Social Feed

B.J.
Last reply · posted in FTA Receiver / Equipment Support
I don't generally use the MAZ program, mainly because it only runs on one of my OLD computers for some reason (must interfer with things on my newer computers). But I just pulled that old computer up on my VNC, and started to run MAZ to check on something, and it told me that there was a new version, so I told it to go ahead and load it.
I think it was version 2.3 or something, not sure. At first I didn't notice anything different, but then I looked at the screenshot option, which USED to be just screenshots of the setup screens, but NOW it can do both setup screens AND the TV display. NEAT.
I was able to save the file as a .Jpg {the capital J was what MAZ said}, however it doesn't seem to display on my graphics program, it says the file is corrupted. I've only played with it for about 2 min, so I'll probably figure this out.
However I DID notice, that MAZ apparently tried to go into the Azbox and re-name one of my directories on the hard drive I had attached. I DO NOT LIKE THIS. Ie I have always been afraid of using MAZ, because it goes to about 4 or 5 different internet sites before it loads up, without permission, and it has scripts that change some of the protected partitions on the Azbox which are read only over to read-write.
I REALLY think that MAZ is a potentially dangerous (to your Azbox AND to your PCs) program, so I use it very seldom, and I'm glad that I only have it on an old computer that is only used for 2 things..... however this screenshot thing is pretty neat if I can figure out what's wrong with the JPG format it uses.


EDIT: after posting the above, I tried the screenshot thing again, while and switched again to the telnet function afterwards, and while I had the USB1 captures directory on my external hard drive displayed on the screen, rather than a TV screen.... the thing kind of bombed, but the most disturbing thing I saw was that a window asking for permission to switch the RW privilages of the Azbox RO directory had displayed, and it was stuck there... which is dangerous.
Anyway, once I switched back to a TV screen, I tried it again, and it worked again.
If you look at the Azbox display while doing the capture, the Azbox pops up a screen saying that a capture has been done, and apparently the Azbox transfers that file to it's Capture directory, but then the MAZ program moves that over to the PC, and deletes it off the Azbox. So apparently the Azox itself has a CAPTURE function that I didn't know about. I can't seem to find it on any of the menus.
Anyone know how to initiate the capture on the Azbox?

EDIT2: BTW, the captures of HD channels are good quality.
16 Replies · 3731 views
AcWxRadar
B.J.

As for taking a screen shot with MAZ, it may say it is *.jpg image, but it is actually saved as a *.PNG image file.

I found this out when trying to post an image (screen shot) that I wanted to post in the forum. It said that it was an invalid file. When I investigated it, I found that it was not a *.jpg file.

This was easily corrected by opening the image with Windows picture and fax viewer and clicking on the Windows picture and fax editor button at the bottom of the screen, last option on the right (just left of the "?" for help file). The image was CLOSED and then REOPENED for editing. I did not edit the pix, but selected SAVE AS and selected *.jpg format.

This was not a big trouble item, but very confusing. I thought it (MAZ) was saving it as a *.jpg file but was not. Very misleading as I thought the program stated that it was saving the image the way I wanted it in the first place. I sort of found the error (or difference) by accident.

RADAR
L
AZBox SDK...
azbox.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1143&p=5599&hilit=sdk#p5599

You probably need to register to download.
B.J.
B.J.

As for taking a screen shot with MAZ, it may say it is *.jpg image, but it is actually saved as a *.PNG image file.

I found this out when trying to post an image (screen shot) that I wanted to post in the forum. It said that it was an invalid file. When I investigated it, I found that it was not a *.jpg file.

This was easily corrected by opening the image with Windows picture and fax viewer and clicking on the Windows picture and fax editor button at the bottom of the screen, last option on the right (just left of the "?" for help file). The image was CLOSED and then REOPENED for editing. I did not edit the pix, but selected SAVE AS and selected *.jpg format.

This was not a big trouble item, but very confusing. I thought it (MAZ) was saving it as a *.jpg file but was not. Very misleading as I thought the program stated that it was saving the image the way I wanted it in the first place. I sort of found the error (or difference) by accident.

RADAR

Regarding png files:
png files can easily be converted to .jpg using Windows Vista and Windows 7. Skype uses the same format for their screenshots.

I thought that if it was regular PNG, that Paint Shop Pro should open it if I just change the name, but that doesn't work either. What Radar describes works for me too, but it's strange, because PSP SHOULD open PNG files.

So I opened the file in a binary editor, and figured it out. The files are NOT PNG files, they are BMP files. It just happens that the Windows programs will open BMP files even if they have a different extension, ie the first couple bytes are "BM", so it looks for the identifyer. PSP apparently just looks at the extension.
When I renamed the file with a .BMP extension, PSP opened it fine.
Only thing I can think of is that some older versions of programs like Visual Basic could only display BMP files, so maybe MAZ had to convert the files to BMP format to display them??? Only reason I can think that they'd bother doing a format conversion.
S
I thought that if it was regular PNG, that Paint Shop Pro should open it if I just change the name, but that doesn't work either. What Radar describes works for me too, but it's strange, because PSP SHOULD open PNG files.

I've been using the Maz 2.3 with fw 4487 for captures with the same prob of opening the result. Resorted to print screening Maz, then cut the pic out with PSP. After reading here, tried renaming the .Jpg files to .bmp - no go, but can rename .png and PSP (v 4.12) opens it, maybe comp/software dependent.

The only problem I have with Maz is it won't close normally without an error and I can't kill the error...have to reboot to clear.

Isn't there some telnet command(s) that will create a screen shot?
B.J.
I've been using the Maz 2.3 with fw 4487 for captures with the same prob of opening the result. Resorted to print screening Maz, then cut the pic out with PSP. After reading here, tried renaming the .Jpg files to .bmp - no go, but can rename .png and PSP (v 4.12) opens it, maybe comp/software dependent.

The only problem I have with Maz is it won't close normally without an error and I can't kill the error...have to reboot to clear.

Isn't there some telnet command(s) that will create a screen shot?

That's strange. PSP opens it up for me when I rename it .bmp. I'm using ver 9, but I doubt that made a difference. I'm still running the 3877 version on the Azbox, but that shouldn't be an issue either.
You'd think that there would be a telnet command. I saw some scripts as part of the MAZ package, maybe the scripts will show the command. I know that the scripts showed some lines where they change directories to RW from RO.

EDIT: I just realized I remembered wrong, it wasn't scripts I remembered, it was that I used a packet sniffer to watch what MAZ was sending to the Azbox, and saw the telnet commands. Let me try that again.
budfoot
AZBox SDK...
azbox.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1143&p=5599&hilit=sdk#p5599

You probably need to register to download.

Thanks.
B.J.
I put the packet sniffer on the MAZ, and did a screen capture. Couldn't quite figure out how it worked.

First it tried to create the /captures directory. Then, it seemed to be sending a command such as :
td210_ip_remote followed by the ip# of the Azbox, followed by an "N" , before any response came back from the attempted mk dir command, which later failed. The next telnet packet had an essQ .

I tried to send the td210_ip_remote command, which put me into some kind of shell where it's expecting commands, but I couldn't figure out what command to send it. I tried with the "N", and with NessQ, and a few other combinations, but nothing worked. I eventually just ctrl-c to quit the shell.
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....
68528 Replies · 2672751 views
  • Like
Reactions: c-spand
sdfntx
See You in September - The Happenings
long_time_Dish
You Look Like You Love Me - Ella Langley
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
dishstaller
See Me Feel Me - The Who
  • Like
Reactions: long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Take It Easy On Me - Little River Band
H
TAKE IT As It Comes-The Doors
SuperDish_Fan23
Last reply · 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!
2 Replies · 39 views
dishdude
They didn't sell many, they were pricey and not out long. Quickly got replaced by the Hopper.
T
They were high-end specialty, somewhat buggy and the 612/622/722 just overwhelmed it in popularity.
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 · 11002 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...!!
  • Haha
Reactions: Jimbo
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.
  • Like
Reactions: slow_poke_pete
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
19 Replies · 817 views
  • Like
Reactions: LQQK and reubenray
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.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
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.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
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.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
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 · 460637 views
Bobby
Regular$5.999​
Premium$6.399​
Diesel$7.999​
at Costco, Rohnert Park.​
  • Like
Reactions: harshness
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.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
Foxbat
Here in Indiana, the difference between Regular and Premium is usually a dollar, but some charge even more:
1792374072446.webp
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
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 · 331180 views
TRG
TRG
Beef and vegetable stew with buttermilk biscuits. Water.
It seemed appropriate on an unusually cold and wet evening in New Mexico.
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie
Bobby
Chili Cheesebugers, Tater Tots.
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie and TRG
TRG
TRG
I made shrimp parmesan with spaghetti and a salad.
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie
S
venison lasagna
  • Love
Reactions: Bobby
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.
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie and Bobby
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 · 905 views
navychop
Servant's problem.
  • Like
Reactions: Bobby
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
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat and AZ.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 29 views
Ham Radio 2.0
· posted in Ham Radio 2.0
0 Replies · 21 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 · 1762 views
  • Haha
Reactions: Mike0616
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
  • Like
Reactions: Mike0616
R
A lot of upsets yesterday, but my LSU Tigers won.
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Mike0616 and Jimbo
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?"
  • Haha
Reactions: Jimbo and Mike0616