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I've been with Dish Network for over five years and I'm thinking of switching to Comcast (due to price and possible quality), but I have some questions.
1) Is there anything that can be done to help rain fade? When it rains in my area it's awful to lose satellite signal and is a big disadvantage over cable.
2) Comcast uses MPEG-2 and Dish uses MPEG-4 so it's impossible to compare bitrates, etc. Comcast HD does have about 2x to 3x the bitrate but it's MPEG-2 and has a lot digital noise. Comcast SD looks a bit worse than Dish SD though. Is there any way to compare these other than "just look at them" ?
3) Comcast has the advantage of CableCARD so I can use a TiVo, Moxi DVR, Windows Media Center, etc. Dish locks you into their DVRs.
4) Can't transfer content off DVR. With Comcast and CableCARD, almost every channel is marked "copy freely" so I can archive it to my NAS, watch it on my PC, etc. Dish has Sling but it's definitely not the same thing and doesn't work very well in my opinion.
Is there anything else I should know about Dish vs Comcast?
I do NOT want a "Dish sucks" or "Comcast sucks" thread but I want honest opinions so I can make a decision that's best for me.
As far as price, Comcast is $39.99 for the first year with equivalent channels to Dish's America Top 250 + HD Platinum ($69.99 + $10.00 = $79.99) so that's half the price. The second year is $59.99 which makes it closer and the third year is $79.99 so it's equal at that point.
However, there is still the equipment rental which can be free (with CableCARD) where-as Dish charges $17.00/month for an HD DVR.
Anyways... any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to have more information on MPEG quality and transferring programs off the DVR to watch on a PC, etc.
1) Is there anything that can be done to help rain fade? When it rains in my area it's awful to lose satellite signal and is a big disadvantage over cable.
2) Comcast uses MPEG-2 and Dish uses MPEG-4 so it's impossible to compare bitrates, etc. Comcast HD does have about 2x to 3x the bitrate but it's MPEG-2 and has a lot digital noise. Comcast SD looks a bit worse than Dish SD though. Is there any way to compare these other than "just look at them" ?
3) Comcast has the advantage of CableCARD so I can use a TiVo, Moxi DVR, Windows Media Center, etc. Dish locks you into their DVRs.
4) Can't transfer content off DVR. With Comcast and CableCARD, almost every channel is marked "copy freely" so I can archive it to my NAS, watch it on my PC, etc. Dish has Sling but it's definitely not the same thing and doesn't work very well in my opinion.
Is there anything else I should know about Dish vs Comcast?
I do NOT want a "Dish sucks" or "Comcast sucks" thread but I want honest opinions so I can make a decision that's best for me.
As far as price, Comcast is $39.99 for the first year with equivalent channels to Dish's America Top 250 + HD Platinum ($69.99 + $10.00 = $79.99) so that's half the price. The second year is $59.99 which makes it closer and the third year is $79.99 so it's equal at that point.
However, there is still the equipment rental which can be free (with CableCARD) where-as Dish charges $17.00/month for an HD DVR.
Anyways... any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to have more information on MPEG quality and transferring programs off the DVR to watch on a PC, etc.
54 Replies
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15463 views
Here in Puerto Rico dish started giving customers 6' dishes for dish 500 setups (110/119) I remember the rain killing the signal fast, with light and stupid clouds.
(not enough signal coming in from their sats at the time)
Dish then moved to 4' dishes for the 500 setup and the rain would still cause frequent signal problems but not as bad as before.(A bit more signal coming but still kinda jerky)
Now they offer 30 inch dishes with dual LNBS(a significant increase in signal for the area) and sorry but NO, dish increased their signal for Puerto Rico residents and right now I bought two 6' dishes in order to have few dropouts instead of the 30 inch dish.
In short dish started sending a weak signal to the island which costed them even more requiring the big dishes for such a weak signal, over the years their signal improved and they could save money by installing smaller dishes until they finally got the right signal along with the right economic dish. Just imagine if the entire CONUS required 6' dishes?
thats a lot of money for installs
is the 30 inch dish bad and causes mayor signal problems? Nope I have an apartment on the east side of the island(30 miles away from my main home) and I have the "El Yunque" national rain forest in between my 30 inch dish and the satellites and I get very few signal drops.
It all depends on the area in which you are for BOTH cable and satellite.
I remember trying cable a few years back and it was total crap in my area while some of my relatives have it in their home and it works great. another advantage that cable has in bundled services which save the subscriber money but still in some cases compromise on quality and limit the subscribers options.
(not enough signal coming in from their sats at the time)
Dish then moved to 4' dishes for the 500 setup and the rain would still cause frequent signal problems but not as bad as before.(A bit more signal coming but still kinda jerky)
Now they offer 30 inch dishes with dual LNBS(a significant increase in signal for the area) and sorry but NO, dish increased their signal for Puerto Rico residents and right now I bought two 6' dishes in order to have few dropouts instead of the 30 inch dish.
In short dish started sending a weak signal to the island which costed them even more requiring the big dishes for such a weak signal, over the years their signal improved and they could save money by installing smaller dishes until they finally got the right signal along with the right economic dish. Just imagine if the entire CONUS required 6' dishes?
thats a lot of money for installsis the 30 inch dish bad and causes mayor signal problems? Nope I have an apartment on the east side of the island(30 miles away from my main home) and I have the "El Yunque" national rain forest in between my 30 inch dish and the satellites and I get very few signal drops.
It all depends on the area in which you are for BOTH cable and satellite.
I remember trying cable a few years back and it was total crap in my area while some of my relatives have it in their home and it works great. another advantage that cable has in bundled services which save the subscriber money but still in some cases compromise on quality and limit the subscribers options.
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....
68518 Replies
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2672010 views
Ham Radio 2.0
Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K5qI_-JKD8
Direct YouTube Link - The Truth About Cheap CB Radios for Off-Grid Travel
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K5qI_-JKD8
Direct YouTube Link - The Truth About Cheap CB Radios for Off-Grid Travel
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
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14 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
No idea what improvements might be involved.
13 Replies
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617 views
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Please post your remote make/model here and any details of your issue. We are looking to collect as many examples as possible. I may reach out to you for your receiver number, but please do not post it here.
If you've already reported this to me, please repost it here so I can track all instances in one thread.
Thanks!
Brittany
If you've already reported this to me, please repost it here so I can track all instances in one thread.
Thanks!
Brittany
24 Replies
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758 views
I was having similar issues last night while watching and recording the NLCS game on 148. When I tried resuming the game at one point the screen went blank and I couldn't get my H3 to respond to any remote commands. Eventually the Hopper went to a HD channel but still no remote response. After a while the Hopper went into a re-boot cycle. This happened at least 3 times. I was using an IR universal remote only.
A little frustrating to have the game broken up like that but at least the Brewers won
Yea, I've only been a CIO for the last 30 years!
Trust me, when something important breaks, they get to own it!
This started a couple months ago. I have 2 H3s on one network, both with 2 EHD identical 3 TB seperately powered so all recordings are accessible by all 4k & J4s (8 of them).
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
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342 views
Thanks JohnGalt1234 - That's interesting. I wonder are the Boot Strap versions different between a Hopper 3 only and a Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus setup as I have the later. I guess when charlesrshell is able to since he has both setups, he can do the test. Unless the bootstrap version is tied to when the specific Hopper 3 is manufactured, in my case, mines is from February 2016 when it was installed.
At least Google Search AI is saying the bootstrap version will never change and unique to each Hopper 3.
This is probably why different people seem to either have the issue or they don't because the bootstrap code could also be tied to the hardware revision and
components other than the internal HD.
At least Google Search AI is saying the bootstrap version will never change and unique to each Hopper 3.
This is probably why different people seem to either have the issue or they don't because the bootstrap code could also be tied to the hardware revision and
components other than the internal HD.
JohnGalt1234 - So you basically have 2 Hopper 3's. The CasinoH3 is the one that is Hopper 3 only while Master Bedroom is a Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus setup.
Master Bedroom uses Android TV (ATV) software so the DISH part is actually a app and will behave differently as you can probably tell the Guide's are different on the Master Bedroom which will resemble the same guide used on other ATV devices such as the Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4. If I am correct, the CasinoH3 is the one with the problem since you did say the one dated 09/05/2026 is the naughty one while 08/15/2026 named Master Bedroom is the nice one. Usually I would expect the CasinoH3 to be the one without the problem because it's Hopper 3 only and Master Bedroom would be the one with problems because it has the Hopper Plus involved. That is why they behave differently because CasinoH3 is running the native Hopper 3 software while Master Bedroom is running the Android TV software and also it runs a app called DISH known as package com.dish.atv.launcher, the version for mines is P15403 2026100917 so it's probably the same version as the Hopper Plus software version with the date of October 9, 2026, not sure what the 17 means except maybe revision 17?
This explains it better than I can. Sorry, had to take all the ads out.
Master Bedroom uses Android TV (ATV) software so the DISH part is actually a app and will behave differently as you can probably tell the Guide's are different on the Master Bedroom which will resemble the same guide used on other ATV devices such as the Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4. If I am correct, the CasinoH3 is the one with the problem since you did say the one dated 09/05/2026 is the naughty one while 08/15/2026 named Master Bedroom is the nice one. Usually I would expect the CasinoH3 to be the one without the problem because it's Hopper 3 only and Master Bedroom would be the one with problems because it has the Hopper Plus involved. That is why they behave differently because CasinoH3 is running the native Hopper 3 software while Master Bedroom is running the Android TV software and also it runs a app called DISH known as package com.dish.atv.launcher, the version for mines is P15403 2026100917 so it's probably the same version as the Hopper Plus software version with the date of October 9, 2026, not sure what the 17 means except maybe revision 17?
This explains it better than I can. Sorry, had to take all the ads out.
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.
146 Replies
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1603 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
Was thinking same thing. It should be a good week for sec shorts and roll callThey ought to have fun with this…
Lifetime Supporter
A continuation of a thread from the pub, just general discussion of AI.
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
62 Replies
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1066 views
Oops.
futurism.com
AI Agent Blamed for Deleting Entire Upcoming Season of TV Show
An AI agent reportedly deleted the entire final cut of the upcoming season of a Swedish reality competition show.
futurism.com
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I was watching some of this guy's stuff and realized some of you may not be familiar. Basically his show is Candid Camera meets a magician. This is a comp of a few of his exploits. I first learned of him when I was out at a meeting in Denver about 10yrs ago. The men I was sitting at the table with started talking about this show and said it was one of the funniest things they had seen. When I got home I started watching it....yes, it is funny.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIU09F8jdwc
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIU09F8jdwc
2 Replies
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65 views
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Additional tabs provide:
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2142 Replies
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930134 views
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2135 Replies
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214836 views
Tony as the director.
Would you rather have LaRoche ???Tony as the director.
No. Bring in someone new.
Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...No. Bring in someone new.
Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)
Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.
Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.
It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
