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I think I had one of those "Ah-ha!" moments today. I was puzzled reading some comments in another thread that suggested disinterest in the FTA hobby growing much. This was a real head-scratcher for me, especially in light of the friendly and helpful folks here in the FTA forums.
After pondering it for a while, I think I have a better grasp of the issue. Apparently, there is fear that if the hobby grows too much we will see a loss of programming. This is certainly understandable and has been demonstrated time and time again when someone blurts info about an open feed, only to see the programming get encrypted shortly thereafter. At the same time it is a little sad, too.
So as I come to terms with the concept of keeping FTA (as a whole) on the down-low, it occurs to me that it will be increasingly less likely to see new features in FTA equipment. In the recent past, several manufacturers were driven by market demand for features that enabled illegal viewing of programming. In some cases, these features were also desirable for legitimate FTA viewing, so we benefited indirectly from the illegal activity. Now that the market for signal thieves is drying up, the future of new features coming to FTA equipment seems rather bleak. The business case becomes pretty difficult without raising prices dramatically due to the relatively small user base.
Will we see the North American receivers become extinct? Will we have to start relying more on the European market models for new features?
It strikes me as a difficult situation to balance a large enough market to drive demand for products while also remaining small enough to escape unwanted notice. Please, enlighten me on where I have hit/missed the mark or other thoughts on the relative obscurity of the FTA hobby.
Regards,
Red
After pondering it for a while, I think I have a better grasp of the issue. Apparently, there is fear that if the hobby grows too much we will see a loss of programming. This is certainly understandable and has been demonstrated time and time again when someone blurts info about an open feed, only to see the programming get encrypted shortly thereafter. At the same time it is a little sad, too.
So as I come to terms with the concept of keeping FTA (as a whole) on the down-low, it occurs to me that it will be increasingly less likely to see new features in FTA equipment. In the recent past, several manufacturers were driven by market demand for features that enabled illegal viewing of programming. In some cases, these features were also desirable for legitimate FTA viewing, so we benefited indirectly from the illegal activity. Now that the market for signal thieves is drying up, the future of new features coming to FTA equipment seems rather bleak. The business case becomes pretty difficult without raising prices dramatically due to the relatively small user base.
Will we see the North American receivers become extinct? Will we have to start relying more on the European market models for new features?
It strikes me as a difficult situation to balance a large enough market to drive demand for products while also remaining small enough to escape unwanted notice. Please, enlighten me on where I have hit/missed the mark or other thoughts on the relative obscurity of the FTA hobby.
Regards,
Red
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1821 views
Some say that signal theft market is evolving, not drying up. But it may require ongoing equipment upgrade from viewers as signal protection techniques will keep advancing, hence lower demand and volume of sales may reflect that. Signal theft however is not the only or even major factor in STB advances, since most such viewers prefer "Easy Button" and min features anyway.
Broadcast technology advances like IPTV are affecting STB evolution a lot more. As low cost high bandwidth availability will become prevalent in major cities, we may observe major sat broadcasters start offering and shifting focus to IPTV services, like largest phone companies did, selling now mostly VOIP and Cellphone services instead of traditional land lines. Hence Linux multimedia STBs with multiple tuners and advanced video processors and HTPCs will steadily grow in demand, and we'll see a much larger influx of new systems and features than sat signal theft money could ever deliver. It will of course affect business models of content delivery to end users. As internet always tend to do, such models will become more diverse and democratic over the time, and will present challenge to current 2 dominant broadcasters / little competition system for sure. Sat broadcast will remain dominant in less accessible geographic areas with low population density.
I'm sure, the future of watching free or low cost TV content is brighter than some may think at the moment. But technology and equipment required for that will evolve over time.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
It states the average amount they are under water is OVER $7,000. 
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.
www.zerohedge.com
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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Supporting Founder
Patrick Stewart died yesterday, October 28th at the age of 86. We lost yet another great actor. 
www.hollywoodreporter.com
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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Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
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.
www.cnbc.com
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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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....
68665 Replies
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2680723 views
Ham Radio 2.0
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
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
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3 views
TFLEV
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!
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!
0 Replies
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14 views
Lifetime Supporter
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.
After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.
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1037 views
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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228 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
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
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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6 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I_zmwUPcv50
Direct YouTube Link - AI Is Turning Wannabe Hackers Into Cybercriminals #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I_zmwUPcv50
Direct YouTube Link - AI Is Turning Wannabe Hackers Into Cybercriminals #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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15 views