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B.J.
Last reply · posted in FTA Receiver / Equipment Support
Yesterday, I tried something that I do all the time with my Roku, but for some reason never tried with the Azbox.
What I do with the Roku, is say I've scheduled my PC to record a program at 8PM-9PM, and I get home at 8:10. I just go to my Roku, and tell it to Play the program, and it will play the program even though it is still recording. Actually, I can generally catch up to real time by skipping through commercials.

Well yesterday, I decided to try this on the Azbox. I locked my Genpix on an HD MPEG4 channel, and started recording it, then after about 2 minutes of recording, I went to the Azbox, into the File Manager page, pulled up the file I was recording, and bingo, the video popped up, beautiful quality, good sound. I was happy.

But then, after about 2 minutes of viewing, the Azbox suddenly popped back to the File Manager view, ie it quit playing the program. I was sitting there trying to figure out why, then I looked at the screen, and noticed that it had the file length listed as the number from when I went into that menu, which was after 2 minutes of starting the recording, even though by now the file size was much bigger. So I tried it again, and this time waited about 5 minutes before going to that directory and starting playing the file. Sure enough, it worked again, and this time it played for 5 minutes before aborting.

I decided that the difference between the Roku and the Azbox is that the Roku must play until it reaches an end-of-file, or perhaps until no more input is received, but the Azbox only plays until the file size at startup is reached.

Too bad, because this has been a very useful feature of the Azbox, and it COULD be a good feature of the Azbox, particularly because the Roku won't play MPEG4 or 4.2.2 files, so I was really hoping that it would do this.

I put in a "Suggestion" post at the Azbox site, but no-one seems interested in the topic, so I'm guessing that this won't get changed. :(

It is pretty neat that the Azbox plays these HD MPEG4 files better than similar MPEG2 files, apparently because the MPEG4 bitrate is lower than an equivalent MPEG2 bitrate.
6 Replies · 1793 views
zamar23
B.J.

The feature is called "Timeshifting", as Radar pointed, and is usually in high demand in STBs. Its standard on SA Cable boxes. However, there may be hardware limitations to implement it in current AZ configuration, as it can't even record HBR, and this feature requires USB playback and recording processing at the same time thus doubling workload on its USB chipset and bus.

They certainly didn't think that same feature can be "shared" btw 2 independent devices: one records, and another plays back with a delay. I think its easy for them to fix the FW to do it, but because of very low demand I doubt it will be implemented any time soon. Besides playing HBR over LAN is again a limiting factor. People buy AZ to avoid paying or get rid of other similar boxes, not to create a box collection, as marketing research discovered. ;)
B.J.
Radar & ZAMAR

I *THINK* the time shifting function only refers to when you're recording FROM the Azbox onto a USB or internal HD. That's not what I'm trying to do. But even if it was, I've read posts that the time-shifting doesn't work well when you get out to an hour or so of viewing.

But what I'm trying to do, is this:

Using TT3200 or Twinhan 1020a on a PC, using TSREADER, start the saving of a program onto the PC's HD.
Using the Azbox, go into File Manager, and PLAY the file while it's being recorded on the PC.
IE, the Azbox doesn't even know that a recording is in progress, so I don't think that the time shift function would be at all involved. Plus, I don't even have a HD hooked up currently.

Several reasons I like to do it this way, including:
(1) I often want to record Ku, and Azbox is only connected to C-band.
(2) Recording on PC results in just one big file, and I can quickly edit it with VideoReDo without need to transfer it to a PC.
(3) Doing it this way means that the receiving/recording function is done on the PC, freeing up CPU load on the Azbox, so that it is only responsible for playback, which I think will allow it to handle high bitrate streams better.
(4) I want to be able to play video from some satellite channels that the Azbox isn't capable of tuning, but is capable of playing, such as Turbo 8PSK and DCII streams. In fact the transponder I was testing this on was a Turbo 8PSK channel that I couldn't have locked with the Azbox.

My long term goal is to be able to delay NFL football games by 25 seconds to sync up with Sirius radio. I used to be able to do this with the Roku when the games were 4.2.0, but I couldn't do it this year, except when the games were either on OTA ATSC or ESPN. With ESPN/ATSC, I was actually not even recording, I was just doing HTTP streaming, and I could hit the pause on the Roku for 25 seconds, and it would stay in sync. On a couple occasions, I needed to delay feeds that were MPEG4, and my Roku doesn't do MPEG4, so I tried doing the same thing with my PopCornHour, however for some reason, the PCH kept catching up. I guess it's clock wasn't quite accurate enough. I think it worked better when I did the record/remote playback thing, but the sync still wasn't quite as good as with the Roku for some reason.


Anyway, this is a nice feature.
The ROKU can either accept HTTP streaming or playback of 4.2.0 MPEG2 while recording.
The PCH can accept HTTP streaming or playback of SD 4.2.2 and HD MPEG2 or MPEG4, however sync timing is off.
The Azbox potentially would be able to do all modes except the high bitrate HD, and hopefully the high bitrate thing will eventually be fixed.
AcWxRadar
B.J.

OK, I can understand what you are wishing to do here and I think the biggest problem is what you yourself stated:

"IE, the Azbox doesn't even know that a recording is in progress, so I don't think that the time shift function would be at all involved. Plus, I don't even have a HD hooked up currently."

Now that Opensat has added the Streaming video feature, maybe what you are wishing will eventually be something that can be implemented with the AZBox. If it could multi-task and stream a video, record it to a HDD and incorparate the timeshift at the same time, then you could quite possibly do something similar to what you desire in a round about way. Although it does seem rather fancy to me, what you are doing with the ROKU and the PC.

RADAR

P.S. There is something that I would like to be able to do with the AZBox, and that is delay either the video or the audio stream that I receive from the satellite with a variable control adjustment. This isn't like what you are doing in your example, but I would like to sync the audio and video better on some programs. Every once in a while, I find a program where these streams are not synced up properly and it really annoys me. It isn't the way I have my system configured or the satellite feed itself. It seems more to be a problem with either the program that they are uplinking or how they are uplinking it. I will find one program where it is really bad and the next program on the same station will be just fine.
B.J.
P.S. There is something that I would like to be able to do with the AZBox, and that is delay either the video or the audio stream that I receive from the satellite with a variable control adjustment. This isn't like what you are doing in your example, but I would like to sync the audio and video better on some programs. ..

I don't know of a good way to alter the sync of something live when playing through something like the Azbox or Roku. I've done it with analog A/V stuff using 2 TIVOs.

If you record something, and IT has bad sync, then VideoReDo has a way to shift the audio in either direction. I used it once, and it seemed to work, but it took a bit of work.
AcWxRadar
I don't know of a good way to alter the sync of something live when playing through something like the Azbox or Roku. I've done it with analog A/V stuff using 2 TIVOs.

If you record something, and IT has bad sync, then VideoReDo has a way to shift the audio in either direction. I used it once, and it seemed to work, but it took a bit of work.

B.J.

I don't wish to detract from your post and hijack it, so I won't dwell on this issue of mine too long. It was just something that you mentioned that spurred me to bring it up.

I know of a way to do what I desire. If I incorporate a delay line in the video circuit or the audio circuit, then I can match them both up. However, then the delay is permanently in place until you alter the delay line, therefore, not conveniently adjustable.

I only run across a few programs here and there that are this way, so a permanent and fixed delay line would cause more issues than it would fix. The bad sync shows are not any that I would really want to record, but that I would probably watch more if the sync was proper. They are usually older shows on RTN.

Again, I don't want to spend too much time on this subject, it was just a sidebar, so I'll go back to your initial topic. If I learn anything new that can help this, I will let you know, for certain.

RADAR
SuperDish_Fan23
· posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
0 Replies · 8 views
Former member 208119
Last reply · posted in SiriusXM Satellite Radio
My year was almost up and we got the new bill for a year of service for $ 360.00 insane sat radio is becoming like cable!!! i logged into my acct and hopped onto chat and told the rep that i wanted to cancel. she understood my concern and went quiet for a few minutes. i figured that she was canceling my service. she comes back and said that she seen that i have been a sub since 07 and then offers me the same package for a year for 120.00 with taxes and fee's!!! i grabbed it. after almost having a stroke :biggrin
237 Replies · 10980 views
B
What i noticed with my last renewal XM is now billing me $4.99 monthly instead of one time yearly payment.
Jimbo
What i noticed with my last renewal XM is now billing me $.99 monthly instead of one time yearly payment.
Did you accidentally get on the wrong plan ?
I still do the once a year plans.
B
Did you accidentally get on the wrong plan ?
I still do the once a year plans.
I have to think maybe more people dont keep track of the monthly XM bill. Every time i renew i put a reminder on my calendar week before its time to renew. My wife told me the other day not to renew her and then i told her you are not going to be able to listen to XM at home. Then she changed her mind...!!
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TRG
TRG
I have to think maybe more people dont keep track of the monthly XM bill. Every time i renew i put a reminder on my calendar week before its time to renew. My wife told me the other day not to renew her and then i told her you are not going to be able to listen to XM at home. Then she changed her mind...!!
I get an e-mail every month reminding me that X amount will be charged to my credit card. If I see it go up I get on chat or pick up the phone. But I also remember that my year is up in December.
B
I get an e-mail every month reminding me that X amount will be charged to my credit card. If I see it go up I get on chat or pick up the phone. But I also remember that my year is up in December.
yea i don't understand WHY, like you I get a notice each month. Mine is also up in December.
Jimbo
yea i don't understand WHY, like you I get a notice each month. Mine is also up in December.
You get an email every month to let you know they are billing you for the next month.
Foxbat
Mrs. Foxbat reminded me it's that time of the year to do the Cancel Tango💃🏽

The A.I. agent appears to be better than in the past. It got to the acceptable price quicker than previous years, no human operator involved. $5/mo and I still have over $50 in SiriusXM credit from my FordPartner benefits.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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....
68527 Replies · 2672596 views
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dishstaller
Can't You See - Marshall Tucker Band
sdfntx
See You in September - The Happenings
long_time_Dish
You Look Like You Love Me - Ella Langley
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dishstaller
See Me Feel Me - The Who
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long_time_Dish
Take It Easy On Me - Little River Band
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
19 Replies · 806 views
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bookworm370
Has anyone noticed an FF stutter with 713? I used to be able to hit FF a few times and skip smoothly. After 713 (maybe 712), when I skip forward, there is a definite stutter for as many times as I have pressed FF.

Can anyone check on this and report back? Recorded programs and then press skip forward a few times to see if it's smooth? Normally, it just jumps to the right place after the skips.
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N
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
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R
Has anyone noticed an FF stutter with 713? I used to be able to hit FF a few times and skip smoothly. After 713 (maybe 712), when I skip forward, there is a definite stutter for as many times as I have pressed FF.

Can anyone check on this and report back? Recorded programs and then press skip forward a few times to see if it's smooth? Normally, it just jumps to the right place after the skips.
My wife mentioned that her remote is acting strange this morning. She hit FF and it went to 15x FF.
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Bobby
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
This has been an ongoing issue. A fix is coming, probably in the next software version.
Foxbat
Wife bought me a t-shirt that has "have you tried turning it off and on again?"
Here's the one I need:
1792365258110.webp
dishstaller
Here's the one I need:
Just ordered one....that's great.
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

5552 Replies · 460619 views
Bobby
Regular$5.999​
Premium$6.399​
Diesel$7.999​
at Costco, Rohnert Park.​
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harshness
I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.
dishstaller
Regular$5.999​
Premium$6.399​
Odd that out there, Prem is only 40 cents higher. Here it's a full dollar more.

Last night it was about $4.17 gas, $6,19 diesel.
harshness
Odd that out there, Prem is only 40 cents higher. Here it's a full dollar more.
On the West Coast, a 40-cent differential is common. It used to be 30 cents before the prices rose above $3.

A "full dollar more" sounds like it may be boat gas (non-alcoholic), which is a whole different discussion.
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Foxbat
Here in Indiana, the difference between Regular and Premium is usually a dollar, but some charge even more:
1792374072446.webp
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dishstaller
A "full dollar more" sounds like it may be boat gas (non-alcoholic),
Both non-ethanol and prem run about the same....buck more. When we were up in TN it was a buck more up there as well.
jokeworm
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Ok, I'm bored .... actually - to be more precise - I'm bored of eating the same rotation of 9 or 10 meals that are currently my "go-to" meals. My wife works the long hours - I work from home as and when i feel like it ... which means i generally do most of the cooking ... and so by default - i also make out the shopping list ...

We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.

Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)

Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"

So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.

So again - I ask you ...

What's for dinner tonight ?

Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.

What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
4332 Replies · 331159 views
TRG
TRG
Beef and vegetable stew with buttermilk biscuits. Water.
It seemed appropriate on an unusually cold and wet evening in New Mexico.
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Bobby
Chili Cheesebugers, Tater Tots.
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TRG
TRG
I made shrimp parmesan with spaghetti and a salad.
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S
venison lasagna
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dishstaller
Smoked some salmon on the grill while enjoying some Blue Moon beer. Kinda cool tonight so I fired up the heaters. Here in FL, we fire up heaters once the temps get below 60 :cool As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
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osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.


:eek


It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
112 Replies · 903 views
navychop
Servant's problem.
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meStevo

Never realized that Tesla is losing to BYD at manufacturing too, which IMO is Tesla's biggest accomplishment and area of innovation. Nice writeup about the state of play and how we got here though. I have no faith that we're moving any productive direction though sadly, most changes and efforts feel reactionary rather than rooted in making use of the time being bought by tariffs, with few exceptions.

So: how are the cars so cheap, and what is being cut to get there? The best public accounting comes from the Rhodium Group, which compared BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor against Tesla's Chinese operation, a fair comparison because it removes labor costs and shipping from the equation entirely. Their estimate is that BYD builds a car for about $4,700 less than Tesla builds a Model 3 in Shanghai, roughly 15 percent of the Model 3's price. The breakdown is the interesting part. Direct government grants account for about $292 per vehicle, which is 5 percent of the gap. The biggest single factor is vertical integration: BYD makes about 80 percent of its top-tier components in-house, against 37 percent for Tesla, and that eliminates roughly $2,369 per vehicle in supplier markups. Lower overhead, meaning cheaper engineering talent and administrative cost spread across enormous volume, accounts for another $1,719. And BYD pays its suppliers on 155-day terms, against Tesla's 60, which is worth about $214 per car in float. When people say the Chinese advantage is subsidies, the per-vehicle number says otherwise. When people say it is slave wages, the Tesla Shanghai comparison says otherwise too. The advantage is mostly that BYD decided, twenty years ago, to make its own batteries, its own motors, its own power electronics, and its own semiconductors, and Western automakers decided the opposite.​
harshness
The EV company to watch out for is SAIC. They seem likely to take over Government Motors at some point.

GM originally struck a JV deal with SAIC to gain access to China. Now SAIC has taken China back with the substantial library of technology GM shared and they're looking to export to Mexico, South America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
osu1991
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 19 views
Ham Radio 2.0
· posted in Ham Radio 2.0
0 Replies · 16 views
Ramy
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
148 Replies · 1743 views
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Foxbat
They ought to have fun with this… :devilish
osu1991
They ought to have fun with this… :devilish
Was thinking same thing. It should be a good week for sec shorts and roll call
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R
A lot of upsets yesterday, but my LSU Tigers won.
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Foxbat
Best fan sign I saw during the ND-BYU game: "Bear ate your Lucky Charms!" (Bear being the Cougars' QB). I was going to suggest, "Have you or your team been involved in a Carr crash?"
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