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Both DishNetwork (confirmed) and DirecTV intend to implement MPEG4 by Q4 of this year, 2005, at CES.
With the demise of VOOM I will soon be seeking an alternative feed. I wish to solicit DBS recommendations and observations pertaining to DirecTV and DishNetwork and their HD STB-DVRs regarding DBS HD and OTA HD and SD reception and performance.
I do realize the FCC and FTC process will require months of analysis prior to the approved transfer of assets, BUT I am concerned Cablevision board members will not continue to finance the day-to-day operations of VOOM until the authorization. My faith has been undermined by James Dolan and the Cablevision board, ignoring his father, Charles Dolan (75% shareholder of Cablevision and founder of HBO, Cablevision), and the realities of the impatient desires of instant return of capital investments in VOOM DBS; both HBO and CNN were also viewed as unlikely ventures by Wall Street in their inception as well. $1.4 billion investment in exchange for $200 million and the loss of competition, choice and some superb exclusive programming.
Both DirecTV and DishNetwork intend to increase fees 6 to 9% or more ASAP.
To the point…
Of primary concern are both DBS providers and their announcement of implementation of MPEG4 in Q4 of this year, 2005. I know the 921 STB-DVR from DishNetwork is only MPEG2 compliant and that the forthcoming 94x STB-DVR is also said to be only MPEG2 compliant. I am, as you can imagine, a little leery as to having to purchase replacement hardware in the very near future. I have no knowledge of DirecTV's DVR hardware although I am aware of DirecTV's intent to begin manufacturing and marketing their own DVR line ceasing their relationship with TiVo, as it stands today. TiVo will continue to be a viable option it's just DirecTV views the potential additional income from DVR fees too substantial to pass on. Comments...?
Postscript…
I neglected to mention the MPEG4 implementation would address, as it stands now, HD needs first. It is both cost effective and logical since it will free up substantial bandwidth for HD use and HD users represent a small enough customer base to facilitate migration, new STBs and STB-DVRs hardware, and will benefit immediately within a reasonable time-frame (Q4'05).
The phasing in of the SD should or logically could be implemented in a second phase since it constitutes the most aggressive part of migration and new hardware demands.
Current SD and HD STBs as well as SD and HD STB-DVR combinations cannot facilitate MPEG4 compliance with a simple software fix. It will have to be implemented through hardware and therefore will require new lines of STBs and STB-DVRs for both SD and HD processing.
Thank you again.
With the demise of VOOM I will soon be seeking an alternative feed. I wish to solicit DBS recommendations and observations pertaining to DirecTV and DishNetwork and their HD STB-DVRs regarding DBS HD and OTA HD and SD reception and performance.
I do realize the FCC and FTC process will require months of analysis prior to the approved transfer of assets, BUT I am concerned Cablevision board members will not continue to finance the day-to-day operations of VOOM until the authorization. My faith has been undermined by James Dolan and the Cablevision board, ignoring his father, Charles Dolan (75% shareholder of Cablevision and founder of HBO, Cablevision), and the realities of the impatient desires of instant return of capital investments in VOOM DBS; both HBO and CNN were also viewed as unlikely ventures by Wall Street in their inception as well. $1.4 billion investment in exchange for $200 million and the loss of competition, choice and some superb exclusive programming.
Both DirecTV and DishNetwork intend to increase fees 6 to 9% or more ASAP.
To the point…
Of primary concern are both DBS providers and their announcement of implementation of MPEG4 in Q4 of this year, 2005. I know the 921 STB-DVR from DishNetwork is only MPEG2 compliant and that the forthcoming 94x STB-DVR is also said to be only MPEG2 compliant. I am, as you can imagine, a little leery as to having to purchase replacement hardware in the very near future. I have no knowledge of DirecTV's DVR hardware although I am aware of DirecTV's intent to begin manufacturing and marketing their own DVR line ceasing their relationship with TiVo, as it stands today. TiVo will continue to be a viable option it's just DirecTV views the potential additional income from DVR fees too substantial to pass on. Comments...?
Postscript…
I neglected to mention the MPEG4 implementation would address, as it stands now, HD needs first. It is both cost effective and logical since it will free up substantial bandwidth for HD use and HD users represent a small enough customer base to facilitate migration, new STBs and STB-DVRs hardware, and will benefit immediately within a reasonable time-frame (Q4'05).
The phasing in of the SD should or logically could be implemented in a second phase since it constitutes the most aggressive part of migration and new hardware demands.
Current SD and HD STBs as well as SD and HD STB-DVR combinations cannot facilitate MPEG4 compliance with a simple software fix. It will have to be implemented through hardware and therefore will require new lines of STBs and STB-DVRs for both SD and HD processing.
Thank you again.
14 Replies
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4430 views
calm down elstevo
I think the multiple posts are good. We all need the info, this is our hard earned money we are talking about here.
Elstevo seems to have a problem feeling like the post is a personal attack on him. I have read the posts over and over and can find no way to interpret them as any personal insult on elstevo.
I think elstevo had a bad day and is looking to vent on someone
I think the multiple posts are good. We all need the info, this is our hard earned money we are talking about here.
Elstevo seems to have a problem feeling like the post is a personal attack on him. I have read the posts over and over and can find no way to interpret them as any personal insult on elstevo.
I think elstevo had a bad day and is looking to vent on someone
C
What DirecTV said, and I am paraphrasing here, they would stand behind their customers but they do not know what that will mean providing a "full replacement or partial." Well, your right; real stand-up guys.
They probably don't know what they are going to do, D* and E* are probably both waiting to see what the other company is going to do and figuring the cost of such an upgrade.
Dish won't respond in writing and they are dumping the 921's for less than $500; down from $900. Most of us don't have $500 to throw around. I know I don't.
They are trying to push those 921's out the door, make business sense if they will be obsolete soon.
Look at DirecTV's phenomenal growth this quarter. Can anyone justify the rate increases? I assure you if VOOM had the ability to continue, viably, you would not be seeing any of this.
E* rates went up, so D* did the same. That is their justification. Voom had very little effect on E* and D* IMHO. The amount of VOOM subs is a small percentage of what the big boys have.
Prior to VOOM, I was a Dish customer since their inception for 7 or 8 years. That is, until Feb'04. I was deeply disappointed with support with repeated catastrophic hardware issues. They didn't stand behind their repeated PVR problems. And, I didn't jump at VOOM when the arrived first on the scene, it was five months after their inception. Dish drove me there. I had no service for over a month before my VOOM was installed. No OTA. Nada.
A big company trying to save a buck. Not uncommon these days. Voom had customer service issues as well.
Don't get me wrong, VOOM had its problems, but they were not insurmountable.
Sounds like VOOM was a good fit for what you needed.
What was unacceptable by Dish was they would not upgrade an inferior PVR, which they replaced, 3 times with a serviced one that only failed within months. It wasn't until I finally canceled they called and offered my original request, a 921 at no cost. By then the damage was done. I had been deeply inconvenienced, insulted and I wasn't about to give my business to someone who didn't take me as a customer seriously.
Should have used the I'm going to cancel thing earlier. Swallowed your pride and said "OK give me the 921". They want you as a customer, but they want you to just pay your bill each month and not need anying--a money generating customer.
All I sought was honest service for honest money. That's all.
Don't we all.
VOOM was in an initial growth period. Less than 16 months old before the board at Cablevision had a fire sale. Contrary to what anyone can and/or will say, VOOM was absolutely outstanding. Was it perfect? Hell, no! Far from it. But, the special interest programming such as GalleryHD, EquatorHD, UltraHD, WorldSportHD… all HD channels including STARZ, ENCORE, TMC CineMax and all their associated East, West feeds, etc.; was simply stunning.
Once again, sounds like VOOM was a good fit for what you needed. For a lot of people it wasn't a good fit. I'd have to also have E* or D* to get all the channels my family views. Cost prohibitive.
As they say, you don't know what you had until it's gone. Funny how people comment on what they really have little knowledge of.
VOOM didn't have a chance. They did mess-up a lot of things, but so has E* and D* and they made it. VOOM was too early and wasn't a complete solution for many people...didn't have all the channels. I can't get Locals OTA and the only options used to be cable. Now E* and D* offer locals, but not VOOM. As well as other channels. I've watched VOOM and it's great. However, I want to watch the channels I already watch...not new content. If they somehow offered my current channels in HD they sure I'd be on VOOM.
What killed VOOM was, through my experience, 1.) the installation process and 2.) the lack of real experienced managers at the helm. The simple fact the cart was before the horse. While Installs, Inc., through my personal experience, churned and churned installations with constant disappointing unskilled sub, and subcontracted installations they slowly but surely drove away customers by not using proper cost effective antennas and pre-amps to capture OTA signals, and undersized dishes.
All of that hurt, but that's after they lure in customers. I want HDTV programming and didn't want VOOM because I'd have to also have E* and D*. Let alone the vast majority that doesn't have HDTV television sets yet. They have to have X amount of customers to survive.
It's horrible to watch a sinking ship and know how you could have possibly saved it
Aside from a big explosion in HDTV programming and HDTV television owners nothing was going to save it IMHO.
Both DirecTV and Dish after an entire year have made no significant headway in HD programming and as I see it insulting as HD programming should be defined as a premium when the FCC defines HD as the driving standard.
As a business they don't need to. I'd like to see a few more channels in HD, but the channels aren't being offered in HD anywhere yet that I want.
The questions I addressed are there along with my concerns. They are observations attached to questions designed to avoid the obvious answers that always seem to accompany vague questions.
Sometimes the answer is obvious, just not obvious to everyone.
Inclosing, if there are those who feel it is all right to purchase MPEG2 compliant receivers and DVRs with the possibility of a chastised discount, then excuse me for caring.
The people that know better won't do it. I know lots of people that in the last few months have purchased 'big-screen' TV's that aren't HD (they are really cheap, just ask them). I know better. To those that purchased MPEG2 receivers for big dollars before the talk of MPEG4, well 'stuff' happens and I hope they hook you up with a compatible receiver for cheap.
In closing
, business is business. A business must make a profit to survive. VOOM couldn't make money on the HD thing. Both E* and D* watched them go down and probably don't want to do the same. HDTV will be rolled out as the sat company's profitable business model allows them. If Charlie could make money on it, he would add some more HD channels. Although it doesn't make me happy, business is business. If suddenly D* added some good HDTV channels AND E* HDTV subs started switching over to D* I'm sure you would be amazed how fast he would add some HDTV programming. Most of what you want to know, we all want to know. My crystal ball tells me that we will all have to wait and see what happens. Announcements of plans to implement X, Y, and Z don't mean much to me.
They probably don't know what they are going to do, D* and E* are probably both waiting to see what the other company is going to do and figuring the cost of such an upgrade.
Dish won't respond in writing and they are dumping the 921's for less than $500; down from $900. Most of us don't have $500 to throw around. I know I don't.
They are trying to push those 921's out the door, make business sense if they will be obsolete soon.
Look at DirecTV's phenomenal growth this quarter. Can anyone justify the rate increases? I assure you if VOOM had the ability to continue, viably, you would not be seeing any of this.
E* rates went up, so D* did the same. That is their justification. Voom had very little effect on E* and D* IMHO. The amount of VOOM subs is a small percentage of what the big boys have.
Prior to VOOM, I was a Dish customer since their inception for 7 or 8 years. That is, until Feb'04. I was deeply disappointed with support with repeated catastrophic hardware issues. They didn't stand behind their repeated PVR problems. And, I didn't jump at VOOM when the arrived first on the scene, it was five months after their inception. Dish drove me there. I had no service for over a month before my VOOM was installed. No OTA. Nada.
A big company trying to save a buck. Not uncommon these days. Voom had customer service issues as well.
Don't get me wrong, VOOM had its problems, but they were not insurmountable.
Sounds like VOOM was a good fit for what you needed.
What was unacceptable by Dish was they would not upgrade an inferior PVR, which they replaced, 3 times with a serviced one that only failed within months. It wasn't until I finally canceled they called and offered my original request, a 921 at no cost. By then the damage was done. I had been deeply inconvenienced, insulted and I wasn't about to give my business to someone who didn't take me as a customer seriously.
Should have used the I'm going to cancel thing earlier. Swallowed your pride and said "OK give me the 921". They want you as a customer, but they want you to just pay your bill each month and not need anying--a money generating customer.
All I sought was honest service for honest money. That's all.
Don't we all.
VOOM was in an initial growth period. Less than 16 months old before the board at Cablevision had a fire sale. Contrary to what anyone can and/or will say, VOOM was absolutely outstanding. Was it perfect? Hell, no! Far from it. But, the special interest programming such as GalleryHD, EquatorHD, UltraHD, WorldSportHD… all HD channels including STARZ, ENCORE, TMC CineMax and all their associated East, West feeds, etc.; was simply stunning.
Once again, sounds like VOOM was a good fit for what you needed. For a lot of people it wasn't a good fit. I'd have to also have E* or D* to get all the channels my family views. Cost prohibitive.
As they say, you don't know what you had until it's gone. Funny how people comment on what they really have little knowledge of.
VOOM didn't have a chance. They did mess-up a lot of things, but so has E* and D* and they made it. VOOM was too early and wasn't a complete solution for many people...didn't have all the channels. I can't get Locals OTA and the only options used to be cable. Now E* and D* offer locals, but not VOOM. As well as other channels. I've watched VOOM and it's great. However, I want to watch the channels I already watch...not new content. If they somehow offered my current channels in HD they sure I'd be on VOOM.
What killed VOOM was, through my experience, 1.) the installation process and 2.) the lack of real experienced managers at the helm. The simple fact the cart was before the horse. While Installs, Inc., through my personal experience, churned and churned installations with constant disappointing unskilled sub, and subcontracted installations they slowly but surely drove away customers by not using proper cost effective antennas and pre-amps to capture OTA signals, and undersized dishes.
All of that hurt, but that's after they lure in customers. I want HDTV programming and didn't want VOOM because I'd have to also have E* and D*. Let alone the vast majority that doesn't have HDTV television sets yet. They have to have X amount of customers to survive.
It's horrible to watch a sinking ship and know how you could have possibly saved it
Aside from a big explosion in HDTV programming and HDTV television owners nothing was going to save it IMHO.
Both DirecTV and Dish after an entire year have made no significant headway in HD programming and as I see it insulting as HD programming should be defined as a premium when the FCC defines HD as the driving standard.
As a business they don't need to. I'd like to see a few more channels in HD, but the channels aren't being offered in HD anywhere yet that I want.
The questions I addressed are there along with my concerns. They are observations attached to questions designed to avoid the obvious answers that always seem to accompany vague questions.
Sometimes the answer is obvious, just not obvious to everyone.
Inclosing, if there are those who feel it is all right to purchase MPEG2 compliant receivers and DVRs with the possibility of a chastised discount, then excuse me for caring.
The people that know better won't do it. I know lots of people that in the last few months have purchased 'big-screen' TV's that aren't HD (they are really cheap, just ask them). I know better. To those that purchased MPEG2 receivers for big dollars before the talk of MPEG4, well 'stuff' happens and I hope they hook you up with a compatible receiver for cheap.
In closing
, business is business. A business must make a profit to survive. VOOM couldn't make money on the HD thing. Both E* and D* watched them go down and probably don't want to do the same. HDTV will be rolled out as the sat company's profitable business model allows them. If Charlie could make money on it, he would add some more HD channels. Although it doesn't make me happy, business is business. If suddenly D* added some good HDTV channels AND E* HDTV subs started switching over to D* I'm sure you would be amazed how fast he would add some HDTV programming. Most of what you want to know, we all want to know. My crystal ball tells me that we will all have to wait and see what happens. Announcements of plans to implement X, Y, and Z don't mean much to me.
Pub Member / Supporter
Pissed off at the crappy healthcare costs
My health Insurance renewal for 2027 just came in. Going from $827 a month to $1,187 a month. Deductible going up a $1k to $9,350. Max out of pocket also going up $1k to $11,000. Doctor co-pay of $40. Urgent Care co-pay $50. ER 50% coinsurance after deductible. That's all in network. Out of network is double, should it be needed.
Have to think about this. I'm really tempted to just go without now. I only go to the doctor once or twice a year. I pay out of pocket for Tirzepitide and can do without the Rosuvastatin (crestor) now. Really tired of spending over $10k a year and getting nothing out of it.
After years with Blue Cross I switched last year to Ambetter as my Blue Cross premium was going from $1200 to $1800 for a Silver plan and the Bronze plan was still going to be $1300 at BCBS. Ambetter was $827 for the same coverage with a Bronze plan. Didn't think it would jump this much so soon.
I'm guessing a Silver plan is probably over $2,000 a month for 2027.
8 Replies
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68 views
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9st7OYkUHJk
Direct YouTube Link - Ep. 35 - Best Tech for a Deserted Island...
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9st7OYkUHJk
Direct YouTube Link - Ep. 35 - Best Tech for a Deserted Island...
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
0 Replies
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3 views
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....
68672 Replies
·
2680896 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so...
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
5450 Replies
·
336187 views
Breakfast for lunch. Crispy corned beef hash, home fries, two over easy eggs and sourdough toast.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
160 Replies
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3632 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4JfcPctpQmk
Direct YouTube Link - Cyberattacks Are Coming—Is Your Company Ready? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4JfcPctpQmk
Direct YouTube Link - Cyberattacks Are Coming—Is Your Company Ready? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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6 views
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
If you are a former Cuttinge Edge member who has converted to Stream, please contact me.
0 Replies
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15 views
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?
7 Replies
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291 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
This should hit a lot of folks with a dose of reality. I can only imagine how much more common this will get as AI progresses.
I read several stories on this and most are clear as mud. They say a lot of the stolen bitcoin has been "locked out" and that everyone will be made financially whole. I guess time will tell if either of these statements are actually true.
www.cnbc.com
I read several stories on this and most are clear as mud. They say a lot of the stolen bitcoin has been "locked out" and that everyone will be made financially whole. I guess time will tell if either of these statements are actually true.
Hackers steal $6.3 billion from Binance in biggest-ever cryptocurrency theft
The company later added it began recovering assets impacted by the breach after pledging to cover losses using its Secure Asset Fund for Users.
www.cnbc.com
5 Replies
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63 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0bCOMsIK3EU
Direct YouTube Link - The Future of XBOX?
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0bCOMsIK3EU
Direct YouTube Link - The Future of XBOX?
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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10 views