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duckydan

Last reply Aug 24, 2008 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Starz HD PQ is awful

Has anyone else had a problem with Starz HD? I tried watching 3 different movies throughout the week since signing up for starz and all three have looked awful.

For example on Monday we tried to watch Enchanted. The picture was not OAR but almost 4 x 3 stretched. Last night we went to watch Spiderman 3 and there was black crush throughout the picture to the extent that the film was way too dark. I have had no problems with cinemax and even HBO which many rate as inferior to the other premiums has had a better picture.

Is this a temporary flaw with Starz or is this how they always air their programs?

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Sammy033

Aug 23, 2008

Cant forget about eyes and their connection to the brain. Sometimes we see what we want to see. And of course ignore what we dont want to see.

Space Mountain: The Movie??? Please God no!!!

duckydan

Aug 23, 2008

Been a while since I posted on this one... it's definately not my tv settings that is making the picture look bad and perhaps its because I've watched the movie so many times on BD that it looks bad but even when watching it again last night Enchanted looked like crap. I plan on dvr'ing a program from stars and another channel to compare the two.

I don't get macroblocking and I am also in Philly so I'm not sure what the problem is but I do know the picture quality isn't what I'm used to at the very least.

Edit: Watching Ratatouille now and it looks phenomenal... perhaps it was just the two previous ones or a problem in my area but Ratatouille looks great and OAR.

MikeD-C05

Aug 23, 2008

We watched Enchanted the other night when it first appeared on our 57" Toshiba hdtv in 1080i and the picture looked great. Didn't see any artifacts ,pixelation,macroblocking and we recorded the movie while we watched it. I say again it is either a receiver ,installation or dish point , or a tv problem that is causing the problems in the pq for some and not others. Especially when most people watch the tvs with the contrast , sharpness way too high that would show the artifacts and macro blocking that only some say they see in the pq. My dad thinks that sharpness should be turned way up on his picture so it looks better. It looks like SH*t ! Every bad flaw and artifact you can see is in his pq on his Toshiba Regza 32" hdtv. My dad has a cataract in one eye and had the other eye lens replaced from a cataract surgery he had years ago. So I don't think that he has a clue what pq should be. I always adjust it and get the pq where it looks great and you can see no flaws in the pq and he will turn it back to Sports mode and the picture looks like crap. Pq is subjective and most people are not very objective in picking their picture controls. I even used a calibration dvd for sd tvs to get the pq great on my older sd tvs. With the hdtvs I used the movie mode with the sharpness turned down to about 25 -35 out of 100, the warm tone and the automatic light sensor mode on, so the tv will automatically adjust the contrast based on how much light is in the room. This has given me the best picture quality on both sd and hd picture for going on 5 years now. OF course this is a rear projection tv that I am talking about. ON LCD or Plazma or tube top tvs the picture controls may have to be different. I know that my tube top hdtv is completely different controls for what makes it look good compared to my rear projection tv. If you sit to close to ANY tv you will see flaws that most won't at a good distance from the tv.

duckydan

Aug 24, 2008

I saw no artifacts, pixelation, or macroblocking. I also saw no problems on two movies tonight. The colors on enchanted are just dark and it's just not as sharp as some of the places I've seen it (including the blu-ray.) My tv has been professionally calibrated, the receiver is fine, and I have over 100 on my signal. The PQ is just not up to par with other things I've watched. I realize that a BD and Sat don't compare but normally it is close. Ratatouille was damn near perfect on Starz. Same for Lost Boys on HD Net vs BD. Enchanted was just soft colors, very dark in spots, and just didn't pop. Perhaps it was a bad master but do a comparison for yourself from a BD to your DVR'd copy and tell me that the coloring is not off. Even my wife thought it was SD until we looked at the guide and it said HD and that was both times. That and Spiderman 3 were the only two that I had problems with (with spidey 3 maybe being in SD but I doubt it since I only have the HD channels programmed)

MikeD-C05

Aug 24, 2008

Compared to Blu Ray any movie on either DISH ,DIRECTV or even cable will NOT look as good. I thought you were comparing STarz on DISH, to other premium hd channels like Hbo or SHowtime on DIRECTV. All sat companies compress their hd signal . But I will say again, that the HD signal on DISH is acceptable and I don't see any problems in the pq if you sit back far enough at a normal viewing distance , your tv picture controls are calibrated or set properly. I have ENchanted in Blu-Ray, but my tv only does 1080i but I really can't tell the difference. If you can tell the difference between Enchanted movie on Blu-Ray compared to DISH and you aren't actually watching them on two tvs at the same time under comparable settings and conditions you really have a discerning eye . But then again if you are watching Enchanted in 1080p on Blu ray and the same movie in only 1080i over DISH , then I guess you would see a difference. Then again it could just be more of that Blu ray hype- you have to justify spending so much money for the latest dvd player so it has to be better pq.

skottey

Aug 24, 2008

Sammy033 said:
Space Mountain: The Movie??? Please God no!!!

I can't wait for the Toad's Wild Ride movie.... I can't believe they closed that ride. Me sad.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply A moment ago · 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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ClarkGable

Today at 6:50 AM

Long Train Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers

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dishstaller

Today at 9:46 AM

Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips

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harshness

Today at 10:09 AM

After Midnight - Eric Clapton

Bobby

19 minutes ago

Gotta Give A Little Love (Ten Years After) - Timmy Thomas

gms49ers

A moment ago

Hear Me Calling - Ten Years After

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TheRatPatrol

Last reply 23 minutes ago · posted in TV Shows

NCIS

Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?

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Jimbo

Oct 12, 2026

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

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Jimbo

Oct 13, 2026

Jimbo said:
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

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Howard Simmons

Oct 15, 2026

Jimbo said:
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

Tony as the director.

Jimbo

Oct 15, 2026

Howard Simmons said:
Tony as the director.

Would you rather have LaRoche ???

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and Howard Simmons

Howard Simmons

Oct 16, 2026

Jimbo said:
Would you rather have LaRoche ???

No. Bring in someone new.

Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

Jimbo

Oct 16, 2026

Howard Simmons said:
No. Bring in someone new. Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.

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KAB

Oct 17, 2026

I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.

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Jimbo

Oct 17, 2026

KAB said:
I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.

I'm curious how they are going to implement Tony into Origins (If they do) ...
Tony was introduced to Gibbs and the team, on NCIS, which makes it the Mothership side of things, he worked in Baltimore prior to NCIS, NO mention when they met that anyone had known one another ...

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Jimbo

Oct 17, 2026

KAB said:
I wonder it they will show the teased meeting (in Origins) with Tony and Gibbs.

Teased Meeting ?

dfergie

23 minutes ago

I didn't recognize him till I saw this... (William Katt)

View: https://youtu.be/n9S3F87A588?si=tU_YQX6h3vDmrGEf

Good episode.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 10:29 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

$6.3 billion in crypto stolen by hackers

This should hit a lot of folks with a dose of reality. I can only imagine how much more common this will get as AI progresses.

I read several stories on this and most are clear as mud. They say a lot of the stolen bitcoin has been "locked out" and that everyone will be made financially whole. I guess time will tell if either of these statements are actually true.

Hackers steal $6.3 billion from Binance in biggest-ever cryptocurrency theft

The company later added it began recovering assets impacted by the breach after pledging to cover losses using its Secure Asset Fund for Users.

www.cnbc.com

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harshness

Today at 10:29 AM

dishstaller said:
They say a lot of the stolen bitcoin has been "locked out" and that everyone will be made financially whole.

The "Secure Asset Fund" had about $1 billion in reserves... in Bitcoin.

The fund started in 2018, so it may take a while to make investors whole, much less replenish the fund.

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 10:05 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

It states the average amount they are under water is OVER $7,000. :eek

Personally, I tend to be the type that drives a vehicle for a lot of years....do my own oil changes and other fluid changes. Just replaced the spark plugs and a couple coils. Youtube is great for things like this.

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

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Juan

Yesterday at 9:43 PM

I guess America can't afford 10 year autoloans

harshness

Today at 10:05 AM

Juan said:
I guess America can't afford 10 year autoloans

I'm pretty sure the most you can get is seven.

What America can't afford is the payments on $80,000+ pickups and SUVs and $40,000+ crossovers.

Neutron

Supporting Founder

Last reply Today at 10:02 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

RIP Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart died yesterday, October 28th at the age of 86. We lost yet another great actor.

Patrick Stewart, ‘Star Trek’ Captain and ‘X-Men’ Superhero, Dies at 86

He’s forever known for playing Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier, whom he “admired for their morality, for their kindness, for their sensitivity, for their compassion.”

www.hollywoodreporter.com

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meStevo

Yesterday at 5:48 PM

Yeah, this one is tough. RIP.

View: https://www.threads.com/@tismarkart/post/DfF4ONpkYPG

Reactions: sdfntx, Foxbat, Keith Brannen and 4 others

Mr Tony

Yesterday at 8:50 PM

R.I.P.

mc6809e

Yesterday at 9:28 PM

Rest In Peace

sdfntx

Yesterday at 10:56 PM

R.I.P., Jean-Luc.

osu1991

Today at 10:02 AM

View: https://youtu.be/wFyUUrrYsrQ?si=Sk-lBWgOJEnBiHlL

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Ham Radio 2.0

Today at 9:22 AM · posted in Ham Radio 2.0

I Took Ham Radio, Meshtastic and Meshcore to Las Vegas

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJuVBittpm0

Direct YouTube Link - I Took Ham Radio, Meshtastic and Meshcore to Las Vegas
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook

0 Replies · 8 views

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TFLEV

Today at 7:12 AM · posted in TFLEV

This New Zeekr 7GT Is Bargain-Priced Taycan Alternative You've Never Heard Of!

Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVPpv2ZvbFU

Direct YouTube Link - This New Zeekr 7GT Is Bargain-Priced Taycan Alternative You've Never Heard Of!

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meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 6:39 AM · posted in TV Shows

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Starting a thread klang !

After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.

12 Replies · 1042 views

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klang

Oct 21, 2025

Finished season 3 last night. Still one of my favorite shows.

Anyone else wonder if there might be something else going on with Callum? Seems to me he has too much access to Russian intelligence.

meStevo

Oct 15, 2026

One episode into season 4 that dropped today...

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meStevo

Yesterday at 5:57 PM

Renewed for season 5.

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klang

Yesterday at 6:02 PM

Finished 4 last night. Great stuff.

They do like to end each season with a Bang!

KAB

Today at 6:39 AM

klang said:
Finished 4 last night. Great stuff.

They do like to end each season with a Bang!

Great ending, but it ran in circles most of the season.

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mheisen

Last reply Today at 3:43 AM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Hopper 3 with Hopper plus internet connection problems

Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?

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Almighty1

Yesterday at 2:50 PM

mheisen said:
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?

I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?

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mheisen

Yesterday at 6:11 PM

Almighty1 said:
I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?

I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.

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Almighty1

Yesterday at 6:33 PM

mheisen said:
I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.

Did it ever work correctly before? Hard to say what the problem is. Usually for streaming, it will show the Dish logo with lines sweeping down to show downloading, never seen the circle issue. Did you try a manual reboot, red button reset, power cord unplug/replug to see if it makes a difference.

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slow_poke_pete

Today at 3:38 AM

Almighty1 said:
Did it ever work correctly before? Hard to say what the problem is. Usually for streaming, it will show the Dish logo with lines sweeping down to show downloading, never seen the circle issue. Did you try a manual reboot, red button reset, power cord unplug/replug to see if it makes a difference.

Might be worth just to ditch the hopper plus. No issues here on h713

Reactions: charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Today at 3:43 AM

mheisen said:
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?

Buy a roku and dump the hopper plus you'll be better off. If you have a smart tv you don't need either one. No hopper plus here and no issues!!!

Reactions: navychop and charlesrshell

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 3:22 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Meta Muse Privacy Flaw Exposed Sensitive Shared Links #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nKMpQ3UNenY

Direct YouTube Link - Meta Muse Privacy Flaw Exposed Sensitive Shared Links #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Starz HD PQ is awful

Song Name Game Part 3!

NCIS

$6.3 billion in crypto stolen by hackers

Hackers steal $6.3 billion from Binance in biggest-ever cryptocurrency theft

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge

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Meta Muse Privacy Flaw Exposed Sensitive Shared Links #shorts