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If Dish Tech Support monitors this forum I'm referring to Case ID 765414
I like the ability to have the Hooper 3 skip commercials on NBC & ABC. I know at some point in time skipping happens on CBS & Fox but if it doesn't do it within a reasonable time frame then why bother.
My solution on CBS & Fox is to have a Plex Server DVR setup on an over the air antenna (OTA). I can record CBS & Fox with the Plex server removing the commercials like the Hooper but in a timely manner and not just in prime time. I'm able to view the programs on the Home Media app (HHM) built into the Hooper via the Plex server which is a compatible DLNA device.
The Plex server is getting the OTA recording from a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Extended tuner (SDT). It records in .ts file format which the HHM doesn't recognize so it has to be converted to a .mkv file which the HHM has no problems with. The server is hosted on a Mac computer. I have an automated process which takes the .ts file, converts it into a .mkv file and put it in a media folder accessible to the HHM.
Here is the problem. There seems to be a coding error in the HHM. SDT records all broadcast information (CC, SAP, SS) SAP is a second audio track that can contain a different language or another english track which has an audio description of the action going on in the scene along with the regular program audio. Also it's in stereo, not SS. HHM is playing the SAP channel instead of the primary audio. If there is only one audio track it will play that track, if there are 2 audio tracks it will play the 2nd instead of the first.
There are no settings for the HHM to select which audio tracks to play. There are Hooper setting which control Hooper viewing & recordings. All the Hooper setting are set to playback primary audio, SAP is turned off. There are no problems with anything coming directly from satellite on the Hooper.
This is a unique problem well above the pay grade of the primary level tech support person. I was hoping to get elevated to the next level but my rep was convinced that with all the Hooper settings set correctly to not pass SAP audio that the problem is with the media server not the Hooper. She begrudgingly submitted a feedback report (ID 765414) which I'm sure no one will look at. Here is why she is wrong:
TV's: There are 4 TV's hooked into the Hooper. The main TV is a LG 4K, which is connected to the Hooper via HDML. The other 3 are connected by a dedicated wired network, no Joey's involved. They get their connection by the component out of the Hooper which is then sent as 720P over Cat 5 (generic term). All TV's have SAP turned off. None of the TV's have a SAP problem with OTA signals or from Hooper recorded or live broadcasts. All 4 TV's are picking up the SAP channel when the Hooper is playing a file by the HHM app. Conclusion, SAP is coming from the HHM app on the Hopper.
Recorded file: Playing the file with VLC media app on the Mac computer which the Plex Server is hosted, you can choose which audio track you want to play. Primary track is English SS. Secondary track is English with scene description in stereo. Both audio tracks are present on the video file that is loaded on the server. I also made a test file which I put music on the secondary audio track. Guess which track the HHM played. I had a music video . . .. Conclusion, the HHM app is playing the SAP track instead of the Primary Audio track.
Plex Server: The LG 4K TV has a built in media player which is more robust than the HHM. It will playback 4K files off the Plex Server, HHM won't. If I'm watching the main TV I'm going through the built in player. Same network, Same server, Same DLNA type connection. It plays the primary audio not the SAP. My iPhone's, iPads & AppleTV have the Plex Media app. This is on a different network (WiFi or LTE vs the hardwired network that the Hooper, TV and computer are on) but it's the same Plex server. Primary audio is played not SAP. Conclusion, only the HHM app on the Hooper is having trouble selecting the Primary Audio track, all other players default to the Primary Audio track.
The HHM has a coding error causing it to default to the SAP track. It should follow the setting of the Hooper. If not that, it should default to the primary audio track. This should be easy to diagnose, it's not a once in awhile thing. It happens all the time.
I'm not sure if many people are using the HHM, but it was one of the features that brought me to DISH and the Hooper. Prior to that, I'd been with DirecTV forever. The Hooper is superior to the Gene because it is an all in one box with features like the HHM. I'd like for those features to work correctly. A year and a half or so ago the HHM got screwed up in a software update and didn't work right for about 9 months. (video played as a tiny thumbnail instead of full screen) I hope someone higher up in tech support will see this post and say, "Houston we have a problem" and look into it. It may be just one line of code.
I will come up with work around, like I did the 9 months it was down. It would seem like I shouldn't have to. Is anyone else noticing this problem?
My back ground. I've been involved in all aspects of video production since 1979. From the network level (ABC News) to being a hired gun for the past 20 years or so. (have camera will travel) Half the battle of video production is trouble shooting. There is a coding problem with the Home Media app. (case ID 765414)
I like the ability to have the Hooper 3 skip commercials on NBC & ABC. I know at some point in time skipping happens on CBS & Fox but if it doesn't do it within a reasonable time frame then why bother.
My solution on CBS & Fox is to have a Plex Server DVR setup on an over the air antenna (OTA). I can record CBS & Fox with the Plex server removing the commercials like the Hooper but in a timely manner and not just in prime time. I'm able to view the programs on the Home Media app (HHM) built into the Hooper via the Plex server which is a compatible DLNA device.The Plex server is getting the OTA recording from a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Extended tuner (SDT). It records in .ts file format which the HHM doesn't recognize so it has to be converted to a .mkv file which the HHM has no problems with. The server is hosted on a Mac computer. I have an automated process which takes the .ts file, converts it into a .mkv file and put it in a media folder accessible to the HHM.
Here is the problem. There seems to be a coding error in the HHM. SDT records all broadcast information (CC, SAP, SS) SAP is a second audio track that can contain a different language or another english track which has an audio description of the action going on in the scene along with the regular program audio. Also it's in stereo, not SS. HHM is playing the SAP channel instead of the primary audio. If there is only one audio track it will play that track, if there are 2 audio tracks it will play the 2nd instead of the first.
There are no settings for the HHM to select which audio tracks to play. There are Hooper setting which control Hooper viewing & recordings. All the Hooper setting are set to playback primary audio, SAP is turned off. There are no problems with anything coming directly from satellite on the Hooper.
This is a unique problem well above the pay grade of the primary level tech support person. I was hoping to get elevated to the next level but my rep was convinced that with all the Hooper settings set correctly to not pass SAP audio that the problem is with the media server not the Hooper. She begrudgingly submitted a feedback report (ID 765414) which I'm sure no one will look at. Here is why she is wrong:
TV's: There are 4 TV's hooked into the Hooper. The main TV is a LG 4K, which is connected to the Hooper via HDML. The other 3 are connected by a dedicated wired network, no Joey's involved. They get their connection by the component out of the Hooper which is then sent as 720P over Cat 5 (generic term). All TV's have SAP turned off. None of the TV's have a SAP problem with OTA signals or from Hooper recorded or live broadcasts. All 4 TV's are picking up the SAP channel when the Hooper is playing a file by the HHM app. Conclusion, SAP is coming from the HHM app on the Hopper.
Recorded file: Playing the file with VLC media app on the Mac computer which the Plex Server is hosted, you can choose which audio track you want to play. Primary track is English SS. Secondary track is English with scene description in stereo. Both audio tracks are present on the video file that is loaded on the server. I also made a test file which I put music on the secondary audio track. Guess which track the HHM played. I had a music video . . .. Conclusion, the HHM app is playing the SAP track instead of the Primary Audio track.
Plex Server: The LG 4K TV has a built in media player which is more robust than the HHM. It will playback 4K files off the Plex Server, HHM won't. If I'm watching the main TV I'm going through the built in player. Same network, Same server, Same DLNA type connection. It plays the primary audio not the SAP. My iPhone's, iPads & AppleTV have the Plex Media app. This is on a different network (WiFi or LTE vs the hardwired network that the Hooper, TV and computer are on) but it's the same Plex server. Primary audio is played not SAP. Conclusion, only the HHM app on the Hooper is having trouble selecting the Primary Audio track, all other players default to the Primary Audio track.
The HHM has a coding error causing it to default to the SAP track. It should follow the setting of the Hooper. If not that, it should default to the primary audio track. This should be easy to diagnose, it's not a once in awhile thing. It happens all the time.
I'm not sure if many people are using the HHM, but it was one of the features that brought me to DISH and the Hooper. Prior to that, I'd been with DirecTV forever. The Hooper is superior to the Gene because it is an all in one box with features like the HHM. I'd like for those features to work correctly. A year and a half or so ago the HHM got screwed up in a software update and didn't work right for about 9 months. (video played as a tiny thumbnail instead of full screen) I hope someone higher up in tech support will see this post and say, "Houston we have a problem" and look into it. It may be just one line of code.
I will come up with work around, like I did the 9 months it was down. It would seem like I shouldn't have to. Is anyone else noticing this problem?
My back ground. I've been involved in all aspects of video production since 1979. From the network level (ABC News) to being a hired gun for the past 20 years or so. (have camera will travel) Half the battle of video production is trouble shooting. There is a coding problem with the Home Media app. (case ID 765414)
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3436 views
I have never gotten subtitles to work. I'm talking about in the Home Media Player and the LG Player, not the Plex Media app. I'm only using the Players. VLC on the Mac will use the .srt file in the folder or play the line 21 vertical blanking data. A .srt file would be difficult with the Plex Server cutting out commercials from OTA recordings but the VB data is in the file. I've tried turning on the C C track on the TV but it doesn't read off of the player video and with downloaded movies the players don't read the .srt files (or others, I've tried all of the subtile formats) I'm sure the Plex Media app reads these, but I guess the other Players are doing their own things. Pic is showing the presence of subtitles in the files.
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Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
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371 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
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945 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....
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2662384 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
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35 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
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357 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
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10 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
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309 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
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203 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
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103 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching
www.syfy.com
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics
The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
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5649 views
