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Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
New here! Did a search didn't find. I have an opportunity to buy a complete SAMSUNG DSB 4700 FTA system for $150, Rec, dish etal. I haven't found any review of this equipment. Is it worth starting out with this? My second thought is a Pansat 3500sd or coolsat 5000. Any opinions welcome.


NEW !!

High Functional Digital Satellite Receiver
NTSC Type
DSB 4700F : Free To Air Digital Satellite Receiver
Features
MPEG2/DVB Compliant
SCPC / MCPC program receivable
Multi-language(19 languages) supports OSD
(English, German, Franch, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, etc.)
Quick scan and channel change
DiSEqC 1.2 Supported
Easy Auto Scan for channels over 32 Satellites at the same time
Max 4000 TV and Radio programmable
Software download via Satellites(Hotbird, Astra, Sirius)
Advanced Electronic Program Guide(EPG)
Subtitle with multi-languages
Teletext OSD and VBI supported with multi-languages.
Channel Sorting: Favorite lists, Providers name, Alphabetical, Transponders
PiP in channel sorting and EPG
Parental Lock
Quick and Easy Antenna Installation
5 Replies · 7731 views
M
The one glaring thing I noticed (and I did a search) was no blind scan. You are limited to what is programmed into the receiver or what you manually add. You can't scan to find all the fun feeds that pop up all the time. A Blind scan is almost a must for the FTA hobbyist :D

Although for 150 bucks that is a good deal for the receiver. Dish, and LNB

I like both the Coolsat 5000 and the Fortec Classic. The Coolsat has a really fast blind scan (but has been known to miss some stuff) and the Fortec is real easy to set up and work with.
F
Iceberg, Thanks or the quick reply. I'll consider your opinion.
Sadoun
I second Icebergs suggestion. For a new user, I highly recommend a receiver that is easy to work with and has the BLIND SEARCH function. It is well worth the extra bucks to get these features.
F
Iceberg, This is an excerpt from the instruction manual. It talks about auto-scanning and manual scan. Is this the concept you were talking about in your previous note?

OPERATING THE RECEIVER
1.3 Auto Scanning
The sub menu "Auto Scanning" will enable download the
channels automatically from the preprogrammed satellites.
To download channels automatically:
You can select All/Off/Only Free option mode with the the
_ / _ keys in each satellite, which can be displayed more by
the PG+/PG- keys .
Off : No Scan
All : Scan all the channels
Only Free : Scan free channels
œ Press OK key.
Auto Scanning menu will be displayed.
All the channels in the list from the selected satellite will be
automatically downloaded.
After scanning you will see "Your digital receiver found...".
Then, you should press OK key to store all channels into STB.
1.4 Manual Scanning
To tune-in new channels and weak signals, the STB has
been provided with the option "Manual Scanning" where
the channel data can be entered by the user.
After selecting the "Manual Scanning" from the Installation
Menu, the following screen will be displayed:
œ Select the target satellite for manual search. In order to scan
programs from the satellite which is not listed on this menu,
select 'Satellite' (Satellite 1 ~ Satellite 8).
In case of 'Satellite' (Satellite 1 ~ Satellite 8), all information
about the satellite which you are interested in should be put.
To edit Satellite Name
œ Select a satellite to rename with _ / _ keys.
œ Press GREEN(TEXT) key. Font Table will be displayed.
œ Select desired font table using the Num.1~ 6 keys.
œ Select desired character with _ / _ / _ / _ and then
press the OK key to paste character to the string.
Note : RED key : Backspace.
EXIT key : To exit font table without changing satellite
name.
œ Press the MENU key and then press the OK key to save
OPERATING THE RECEIVER
œ Load a transponder.
This option will enable the user to load any transponder from the preprogrammed list
available within the receiver.
Note : Especially on New transponder at Load TR, this new transponder can be added
into transponder list so that you can use it on Auto Scanning later, only if at least
one channel is found with this new transponder. In order to save it, press OK key.
In order to get 'NEW' as new transponder at Load TR, enter '0' at Load TR or go to
'NEW' using the _ / _ keys.
œ Input the frequency of the transponder you want to find.
œ Input the symbol rate of the transponder you want to find.
œ Select the FEC(Forward Error Correction)of the transponder you want to find.
You can select the value of 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 or Auto.
œ Select the polarization of the transponder you want to find.
(Horizontal/Vertical/Circular Left/Circular Right)
In the case of horizontal, 18V and in the case of vertical, 13V are output through LNB line.
œ Select Scan Mode "All" or "Only Free".
œ Set "Yes" on Network Search. You can get more channels from transponder using
the homing transponder. Additionally, you can get 'Net Name' on the screen.
This service depends on the information from broadcasting signal.
œ Select PID searching "Yes". only if you are interested in SCPC program.
You can manually search by entering individual PID(Packet Identifier)(Video/Audio/PCR)
values.
œ Select Satellite Scan "Yes". You can scan the channels in the selected satellite.
œ After select option, press OK key to start the scan process.
DSB-4700F
DSB-4700F
OPERATING THE RECEIVER
1.5 SMATV Scanning
In case that several generations use Antenna and LNB in
common, search the service the from 950 to 2150MHz.
œ Select Searching Type "Automatic" or "Manual".
œ Select Scan Mode "All" or "Only Free".
œ You can input alternative symbol rate from 1st to 4th.
Note : 1. When your searching type is set to Automatic
during SMATV scanning, you have only to enter
the alternative symbol rate(1~7) you want.
2. When your searching type is set to Manual
during SMATV scanning, you must enter both
frequency and symbol rate.
3. DiSEqC switch can be supported for SMATV on
'LNB Settings'. SMATV as the satellite on
'LNB Settings' should be selected for supporting
DiSEqC switch.
When you select "Automatic", STB will search all available
channels based on symbol rates over whole frequencies.
On the other hand, it will scan channels with exact
information for symbol rate and frequency on "Manual".
M
no

There are 5 types of scans

-auto scan...this scans all the preprogrammed tranponders in the receiver.
-manual scan...allows you to scan one transponder
-advanced scan (or PID scan)...takes manual scan to a new level. Allows you to put in the audio & video PIDS. This works good if you want to put radio stations on the TV side of your channel list
-network scan...this finds the frequencies with the same symbol rate. Not really used much here in the US
-Blind scan (smart scan, power scan)...scans all frequencies and symbol rates to find the feeds

Each channel has a frequency, polarity and symbol rate. So as an example
-if a channel is at 11741 H 6616 (Ohio News Network is on SBS6 at this frequency), if its i your receiver, when you do an auto scan you will pick it up. But lets say they change to 12000 H 6616 (they change frequencies). Unless you know this (and manually put it in), the auto scan won't pick it up. Only a blind scan will.

Dont get me wrong, you dont need blind scan (I have 4 receivers that dont). But those feeds that pop up for 15 minutes or that sports feed it will be harder to find without blind scan :)
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
I was reading this article


That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.


Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.
876 Replies · 71316 views
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Bruce
Some interesting information was in this article-


This first-

The total pay-TV sector (traditional service providers and virtual MVPDs) shed 885,000 subscribers in Q2 2026

So with the loss of 2.03 Million in the first quarter, already at 2.915 Million gone this year, two quarters left to report.

#2-

The segment ended Q2 with 61.51 million subs comprising 27.5 million cable video subs, 21.42 million vMVPD customers, 9.56 million satellite TV customers, and 3.01 million telco TV subs.

There are approximately 133.97 million households in the United States, according to recent YCharts US Households Data from mid-2026.

That means more than 72 Million households do not have a paid live TV service, about 54% of the total.

What is worse, 7 years ago, paid live TV had over 80% of the population subscribing ( about 100 Million), almost all were Cable/Satellite customers.

Today, only about 37 Million subscribe to Cable/Satellite, less than 28% of our population.

#3-

At one time, Satellite TV (Dish and DirecTV), had about 34 Million subscribers added together, now, 9.56 Million.

That is over a 70% loss for those who subscribe to Satellite TV.

For Cable TV, not as bad, since they have broadband to help against the losses ( bundles), but as more options appear ( 5G, fiber, starlink, etc), I expect a big increase in those leaving cable.

Also expect YTTV to really start gaining even more subscribers, for those who still wish to have a live TV service, based on price point and it is a really great service.
Bruce
Looks like Optimum Communications ( formerly CableVision) is collapsing, due to it's high debt, lenders/creditors are taking over-

Bruce
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.

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navychop
Got a Sony 700 at WM dot commie.

I think.

Ordered, anyway. Amazon let me go thru entire process but then said no inventory.

Hopefully,, WM will come thru.
dishstaller
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.
Hate to hear that. If you don't physically have something in your hand, you don't really own it.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 2 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share
30 Replies · 300 views
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Juan
I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share

When walmart set a price...they weigh the container and the product...the product label only shows the weight of the product...I am sure if you brought your own plastic baggies to bring the product home you could get the cheaper price
dishstaller
When walmart set a price...they weigh the container and the product...
Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.
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Juan
Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.
You are paying for the whole thing
T
You are paying for the whole thing
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
Juan
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
But a box can weigh more than an ounce..maybe 2...a can might weigh 5 ounces..a bag...not much
dishstaller
.a bag...not much
Well, according to the price per ounce on that first bag of coffee he mentions, that would mean the bag weighed over 6 ounces. That bag does NOT weigh 6 ounces. According to Google, an empty bag weighs half an ounce.
Juan
Well, according to the price per ounce on that first bag of coffee he mentions, that would mean the bag weighed over 6 ounces. That bag does NOT weigh 6 ounces. According to Google, an empty bag weighs half an ounce.
You need to weigh the actual bag...a deli bag weighs less than that but a thick coffee bag is gonna weigh around an ounce...an empty tin can has some weight
NYDutch
You need to weigh the actual bag...a deli bag weighs less than that but a thick coffee bag is gonna weigh around an ounce...an empty tin can has some weight
Products sold by the ounce, pound, etc, should always be priced for the product only. Only the shipping weight should include the packaging.
harshness
Products sold by the ounce, pound, etc, should always be priced for the product only.
Unless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.

I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner. ;)

You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
Jimbo
Unless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.

I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner. ;)

You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
I would think that all the packaging would already be accounted for ... they weigh the container, subtract that from the scale, then add the product , so its weighing the Product only
dishstaller
but a thick coffee bag is gonna weigh around an ounce...

Obviously you didn't read my post.....google says a coffee bag weighs half an ounce. But let's say you are correct and it DOES weigh a full ounce, that would still fall 5 ounces shy for Walmart's numbers to match.
You wouldn't happen to be kin to Bernie would you
Juan
Obviously you didn't read my post.....google says a coffee bag weighs half an ounce. But let's say you are correct and it DOES weigh a full ounce, that would still fall 5 ounces shy for Walmart's numbers to match.
You wouldn't happen to be kin to Bernie would you
None of it means a hill of coffee beans...the price is the price...its not going to get any lower...as long as you pay the price on the shelf at the register..there is no crime
dishstaller
None of it means a hill of coffee beans...the price is the price...its not going to get any lower...as long as you pay the price on the shelf at the register..there is no crime
I can't BELIEVE this is being such a difficult subject. The issue isn't the price....it's the advertised price per ounce. A lot of shoppers, myself included, use the price per ounce in determining which is the better value....with that number being inaccurate, it can trick someone into thinking that one product cost less per ounce than a competing product. Is this a crime?...above my pay grade. Is it dishonest? Yes.
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Juan
I can't BELIEVE this is being such a difficult subject. The issue isn't the price....it's the advertised price per ounce. A lot of shoppers, myself included, use the price per ounce in determining which is the better value....with that number being inaccurate, it can trick someone into thinking that one product cost less per ounce than a competing product. Is this a crime?...above my pay grade. Is it dishonest? Yes.
Again it makes no difference...call the ftc and file a complaint...maybe your lawyer can file a class action lawsuit and you can collect your 25 cents
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.

4 Replies · 59 views
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dishstaller
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.
S
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.
people are moving to fiber, which is better up and down and also not Comcast.
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dishdude
people are moving to fiber, which is better up and down and also not Comcast.
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.

Cord cutting 2.0. Not just fiber, 5G is really taking a toll on the cable companies.
AZ.
AZ.
Cord cutting 2.0. Not just fiber, 5G is really taking a toll on the cable companies.
I agree, for $35 it aint perfect but just as reliable as my cable was. And that was twice as much and still rising
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
He was 71 yrs old. One of my favorite songs is Seminole Wind....the violin is killer.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sh9P3X33w
9 Replies · 93 views
M
I Wish I Could Have Been There is an amazing song. Rest in peace Mr Anderson.
dishstaller
I Wish I Could Have Been There is an amazing song.
That's one of those songs that hits a little too close to home for me. I like the song but just can't listen to it. It's kinda like that song "Daddy never was the Cadillac kind".....reminds me too much of my Grandfather who died Feb 18, 1995.
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dfergie
R.I.P. I thought he was older…
M
R.I.P.
Got a few songs on my 'setup' (old cell phone with music) that I can listen to while working
S
RIP
KE4EST
R.I.P. I thought he was older…
Same here. I thought he was older......RIP
SuperDish_Fan23
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
25 Replies · 632 views
S
That's not really unusual. Cable companies like to the provide the box too. The phone company provided the phones in until the government forced them to allow third-party phones.
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Almighty1
That's not really unusual. Cable companies like to the provide the box too. The phone company provided the phones in until the government forced them to allow third-party phones.
Yes, the Western Electric phones that says "Bell System Property, NOT FOR SALE, Western Electric".
Bobby
Yes, the Western Electric phones that says "Bell System Property, NOT FOR SALE, Western Electric".
In my very early work life I installed and repaired those phones.
AZ.
AZ.
Yes, the Western Electric phones that says "Bell System Property, NOT FOR SALE, Western Electric".
someone is showing their age
Almighty1
someone is showing their age
LOL. It depends if the person saw it during the years when they were actually still available which is 1968 to 1983 meaning the person could be 43-58 years old or they can even be a few years old if they learned to read and write at a young age and actually saw a telephone with that label somewhere recently just like even here in San Francisco, payphone still exist physically in public places but whether they can be used or not is a different issue. It still looks like this even today:
1792633296785.webp
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dishstaller
I opened my Radio Shack in Sept 1984 and right about that time they did the whole deregulation thing with the phone companies. I bought TONS of those phones that had been refurbished with a new outer shell. You could throw one of those out of a 3 story high window and it would still work.
That was an interesting time in history. I would have older customers come in and ask about phones.....they were terrified that they were going to get into trouble hooking up a second phone without the phone company knowing about it. One of the funniest episodes of WKRP was the one where Johnny thought the cops were showing up because they had an unregistered phone. I guess younger folks can't conceive of a time when you were limited to the number of phones you could have in your house....and limited to the length of the cord 🤣
llokey
In my very early work life I installed and repaired those phones.
And I kept them working through the ESS offices.
Bobby
And I kept them working through the ESS offices.
The two central offices in the area I worked were actually step by step offices. :)
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Almighty1
I opened my Radio Shack in Sept 1984 and right about that time they did the whole deregulation thing with the phone companies. I bought TONS of those phones that had been refurbished with a new outer shell. You could throw one of those out of a 3 story high window and it would still work.
That was an interesting time in history. I would have older customers come in and ask about phones.....they were terrified that they were going to get into trouble hooking up a second phone without the phone company knowing about it. One of the funniest episodes of WKRP was the one where Johnny thought the cops were showing up because they had an unregistered phone. I guess younger folks can't conceive of a time when you were limited to the number of phones you could have in your house....and limited to the length of the cord 🤣
Speaking about cords, I actually did drop a Trimline phone from probably 3 feet high on the floor when I was about 10 or so and it caused a small crack, this was the one with the modular jacks and it was hooked up with I think a 50 ft or longer RJ11C cable from Radio Shack. I still use the phone today connected to a Obi VoIP adapter and the cord is my custom made 6 position RJ11C, not sure of the official name for it without looking it up and Belden MediaTwist Crescent shaped Cat6+ cable.

1792686536450.webp
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S
LOL. It depends if the person saw it during the years when they were actually still available which is 1968 to 1983 meaning the person could be 43-58 years old or they can even be a few years old if they learned to read and write at a young age and actually saw a telephone with that label somewhere recently just like even here in San Francisco, payphone still exist physically in public places but whether they can be used or not is a different issue. It still looks like this even today:
View attachment 194957
so that persons in hiding lol:biggrin
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S
remembers when ATT had stores and leased home phones
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