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Davage
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

A little fun at the expense of the cable company..

I have Rogers Cable internet service. I've used it for years. I am a huge satellite enthusiast and have been watching satellite tv since 1988.

Yesterday I received an 'exclusive offer' from the cable company. They are going to GIVE me a free PVR box, and 3 months worth of service. All Free.

Being a skeptic, I call up the cable company and say "Is this deal for real?" The nice customer service rep lady says "Yes". I say "Where's the fine print? - What's the catch?" She replies "No catch. No strings attached, no commitments at all. We are just so confident in our service that we're sure that you will want to subscribe after the free preview period". I say to her "So.. If I decide to cancel after the 3 free months, then I get to keep the PVR?" She says "Yes". I then tell her that I am a Bell TV subscriber. She then says "Oh, I hope that it snows really bad during your free preview so that you can see how more reliable our service is than satellite". I laugh and say "I have an 8ft satellite dish that works no matter what the weather is, and likely would provide me signal in a hurricane" The cable lady then says "8ft dish? What do you need one of those for?" I reply "To see stuff that isn't on cable or Bell TV, such as Nascar feeds from the track" - She then says "We have the Nascar channels too.." I then tried to explain to her about wild feeds and backhaul feeds.

After I had hung up the phone I then realized that I should have told her to go out back and look to see how they get CNN.. I'll bet that they use a big 8ft to 12 ft dish :)

Anyways... I am getting cable tv for 3 months. I'll use it to fill up the PVR, then I'll be pulling the plug on their service before the 3 months is up. I'm a SatelliteGuy and will always be a SatelliteGuy :)
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zamar23
zamar23
I don't think keeping a PVR forever was the part of this Promo, as it sounds. Besides, the only thing you can do with it without a cable sub is to sell, and possibly only locally, as cable companies impose MAC and Serial restrictions when activating boxes.
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D
Davage
zamar23 said:
I don't think keeping a PVR forever was the part of this Promo, as it sounds. Besides, the only thing you can do with it without a cable sub is to sell, and possibly only locally, as cable companies impose MAC and Serial restrictions when activating boxes.
Click to expand...

I confirmed with them that I am able to KEEP the PVR. I have the details printed out on paper here, and I also confirmed with the CSR..

Unfortunately, the PVR they gave me is defective. It's a 'refurb'. Hard Drive failed... I'm off to the local cable office this morning to get it replaced. Maybe the cable company is having a bit of fun at my expense?!

After I'm done my free preview period, I already have someone in mind for the PVR receiver. A co-worker of mine has a son in the same city as me who has rogers cable, but does not have a PVR. He has a young daughter and quite often misses is favorite shows. I'll give him the PVR..

I have been on the phone with the cable company a couple times the past 24 hours.. Now I remember why I gave up on cable tv 14 years ago and went strictly with satellite. The customer service from cable seems disorganized, although the people who are on the other end of the phone seem genuine in their help, they are limited in their resources.. The one CSR last night told me that the local cable centre / video store was open until 10PM, so at 9:15 I went out to get the box replaced. I show up to find the cable dept closed.. They need a little more organization internally to have store hours clearly and correctly available to their own people.

Oh well.. Maybe "free" isn't really free.. A little gas running back and forth to cable centres is what it'll cost. I have kept my Bell TV subscription fully active because there are channels on Bell that Rogers Cable simply doesn't carry...

Anyways... The original intent of this thread was to say how I was joking around with the cable company explaining that I am still using a big dish. I don't want to get too far off topic.. I'll see what other 'joking' fun I can have with the CSR at the desk today. I'll be sure to get a few satellite discussions in with him/her....
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Cham
Cham
I have bell here too... but a local cable company always phones to solicit their service so I have fun with them... I am located in the country so their nearest cable access is about 5km away (3 mi). Sometimes it takes two to three days for them to realize I'm not in their part of town... I always keep them on the phone asking them why the sales call when they obviously can't provide the service?, when can they provide the service?, why they are discriminating between rural and urban customers?, etc...
They waste my time so I have to waste theirs too... :)
C.
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classicsat
@Davage: It could be that they have too many refurbs and were looking for an excuse to get rid of them. If have seen providers offer "special deals" to liquidate them. Sometimes it is to make room for a new model.

@cham, while I do not get solicited directly by the local cable company, I do get their mailers from bulk mail. I, like you, do not have physical access to cable nearby. I am about 10 miles from theri line. You would think they could save money not delivering them to rural mail routes.
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gdavisloop
They may let you keep the PVR (though I can't see why), but "deactivate it" so it's useless... even to play back the shows you already recorded.
Watch out, I fell for this and I'm still paying for the cable service two years later.
--Gary
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Davage
I had a tech come onsite and he replaced my original defective PVR. I've played with it a bit, but I am not overly impressed with the Scientific Atlanta cable box at all. I prefer my Bell TV PVR, especially for the 30 second skip ahead button. Commercial skipping is much easier on Bell TV than it is on cable.

I've already got the 'cancel' date written on my calendar here. Rogers require a 30 day notice, so I'm going to end up giving them a 6 week notice of cancellation. I just quite honestly am not impressed with what I'm seeing.. My VisionSat PVR has much nicer on-screen graphics than the Rogers Scientific Atlanta box does...

gdavisloop - I'm not recording anything worth keeping on the PVR box, so I'm not concerned if they deactivate it. I've already decided that I don't want to keep the service. Thanks for the heads-up though :)
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M
mheisen
Last reply · 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
Almighty1
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?
Click to expand...
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
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?
Click to expand...
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
Almighty1
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.
Click to expand...
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
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.
Click to expand...
Might be worth just to ditch the hopper plus. No issues here on h713
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slow_poke_pete
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?
Click to expand...
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!!!
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· 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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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI Is Turning Wannabe Hackers Into Cybercriminals #shorts

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
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI in the NYTimes Cooking App

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGXuqH0DqDs


Direct YouTube Link - AI in the NYTimes Cooking App
TWIT's Website
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Responses to PHP Flash Alert

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psVDWmJn7e8


Direct YouTube Link - Responses to PHP Flash Alert
TWIT's Website
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple's Jump Into the Touchscreen Laptop Market

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJZNojY-Os


Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Jump Into the Touchscreen Laptop Market
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Lon.TV
· posted in Lon.TV

Pre-CES Tech Dispatch! 14 Gadgets in 11 Minutes !

Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYnl79ronhs


Direct YouTube Link - Pre-CES Tech Dispatch! 14 Gadgets in 11 Minutes !
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
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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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Take It Easy - The Eagles
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sdfntx
Take It as It Comes - Steve Winwood
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long_time_Dish
Take The Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
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EatMyVolts
Run Joe -- Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
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long_time_Dish
The Long Run - The Eagles
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Gary Toma
Gary Toma
Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/28/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
​
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
​
Additional tabs provide:​
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
​
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8​

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
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doctor J
Weekly Analysis for 10/28/2026:
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KyL416
ElectionHQ mixes testing with BBC News, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC, MSNOW, NewsMax and NewsNation

Some more reshuffles

Updating the TMSIDs for KSBI and KQCW to use the cable feeds with Thunder games instead of the OTA feeds

An additional commercial PPV channel is now on 9530
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coolman302003
coolman302003
Monday 11/2 is a full slate for NBA League Pass as all 30 teams are playing and 14 out of 15 total games are on NBALP. Only one national TV game on Peacock/NBCSN (Thunder @ Cavs).

DirecTV is even having to use several MLB EI channels (from 745-748) and a NHL CI (770) channel to fit all of them in the guide close together. 5 games at 7:30 ET, 3 games at 8 ET, 2 games at 8:30 ET, 1 game at 9 ET, 3 games at 10 ET. Luckily NHL CI is light on Monday (3 games on CI).

DirecTV is providing both broadcast feeds for all League Pass games except Hornets, Magic, Bucks & Raptors that night. These are all teams that have local broadcasts via a OTA channel which is on spotbeams and have streaming deals (DTC) that are not exclusive DAZN teams which DirecTV just signed a deal with (à la Spurs, Grizzlies, Cavs, Pacers & T'Wolves). Its also very common that we don't get Raptors broadcast very often from TSN or Sportsnet Ontario on League Pass.

11/2/26 (MON) EASTERN7:00 PM7:30 PM8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM
Peacock/NBCSNThunder @ Cavaliers
NBA League PassNonePistons (745) @ HornetsKings (755) @ Mavericks (756)Celtics (760) @ Rockets (761)Trail Blazers (764) @ Nuggets (765)Suns (769) @ Warriors (770)
Hawks (746) @ Pacers (747)Pelicans (757) @ Grizzlies (758)Jazz (762) @ Spurs (763)Raptors @ Clippers (766)
Nets (748) @ Knicks (751)Bucks @ T'Wolves (759)Heat (767) @ Lakers (768)
Wizards (752) @ Magic
Bulls (753) @ 76ers (754)
*No Hornets, Magic local broadcasts*No Bucks local broadcast*No Raptors local broadcast
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KyL416
Only the Knicks, Nets, Wizards, Bulls, Celtics, Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, Avalanche, Sharks and Bruins feeds will be using remaps of 24/7 RSNs that night. The rest will be relying on the part time feeds, including the Nuggets, Blackhawks and Kings who will be on their alt/overflow channels, and MSG Western NY will be live on channel 635-1 to carry Buffalo area ads during the Knicks game.

The NHL Network alternate will be live on channel 215-1 with Red Wings @ Panthers for those blacked out of Golden Knights @ Bruins on the main feed.

The Thunder @ Cavaliers game will be on one of Peacock Game Pass channels that night for commercial customers, they'll also have the back to back U-Conn Women's and Men's Basketball. One of the part time feeds will also be in use for WWE Raw via Joe Hand promotions.
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dtv757
dtv757
I could be wrong but the only RSN we dont have is NBC SN Philadelphia .
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Neutron
Neutron
Supporting Founder
Last reply · 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. :(

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 www.hollywoodreporter.com
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Rest in peace. Wow, so many good roles, but Jean Luc Picard will always be my favorite...
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meStevo
M
Mr Tony
R.I.P.
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mc6809e
mc6809e
Rest In Peace
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sdfntx
sdfntx
R.I.P., Jean-Luc.
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