said:
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.
Click to expand...
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.
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MikeD-C05
MikeD-C05
klang said:
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the foot stuff was just nasty. I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less. Funny, I love being shoe less at home and never wear shoes indoors in my home for long, but seeing her laying on all her furniture with her bare feet hanging out just kind of grossed me out.
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harshness
harshness
MikeD-C05 said:
I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less.
Click to expand...
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?
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MikeD-C05
MikeD-C05
harshness said:
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?
Click to expand...
There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure. So walking around the station like she did she would get stuff on her feet. I am sure the robot vacuum is still going to miss stuff, with all those different alien species running around there.
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harshness
harshness
MikeD-C05 said:
There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure.
Click to expand...
Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.
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MikeD-C05
MikeD-C05
harshness said:
Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.
Click to expand...
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that. ;)
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osu1991
osu1991
MikeD-C05 said:
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that. ;)
Click to expand...
Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home though :clapping
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K
klang
I just thought her behavior, including the bare feet thing, was disrespectful to her position.
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harshness
harshness
MikeD-C05 said:
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes.
Click to expand...
That is your right.

I couldn't buy hiding behind the dirty-feet argument.
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MikeD-C05
MikeD-C05
osu1991 said:
Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home though :clapping
Click to expand...
Say, I don't wear socks or shoes in my house either. But for a captain in Star Fleet it looks bad to be walking around the academy with no shoes. Gives off 1960 Hippie vibes.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
MikeD-C05 said:
Gives off 1960 Hippie vibes.
Click to expand...
You say that like it's a Bad thing or something ... :biggrin
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Well, look at the way she sat in the Captain's Chair. I didn't say the show should have been called "Captain Chair-Whore" for nothing...
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Bruce
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Traditional/Streaming Live TV Providers Losses, 3rd Quarter 2026 Edition

Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.

In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.

cordcuttersnews.com

Comcast Just Lost 274,000 TV Customers & 144,000 Internet Customers In Just Three Months | Cord Cutters News

Comcast Corporation reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 22, showing continued erosion in its domestic residential broadband internet and video customer bases as competitive pressures intensified across the connectivity market. The company recorded a net loss of 144,000 domestic...
cordcuttersnews.com cordcuttersnews.com
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ncted
ncted
Comcast called fiber pricing "irrational" because the ROI is over three years. What is irrational to me is Comcast internet is based on lines they put in the ground decades ago at this point, for the most part. Is copper that much more expensive to maintain?
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brice52
ncted said:
Comcast called fiber pricing "irrational" because the ROI is over three years. What is irrational to me is Comcast internet is based on lines they put in the ground decades ago at this point, for the most part. Is copper that much more expensive to maintain?
Click to expand...
yes. even copper lines in a house degrade over 70 years, I doubt coax would last that long. Fiber Optic on the isp side will last over 70 years with very dedgration
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(((Garyd)))
(((Garyd)))
brice52 said:
yes. even copper lines in a house degrade over 70 years, I doubt coax would last that long. Fiber Optic on the isp side will last over 70 years with very dedgration
Click to expand...
The fiber coming in to the house looks like 300 ohm old TV wire I think that is the weak point.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
(((Garyd))) said:
The fiber coming in to the house looks like 300 ohm old TV wire I think that is the weak point.
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The weak point would be the connection between the outdoor feed and the indoor feed.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
brice52 said:
yes. even copper lines in a house degrade over 70 years, I doubt coax would last that long. Fiber Optic on the isp side will last over 70 years with very dedgration
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Copper lines are fine ... until it hits the AIR.
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jamieh1
jamieh1
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum

NHL game channels

Looks like DTV made a deal. I'm now getting it on ch 650. The tv promise slate is gone.
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Mr Tony
A few teams got a deal. Was posted yesterday in the Directv update thread
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K
KyL416
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...-louis-blues-regional-channels-302918682.html
DIRECTV today announced a new multi-year distribution agreement with the National Hockey League for Hurricanes Hockey Network, Blue Jackets Hockey Network, Wild+, and Blue Note+ pregame, postgame, and in-game live sports services.

Each of the four channels will be available to DIRECTV streaming and satellite customers who live in each team's NHL-designated home territory and subscribe to Choice and higher packages, and each U-verse customer in those same regions who subscribes to U200 and above.

This agreement also provides distribution rights to each NHL team to all of DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS's thousands of sports bars, restaurants, fitness clubs, and other commercial venues located within each team's respective region.

DIRECTV has recently obtained regional or local rights to provide 76 of the 81 U.S.-based NHL, NBA, or MLB franchises to their local fans, including multi-year agreements for 23 U.S.-based hockey teams.
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jamieh1
jamieh1
Now let's get the NBA game channels going.
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K
KyL416
I'm trying to figure out the math that got them to 76 of 81 US based teams:
DIRECTV has recently obtained regional or local rights to provide 76 of the 81 U.S.-based NHL, NBA, or MLB franchises to their local fans, including multi-year agreements for 23 U.S.-based hockey teams.
Click to expand...
77 Phillies
78 76ers
79 Flyers -- Next year will mark 30 years since DTV last had local Philly sports after the demise of SportsChannel Philly, at this point the lack of NBCS Philly is not a dealbreaker for most of their remaining PA, Southern NJ and Delaware customers
80 Stars -- Not listed in the NHL release as KDFI/KDFW only has 17 simulcasts the rest are Prime only
The lack of Flyers and Stars would match the 23 of 25 US based NHL teams.

81 Ducks? -- KCOP is listed in the NHL release, but between them and KTTV only 65/77 games will be available, the other 12 will be Prime only, and there's no OTA option at all for viewers in the Santa Barbara or San Diego DMAs
Unlike the 4 NHL distributed teams (Blues, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Wild), the Stars and Ducks are available at no additional cost for Prime subscribers


In the NHL release they are counting the LIL coverage of OTA teams for "local rights", even if all of the outer markets aren't available (i.e. Golden Knights and Mammoth on The Spot Idaho subchannels, the Panthers on Laff Fort Myers and Ducks outside of the LA DMA), so at least for the home markets they have all of the OTA NBA teams:
Heat - WPLG/10 Miami and WTCN-CD/43 West Palm Beach -- slate up on channel 654, but I doubt they are going to add a Heat feed just for Fort Myers unless the Heat make it available cheaply, they didn't even do it for the Panthers who won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025
Hornets - WAXN/64 Charlotte, WMYV/48 Greensboro, WRDC/28 Raleigh and the satellite only WZBJ/24 Roanoke -- slate up on channel 648 for the rest of the Carolinas
Magic - WRDQ/27 Orlando and WMOR/32 Tampa -- slate up on channel 656 for the non-carried subchannel markets Jacksonville, Gainesville, Panama City and Tallahassee along with the Florida portions of the Mobile-Pensacola DMA who doesn't have any OTA carriage.
Hawks - WANF/46 Atlanta -- slate up on channel 646 for the rest of Georgia and Alabama
Bucks - WVTV-D2/24 Milwaukee and the satellite only WISC-D2/14 Madison -- slate up on channel 669 for the rest of Wisconsin
Suns - KAZF/32 Phoenix -- Nothing for Tucson, Yuma or New Mexico
Jazz - KJZZ/14 Salt Lake City -- Nothing for the areas of Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana that used to get it on an alternate feed of Root Northwest
Pistons - WMYD/20 Detroit and WJMN/3 Marquette -- Also available outside of Detroit on 663-2
Mavs - KFAA/29 Dallas -- Also available outside of Dallas on 676-8
Blazers - KUNP/47 Portland and KSTW/11 Seattle -- Also available outside of Portland on 688-1
Pelicans (Gulf Coast Sports) - Available on 676-6
Thunder - KSBI/52 OKC and KQCW/19 Tulsa -- Also available on 675, in their case there's a special cable only feed of KSBI and KQCW that DIRECTV, Spectrum, Fubo and others have with all of the games, OTA viewers and Dish customers will be limited to 10 games. They kind of did a horrible job with the announcement though, so there will be a lot of confused OTA viewers when they turn on 52.1 tomorrow night and see Forensic Files instead of the Thunder.
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Bruce
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

How things have changed

I was reading this article

thehill.com

Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022

The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…
thehill.com thehill.com

That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.

Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.
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Bruce
Bruce
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

IMG_2172.webp
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Bruce said:
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

View attachment 194983
Click to expand...
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?
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Jimbo
Jimbo
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...
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Bruce
Bruce
Jimbo said:
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...
Click to expand...
Same.

Ratings for streaming content is extremely accurate, since the service knows who is watching what and when, when we hit ok on our remotes.

Ratings for Broadcast/Cable shows has always been a estimate.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Bruce said:
Same.

Ratings for streaming content is extremely accurate, since the service knows who is watching what and when, when we hit ok on our remotes.

Ratings for Broadcast/Cable shows has always been a estimate.
Click to expand...
If I flip thru shows on an app, 3-4 in a few minutes, does that still show that I watched the whole episode ?


If I watch the Super Bowl for 5 minutes, does that count as watching the Super Bowl ?
Is it the same if I just watched the Commercials.
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Bruce
Bruce
Jimbo said:
If I flip thru shows on an app, 3-4 in a few minutes, does that still show that I watched the whole episode ?


If I watch the Super Bowl for 5 minutes, does that count as watching the Super Bowl ?
Is it the same if I just watched the Commercials.
Click to expand...
Nielsen Streaming Ratings: Third-party measurement firm Nielsen tracks U.S. streaming viewership, releasing weekly reports that measure total minutes viewed across major television sets, broken down by program (such as original, acquired, and movie content) rather than minute-by-minute audience retention curves.
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S
savarese04
Jimbo said:
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...
Click to expand...
Nobody is "happy" or "sad" about this. Simply posting data in an non-editorialized way has nothing to do with anyone's feelings.

The data on the streaming side is immensely accurate, I'm guessing to the millisecond. Plus most people likely have not turned off data sharing and thus they are grabbing a huge swath of data. Much more accurate than cable which relies on a smaller sample size and probably not to the second.

In either case, nobody is getting "double counted" because it's usage based. If I watch 100 minutes of content and 30 minutes is on Youtube and 20 minutes on Disney and 50 minutes on YTTV, it's going to show up as 30%, 20%, 50% slices of my personal pie respectively.
Jimbo said:
Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...
Click to expand...
Nielsen does. If you go into the settings of any of your streaming accounts, you can turn off the option to share to usage data with their third party measuring service - Nielsen.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
savarese04 said:
Nobody is "happy" or "sad" about this. Simply posting data in an non-editorialized way has nothing to do with anyone's feelings.

The data on the streaming side is immensely accurate, I'm guessing to the millisecond. Plus most people likely have not turned off data sharing and thus they are grabbing a huge swath of data. Much more accurate than cable which relies on a smaller sample size and probably not to the second.

In either case, nobody is getting "double counted" because it's usage based. If I watch 100 minutes of content and 30 minutes is on Youtube and 20 minutes on Disney and 50 minutes on YTTV, it's going to show up as 30%, 20%, 50% slices of my personal pie respectively.

Nielsen does. If you go into the settings of any of your streaming accounts, you can turn off the option to share to usage data with their third party measuring service - Nielsen.
Click to expand...
I have turned some off, not others ...
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Xbox Rumored Game Pass Overhaul

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PAhrLR-6dec


Direct YouTube Link - Xbox Rumored Game Pass Overhaul
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Starlink Router question

I set up a music server for my brother a few years ago. It's basically a small headless computer but it needs to have a DHCP IP address reserved for it in the router settings. This was easy to do in his DSL router. He's switching to Starlink now and I was wondering if these setting are easily accessible in the Starlink router. I'm pretty sure he will be getting the latest V5 router.
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b4pjoe
b4pjoe
TRG said:
I set up a music server for my brother a few years ago. It's basically a small headless computer but it needs to have a DHCP IP address reserved for it in the router settings. This was easy to do in his DSL router. He's switching to Starlink now and I was wondering if these setting are easily accessible in the Starlink router. I'm pretty sure he will be getting the latest V5 router.
Click to expand...
If you can't get into the router to reserve an IP address just don't use DHCP on the device that needs connected and assign it to a specific IP address in the network settings.
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