Social Feed

Tom Bombadil
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I remembered the Tech Chat at 9:10 CST. Darn!

I tried to find the on-line chat here at that time but couldn't find a trace of it.

So it's been almost 3 hours and nary a word has been posted. I thought this was the place of breaking news. :)

Any word at all on MPEG-4?

Here are some notes typed up by dfergie

Mark Jackson and Dan Minnick

Tonight on Tech Forum:
. Dish Player-DVR 942 Upgrades
.PocketDISH
. Remote Control Technology
. DISH on Demand

Opened with explaining that if you have a USB mass storage capable digital camera you can plug into the 942 USB port... if the 942 recognizes it a pop-up will appear "You have connected a mutimedia device to the USB port would you like to view and manage its contens at this time? 3 options.... Yes, No and Help.
If you push yes the 942 willl discover all the pictures and create a list and allow you to select and download to your 942. Youi can create a slideshow from these. Once again the 942 is only a viewing device and you cannot store or transfer from your 942...
Pocket DISH

With the pocketDish devices you can take your favorite progamming wherever you want to go...you can transfer any Dvr event from your 942 via the 2.0 USB port to the pocketdish... a typical movie takes from 5-7 minutes to transfer.

The 500e and 700e can record from any audio or video device...
the 402 can transfer digital video but only analog audio from an analog device.
The 402 has a 4:3 aspect ratios
The 500e and 700e have 16:9 aspect ratios

Battery life
Video-Up to 4 Hours
Audio-Up to 12 Hours

Pocket DISH AV402E
. LCD Display 2.2"
. Hard Drive (HDD) 20 GB
. USB Transferred DISH Network Content Up to 20 Hours
. Records Analog video from other sources ... No Audio Only
. Other Source Content Capacity Up to 80 Hours
. LCD Aspect Ratio... 4:3
. Remote Control... No
. MSRP $329

Pocket DISH AV500E
. LCD Display 4"
. Hard Drive (HDD) 30 GB
. USB Transferred DISH Network Content...Up to 30 Hours
. Records Video from other Sources... Yes
. Other Source Content Capacity... Up to 120 Hours
. LCD Aspect Ratio... 16:9
. Remote Control... Yes
. MSRP $499


PocektDISH AV700E
. LCD Display 7"
. Hard Drive (HDD) 40 GB
. USB Transferred DISH Network Content...Up to 40 Hours
. Records Video from other Sources... Yes
. Other Source Content Capacity... Up to 160 Hours
. LCD Aspect Ratio... 16:9
. Remote Control... Yes
. MSRP $599

Explained differences between PocketDISH and the Apple ipod...

Limited time PocketDISH Mail in Rebate offer
. AV402E - $20 Rebate
. AV500E - $40 Rebate
. AV700E - $60 Rebate

PocketDISH must be purchased from Nov. 15, 2005, To April 15, 2006, With Claim submitted by May 15, 2006

Showed flyers and explained that you can download users manuals for these models.

Giveaway: a AV402E Question was Name the 2 ways you can get a software update for PocketDISH
Answer: via your PC or via USB from your DVR942

MPEG4- No encoder in place yet to support(slower rollout than competition)
8PSK- Turbo allows 30 to 40 percent improvement in quailty, improve bandwidth for HD programming
Dish 1000 for 129 programming (showed dish)
Echostar 10 (launching first half of next year) more spotbeam capacity...

211 and 411 replaccments for the 811

Question from Kurt (caller)Can you use the 921 with the PocketDISH? Answer, Not with USB via RCA cable only.
Question supporting XDS on the 921... Answer, still investigating.

Remote technology explanation...

E-mail Questions...

Givaway: what 3 Satellite locations is the Dish 1000 for? Answer: 110/119/129

Dish on Demand now available on the 625 explained how to use...

DishPass explaination...

More E-Mail Questions...

Beta testing external HDD storage solutions for 942

Alpha testing NBR for 501/508/510 (maybe Jan)

Charlie Chat
Monday, December 12, 2005
9:00 PM EST
Channel 101
52 Replies · 7702 views
R
Tom Bombadil said:
Anyone hear any more news about D*'s experience with MPEG4? E* would have to have access to the same technology as D*. If E* is only seeing a 20% gain, it is hard to imagine that D* is doing any better. But I haven't heard anything about D* having problems.

I believe DirecTV was not using 8PSK even for HD so DirecTV would have a greater percentage gain than Dish using MPEG-4 with 8PSK. The other difference is that all of DirecTV's use of MPEG-4 currently is on their Spaceway satellite using Ka band so a direct comparison to Dish using DBS Ku band maybe comparing apples to oranges.
Spike
FoxBat,

The antenna based HD I once watched was Great!!! Far better than I saw on VOOM, when they were a sat company. And far better from what I'm seeing on Dish today (though it is pretty good). And it was by FAR exceptionally better than what I saw on Directv over the last months I was with them, especially right before I dumped them and went with Dish's better picture quality!!

Each of us has our likes. And each of us has to watch from an antenna exactly what is broadcast by the local networks, which, by the way, means I get Zip HD via antenna now. Frankly I miss it!

Thanks for your post
Tom Bombadil
What Foxbat was saying is that OTA HD can be excellent, or it can be sub-par. It depends upon what any particular station decides to do with the bandwidth they have been allocated. If they use the full 19MB to rebroadcast a network program that in turn was also given the full 19MB and recorded using top notch HD cameras, then the resulting image is spectacular.

But not everything is well recorded and the station does not have to allocate their full bandwidth to a single HD channel. If they chop it up and then compress the HD program, the picture will degradate.

Likewise for E* and D (and cable). D* has been bad about compressing down to 10-12MB, there are even instances of them dropping to 8MB. E* has generally been better, the numbers I've seen run in the 12-16MB range. Thus one of the reasons to sub to E* is that you do get better HD quality, at least for the moment.

Over the long run, I think it is highly likely that we will be seeing a lot of 10MB or so "HD" from both E* and D*. The pressure will be on to carry all of the HD channels and they will need far fewer transponders if they use the lower bitrates. Just like they have always overcompressed SD, when it is possible for them to broadcast nearly all of the SD channels in near DVD quality. They know that Joe Sixpack Consumer will be VERY happy with 10MB HD, because most consumers are satisfied with overcompressed SD now.

So just like to get decent 480i now, you have buy a DVD, you will need to buy HD-DVD or Blueray-DVD to get top quality HD.
John Kotches
rocatman says:

I believe DirecTV was not using 8PSK even for HD so DirecTV would have a greater percentage gain than Dish using MPEG-4 with 8PSK. The other difference is that all of DirecTV's use of MPEG-4 currently is on their Spaceway satellite using Ka band so a direct comparison to Dish using DBS Ku band maybe comparing apples to oranges.

Let's be clear here. DirecTV will be seeing the same gains from the MPEG-4 encoders that Dish will see, ~20%. Coupled with a switch to 8PSK transponders the aggregate gain would be on the order of about 40-45%.

So, Charlie can actually leapfrog when the realtime encoders do hit 40% as they can swap out the plant for MPEG-4 when the time is right while DirecTV has to lag to replace their infrastructure with either a hardware or software infrastructure.

It's a seesaw battle between these two like it usually is in the technology industry. The fact that E* hedged their bets with Rainbow-1 a kickass move in case the MPEG-4 encoders couldn't deliver the gains they were hoping for. Guess what, they didn't and the bet paid off. Plus, it was a hell of a lot cheaper than buying and waiting for a new satellite to be built, tested, launched, tested, moved into placed, tested and placed into production.

Cheers,
B
BuckNasty said:
301s have the hardware for 8psk. i noticed it wasn't listed on that chart. that is incorrect. they do have 8psk tuners
Evidence? This has been touched on many times in the 2 years since the 311 was introduced. If the 301 had it someone would have spoken up.
HokieEngineer said:
6. Remember, this chip is nothing new. It was first introduced in the 8psk module for the 6000. All HD content was converted over maybe 2 years ago? JohnH or Tony would know.
3 channels converted on 2/18/04, with the Demo channel being the last on 4/14/04. See http://ekb.dbstalk.com/107.
Neutron
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.

I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.

Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
4 Replies · 20 views
b4pjoe
I tried HomeKit to be able to see my Ring cameras on my Apple TV as they are not supported natively on Apple devices. The best I could get was to be able to view the cameras live but I could not view any recordings. After the last major update version of HomeKit I could not even view the live cameras anymore. I gave up on it after that. If I were going to do it again I would only buy devices that can work on Apple devices natively as HomeKit didn't work well at all for me.
  • Like
Reactions: Neutron
Neutron
I tried HomeKit to be able to see my Ring cameras on my Apple TV as they are not supported natively on Apple devices. The best I could get was to be able to view the cameras live but I could not view any recordings. After the last major update version of HomeKit I could not even view the live cameras anymore. I gave up on it after that. If I were going to do it again I would only buy devices that can work on Apple devices natively as HomeKit didn't work well at all for me.
That's what I started doing after seeing legacy devices work hit or miss using the HomeBridge. At least Apple is following a standard now with Matter which is unusual for Apple. Looks like HomeBridge does allow you to see the live views but I haven't seen how to view past recordings. I'd really like to ditch Ring altogether due to their stance on privacy and if I had my choice I'd go with UniFi since that's what I use for my network and I like the idea of my camera recordings being all local and not in the cloud. UniFi doorbells and cameras are quite pricey though.

I'll try to access the Ring doorbells in Apple Home for now but I'll see if it's useful any.
Foxbat
I found that the IoT devices need to see the Apple TV to be able to use it as the HomeKit Hub. Unfortunately, that means being in the same IPv4 subnet.

I was thinking of getting a HomePod Mini for my Mother-in-Law to play music and set up HomeKit scenes, as well as make FaceTime Audio calls. When Apple announced their price rises due to RAMageddon, I kicked myself as they went up 50% in cost. I'll be curious to see the HomeView in person as this might not be a bad way to get her started on automation.

She asked about it because her friends have Alexa and they use it to control lights. But like you, I feel better putting in a HomePod or HomeView that's listening for commands instead of Amazon or Google.
b4pjoe
That's what I started doing after seeing legacy devices work hit or miss using the HomeBridge.
Homebridge is what I meant when I said HomeKit. Forgot the name of it.
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.

In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.

20 Replies · 761 views
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
ncted
All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.
NYDutch
All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.
I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.
  • Like
Reactions: ncted
ncted
I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.
Yeah, I was just saying Spectrum suddenly wants to keep what customers they can.
  • Like
Reactions: NYDutch
Tom Speer
Optimum, which bought up our previous cable company, Suddenlink (originally COX), replac ed all of their coax disdripution with Fiber several years ago. They ran new fiber links to the house, but installed RFOG (RF over glass) devices on the outside of the house, which makes the house coax system look like a cable system. They used DOCSIS modems and of course we had the same assymetric bandwidth of cable internet. When I called them a couple years ago, and said I had installed a connection to the local Fiber provideer, MetroNet, They panicked and offered me the 300 MBit "Fiber powered" cable service for $20 per month. They were bleeding customers. I cancelled my Metronet and went with the $20 deal for a year, even though I didn't like the old cable technology.

Then T-moble Fiber struck a deal with Metronet Fiber where T-mobile would take over the marketing, billing and customer relations for residential Customers. They offered a "Founders Deal" for 2 Gigabit service, symmetric speeds, for $70 per month for new customers. That included all taxes and fees and was guaranteed for 10 years. I couldn't resist. That deal is no longer offered, but I am set for 9 more years.

Now the successaor to the old local telephone company, Brightspeed has also installed a modern Fiber system in the neighborhood, but won't be getting my business. But their Fiber technology is also superior to Optimums cable based system.

With Fiber competition, the cable companies are eventually doomed.
Foxbat
Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.
K
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
'Rockford Files' Reboot Gets NBC Pilot Order

I grow tired of all the reboots. Most I don't bother with but will depend on the actor chosen.
23 Replies · 856 views
long_time_Dish

I wonder how they're/if they're going to do something like the answering machine message opening? It was always funny...
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie
Howard Simmons
I wonder how they're/if they're going to do something like the answering machine message opening? It was always funny...
I hope they can find enough Pontiac Firebirds to keep the show going.🤔
  • Like
Reactions: long_time_Dish
dishstaller
I wonder how they're/if they're going to do something like the answering machine message opening? It was always funny...
I had forgotten all about that part of the show. Used to really like it.
  • Like
Reactions: long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
The one where Beth is telling him about her cat is one of my favorites. "...he's not very discriminating". 🤣
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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....
68764 Replies · 2686058 views
  • Like
Reactions: c-spand
dishstaller
Knights In White Satin - The Moody Blues
Bobby
The Topical Song - The Barron Knights
dishstaller
The Logical Song - Supertramp
sdfntx
From a Logical Point of View - Robert Mitchum
  • Like
Reactions: Bobby
long_time_Dish
Point Of Know Return - Kansas
b4pjoe
Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets
6 Replies · 177 views
harshness
Given that Tubi is one of the hottest FAST services out there, I don't expect it to go anywhere. Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?
osu1991

Surprise! Fox Corp. said Friday it has closed the acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Foxbat and Mr Tony
Neutron
Another reason I'm glad we are swapping or Rokus out for Apple TVs. I was already planning on ditching the Rokus earlier this year and had been waiting on Apple to announce the new one last month. Our Rokus have had issues the last year or so with freezing video and reboots, and one with an HDCP issue randomly.
dishstaller
Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads :facepalm
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Thought some might find this encouraging. It turned out good but I still feel a little bad about it.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.

I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.

Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
3 Replies · 52 views
T
Years ago you wouldn't have hesitated...What was your hesitation? In breaking stride to assess another's situation, which you wouldn't have done when younger? Usually it's younger people who are less observant or likely to break routine to help an old lady cross the street, etc.
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo
TRG
TRG
Kinda reminds me of a verse from an old John Prine song.

So if you're walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare as if you didn't care
Say, "Hello in there, hello"


  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
Jimbo
Thought some might find this encouraging. It turned out good but I still feel a little bad about it.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.

I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.

Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
Actually, I think it's a bit different ... as we age, we do what we need to ... I being retired, don't leave home as early as I would other wise have, some day I have a ton of stops to make, others just a few ...

I think the problem is the generations behind us are all about themselves and generally could care less about others ...

Thats not everyone behind us, but I would guess a majority ...

There comes a time in life that you decide your going to do whats Right, or not ...
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 13 views
TFLEV
· posted in TFLEV
0 Replies · 19 views