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Late last year with the move to Nimiq 5 at 72W (Eastern Arc), Dish Network switched all transponders from QPSK to 8PSK providing ~10 Mbps additional bandwidth on each transponder. Sadly, instead of allowing the bitrates for all of the SD channels to be opened up to fill this extra capacity, Dish forced null data into the stream, so the bitrates remained the same and the new available capacity was being wasted.
Early last month, Dish finally opened up those bitrates. This yielded ~40-50% increases in video bitrates for many of the SD channels on Eastern Arc. So, what would they do for the SD channels with all of those nice extra bits?
Would they restore the resolution of the channels from 480x480 to their original 704x480, eliminating unpleasant aliasing and rainbow artifacts? No.
Would they reduce the filtering on the channels that strips away fine details? No.
Did they do anything at all? Certainly! They increased the filtering and are now stripping away more details than before. Only the brilliant minds at Dish Network would decide that a substantial increase in bitrates should coincide with a substantial reduction in picture quality.
Anyway, here's a pair of images for comparison. I can provide more if necessary. These are both from TCM (Channel 132). The film was 2.55:1 so I've cropped off the black bars on the 480x480 frame and zoomed to 2x so the details are more visible.
July 6th, 2009:
March 9th, 2010 (Today):
You can see on the piano, bricks, curtain, and in other places how a whole bunch more detail has been removed. The curtains are the messiest looking thing I can see here, but I wouldn't be surprised if something else is worse. If by some chance you can't see any problems then I can post close-ups.
Also here's a bitrate comparison graph. Blue is old (7/6/2009), Red is new (Today).
Finally, I should note that I noticed the PQ reduction on my TV before I started picking things apart on the computer. I had become suspicious and wanted to verify that something unpleasant was going on before posting. Not exactly comforting to confirm that DVR recordings now take up 50% more space than before yet are of lower quality. Ugh.
Early last month, Dish finally opened up those bitrates. This yielded ~40-50% increases in video bitrates for many of the SD channels on Eastern Arc. So, what would they do for the SD channels with all of those nice extra bits?
Would they restore the resolution of the channels from 480x480 to their original 704x480, eliminating unpleasant aliasing and rainbow artifacts? No.
Would they reduce the filtering on the channels that strips away fine details? No.
Did they do anything at all? Certainly! They increased the filtering and are now stripping away more details than before. Only the brilliant minds at Dish Network would decide that a substantial increase in bitrates should coincide with a substantial reduction in picture quality.
Anyway, here's a pair of images for comparison. I can provide more if necessary. These are both from TCM (Channel 132). The film was 2.55:1 so I've cropped off the black bars on the 480x480 frame and zoomed to 2x so the details are more visible.
July 6th, 2009:
March 9th, 2010 (Today):
You can see on the piano, bricks, curtain, and in other places how a whole bunch more detail has been removed. The curtains are the messiest looking thing I can see here, but I wouldn't be surprised if something else is worse. If by some chance you can't see any problems then I can post close-ups.
Also here's a bitrate comparison graph. Blue is old (7/6/2009), Red is new (Today).
Finally, I should note that I noticed the PQ reduction on my TV before I started picking things apart on the computer. I had become suspicious and wanted to verify that something unpleasant was going on before posting. Not exactly comforting to confirm that DVR recordings now take up 50% more space than before yet are of lower quality. Ugh.
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5746 views
I beg your pardon; apparently I was unclear. Indeed, EA Dish subscribers cannot use their Archos products because they can only accept Dish mpeg-2 programs which by the way are encrypted during the transfer. This does not mean that an Archos can't play mpeg-4 programs from other sources. Heck most can even record using mpeg-4.
So Dish and Archos could make mpeg-4 SD and HD transfers possible, but to date they have not. 
B
Looks like this definitely factors into things. 10 more SD channels have been added to the transponder with TCM as of some time earlier today. Plenty of other SD channels showing up on other transponders as well. Guess we'll have to wait and see how things compare once everything being moved is firmly in place.
Also, on at least one other transponder they've shoved the ~10-11 Mbps of null data back into the stream.
EDIT: 8 SD channels added to the transponder I had seen with lots of null data. At least they're filling the space in a timely manner this time around. The 4 or so months that the null data lived there before February was a total waste.
Looks like this definitely factors into things. 10 more SD channels have been added to the transponder with TCM as of some time earlier today. Plenty of other SD channels showing up on other transponders as well. Guess we'll have to wait and see how things compare once everything being moved is firmly in place.
Also, on at least one other transponder they've shoved the ~10-11 Mbps of null data back into the stream.
EDIT: 8 SD channels added to the transponder I had seen with lots of null data. At least they're filling the space in a timely manner this time around. The 4 or so months that the null data lived there before February was a total waste.
Looks like this definitely factors into things. 10 more SD channels have been added to the transponder with TCM as of some time earlier today. Plenty of other SD channels showing up on other transponders as well. Guess we'll have to wait and see how things compare once everything being moved is firmly in place.
Also, on at least one other transponder they've shoved the ~10-11 Mbps of null data back into the stream.
EDIT: 8 SD channels added to the transponder I had seen with lots of null data. At least they're filling the space in a timely manner this time around. The 4 or so months that the null data lived there before February was a total waste.
Another round of moves tonight. Handful of SD's, audio channels, and HDPPV's are coming over.
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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....
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2688717 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Wireless Joey 4. Yesterday, I noticed a little green dot on a small black field in the upper right hand corner of the screen, regardless of channel, recordings, etc. A restart got rid of it, but I am curious as to what It meant and what I did to get it there.
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Its a bug. I had it happen to mine. The mic is not listening, and if your worried about that remove the batteries from your remote as thats where the mic is.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5WOtjKIoErE
Direct YouTube Link - Data Centers Faced a 2026 Ballot Measure Tsunami #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5WOtjKIoErE
Direct YouTube Link - Data Centers Faced a 2026 Ballot Measure Tsunami #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
This is a thread that will keep you apprised of 4K events that will be showing on Dish channel 540. Keep looking here for information.
As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.
As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.
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169188 views
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gro5z03a_Qw
Direct YouTube Link - Almost literally EVERYONE is wrong about the iPhone Duo
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gro5z03a_Qw
Direct YouTube Link - Almost literally EVERYONE is wrong about the iPhone Duo
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
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8 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBtzS8bbiH0
Direct YouTube Link - OpenSSH's Wild *sshole Bug Explained!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBtzS8bbiH0
Direct YouTube Link - OpenSSH's Wild *sshole Bug Explained!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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7 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V8cqDDKjaPg
Direct YouTube Link - Where Former NASA Director Jim Green Would Like to Explore More Of
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V8cqDDKjaPg
Direct YouTube Link - Where Former NASA Director Jim Green Would Like to Explore More Of
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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8 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
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2709 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
I was reading this article
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022
The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
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73142 views
Supporting Founder
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.
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3707 views
With Streaming, they should all be able to be on at night, no issue with TV slots
(Everybody can be on Peacock ...
) 
Could. Yes.With Streaming, they should all be able to be on at night, no issue with TV slots
(Everybody can be on Peacock ...
But you know as well as I that they are not going A: put all of their prime matchups on at the same time. And B: take their main games off of the main channels.
You had bama vs lsu, and Georgia vs Ole Miss to choose from.
Considering Georgia had beaten Bama and Ole Miss had beaten LSU, I can see that why they chose that game for the night matchup (without the benefit of hindsight as to how the game's Saturday would play out).
You also had Tennessee vs Kentucky to fit in the mix.
Someone had to be at 2:30. Which imo is honestly my preferred slot for bama games no matter who they are playing or where.
None of them was going to be a streaming only game, and none where going on an "alternate" channel.
College Football Playoff, ESPN agree to 5-year, $1.7 billion deal expanding field to 24 teams starting in 2027
The CFP field will have 12 teams this year, before doubling in 2027.
