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scottfrans

Last reply May 5, 2005 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Awful PQ, but 6yr+ Old Box

My father has a 32" Sony WEGA. He also has a Series2 TiVO box. He has had DirecTV for at least 6 years now, and still uses the same receiver. The picture quality for DirecTV is awful. So much distortion in the picture, very noticable when completely black, the color is very dim, and there is no clarity to the picture. DirecTV has refused to offer a replacement box or to even come out and check out the problem. They say the only solution is for us to purchase another box. My father wants to keep DirecTV because he loves the programming.

What do you think my options are? Will replacing the box make a difference in the picture quality, or is there a deeper issue than this? DVDs look fantastic, there is no distortion, so I know it is not just a TV error. Our cable box through rca cables are also an improvement over DirecTV's picture. Any suggestions?

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scottfrans

May 5, 2005

pq

it is a standalone tivo

Scott Corbett

May 5, 2005

What D* receiver do you have? Is it connected directly to the TV? Have you tried the composite output?

I think that you can get a D* SD TiVo for about fifty dollars. Course it will not record locals.

Are the locals broadcasting digital? If so, the HR10-250 will record them. Course that's about $850 and already on the verge of being obsolete.

Had you tried borrowing a D* receiver from a friend?

Hogarth

May 5, 2005

Also, note the standalone TiVo has to re-encode the video and will always make things look suboptimal.

boba

May 5, 2005

You may also look into a service contract from Directv if you expect service to be included in your programming costs. A six year old car is not expected to perform like a new car, a six year old satellite receiver will not perform like a new receiver either.

ShadowEKU

May 5, 2005

Okay ill try to help... no one is seeing the real issues as far as i can tell..

the receiver age is probably not the issue...

The fact that you are running Svid to the TIVO then to the TV is probably what is going to degrade the signal....

Stand Alone Tivos have 4 quility levels.... the highest (which also takes up an absolute ton of space) is going to be the closest to what is coming from the sat receiver...

under defaults it records in basic which adds lots of artifacts and makes the picture look like crap (this setting is ideal for a 13" tv... imagine much bigger)

if it were just recording standard analog then it would look better... but with the Sat signal it is already compressed once....

Try this... hook the receiver directly into the tv.... without the tivo or anything in between.... if this fixes your PQ issue then you know its the Tivo thats causing your malcontent...If it doesnt help or fix the issue i would call D* and ask them for a new basic receiver again... if they want to make you pay go to retention if they still want to make you pay call VE and get robert to sell you one cheap.

Basicly here is what happens normally...

Program made->Transmitted to D*->D* encodes digitally and compresses (some loss of PQ) -> D* transmits it to the sat and down to the dish/receivers->receiver decodes the signal and outputs it to the tv

Note only 1 real loss of PQ

Now take the SA Tivo

Program made->Transmitted to d*->D* encoded and transmitted (loss1)->Receiver decodes it and outputs to tivo -> Tivo Re-encodes it at best resolution (some loss) -> tivo outputs to TV... so even watching live its encoded twice and compressed...

if you are watching recorded at basic setting it increases the loss at the tivo end and sometimes the PQ looks like crap...

This is why Satellite DVR's are so popular... there is no extra encoding it just grabs the whole data stream from the dish and stores it.

And 100 for a new machine and an extra 5 dollars a month is soooo worth it...

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

6 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N2oPp-plZEw

Direct YouTube Link - Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

6 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI, Coding, and SpinRite

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHY_0D10LGw

Direct YouTube Link - AI, Coding, and SpinRite
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

6 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The OpenCode Cyberattack

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ylZleSQCE

Direct YouTube Link - The OpenCode Cyberattack
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

6 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8iBMhokOk

Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 49 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

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RaiderPower

Yesterday at 8:04 PM

Working My Way Back To You - The Spinners

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long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 8:45 PM

Find A Way To My Heart - Phil Collins

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 9:32 PM

Heart of Glass - Blondie

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long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 10:13 PM

Magazine - Heart

hwkn

49 minutes ago

Harden My HEART-Quarterflash

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SuperDish_Fan23

Last reply Today at 12:44 AM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

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!

29 Replies · 760 views

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slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 1:41 PM

remembers when ATT had stores and leased home phones

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 3:14 PM

My Wife was recently in an antique store and saw a rotary desk phone and it had one of those sticker overlays that had a business listed with phone number under each number on the dial. She looked closer and it had my old Radio Shack listed under the 8...she bought it. Pretty cool keepsake. Back then I rented vhs movies as well so I had it listed as Radio Shack / Movie Gallery and then the phone number.

Reactions: Foxbat, Almighty1, navychop and 1 other person

Almighty1

Yesterday at 8:53 PM

I remember this in the news too...

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.

www.nbcnews.com

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bobby

Yesterday at 9:21 PM

Almighty1 said:
I remember this in the news too...

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.

www.nbcnews.com

That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.

Reactions: charlesrshell, AZ., Mr Tony and 1 other person

HIFI

Today at 12:44 AM

anybody remember this disaster ?

Reactions: dishdude

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meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 10:53 PM · posted in The Sports Section

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.

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rvvaquero

Tuesday at 11:33 AM

Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.

Reactions: Mike0616, dfergie and b4pjoe

HipKat

Wednesday at 8:10 PM

Week Six Balls and Goats and WTH is Going On in The NFL??

Browns. 1st place in the North. Yup. Believe it or not

Chiefs. Undefeated.

Titans. Won a game ! .... Colts I know, but still.

Saints. Won a game after a while.

Steelers. Having the same season they always have. They somehow find wins on their way to an unceremonial 1st round exit. Mike Tomlin is proud.

Cards. Won a game without scoring a single touchdown

Broncos. How they manage to win games with the dogshit offense they have should be studied.

Bears. Caleb's back and so is their mojo.

Goats

NFC East. For the 2nd straight week no team from this clown show of a division won a game. Eagles are cooked without Hurts. Who's not that good anyway. Commanders suck, Dallas is well ..... Dallas and the Giants have no QB.

Ravens. Lamar is out (as usual). But still. Losing to the Browns is never ok.

Chargers. Still can't win.

Rams. So much for the powerhouse team. They are 2 games under .500

Seattle. Lost to the offenseless Broncos.

Reactions: Howard Simmons, meStevo and Mike0616

Yespage

Yesterday at 9:15 AM

rvvaquero said:
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.

Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.

Reactions: b4pjoe

b4pjoe

Yesterday at 9:53 AM

Yespage said:
Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.

Jerry made himself General Manager after he bought the team but make no mistake Jimmy engineered that trade. As well as a lot of others at the time.

Reactions: rvvaquero, osu1991 and Yespage

rvvaquero

Yesterday at 11:50 AM

Jimmy Johnson is a football guy. Jerry Jones is a marketer (hustler).

When I see a football player get a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (like taunting) in a close game, I often wonder what he was thinking. Was he thinking, I'm doing everything I can to make this a better team and help win a championship? Or, was he saying to himself, I want everyone to notice how great I am?

Johnson inspires one, Jones the other.

Reactions: b4pjoe and Mike0616

meStevo

Yesterday at 10:53 PM

View: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2113438192913588676?s=20

Reactions: Mike0616 and osu1991

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SatZach

Yesterday at 10:46 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Hello again

I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.

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SkyWatcher57

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 10:25 PM · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

KOQIT receivers

Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

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(((Garyd)))

Sep 7, 2026

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary

Reactions: navychop

navychop

Sep 10, 2026

More room for the return of the Plague & Pestilence?

slow_poke_pete

Sep 10, 2026

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

a good surge protector will help to.

Reactions: SkyWatcher57

SkyWatcher57

Sep 11, 2026

(((Garyd))) said:
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary

Hi Gary, still working on getting you those

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hi Gary, just saw this, ok, I'll grab some pics tomorrow and post them. thx

Still working getting you those pictures, nice weekends means yard work and fall prep, thanks

Reactions: (((Garyd)))

k4otl

Yesterday at 10:09 PM

Anybody know how to add "hidden" audio channels like for 101 W Ku or 105W C band on these recvr's? I've exported the database file but don't have anything that will read or edit it.

cyberham

Yesterday at 10:25 PM

For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.

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TRG

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 10:06 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Prescription drug costs

Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.

https://trumprx.gov/

Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp

Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp

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comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 6:09 PM

I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...

Homepage of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug homepage. Provides safe, affordable medicine or medication with transparent low prices.

www.costplusdrugs.com

You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.

Reactions: TRG

telstar_1

Yesterday at 7:48 PM

TrumpRx?!?

I went on Medicare recently (not an "advantage" plan) and my prescriptions at HyVee were very low out of pocket. The clerk said she was putting them on "Good Rx".

osu1991

Yesterday at 8:12 PM

I take 10mg Rosuvastatin (Crestor). I was paying $34 for a 90day supply at Walgreens last year when I was on Blue Cross. My Blue Cross premiums were going up to $1800 a month this year, so I switched to an Ambetter Bronze plan (I think that's a Cigna company) for $825 a month. I now have a $40 copay for doctors visits which is fine as I usually only see them once or twice a year, so a huge cost savings. My Rosuvastatin was going to go up to around $90 for a 90 day supply at Walgreens and even more at CVS or one of the local family pharmacies. Ordering online thru my insurance portal from Express Scripts it's $0.74 for a 90 day supply.

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comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 8:18 PM

telstar_1 said:
TrumpRx?!?

Scripts arrive in a gold paper sack.

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 9:39 PM

comfortably_numb said:
Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

I'm fortunate and don't take any medications. A couple years ago I had to take some antibiotics and used the GoodRx app. Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher. She said they aren't supposed to tell customers when they see they are being screwed.

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navychop

Yesterday at 9:49 PM

That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?

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Bobby

Yesterday at 10:06 PM

navychop said:
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?

Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.

Reactions: AZ. and TRG

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Awful PQ, but 6yr+ Old Box

Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts

AI, Coding, and SpinRite

The OpenCode Cyberattack

Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here

Song Name Game Part 3!

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Hello again

KOQIT receivers

Prescription drug costs

Homepage of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs