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I know some of you are upset, frustrated or whatever emotion you are feeling right now. I am just trying to get a positive spin to this whole thing. It sounds like the worst that can happen is that on February 1st some of us be without an MPEG-4 DVR receiver.
I can see some positives:
1 - Since now we are going to have MPEG-4 channels this should increase the capacity of the Hard Disk on the DVR.
2 - MPEG-4 is the future and if Dish was going to do it at one point or another someone was going to be turned off by the adjustment or transiction to MPEG-4 equipment.
3 - HD programming will be downloadable to PocketDish.
4 - Heck! That's a freaking awesome lineup of HD channels in one system.
5 - MPEG-4 will leave the door open for more HD channels and as the HBO HD, Show HD and the 10 Voom HD channels are moved to MPEG-4, more space will be allocated.
6 - We only have a press release that does not specifically states anything about current subscribers. I am sure Dish will not screw their current base and will come up with a good solution to upgrade to the VIP622 and even those people with 811/6000u receivers.
7 - The future of MPEG4 is in 2006. I think Dish is doing the right thing by moving forward to it and leave behind MPEG2.
8 - There should be no excuse for Dish not to deliver all channels at its native full resolution and with high bitrates. The PQ issues should go away.
9 - HD Archiving may become a reality with the MPEG-4 and the Dish Solution which it is better than Firewire/Blue Ray.
Yes, we are all frustrated and shocked by the MPEG4 model but take a deep breath and also think about the positives.
I can see some positives:
1 - Since now we are going to have MPEG-4 channels this should increase the capacity of the Hard Disk on the DVR.
2 - MPEG-4 is the future and if Dish was going to do it at one point or another someone was going to be turned off by the adjustment or transiction to MPEG-4 equipment.
3 - HD programming will be downloadable to PocketDish.
4 - Heck! That's a freaking awesome lineup of HD channels in one system.
5 - MPEG-4 will leave the door open for more HD channels and as the HBO HD, Show HD and the 10 Voom HD channels are moved to MPEG-4, more space will be allocated.
6 - We only have a press release that does not specifically states anything about current subscribers. I am sure Dish will not screw their current base and will come up with a good solution to upgrade to the VIP622 and even those people with 811/6000u receivers.
7 - The future of MPEG4 is in 2006. I think Dish is doing the right thing by moving forward to it and leave behind MPEG2.
8 - There should be no excuse for Dish not to deliver all channels at its native full resolution and with high bitrates. The PQ issues should go away.
9 - HD Archiving may become a reality with the MPEG-4 and the Dish Solution which it is better than Firewire/Blue Ray.
Yes, we are all frustrated and shocked by the MPEG4 model but take a deep breath and also think about the positives.
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6229 views
M
Walt, that is a good point, and would have been a nice "spoonful of sugar". Although, I doubt most of the people around here would ever greet any annoucement with anything but irritation. Everyone either wants everything for nothing, or assumes they will always get screwed. The reality is always squarely in the middle.
Hopefully, they would have spelled "lose" right if they put this in the press release.
waltinvt said:
Walt, that is a good point, and would have been a nice "spoonful of sugar". Although, I doubt most of the people around here would ever greet any annoucement with anything but irritation. Everyone either wants everything for nothing, or assumes they will always get screwed. The reality is always squarely in the middle.
Hopefully, they would have spelled "lose" right if they put this in the press release.
T
These steps would have cut the complaining of current customers to a minimum.
Another thing that could have (should have?) been done would have been to include a brief snippet in the 942´s paperwork concerning this changeover.
As I have no life or job, (Which is why TV means so much to me
) I've been spending some quality time on the telephone recently with Dish front-line CSR's.
Today's call (I try to call a couple of time a day so that people with real problems can't get through, I've told them about my 942's bad HDMI to DVI cable and my 921's B/W SD output on 12/29/05. The "magic e-mail" was supposedly sent but I haven't been called, so I like to keep in touch) was concerning the absence of La Liga Spanish Premier League Soccer matches from Rush HD. I searched here, but found nothing.
The first CSR told me they games were probably blacked out. I assured her that I lived no where near either Barcelona or Madrid as they were several timezones to my right so this probably wasn't the case. She then said it was a problem for Advanced Tech, and I was being transferred. I guess when the "wait time" at 1-800-333-3474 goes up over 15 minutes "transferred" becomes "hung up on," as that is what I was.
I called back and tried to get the answer to my simple question (to which I think the answer is--They are being shown at the Las Vegas Convention Center) and spoke to "Tech Support."
While I explained to this Spanish Speaking person that La Liga was a SPANISH football league with some the best players in the game, and one of the very few things that appear on VOOM I actually watch, I asked if him had activated any receivers today. "Yes," was the reply. I then asked if any were HD receivers, "Yes," said he. I then wondered if he had mentioned anything about the MPEG-4 deal. "No, we haven't been told to say anything," was his curt reply.
I am tired of whipping this dead horse as I have other fish to fry. (The famous "Surf and Turf" metaphor). But I mean really, don't you--even the Dish-aid drinkers--think a small mention of the fact that the new customers might need a completely new receiver--for which they will be charged MORE MONEY-- in three weeks would be in order?
waltinvt said:
These steps would have cut the complaining of current customers to a minimum.
Another thing that could have (should have?) been done would have been to include a brief snippet in the 942´s paperwork concerning this changeover.
As I have no life or job, (Which is why TV means so much to me
) I've been spending some quality time on the telephone recently with Dish front-line CSR's.Today's call (I try to call a couple of time a day so that people with real problems can't get through, I've told them about my 942's bad HDMI to DVI cable and my 921's B/W SD output on 12/29/05. The "magic e-mail" was supposedly sent but I haven't been called, so I like to keep in touch) was concerning the absence of La Liga Spanish Premier League Soccer matches from Rush HD. I searched here, but found nothing.
The first CSR told me they games were probably blacked out. I assured her that I lived no where near either Barcelona or Madrid as they were several timezones to my right so this probably wasn't the case. She then said it was a problem for Advanced Tech, and I was being transferred. I guess when the "wait time" at 1-800-333-3474 goes up over 15 minutes "transferred" becomes "hung up on," as that is what I was.
I called back and tried to get the answer to my simple question (to which I think the answer is--They are being shown at the Las Vegas Convention Center) and spoke to "Tech Support."
While I explained to this Spanish Speaking person that La Liga was a SPANISH football league with some the best players in the game, and one of the very few things that appear on VOOM I actually watch, I asked if him had activated any receivers today. "Yes," was the reply. I then asked if any were HD receivers, "Yes," said he. I then wondered if he had mentioned anything about the MPEG-4 deal. "No, we haven't been told to say anything," was his curt reply.
I am tired of whipping this dead horse as I have other fish to fry. (The famous "Surf and Turf" metaphor). But I mean really, don't you--even the Dish-aid drinkers--think a small mention of the fact that the new customers might need a completely new receiver--for which they will be charged MORE MONEY-- in three weeks would be in order?
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
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That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads
I have the Roku's, 2 or 3, I just rarely use them ... I prefer the Google/Android Sony set up.
People tell me that the Apps on the TV will end thier usefulness as they age ... They are doing ok for me so far ... I also have the TV take the App Updates whenever possible ... then again, I don't know how often App updates come to it.
So, so far, I'm doing ok, but if they start to get sluggish, I'll eventually change to a Roku ... I don't want to, but eventually ... (Or buy another new TV
The ads are boring and repetitive...same ad over and over...bring back 1970s ads..might not be as big an issueThat is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rXqreoAsve8
Direct YouTube Link - Google's Space Data Center: What Can It Actually Power? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rXqreoAsve8
Direct YouTube Link - Google's Space Data Center: What Can It Actually Power? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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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....
68770 Replies
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2687257 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5569 Replies
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462441 views
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlTu95nOCw
Direct YouTube Link - I've never seen this before (and it's 20 years old.)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlTu95nOCw
Direct YouTube Link - I've never seen this before (and it's 20 years old.)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
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12 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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12 views
https://www.directv.com/insider/mysports-changes-the-game/
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
75 Replies
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8268 views
Pub Member / Supporter
America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot
New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com
The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.
It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
121 Replies
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1320 views
The Tesla Cybertruck Is Dead, The Ford F-150 Lives - The Autopian
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn’t supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be “more truck than truck.” It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck...
www.theautopian.com
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn't supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be "more truck than truck." It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck is dying.
Ending production in middle of next year at gigatexas for cybercab production.
Supporting Founder
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.
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.
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88 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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20 views