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dennispap

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Jul 24, 2019 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

NAB Chief Gordon Smith Chides AT&T And Dish Network For Broadcast Blackouts

" With multiple carriage battles leaving broadcast TV signals dark for millions of pay-TV customers, Gordon Smith, the ex-Senator who heads the National Association of Broadcasters, is pinning blame on Dish Network and AT&T. "

NAB Chief Gordon Smith Chides AT&T And Dish Network For Broadcast Blackouts – Deadline

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TVEngineerArk

Jul 24, 2019

I've been reading this forum for years and certainly didn't expect to be snarkily piled on to for simply making a comment which I began by stating was simply my opinion! I never said that I supported what has been going on with the channel blackouts for financial leverage, only that I understand they have adjusted their business models to reflect the realities of the broadcast television business today! I really have "no dog in this hunt", if anyone who jumped on me would simply read where I stated that I work for a public TV network and understand what it takes to run a TV station from an operational standpoint since my job entails seeing the bills every month that it takes to run TV stations.

Ironically enough, for everyone who pines for the good old days of regulation, back in the 70's , 80's and 90's ownership of a TV station, especially one that was run with expenses kept as low as possible (which, by the way included low pay for many employees and poor maintenance of technical facilities which then led to a far lower quality product) was nearly a license to print money. And owners back then most assuredly did. The difference being that there weren't as likely to be stockholders to answer to for many of them, but there was an owner capitalizing on his initial investment (or inheritance). But they had their Cadillac, Mercedes and other high dollar vehicles of the time, country club memberships, second or third homes, extensive vacations along other far more nefarious ways to spend money (remember this was the 70's, 80's and 90's so draw your own conclusions) while putting as little as possible back into the product. If anyone remembers back then there was also nowhere near the amount of competition for potential eyeballs there is now. I'm a thirty +year veteran of broadcast radio and TV so don't even get me started on how great it was when a 'little guy' was the owner of the station.

Enough of this, I'll go back to just reading this board now. I don't pretend to have all the answers but I thought I would throw another perspective out there since I'm a career broadcaster but apparently many on here wish to rant, complain and demand government action rather than even considering there are two sides to the discussion so I will keep that in mind.

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mwdxer1

Jul 24, 2019

TVEngineerArk said:
I've been reading this forum for years and certainly didn't expect to be snarkily piled on to for simply making a comment which I began by stating was simply my opinion! I never said that I supported what has been going on with the channel blackouts for financial leverage, only that I understand they have adjusted their business models to reflect the realities of the broadcast television business today! I really have "no dog in this hunt", if anyone who jumped on me would simply read where I stated that I work for a public TV network and understand what it takes to run a TV station from an operational standpoint since my job entails seeing the bills every month that it takes to run TV stations.

Ironically enough, for everyone who pines for the good old days of regulation, back in the 70's , 80's and 90's ownership of a TV station, especially one that was run with expenses kept as low as possible (which, by the way included low pay for many employees and poor maintenance of technical facilities which then led to a far lower quality product) was nearly a license to print money. And owners back then most assuredly did. The difference being that there weren't as likely to be stockholders to answer to for many of them, but there was an owner capitalizing on his initial investment (or inheritance). But they had their Cadillac, Mercedes and other high dollar vehicles of the time, country club memberships, second or third homes, extensive vacations along other far more nefarious ways to spend money (remember this was the 70's, 80's and 90's so draw your own conclusions) while putting as little as possible back into the product. If anyone remembers back then there was also nowhere near the amount of competition for potential eyeballs there is now. I'm a thirty +year veteran of broadcast radio and TV so don't even get me started on how great it was when a 'little guy' was the owner of the station.

Enough of this, I'll go back to just reading this board now. I don't pretend to have all the answers but I thought I would throw another perspective out there since I'm a career broadcaster but apparently many on here wish to rant, complain and demand government action rather than even considering there are two sides to the discussion so I will keep that in mind.

Glad to hear from someone in the business. It is a different world now. As an old radio engineer/broadcaster, I also enjoyed the old days. But you are right, pay was not very good. But we were kids and never thought about it at the time.. We were happy to have that job. As a society we are spoiled today. We were happy with a few OTA stations. Now, most people have to have everything and everything costs money.

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comfortably_numb

Jul 24, 2019

mwdxer1 said:
Glad to hear from someone in the business. It is a different world now. As an old radio engineer/broadcaster, I also enjoyed the old days. But you are right, pay was not very good. But we were kids and never thought about it at the time.. We were happy to have that job. As a society we are spoiled today. We were happy with a few OTA stations. Now, most people have to have everything and everything costs money.

Damn right, if I won the lottery, I would immediately quit my job and go be a DJ or run a radio station. That's my dream!

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navychop

Jul 24, 2019

Thanks for reminding me to check my retirement ticket. Err- lottery ticket.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys App. For now.

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Tampa8

Jul 24, 2019

TVEngineerArk said:
I've been reading this forum for years and certainly didn't expect to be snarkily piled on to for simply making a comment which I began by stating was simply my opinion! I never said that I supported what has been going on with the channel blackouts for financial leverage, only that I understand they have adjusted their business models to reflect the realities of the broadcast television business today! I really have "no dog in this hunt", if anyone who jumped on me would simply read where I stated that I work for a public TV network and understand what it takes to run a TV station from an operational standpoint since my job entails seeing the bills every month that it takes to run TV stations.

Ironically enough, for everyone who pines for the good old days of regulation, back in the 70's , 80's and 90's ownership of a TV station, especially one that was run with expenses kept as low as possible (which, by the way included low pay for many employees and poor maintenance of technical facilities which then led to a far lower quality product) was nearly a license to print money. And owners back then most assuredly did. The difference being that there weren't as likely to be stockholders to answer to for many of them, but there was an owner capitalizing on his initial investment (or inheritance). But they had their Cadillac, Mercedes and other high dollar vehicles of the time, country club memberships, second or third homes, extensive vacations along other far more nefarious ways to spend money (remember this was the 70's, 80's and 90's so draw your own conclusions) while putting as little as possible back into the product. If anyone remembers back then there was also nowhere near the amount of competition for potential eyeballs there is now. I'm a thirty +year veteran of broadcast radio and TV so don't even get me started on how great it was when a 'little guy' was the owner of the station.

Enough of this, I'll go back to just reading this board now. I don't pretend to have all the answers but I thought I would throw another perspective out there since I'm a career broadcaster but apparently many on here wish to rant, complain and demand government action rather than even considering there are two sides to the discussion so I will keep that in mind.

I too appreciated that post. You can't cover everything in one post, what you did cover was reasonable. It's true most of us do not know the cost of running a station, and also true the amount of choices of what to watch has grown exponentially.
Problem is we are not in the 70's now in other ways also. Ownership of stations have become in large part a business in themselves meaning companies have been buying stations to make a conglomerate. No law prohibiting that of course but it changes the landscape. I don't think FCC rules have been updated to address that, they have been updated but not in the area of a conglomerate pulling multiple stations if they don't get what they are asking for with no recourse by the provider for signal that should be free. Or that we pay the stations to have them on Satellite when the signal should be free but in some places there is no free signal. (Much more so now than Analog)
Or that I feel there is double dipping, we pay to watch the networks who have protection from competition of the same programming, but also have commercials for income and that we have to watch or skip. So a monopoly in the market, in what the provider can carry, a free signal now being charged for to watch even if you can't get that free signal and the station also has ad revenue.

To add to that, and this is not unlike traditional cable channels, alot of what is being charged to the provider for is given away free online. The consumer is footing the bill for all this of a "free signal."

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SamCdbs

Jul 24, 2019

There is no need for any regulation. Simply return to the logical, fair, reasonable and constitutional system outlined in Fortnightly. Zero retransmission $$ for broadcasters.

Any poor struggling Big Media company who cannot make it on the windfall it makes from ad revenue alone is welcome to sign their FCC granted monopoly over to me.

Local TV should be free.

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mwdxer1

Jul 24, 2019

SamCdbs said:
There is no need for any regulation. Simply return to the logical, fair, reasonable and constitutional system outlined in Fortnightly. Zero retransmission $$ for broadcasters.

Any poor struggling Big Media company who cannot make it on the windfall it makes from ad revenue alone is welcome to sign their FCC granted monopoly over to me.

Local TV should be free.

They can make with ads. Several of the Portland OR stations have a huge network of translators all over the state. These cost plenty and yet, the stations must feel they are worth it. Now Seattle stations have few translators. But Portland stations have had a network of stations for years. They even run a fiber cable to the translator site as the signals would vary so much. All of that is very expensive, and yet they give us 16 channels of free OTA TV. We are very happy to have.

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Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 5 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/28/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR 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

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261028.xlsx 1,878 KB

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doctor J

Yesterday at 7:25 AM

DirecTV Satellite Transponder Updates for Oct 28 2026

Comparison of Transponder Data for Oct 28 2026 vs Oct 21 2026:

No changes in system tables for any transponder tuning parameters.

Changes to the use of defined transponders:

1 Transponder cleared of all Streams::
Net 15 TID 12 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D12@103ca, TPN 13

2 Previously unused Transponders with current APG records::
Net 0 TID 28 Beam NAT + PR is a National Transponder on D16@101, TPN 29
Net 10 TID 126 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D11@99cb, TPN 3

Stream (PID) counts:

LIVE Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K	4
HD	264		1449
SD mpeg4	144	-1	194
SD mpeg2	434	1
RB
Audio	89
Push	26
Slate	19		1

TEST Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K
HD			1
SD mpeg4
SD mpeg2
RB
Engr Work	38

The PID count Excel workbook provides much more count detail.

Newly updated tables of Streams on each transponder are available in the DataDigesters TPN Grids

More details of changes in individual channels will follow in the Weekly Analysis
and Gary Toma's Domestic TPN Map Excel files
A few remaps
Weekly Analysis soon
Enjoy
DataDigesters

doctor J

Yesterday at 7:26 AM

Weekly Analysis for 10/28/2026:

Weekly_Analysis_261028.xlsx 16 KB

KyL416

Yesterday at 8:31 AM

ElectionHQ mixes testing with BBC News, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC, MSNOW, NewsMax and NewsNation

Some more reshuffles

Updating the TMSIDs for KSBI and KQCW to use the cable feeds with Thunder games instead of the OTA feeds

An additional commercial PPV channel is now on 9530

coolman302003

Today at 5:38 PM

Monday 11/2 is a full slate for NBA League Pass as all 30 teams are playing and 14 out of 15 total games are on NBALP. Only one national TV game on Peacock/NBCSN (Thunder @ Cavs).

DirecTV is even having to use several MLB EI channels (from 745-748) and a NHL CI (770) channel to fit all of them in the guide close together. 5 games at 7:30 ET, 3 games at 8 ET, 2 games at 8:30 ET, 1 game at 9 ET, 3 games at 10 ET. Luckily NHL CI is light on Monday (3 games on CI).

DirecTV is providing both broadcast feeds for all League Pass games except Hornets, Magic, Bucks & Raptors that night. These are all teams that have local broadcasts via a OTA channel which is on spotbeams and have streaming deals (DTC) that are not exclusive DAZN teams which DirecTV just signed a deal with (à la Spurs, Grizzlies, Cavs, Pacers & T'Wolves). Its also very common that we don't get Raptors broadcast very often from TSN or Sportsnet Ontario on League Pass.

11/2/26 (MON) EASTERN	7:00 PM	7:30 PM	8:00 PM	8:30 PM	9:00 PM	10:00 PM
Peacock/NBCSN	Thunder @ Cavaliers
NBA League Pass	None	Pistons (745) @ Hornets	Kings (755) @ Mavericks (756)	Celtics (760) @ Rockets (761)	Trail Blazers (764) @ Nuggets (765)	Suns (769) @ Warriors (770)
		Hawks (746) @ Pacers (747)	Pelicans (757) @ Grizzlies (758)	Jazz (762) @ Spurs (763)		Raptors @ Clippers (766)
		Nets (748) @ Knicks (751)	Bucks @ T'Wolves (759)			Heat (767) @ Lakers (768)
		Wizards (752) @ Magic
		Bulls (753) @ 76ers (754)
		*No Hornets, Magic local broadcasts	*No Bucks local broadcast			*No Raptors local broadcast

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KyL416

5 minutes ago

Only the Knicks, Nets, Wizards, Bulls, Celtics, Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, Avalanche, Sharks and Bruins feeds will be using remaps of 24/7 RSNs that night. The rest will be relying on the part time feeds, including the Nuggets, Blackhawks and Kings who will be on their alt/overflow channels, and MSG Western NY will be live on channel 635-1 to carry Buffalo area ads during the Knicks game.

The NHL Network alternate will have Red Wings @ Panthers for those blacked out of Golden Knights @ Bruins on the main feed.

The Thunder @ Cavaliers game will be on one of Peacock Game Pass channels that night for commercial customers, they'll also have the back to back U-Conn Women's and Men's Basketball. One of the part time feeds will also be in use for WWE Raw via Joe Hand promotions.

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mheisen

Last reply 28 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Hopper 3 with Hopper plus internet connection problems

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?

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Almighty1

Today at 2:50 PM

mheisen said:
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?

I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?

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mheisen

50 minutes ago

Almighty1 said:
I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?

I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.

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Almighty1

28 minutes ago

mheisen said:
I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.

Did it ever work correctly before? Hard to say what the problem is. Usually for streaming, it will show the Dish logo with lines sweeping down to show downloading, never seen the circle issue. Did you try a manual reboot, red button reset, power cord unplug/replug to see if it makes a difference.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 46 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

Today at 12:33 PM

Take It Easy On Me - Little River Band

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long_time_Dish

Today at 2:42 PM

Take It Easy - The Eagles

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sdfntx

Today at 4:54 PM

Take It as It Comes - Steve Winwood

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long_time_Dish

Today at 5:26 PM

Take The Money and Run - Steve Miller Band

EatMyVolts

46 minutes ago

Run Joe -- Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five

Reactions: Bobby

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meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 59 minutes ago · posted in TV Shows

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Starting a thread klang !

After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.

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KAB

Oct 17, 2025

Not in a hurry to watch it this time.

klang

Oct 21, 2025

Finished season 3 last night. Still one of my favorite shows.

Anyone else wonder if there might be something else going on with Callum? Seems to me he has too much access to Russian intelligence.

meStevo

Oct 15, 2026

One episode into season 4 that dropped today...

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meStevo

Today at 5:57 PM

Renewed for season 5.

klang

59 minutes ago

Finished 4 last night. Great stuff.

They do like to end each season with a Bang!

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Neutron

Supporting Founder

Last reply Today at 5:48 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

RIP Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart died yesterday, October 28th at the age of 86. We lost yet another great actor.

Patrick Stewart, ‘Star Trek’ Captain and ‘X-Men’ Superhero, Dies at 86

He’s forever known for playing Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier, whom he “admired for their morality, for their kindness, for their sensitivity, for their compassion.”

www.hollywoodreporter.com

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dfergie

Today at 4:45 PM

This hits hard, R.I.P. ...

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Foxbat

Today at 5:04 PM

Rest in Peace…

Bobby

Today at 5:20 PM

Rest in peace. Long live Jean Luc Picard…

long_time_Dish

Today at 5:22 PM

Rest in peace. Wow, so many good roles, but Jean Luc Picard will always be my favorite...

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meStevo

Today at 5:48 PM

Yeah, this one is tough. RIP.

View: https://www.threads.com/@tismarkart/post/DfF4ONpkYPG

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Bobby

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 5:04 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish 4K Event Listings (No Discussion)

This is a thread that will keep you apprised of 4K events that will be showing on Dish channel 540. Keep looking here for information.

As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.

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Bobby

Friday at 2:55 PM

MLB, Rays at Brewers, Saturday 10-24, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

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Bobby

Friday at 2:57 PM

MLB, Brewers at Rays, Monday 10-26, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

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Bobby

Friday at 2:59 PM

MLB, Brewers at Rays, Tuesday 10-27, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

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Bobby

Monday at 5:13 PM

CFB, Florida vs Georgia, Saturday 10-31, 12:30PM PDT, Channel 148-03.

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Bobby

Today at 5:04 PM

CFB, Wisconsin at Iowa, Saturday 10-31, 9AM PDT, Channel 148-01.
CFB, Arizona St at BYU, Saturday 10-31, 12:30PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 4:49 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

I think we could all use a laugh - Rodney Dangerfield on Carson

Good...simple humor. Enjoy

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E92AtfTLge4

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJy0WnejlF4

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Jimbo

Today at 12:37 AM

Not Rodney, but a laugh ...

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WHEcmortfK0?feature=share

dishstaller

Today at 10:27 AM

Sorry for posting the wrong link. Just corrected it.

Reactions: Foxbat

dfergie

Today at 3:44 PM

I loved it when Rodney was on the Tonight Show...

Foxbat

Today at 3:52 PM

dishstaller said:
Sorry for posting the wrong link. Just corrected it.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if you had the wrong Subject or the wrong YouTube link.

osu1991

Today at 4:49 PM

Was a Don Rickles fan. I've dvr'd most of his appearances on Carson from the antenna tv replays.

"MysteryMan"

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 3:48 PM · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Windows 10/11 Download

I created this thread on the original Edgecutter Cutting Edge Forums site. It's simply a place for those to review the latest software available for those using Windows 10 and Windows 11. To date it has received 112,559 views. I have been asked by staff to continue this thread here.

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EarDemon

Oct 13, 2026

If it wasn't for what I want, I wouldn't need any of this.

Do I need a collection of handheld radios, scanners and speed enforcement countermeasures? Nope, but I want them. Very little, if any of the software used to interface with these devices is available on Linux.

WhiteBeard

Oct 13, 2026

EarDemon said:
If it wasn't for what I want, I wouldn't need any of this.

Do I need a collection of handheld radios, scanners and speed enforcement countermeasures? Nope, but I want them. Very little, if any of the software used to interface with these devices is available on Linux.

To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.

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EarDemon

Oct 14, 2026

WhiteBeard said:
To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.

For niche use cases, yes I agree. Kali for ethical hacking and security testing, and running a Cacti server for network monitoring are the two things I have experience in. Plus thousands and thousands of other things, but for every day use I just can't see it. The owner of the GMRS repeater that I pay to access is changing the Tx DPL tones tomorrow, while Chirp is available on Linux, the software to program my MXT500 is not.

I run Fedora and Ubuntu in VMWare, honestly I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows. The cartoonish dock at the bottom of the screen reminds me of Apple products.

harshness

Oct 15, 2026

EarDemon said:
I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows.

What is so fantabulous about the Windows UI? By many accounts, it has been going downhill since Windows 7.

There are Linux desktops that offer Windows or Mac UIs, yet you don't hear much chatter about them outside of questions about when the creators might get sued.

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EarDemon

Oct 15, 2026

harshness said:
What is so fantabulous about the Windows UI?

Because it's what I prefer. I know I've said this a few times, I use Open Shell to give me the cascading start menu a la WIN 95 and NT4.0. The only reason I went from Windows Vista to 7 back in the day was because of Classic Shell. I cannot stand anything other than the OG start menu from 30+ years ago. I'm using ExplorerPatcher to give me Windows 10 UI elements of the taskbar and right click context menus.

If you could take a look at how I set up Windows 95, you'd find many similarities to how I use 11.

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EarDemon

Oct 15, 2026

I could probably use that as a starting point, but I don't like the full size icons. If you have to click on each folder that's also a no-go for me, it has to be cascading.

I used to have Peppermint Linux in a VM, that was about as close as I could get to recreating a Windows NT4.0 style of menu structure, but I could never get it to scale properly in VMWare on a 4K display and eventually gave up.

Whatever the boot up time it's fine with me. The longest part of my bootup is the HP SureStart BIOS integrity check. Once that is done, it's only a few more seconds. I haven't done this reg tweak yet since the reformat, but I switched the bootup animation to the Windows 10 style spinning circle of dots, and it's two and a half rotations. I can live with that.

harshness

Oct 16, 2026

EarDemon said:
Because it's what I prefer.

I hope you don't believe that makes it wonderful (especially when you're using workarounds for Microsoft's malfeasance).

I use LibreOffice as opposed to Microsoft office (even in Windows) because it's UI is like the Office of old, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is (in a manner of speaking). The ribbon was one of the worst ideas to come out Redmond.

HipKat

Oct 16, 2026

EarDemon said:
I could probably use that as a starting point, but I don't like the full size icons. If you have to click on each folder that's also a no-go for me, it has to be cascading.

I used to have Peppermint Linux in a VM, that was about as close as I could get to recreating a Windows NT4.0 style of menu structure, but I could never get it to scale properly in VMWare on a 4K display and eventually gave up.

Whatever the boot up time it's fine with me. The longest part of my bootup is the HP SureStart BIOS integrity check. Once that is done, it's only a few more seconds. I haven't done this reg tweak yet since the reformat, but I switched the bootup animation to the Windows 10 style spinning circle of dots, and it's two and a half rotations. I can live with that.

I used to pin the C: drive to the Win Taskbar and it would open in cascading style

"MysteryMan"

Yesterday at 2:25 PM

2026-10 Preview Update Builds: 26300.9818 and 26200.9818 (KB5127936) has been released. Moderate time needed for those choosing to perform a manual download/install/restart. Quality improvements only. No new operating system features.

Reactions: Tweek

JSheridan

Today at 3:48 PM

Actually it looks like there are a lot of features new or updated, although most are on a gradual rollout schedule.

KB5127936 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Preview build 26200.9818 (25H2) and 26300.9818 (26H2) - Oct. 28

Microsoft Support: This cumulative update for Windows 11, versions 26H2 and 25H2 (KB5127936), includes production-quality improvements. Announcements and messages This section provides key notifications related to this release, including announcements, change logs, and end-of-support notices...

www.elevenforum.com

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MartyDe

Last reply Today at 3:20 PM · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.

Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York

Group has secured lower pricing from key tech players to make less costly boxes available

www.tvtechnology.com

13 Replies · 757 views

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navychop

Oct 20, 2026

DEATH TO NEXGEN!

Reactions: Redbullsnation, primestar31, RaVo68 and 2 others

primestar31

Oct 21, 2026

navychop said:
DEATH TO NEXGEN!

It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.

Reactions: RaVo68, Redbullsnation, slow_poke_pete and 2 others

Mister B

Oct 22, 2026

What bothers me is the total waste of broadcasting spectrum in this very crowded market. It has been almost three years now since KFOX converted their broadcast tower to ATSC 3.0 and moved all of their channels to other towers causing noticeable degradation of the picture quality.
I have a Sony TV with 3.0 capabilities but still use the 1.0 version of locals due to the fact that one or all of the 3.0 channels are often missing or unwatchable. In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.
The only thing that could motivate me to be interested in 3.0 would be if all of the minor networks (diginets) could be in at least 720P rather than blurry ultra-compressed 480i.
Three years is long enough to waste one of the few available RF frequencies in the area for this trial.
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

navychop

Oct 22, 2026

Mister B said:
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

QFT. Of course, my preference involves a curb and some kicking.

Reactions: FTA4PA

slow_poke_pete

Tuesday at 5:37 PM

primestar31 said:
It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNET PART OF IT. NO ONE WANTS A BOX CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET EITHER.

navychop

Tuesday at 9:47 PM

Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

:oldlaugh

Reactions: HIFI

Foxbat

Yesterday at 6:39 PM

navychop said:
Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

That would be handy. Download the latest RNA snippets that can be updated over 5G and no more shots! You're a Genius!

Reactions: navychop

Redbullsnation

Today at 3:20 PM

I want it and I have to have it.

I can neuter the phoning home with adguard home so it won't be doing that in my castle but I prefer without Internet so that my TVs in the house don't turn into e-waste

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Today at 2:43 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

It states the average amount they are under water is OVER $7,000. :eek

Personally, I tend to be the type that drives a vehicle for a lot of years....do my own oil changes and other fluid changes. Just replaced the spark plugs and a couple coils. Youtube is great for things like this.

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

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Windows 10/11 Download

KB5127936 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Preview build 26200.9818 (25H2) and 26300.9818 (26H2) - Oct. 28

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge