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The real key to the survival of 4DTV is the economics. If there is money to be made, there surely will be companies that serve our community. The big concern I have is whether or not there is a critical mass the sustain this service. I got thinking to see if there is an opportunity to put together a service that offers first generation feeds from PowerVu and other formats. There are always people that want premium quality video and audio - which is only available on master feeds. I looked at Dish, etc... and the quality of the images is heinous.
The first thing we would need to do is to put together a financial model. To do this, we'd need some variables like:
1. Cost to lease a satellite transponder for a year (the Authorization channel on G1 channel 3)
2. Price paid to programming originators (how much coin from our subscriptions need to get paid to HBO, Showtime, etc...)
3. Number of active subscribers
4. Potential subscribers for enhanced service (who would come back, or pay more for more service)
5. Fixed costs for staff, systems, etc....
There might be enough of an interest for Videophiles and Audiophiles (like many of us here) that pay the extra bucks for first generation feeds. Also, this model could give us some sense as to how long 4DTV could stay alive.
I can come up with #4 and #5 on the list easily, although would look for some help in #1, #2, and #3 on my list to put together the model. From there, we can see how long 4DTV will stay on the air.
Can anyone help with these cost items?
Brian
The first thing we would need to do is to put together a financial model. To do this, we'd need some variables like:
1. Cost to lease a satellite transponder for a year (the Authorization channel on G1 channel 3)
2. Price paid to programming originators (how much coin from our subscriptions need to get paid to HBO, Showtime, etc...)
3. Number of active subscribers
4. Potential subscribers for enhanced service (who would come back, or pay more for more service)
5. Fixed costs for staff, systems, etc....
There might be enough of an interest for Videophiles and Audiophiles (like many of us here) that pay the extra bucks for first generation feeds. Also, this model could give us some sense as to how long 4DTV could stay alive.
I can come up with #4 and #5 on the list easily, although would look for some help in #1, #2, and #3 on my list to put together the model. From there, we can see how long 4DTV will stay on the air.
Can anyone help with these cost items?
Brian
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
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View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
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TWIT Live Feed
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Supporting Founder
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
4 Replies
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20 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.
In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.
cordcuttersnews.com
In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.
Comcast Just Lost 274,000 TV Customers & 144,000 Internet Customers In Just Three Months | Cord Cutters News
Comcast Corporation reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 22, showing continued erosion in its domestic residential broadband internet and video customer bases as competitive pressures intensified across the connectivity market. The company recorded a net loss of 144,000 domestic...
cordcuttersnews.com
20 Replies
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761 views
'Rockford Files' Reboot Gets NBC Pilot Order
I grow tired of all the reboots. Most I don't bother with but will depend on the actor chosen.
I grow tired of all the reboots. Most I don't bother with but will depend on the actor chosen.
23 Replies
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856 views
I hope they can find enough Pontiac Firebirds to keep the show going.
The one where Beth is telling him about her cat is one of my favorites. "...he's not very discriminating". 
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....
68764 Replies
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2686058 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
6 Replies
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177 views
Fox Closes $22 Billion Roku Takeover, Says Streaming Platform Will Remain ‘Open Ecosystem’
Surprise! Fox Corp. has closed its acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
variety.com
Surprise! Fox Corp. said Friday it has closed the acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Thought some might find this encouraging. It turned out good but I still feel a little bad about it.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.
I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.
Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.
I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.
Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
3 Replies
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52 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZvzVN2MnSs
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 235
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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZvzVN2MnSs
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 235
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yian5I3puiU
Direct YouTube Link - Binance's $6.3 Billion Crypto Heist: Gone in 20 Minutes #shorts
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View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yian5I3puiU
Direct YouTube Link - Binance's $6.3 Billion Crypto Heist: Gone in 20 Minutes #shorts
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8 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JlKj326jgtI
Direct YouTube Link - Google Making School Opt Into AI Usage, or Lose Access to Search
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View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JlKj326jgtI
Direct YouTube Link - Google Making School Opt Into AI Usage, or Lose Access to Search
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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10 views