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I wanted to start this post by letting everyone know a little bit of history.
I was a DIRECTV subscriber for many years. I began purchasing their service when a new home I built in 1997 did not have cable service. Back then you paid two bills (USSB and DIRECTV I think) and the SD picture quality was outstanding! We owned a SONY receiver with UHF remote. Over the years the picture quality just detiriorated to the point I could barely stand the macro blocking.
Sometime in 2004 I switched to VOOM. Prior to VOOM, I had just bought an HDTV and most of the programming I enjoyed was OTA. Despite the many critics, I enjoyed the VOOM service. The picture quality was very very good.
When VOOM was shut off in 2005 I went to Dish. The World Sport programming was a big draw, and at the time I thought the DISH HD picture quality was superior to DIRECTV.
Given that I am always chasing picture quality, IT IS NOW TIME TO SWITCH BACK TO DIRECTV! Dish picture quality has softened significantly over the last year or so. Even their MPEG4 channels don't have that looking through a window feeling I got from VOOM. With the the recent satellite launch troubles I don't want to wait forever.
So I have read and read the posts looking for answers to a switcher's questions. This is what I found so far. I decided to post the questions and answers so you guys could find and correct any mistakes. Your review of this stuff is greatly appreciated!
Maybe this list will help other people considering the switch...
(1) Which receiver do I want or will I get?
If you care about OTA you want an HR20. However they are hard to find so you will most likely get an HR21. You can get two OTA tuners on the HR21 with the addition of the AM21 accessory to be released any minute. DIRECTV said the AM21 will cost $59 bucks. Solid Signal is taking pre-orders for $99. With the AM21 the HR21 behaves just like the HR20. The OTA channels integrated into the guide. The AM21 appears to contain a slightly better performing pair of OTA tuners than the HR20. The AM21 connects to the HR21 through one of the HR21's rear USB ports.
(2) I love the Dish x22 receiver, can I record three things?
No. You will only be able to record two things at once, from any of the 4 tuners (2 SAT + 2 OTA) in the HR21 + AM21 combo.
(3) Can I watch any program while the receiver is busy recording something else?
Yes. Here are the supported combinations:
-If both SAT tuners are in use recording you can watch something from one of the OTA tuners.
-If both OTA tuners are in use recording you can watch something from one of the SAT tuners.
-If one OTA and one SAT tuner are in use you can watch something from one of the remaining OTA or SAT tuners.
-You can watch recorded programming while any tuners are being used to record.
(4) I love the Dish x22 receiver, do the HR20 and HR21 have an independent TV2 output.
No. You can choose to install multiple receivers to make up for this, or you can try one of these other suggestions.
You can hook up a modulator to one of the SD outputs of the main receiver and send what is on that receiver to all other TVs in the house. This setup works especially well with a UHF remote. The only caveat is that all the TVs will be linked to the output of the first receiver.
Someone pointed out that a second receiver that accepts a UHF remote together with a modulator will give you an independent TV2 equivalent.
I was not able to figure out what secondary (lesser than an HD-DVR) receivers accepts a UHF remote. Does anyone know?
(5) Is the picture quality better than Dish?
On the HD MPEG4 channels the consensus seems to be YES!
On the HD MPEG2 channels the consensus seems to be about the same.
On the SD MPEG2 channels the consensus seems to be NO.
The SD material on HD channels (like CNN or Speed) looks a lot better than the original SD channel.
Since I don't care about SD channels this works for me. The HD MPEG2 channels are scheduled to become MPEG4 channels sometime in the next year now that the D11 satellite is successfully launched.
(6) What are the HD MPEG2 channels?
I can't get this one straight. I think HBO and ESPN. Someone pointed out a list on Wikipedia. Then the next set of posts complained that the Wikipedia page was very out of date.
Does anyone have the definitive list?
(7) How many dishes will I get?
I could not get this one confirmed either. I think the answer is two dishes or one slightly larger dish with up to 5 lnbs?
(8) How long is the contract?
2 years?
(9) Can you use an external hard drive to archive programming?
No. Does anyone know if this feature has been announced?
(10) Can you get an HD only package?
No. It seems nobody is willing to sell me only HD.
I was a DIRECTV subscriber for many years. I began purchasing their service when a new home I built in 1997 did not have cable service. Back then you paid two bills (USSB and DIRECTV I think) and the SD picture quality was outstanding! We owned a SONY receiver with UHF remote. Over the years the picture quality just detiriorated to the point I could barely stand the macro blocking.
Sometime in 2004 I switched to VOOM. Prior to VOOM, I had just bought an HDTV and most of the programming I enjoyed was OTA. Despite the many critics, I enjoyed the VOOM service. The picture quality was very very good.
When VOOM was shut off in 2005 I went to Dish. The World Sport programming was a big draw, and at the time I thought the DISH HD picture quality was superior to DIRECTV.
Given that I am always chasing picture quality, IT IS NOW TIME TO SWITCH BACK TO DIRECTV! Dish picture quality has softened significantly over the last year or so. Even their MPEG4 channels don't have that looking through a window feeling I got from VOOM. With the the recent satellite launch troubles I don't want to wait forever.
So I have read and read the posts looking for answers to a switcher's questions. This is what I found so far. I decided to post the questions and answers so you guys could find and correct any mistakes. Your review of this stuff is greatly appreciated!
Maybe this list will help other people considering the switch...
(1) Which receiver do I want or will I get?
If you care about OTA you want an HR20. However they are hard to find so you will most likely get an HR21. You can get two OTA tuners on the HR21 with the addition of the AM21 accessory to be released any minute. DIRECTV said the AM21 will cost $59 bucks. Solid Signal is taking pre-orders for $99. With the AM21 the HR21 behaves just like the HR20. The OTA channels integrated into the guide. The AM21 appears to contain a slightly better performing pair of OTA tuners than the HR20. The AM21 connects to the HR21 through one of the HR21's rear USB ports.
(2) I love the Dish x22 receiver, can I record three things?
No. You will only be able to record two things at once, from any of the 4 tuners (2 SAT + 2 OTA) in the HR21 + AM21 combo.
(3) Can I watch any program while the receiver is busy recording something else?
Yes. Here are the supported combinations:
-If both SAT tuners are in use recording you can watch something from one of the OTA tuners.
-If both OTA tuners are in use recording you can watch something from one of the SAT tuners.
-If one OTA and one SAT tuner are in use you can watch something from one of the remaining OTA or SAT tuners.
-You can watch recorded programming while any tuners are being used to record.
(4) I love the Dish x22 receiver, do the HR20 and HR21 have an independent TV2 output.
No. You can choose to install multiple receivers to make up for this, or you can try one of these other suggestions.
You can hook up a modulator to one of the SD outputs of the main receiver and send what is on that receiver to all other TVs in the house. This setup works especially well with a UHF remote. The only caveat is that all the TVs will be linked to the output of the first receiver.
Someone pointed out that a second receiver that accepts a UHF remote together with a modulator will give you an independent TV2 equivalent.
I was not able to figure out what secondary (lesser than an HD-DVR) receivers accepts a UHF remote. Does anyone know?
(5) Is the picture quality better than Dish?
On the HD MPEG4 channels the consensus seems to be YES!
On the HD MPEG2 channels the consensus seems to be about the same.
On the SD MPEG2 channels the consensus seems to be NO.
The SD material on HD channels (like CNN or Speed) looks a lot better than the original SD channel.
Since I don't care about SD channels this works for me. The HD MPEG2 channels are scheduled to become MPEG4 channels sometime in the next year now that the D11 satellite is successfully launched.
(6) What are the HD MPEG2 channels?
I can't get this one straight. I think HBO and ESPN. Someone pointed out a list on Wikipedia. Then the next set of posts complained that the Wikipedia page was very out of date.
Does anyone have the definitive list?
(7) How many dishes will I get?
I could not get this one confirmed either. I think the answer is two dishes or one slightly larger dish with up to 5 lnbs?
(8) How long is the contract?
2 years?
(9) Can you use an external hard drive to archive programming?
No. Does anyone know if this feature has been announced?
(10) Can you get an HD only package?
No. It seems nobody is willing to sell me only HD.
16 Replies
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4394 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.
2 Replies
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23 views
Lon.TV
Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhwivKnNZrw
Direct YouTube Link - Lithium UPS Battery Backup Review - Oupes UPS 1200 Review
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhwivKnNZrw
Direct YouTube Link - Lithium UPS Battery Backup Review - Oupes UPS 1200 Review
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
0 Replies
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5 views
My OTA is not working anymore. This started after the latest update. I have the OTA dongle with a OTA antenna that I've been using for years. My hopper does not recognize the dongle anymore and when I go to the OTA setting, it has a screen that says to plug a dongle into the USB. I tried unplugging and plugging back, in the same usb port and other ports. The Hopper does not recognize it. Anyone have same issue?
202 Replies
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5259 views
Hi all. If you were using a single tuner USB OTA adapter that is no longer working, please PM me. Thanks.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
9 Replies
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80 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xnM_6NlEjsU
Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo Preorder Experience With Christina Warren
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xnM_6NlEjsU
Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo Preorder Experience With Christina Warren
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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5 views
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
550 Replies
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19060 views
More specifically, these:
A more scholarly story is here:
www.bleepingcomputer.com
A more scholarly story is here:
PHP warns admins of two critical flaws, emergency patches coming tomorrow
The PHP security team is warning administrators to prepare for emergency security updates tomorrow to address two critical vulnerabilities, as information about the flaws has reportedly leaked ahead of their scheduled disclosure.
When I heard about this exploit I was wondering how quick you would be on it.
12 minutes after the patch was release I had it patched.When I heard about this exploit I was wondering how quick you would be on it.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
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....
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....
68572 Replies
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2675898 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
I was reading this article
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.
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
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.
878 Replies
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71363 views
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.
cordcuttersnews.com
Bad News For Blu-ray Fans: Sony Has Stopped Making a Popular Player | Cord Cutters News
Sony has discontinued its final standalone UHD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, ending shipments of the device with no successor model announced. The move, first spotted by Japanese website Kunkoku.jp and confirmed through the status of the product on Sony’s own website, marks the company’s...
cordcuttersnews.com
I am so done with Sony on so many levels. This is just one small piece of it.Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.
Bad News For Blu-ray Fans: Sony Has Stopped Making a Popular Player | Cord Cutters News
Sony has discontinued its final standalone UHD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, ending shipments of the device with no successor model announced. The move, first spotted by Japanese website Kunkoku.jp and confirmed through the status of the product on Sony’s own website, marks the company’s...
Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.
www.tvtechnology.com
Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York
Group has secured lower pricing from key tech players to make less costly boxes available
www.tvtechnology.com
9 Replies
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297 views
It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.
There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.
Who says dinner or lunch has to be the only good meals of the day?
Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
6631 Replies
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379746 views