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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Sep 16, 2009 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Good Article -

Normally I don't agree with Phillip Swann (aka Swanni) but I enjoyed his latest column.

Why Is DIRECTV Ignoring HDTV?

I agree with him that something is going on at DirecTV and I got to be honest, I don't think I like it.

68 Replies · 9061 views

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Tom Bombadil

Sep 14, 2009

I don't like HD Lite and I applaud D* for at least providing half-way decent HD. I still see compression-related artifacts in many HD programs, but it's usually fairly good.

My gripe is more how they are allocating their HD bandwidth. Rather than provide popular national HD channels, they are using too much for PPV HD and being too conservative in using the remaining bandwidth. By over allocating to PPV HD, I get the message that they over prioritize selling PPV over providing high value for their subscribers. I can understand providing some PPV HD, but I think they take it too far. I pay a lot for HD and Premium Movie packages, yet they still withhold several HD movie channels from me and use it for so many PPV HD channels. So they are flat-out telling me that despite paying $120+ a month, they don't value me as a customer.

I've read many posts of where people say that D* must be very careful in how they allocate the remaining limited bandwidth. But if they never offer anything with it, it might as well not even exist.

I believe that they could offer all or nearly all of the 10 HD channels I listed, with no decrease in HD image quality. If I'm wrong, then I would rather keep the image quality high and have fewer channels.

riffjim4069

Sep 14, 2009

Tom Bombadil said:
I don't like HD Lite and I applaud D* for at least providing half-way decent HD. I still see compression-related artifacts in many HD programs, but it's usually fairly good.

Praising D* for providing half-way decent HD is like praising a consultant for being a half-wit. Just say no to HD-Lite in each form, fashion, and every reincarnation (e.g., DishHD-Lite, TurboHD-Lite, D* HD, etc.)

SupaFresh208

Sep 15, 2009

I agree with the articule, just the other day I called D* about my unhappiness with them and told them I was going to switch to E*. He in turn told me no need because of D* is the number one leader and blah blah blah. I told him straight up cut the BS talk and talk for real. I said why am I paying 12.99 for 2 cinemax channels? He said It's three channels..for anyone who thinks cinemax east or west are two totally different channels is an idiot. He tried to explain the differences to me and that it was two completely different channels, but I wasen't hearing it. I said E* has all there premiums in HD why doesn't D* do the same? He kept on about how they offer the most HD..then I cut him off saying I don't need ST for my favorite team is the Giants and I get them locally. So all those HD channels mean jack squat to me. I could go on with this but you see my gripe.

Back in June my apartment building finally ok'd us to get satellite so I bought D* due to price. I'm happy with the HD content but wish there was more considering I'm paying for it. I would cancel it now and switch to E* but I would have to pay $420 and uninstall the dish myself which is just f**kin crazy. Hopefully things will turn around which the launch of D12 but who knows.

Tom Bombadil

Sep 15, 2009

riffjim4069 said:
Praising D* for providing half-way decent HD is like praising a consultant for being a half-wit. Just say no to HD-Lite in each form, fashion, and every reincarnation (e.g., DishHD-Lite, TurboHD-Lite, D* HD, etc.)

If I had an option to get better HD quality, I would take it. At present my best option is D*. One of the reasons why I left E* after 10 years with them was their lower quality HD. Living in a rural area, I don't expect to have a better option anytime soon.

DishSubLA

Sep 16, 2009

This just affirms that Direct TV continues to be the king of marketing among all pay-tv services. It is true: people really do believe Direct TV is the HD leader because their extremely effective advertising tell them so.

stonecold

Sep 16, 2009

DishSubLA said:
This just affirms that Direct TV continues to be the king of marketing among all pay-tv services. It is true: people really do believe Direct TV is the HD leader because their extremely effective advertising tell them so.

Omg it my favorite person in the whole wide world it is the guy who thinks Charlie and Echostar are poor. Please again lay off the Kool-aid it not doing you any good.

I believe it to be two fold

1. as mention before excellent marketing

2. Most of the major networks are covered. Yes I know we could rattle off the networks not covered some I would call major but over all we get so few calls on the why dont you have this channel in HD it quite sad. Use to be people would call up about hd channels but since we have a good selection of them now they dont seem to care as much about the other ones. Personally I would like to see Travel HD and AMC HD. So I guess what I am saying is complain and complain alot about HD count again. so it makes it back on DTV operations call trends sheets.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 8 minutes 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....

68634 Replies · 2679076 views

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Reactions: c-spand

gms49ers

Today at 1:17 PM

Dancing Days - Led Zeppelin

Reactions: dishstaller and FTA4PA

dishstaller

Today at 2:34 PM

Dancing in the Street - Van Halen

long_time_Dish

Today at 3:47 PM

Bakers Street - Gerry Rafferty

Reactions: gms49ers

Bobby

Today at 4:09 PM

long_time_Dish said:
Bakers Street - Gerry Rafferty

Let me fix that for you:
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty

EatMyVolts

8 minutes ago

The 59th Street Bridge Song -- Simon & Garfunkel

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MartyDe

Last reply 32 minutes ago · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.

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

10 Replies · 541 views

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navychop

Oct 20, 2026

DEATH TO NEXGEN!

Reactions: primestar31, RaVo68, gms49ers and 1 other person

primestar31

Wednesday at 7:29 PM

navychop said:
DEATH TO NEXGEN!

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.

Reactions: slow_poke_pete, FTA4PA and navychop

navychop

Wednesday at 10:37 PM

I truly hope you are right.

Reactions: FTA4PA

Mister B

Thursday at 7:43 AM

What bothers me is the total waste of broadcasting spectrum in this very crowded market. It has been almost three years now since KFOX converted their broadcast tower to ATSC 3.0 and moved all of their channels to other towers causing noticeable degradation of the picture quality.
I have a Sony TV with 3.0 capabilities but still use the 1.0 version of locals due to the fact that one or all of the 3.0 channels are often missing or unwatchable. In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.
The only thing that could motivate me to be interested in 3.0 would be if all of the minor networks (diginets) could be in at least 720P rather than blurry ultra-compressed 480i.
Three years is long enough to waste one of the few available RF frequencies in the area for this trial.
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

navychop

Thursday at 4:31 PM

Mister B said:
In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.

They might notice the hand going into their pocket for their wallet.

Reactions: FTA4PA

navychop

Thursday at 4:31 PM

Mister B said:
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

QFT. Of course, my preference involves a curb and some kicking.

Reactions: FTA4PA

slow_poke_pete

32 minutes ago

primestar31 said:
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.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNET PART OF IT. NO ONE WANTS A BOX CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET EITHER.

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TRG

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply 34 minutes ago · posted in Local Radio Discussion

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, marking a major step forward for broadcasters and listeners who have pushed to keep AM radio available in new cars and

wabcradio.com

21 Replies · 600 views

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dishdude

Sep 18, 2026

It's probably been 2 decades since I've listened to an AM radio station. Very rarely listen to FM any more.

Reactions: reubenray and Jimbo

Jimbo

Today at 8:35 AM

I am 1 that wants the AM to Stay ....
That said, since '08 I have had Sat radio available to me ... I think I have turned on AM 3 or 4 times, just to see if its still there.

Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.
Even FM, I haven't really had on since '13ish, I may turn it on from time to time, just to see if its still there.

harshness

Today at 10:10 AM

Jimbo said:
Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.

Automation has seen to that. You can't get evening drive traffic reports where I live, much less disaster reports.

dishstaller

Today at 10:41 AM

dishdude said:
Very rarely listen to FM any more

That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.

Reactions: Mr Tony

Jimbo

Today at 11:03 AM

dishstaller said:
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.

Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?

dishstaller

Today at 12:29 PM

Jimbo said:
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?

No, just regular FM stations. One is the country station I mentioned and the other is a Talk Radio station which used to get fantastic results but honestly, since the death of Rush Limbaugh, talk radio just doesn't do as well. There were two guys who had an early morning show which was hugely popular here in the southeast but one of them retired a couple years ago and the show just doesn't garner the same numbers as it used to.

slow_poke_pete

34 minutes ago

Haven't listened AM or FM in years

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 5:02 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Security Now 1101

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ4Z4zafNLI

Direct YouTube Link - Security Now 1101
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 7 views

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osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 5:01 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of 'Kate & Allie' and 'McMillan & Wife,' Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of ‘Kate & Allie’ and ‘McMillan & Wife,’ Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who starred in "Kate & Allie," died Monday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was 80.

variety.com

1 Replies · 11 views

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Bobby

Today at 5:01 PM

Rest in peace.

JSheridan

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 4:58 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

All DMA's now Western Arc

I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.

173 Replies · 4933 views

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Reactions: That American Girl, MikeD-C05, AkaDoubleG and 6 others

Strega

Friday at 10:01 PM

Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.

Reactions: charlesrshell

Jimbo

Friday at 11:17 PM

Strega said:
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.

Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.

Reactions: charlesrshell

Mister B

Saturday at 7:35 AM

Jimbo said:
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.

I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.

Reactions: Almighty1, savarese04 and charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 10:40 AM

Mister B said:
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.

can't forget the little blue m&m's

Reactions: Almighty1, charlesrshell and telstar_1

charlesrshell

Yesterday at 11:23 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
can't forget the little blue m&m's

That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!

Reactions: Almighty1, slow_poke_pete, MikeD-C05 and 2 others

telstar_1

Yesterday at 8:12 PM

Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink

Reactions: charlesrshell

Foxbat

Yesterday at 9:01 PM

telstar_1 said:
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink

Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.

Reactions: MikeD-C05, dishstaller, HipKat and 2 others

telstar_1

Today at 12:08 AM

But how is it reusable if it's disposable

Reactions: charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Today at 2:09 AM

charlesrshell said:
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!

My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh

Reactions: MikeD-C05, charlesrshell and HipKat

Almighty1

Today at 4:04 PM

telstar_1 said:
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink

He does not have the resources aka $$$ compared to Elon Musk as in reality, Elon can eat Charlie for lunch or even mop the floor with Charlie if he wanted to.

Reactions: charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Today at 4:58 PM

ment to 20 yrs dam phone

View all replies (173)

Marques Brownlee

Today at 4:42 PM · posted in Marques Brownlee

This can SEE Sound!

Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ai1gIWacf0I

Direct YouTube Link - This can SEE Sound!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store

0 Replies · 4 views

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iJustine

Today at 4:12 PM · posted in iJustine

New Dive Computer! Oceanic’s o.i 🤿

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/roM3DlRf5Gk

Direct YouTube Link - New Dive Computer! Oceanic's o.i

The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

0 Replies · 6 views

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osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 4:03 PM · posted in Movie Talk

Dune (2020)

53 Replies · 10078 views

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long_time_Dish

Jun 4, 2024

Also watched part 2 about a week or so ago after rewatching part 1. It's not as faithful to the book as I was hoping for. Part 1 stayed fairly faithful to the novel, but part 2 took some liberties that I felt were rather excessively non-novel. It looks like a prequel series will happen before part 3. My issue is: there's no prequel that was written as a novel, so what will it be pulled from? Or will it just be "based loosely" on the novel?

klang

Jun 4, 2024

long_time_DNC said:
Also watched part 2 about a week or so ago after rewatching part 1. It's not as faithful to the book as I was hoping for. Part 1 stayed fairly faithful to the novel, but part 2 took some liberties that I felt were rather excessively non-novel. It looks like a prequel series will happen before part 3. My issue is: there's no prequel that was written as a novel, so what will it be pulled from? Or will it just be "based loosely" on the novel?

There is a bunch of other Dune written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert (Franks son). I think the series in production is taken from one of their books about the Bene Gesserit.

long_time_Dish

Jun 4, 2024

klang said:
There is a bunch of other Dune written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert (Franks son). I think the series in production is taken from one of their books about the Bene Gesserit.

Correct. I've read all of them (yes, it took awhile, better part of a year, in my spare time). And they can't really consider or classify a series about the Bene Gesserit as a prequel. Sure, I suppose they can call it that, if they want to, because it begins before the time of Paul Atredies, but it's still a stretch. It's a Dune-related novel, not a prequel as we generally think of prequels...

klang

Mar 17, 2026

View: https://youtu.be/3_9vCamtuPY

Reactions: Howard Simmons, Foxbat, long_time_Dish and 1 other person

klang

Today at 3:41 PM

Big finish coming:

View: https://youtu.be/uJqaGLmZpGo?si=WBhK28F4HiSVI-qx

long_time_Dish

Today at 4:03 PM

Well, it looks good! I just hope they stayed close to the trilogy, but it doesn't look like it.

View all replies (53)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

MacBreak Weekly 1048

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AqVr7wezCQ

Direct YouTube Link - MacBreak Weekly 1048
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Good Article -

Song Name Game Part 3!

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

Security Now 1101

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of 'Kate & Allie' and 'McMillan & Wife,' Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of ‘Kate & Allie’ and ‘McMillan & Wife,’ Dies at 80

All DMA's now Western Arc

This can SEE Sound!

New Dive Computer! Oceanic’s o.i 🤿

Dune (2020)

MacBreak Weekly 1048