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Hi,
My dad bought a new Samsung 46in 'smart' TV about a month ago.
I helped him set it up as he's not exceptionally tech savvy with things that don't have vacuum tubes.
So the very, very first thing I did after connecting it to power and his outside aerial, was to do a channel scan. My dad has a large antenna that's about 24 feet in the air and it's on a rotor.
In the days before everything went digital my folks used to watch Houston channels all the time. His house is about 100 miles east of Houston. After the digital switch over they lost Houston completely. From what I understand the digital transmitters are much weaker than the old analog ones.
Also they would watch channels from Lake Charles, Louisiana which is 50 miles to the east. The tower is about 20 miles east of Lake Charles so it's about a 70 mile jump.
Anyway, on the old TV they had no problem with getting KPLC 7.1 and 7.2 from Lake Charles.
And when I did the initial channel scan the new TV found the channels and added them to the list and they came in great. That night my dad watched TV and everything was fine.
The next day I went back and set up the internet stuff. It has WIFI built into it for the so called 'smart' features. I whitelisted the TV on his WIFI then it connected up and downloaded updates and stuff which took awhile.
I checked a few of it's apps and I found them to be slow, sluggish and clunky. It also was lacking in a lot of options. I was not impressed.
So after that I told my dad to forget about the extra junk and just use it like a normal TV like he always did with the old TV.
A few days later I talked to him and he tells me that the TV was now missing the KPLC channels.
We thought maybe it was the weather which was a little rainy here and there but I didn't think it was enough to knock out the channels like that.
I told him to give it a few days for the weather to get better and try again.
Still nothing. So I helped him on the phone do a new channel scan. Nothing. Now it wouldn't see KPLC at all. He was annoyed but it wasn't the end of the world.
So a few weeks passed and he was watching other channels but not KPLC anymore.
Today he came and picked me up to go with him on some errands and we were talking about the TV again. So I pulled out my phone and I saw some people mentioning that Samsung TV's are under the Big Brother thumb of Samsung and possibly the FCC and corporate profiteers. Another term came to mind. DMA.
So after we ran errands we went by my dad's house and I disabled the internet features completely.
I did a manual configuration of the WIFI addresses and I put 127.0.0.1 in on EVERYTHING.
Now it can not connect to anything. It couldn't even connect to a neighbor's WIFI in a move of desperation.
After I disabled the internet I did a new scan for OTA channels and BOOM! KPLC was magically back again!
So what I realized is that the TV was using my dad's IP address to determine it's physical address/location and 'phoned home' with that information. I'm sure it also sent a list of channels it found along with it's geolocation info and someone at Samsung (actually an automated system) told it that KPLC is not allowed in my dad's area because it's in another state and outside of his DMA and thus blacklisted the channels.
After crippling the TV it couldn't figure out where it is and thus can not blacklist channels.
In my opinion this is a cr*p thing for them to do, they have no legal right to restrict you from watching an OTA channel that you can pick up with your own personal and legal aerial.
My dad did not agree to these restrictions and never would agree to them. Nothing at all was ever mentioned on the box or in the manual or any other paperwork that such a thing would ever come to pass.
And now the only way to watch the channels he's legally entitled to watch, he has to cripple the snot out of the TV so that ALL of it's 'smart' features no longer work.
Certainly this can't be legal for them to do this. Right?
Does anyone know of a way to disable this geographic channel blocking mal-feature without having to cripple the entire TV?
Thanks..
My dad bought a new Samsung 46in 'smart' TV about a month ago.
I helped him set it up as he's not exceptionally tech savvy with things that don't have vacuum tubes.
So the very, very first thing I did after connecting it to power and his outside aerial, was to do a channel scan. My dad has a large antenna that's about 24 feet in the air and it's on a rotor.
In the days before everything went digital my folks used to watch Houston channels all the time. His house is about 100 miles east of Houston. After the digital switch over they lost Houston completely. From what I understand the digital transmitters are much weaker than the old analog ones.
Also they would watch channels from Lake Charles, Louisiana which is 50 miles to the east. The tower is about 20 miles east of Lake Charles so it's about a 70 mile jump.
Anyway, on the old TV they had no problem with getting KPLC 7.1 and 7.2 from Lake Charles.
And when I did the initial channel scan the new TV found the channels and added them to the list and they came in great. That night my dad watched TV and everything was fine.
The next day I went back and set up the internet stuff. It has WIFI built into it for the so called 'smart' features. I whitelisted the TV on his WIFI then it connected up and downloaded updates and stuff which took awhile.
I checked a few of it's apps and I found them to be slow, sluggish and clunky. It also was lacking in a lot of options. I was not impressed.
So after that I told my dad to forget about the extra junk and just use it like a normal TV like he always did with the old TV.
A few days later I talked to him and he tells me that the TV was now missing the KPLC channels.
We thought maybe it was the weather which was a little rainy here and there but I didn't think it was enough to knock out the channels like that.
I told him to give it a few days for the weather to get better and try again.
Still nothing. So I helped him on the phone do a new channel scan. Nothing. Now it wouldn't see KPLC at all. He was annoyed but it wasn't the end of the world.
So a few weeks passed and he was watching other channels but not KPLC anymore.
Today he came and picked me up to go with him on some errands and we were talking about the TV again. So I pulled out my phone and I saw some people mentioning that Samsung TV's are under the Big Brother thumb of Samsung and possibly the FCC and corporate profiteers. Another term came to mind. DMA.
So after we ran errands we went by my dad's house and I disabled the internet features completely.
I did a manual configuration of the WIFI addresses and I put 127.0.0.1 in on EVERYTHING.
Now it can not connect to anything. It couldn't even connect to a neighbor's WIFI in a move of desperation.
After I disabled the internet I did a new scan for OTA channels and BOOM! KPLC was magically back again!
So what I realized is that the TV was using my dad's IP address to determine it's physical address/location and 'phoned home' with that information. I'm sure it also sent a list of channels it found along with it's geolocation info and someone at Samsung (actually an automated system) told it that KPLC is not allowed in my dad's area because it's in another state and outside of his DMA and thus blacklisted the channels.
After crippling the TV it couldn't figure out where it is and thus can not blacklist channels.
In my opinion this is a cr*p thing for them to do, they have no legal right to restrict you from watching an OTA channel that you can pick up with your own personal and legal aerial.
My dad did not agree to these restrictions and never would agree to them. Nothing at all was ever mentioned on the box or in the manual or any other paperwork that such a thing would ever come to pass.
And now the only way to watch the channels he's legally entitled to watch, he has to cripple the snot out of the TV so that ALL of it's 'smart' features no longer work.
Certainly this can't be legal for them to do this. Right?
Does anyone know of a way to disable this geographic channel blocking mal-feature without having to cripple the entire TV?
Thanks..
10 Replies
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11301 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
This thread is a place to discuss the 4K events that appear on channel 540. We are getting, at this point, one college football game a week. Let's hope there is more coming.
1930 Replies
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298804 views
Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
As I recall you have the Flex package. Do you sub to multisport? -02 is FS1 and -03 is ESPN. -01 is Fox so you would get that if you sub to locals.Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R5Aw27yr0
Direct YouTube Link - A State Cyber-emergency in Japan
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R5Aw27yr0
Direct YouTube Link - A State Cyber-emergency in Japan
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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1 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmNun8Ms4s
Direct YouTube Link - AI and Mathematicians
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmNun8Ms4s
Direct YouTube Link - AI and Mathematicians
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
·
1 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
13 Replies
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149 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
2139 Replies
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927015 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Hard getting used to the new younger Gibbs, Mark Harmons son had the right look but I understand he didn't want the role.
Still I'm enjoying, pretty good job with Franks.
Still I'm enjoying, pretty good job with Franks.
64 Replies
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4191 views
Lon.TV
Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcItfS1TLk
Direct YouTube Link - HP Googlebook 14 Review !
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcItfS1TLk
Direct YouTube Link - HP Googlebook 14 Review !
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
0 Replies
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6 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
164 Replies
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7296 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....
68493 Replies
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2670283 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.
136 Replies
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1306 views
College Football Playoff nears agreement on 24-team expansion that could end title games
The College Football Playoff field is about to get much more crowded as the conferences near a deal to double the size of the field to 24 teams starting next year
www.cbssports.com
