Social Feed

Barnaby

Last reply Dec 8, 2006 · posted in Cable Television and Fiber Providers

Cable v. Satellite

After reviewing many of the posts on this site for the last couple of hours I am somewhat confused. I currently have DTV with a DTV/Tivo box; an old one.

I am going to upgrade to an HDTV set in a couple of months, and I can't decide whether to stick with DTV, or go with TW Cable, or Dish.

Some of the issues are:

1. If I stick with DTV I will have to give up Tivo. The Series3 has the ability to receive Internet Radio, and I like that idea. If I had someway of coordinating the TV with the music on my computer that would be great.

2. Who has the most HD content

3. Whats all this talk about MPEG4, and why do I care?

4. The ability to run Dolby Digital 5.1 sound through my home theater system is very important.

I live in Los Angeles, and I am not interested in Sports coverage. Cost is not a major factor, although it is relevant. I will ultimately have 2 different HDTVs in the house.

Any thoughts on how to sort through all of this would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

13 Replies · 3449 views

Load Replies (13) Reply Legacy View

bidger`

Oct 19, 2006

It's HR20 and the people in MPEG-4 areas, applicable to Barnaby's situation, are the ones experiencing the most difficulty, especially when it comes to FF & REW.

Barnaby said:
The Series3 has the ability to receive Internet Radio, and I like that idea.

You mean the Live365? I have a S2 TiVo networked and I've used this feature about 3 times in all the time it's been enabled.

It wouldn't be worth $800 to me since it's available on a Windows Media Center Edition PC.

Kikkenit2

Nov 12, 2006

I live in Redondo Beach, a suburb of LA and have HD dvr's with both Dish (VIP622) & Directv (HR10-250). All my units have toslink optical audio to my Yamaha receiver with 5.1 surround sound. All the channels sound great, especially the HD. Both offer a bunch of music channels. I don't think there is a way to get the internet intom the sat. receivers. I only watch tv but dish has a 24 hour HD concert channel called Rave. Content is limited but looks and sounds good just like all the old Voom channels.

LA has had locals in mpeg2 on both systems for awhile now. Directv has had problems with the new HR20-700 dvr but mostly with mpeg4 locals and hdmi connections. They are sold out and on backorder. I'm on the list and eventually will get 3 of them.

The D* feed requires 2 coaxial cables to each unit. Dish only requires 1. D* gets all their channels on 1 5lnb dish whereas my Dish lineup requires at least 2 and I still have 3 model 500's on my roof. I'm 31 miles from the OTA antennas on Mt. Wilson and over a hill so I can't receive them. At least I can see the ocean.

The main advantage of D* is the NFL Sunday Ticket. Including the HD feed (Superfan) it costs about $350 a year. Dish has a better HD dvr for skipping commercials. The dedicated 30 sec. SKIP is way better than the 30 sec. SLIP (approx. 6x fast forward) that the D* R15-300 & HR20-700 have.

Time Warner just took over all of LA. Their HD dvr has no commercial skip button at all. Triple fast forward works ok though. Their channel lineup and picture quality is similar to sat. Verizon FOIS is coming to Redondo Beach soon and is supposed to have huge bandwith for internet and uncompressed HDTV. Just their internet alone is $40 a month introductory rate. Their channel lineup appears to be similar to D* & TW.

Dish & D* are requiring a 2 year commitment every time I upgrade to their new HD dvr's. Price on all systems are pretty similar IMO.

NateCohen

Nov 16, 2006

Time Warner is horrible. That's what's available here in Albany, NY. We're getting DirecTV today, and I never want to go back to Time Warner again. They don't even offer NFL Network!

cybrsurfer

Dec 7, 2006

I returned to Comcast this week from DirecTV... I'm very happy now.

I'm glad that I returned to Comcast. Now they offer free OnDemand HD for premium movie channels like Starz & Cinemax. In addition they offer free HD OnDemand if you don't subscribe to any premiums. Many networks like CBS allow CSI in HD to be streamed right to your set top box. It's changed so much in less then a year. I'm very happy now with the service. Get my locals ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, and PBS in HD. I already had internet & phone service, so they gave me a great bundle to add cable tv for another 12 months of discounts.

I have to say DirecTV will be hard pressed to offer the OnDemand for free for many network channels and premium channels. You can watch any series at your convienience without having to use up hard drive space or scheduling. Everything is digital now in my market, in my neighborhood Comcast ended analog and transitioned to all digital, my stb only works with digital, not analog.
:up

Todd Humphrey

Dec 8, 2006

Don't worry about Mpeg-4, you have no choice. All newer model HDTV recevers are Mpeg-4 now.

What ever you do, use an HDMI interface.

View all replies (13)

Booredatwork.com

9 minutes ago · posted in BooredAtWork.COM

Sony MDR-3R Walkman USB-C Headphones

Time for another AWESOME video from BoredAtWork!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DJ9tHdzvSUQ

Direct YouTube Link - Sony MDR-3R Walkman USB-C Headphones
Booredatwork.com Website
Booredatwork on Facebook

0 Replies · 0 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

9 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Earth’s New Mini Moon: Meet Asteroid 2026 QQ8

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6kVDC3xcUVE

Direct YouTube Link - Earth's New Mini Moon: Meet Asteroid 2026 QQ8
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 0 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 10 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Traditional/Streaming Live TV Providers Losses, 3rd Quarter 2026 Edition

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.

Comcast Just Lost 274,000 TV Customers & 144,000 Internet Customers In Just Three Months | Cord Cutters News

Comcast Corporation reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 22, showing continued erosion in its domestic residential broadband internet and video customer bases as competitive pressures intensified across the connectivity market. The company recorded a net loss of 144,000 domestic...

cordcuttersnews.com

22 Replies · 881 views

Load Replies (22) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Howard Simmons

ncted

Yesterday at 12:06 PM

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.

Reactions: MikeD-C05

NYDutch

Yesterday at 12:38 PM

ncted said:
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.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and ncted

ncted

Yesterday at 12:46 PM

NYDutch said:
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.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and NYDutch

Tom Speer

Yesterday at 1:26 PM

Optimum, which bought up our previous cable company, Suddenlink (originally COX), replac ed all of their coax disdribution 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 successor 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.

Reactions: MikeD-C05

Foxbat

Yesterday at 4:26 PM

Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and Bobby

savarese04

43 minutes ago

Foxbat said:
Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.

similar situation. almost every neighborhood around me has fiber, but our 3 block area. I called AT&T and was like, how hard is it to bring fiber over about 200 feet (I am closest to the folks with fiber and can see it on the poles from my front door); crickets and very frustrating.

ncted

10 minutes ago

savarese04 said:
similar situation. almost every neighborhood around me has fiber, but our 3 block area. I called AT&T and was like, how hard is it to bring fiber over about 200 feet (I am closest to the folks with fiber and can see it on the poles from my front door); crickets and very frustrating.

"Business Intelligence" is more of an oxymoron than Military Intelligence.

View all replies (22)

ewindowman

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 16 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Bankruptcy - Business as Usual

Looks like dish is Bankrupt. Filling tomorrow Tuesday June 30th

456 Replies · 15908 views

Load Replies (456) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Foxbat, FTA4PA and LQQK

nelson61

Monday at 12:22 PM

Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.

Reactions: DialgaChampion, MikeD-C05, Foxbat and 2 others

Scott Greczkowski

Monday at 1:25 PM

nelson61 said:
Washington Post

SpaceX has held talks with Boost's parent company EchoStar in recent months about launching its own signature wireless service through a deal with the company, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, has discussed the deal personally, meeting with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen last month, according to the people. The potential deal may result in SpaceX acquiring Boost Mobile or SpaceX gaining access to its network, which it leases from AT&T and T-Mobile US, the people said.
Access to those lease agreements would be a coup for SpaceX. The back door would allow Musk to make a play for a U.S. wireless market that equity research firm MoffettNathanson estimates is worth $235 billion. But the proposed service may need consent from those carriers for the service to actually launch, the people said.

Can't remember where or who I saw predict this.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.

Reactions: DialgaChampion, MikeD-C05, Foxbat and 1 other person

Bruce

Tuesday at 10:17 AM

Scott Greczkowski said:
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.

Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

Scott Greczkowski

Tuesday at 10:22 AM

Bruce said:
Again, why would Musk want a TV Service, specially one that is losing over a million subscribers a year.

Phone service…maybe, but not TV.

I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.

Reactions: DialgaChampion, MikeD-C05, Almighty1 and 2 others

Bruce

Tuesday at 11:30 AM

Scott Greczkowski said:
I know he wants TV. He wants to deliver EVERYTHING to EVERYWHERE.

Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 2:54 AM

Bruce said:
Again, if so, why would he want Dish/Sling of all the providers?

He could deliver anything without actually owning, for example, watching the Lions game in my Tesla Y on it's screen via the YT app, while on the way to my future in-laws on Sunday.

dish has new sats dtv does not

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

renjy651

Yesterday at 6:37 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
dish has new sats dtv does not

Hate to say this no one is ordering Satellite TV. Both DISH and Direct no new customers.
After 25 years with centurylink DSL 80 speed i changed to Xfinity 300 speed for $50 wow lightning fast for streaming. Still have DISH 27 years with them. Americas 250 package for $103. What you think of superbox or vseebox for streaming is it legal?
Still dish is easy to operate and change channels. What will Charlie Ergen do with new super satellites with loosing customers with satellites and boost?

Reactions: MikeD-C05, slow_poke_pete and charlesrshell

comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 8:31 AM

renjy651 said:
What you think of superbox or vseebox for streaming is it legal?

NO.

Reactions: slow_poke_pete and charlesrshell

slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 11:52 AM

renjy651 said:
Hate to say this no one is ordering Satellite TV. Both DISH and Direct no new customers.
After 25 years with centurylink DSL 80 speed i changed to Xfinity 300 speed for $50 wow lightning fast for streaming. Still have DISH 27 years with them. Americas 250 package for $103. What you think of superbox or vseebox for streaming is it legal?
Still dish is easy to operate and change channels. What will Charlie Ergen do with new super satellites with loosing customers with satellites and boost?

While I agree but dish just launched a new sat. That can be used as an asset for Elon. Maybe he will repurpose em for his cell service. And if he wants tv to. God knows why he would but I think he will get a great deal on the contracts in place and equipment!!! I could think of better things to spend my money on. And to be honest Elon has nothing to offer me have blazing fast internet and ill never buy an ev. The veesee box and the super box are illegal.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

tanman

16 minutes ago

For your viewing pleasure...

AT&T, T-Mobile Are Reportedly Ready To Boot Boost Mobile If SpaceX Buys It

Semafor’s Rohan Goswami said that AT&T and T-Mobile have discussed removing Boost Mobile from their networks if SpaceX acquires the EchoStar unit, creating a potential obstacle to Elon Musk’s push to become a major U.S. wireless carrier.

finance.yahoo.com

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (456)

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 39 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Color blind man sees full colors for first time at age 66

Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI

6 Replies · 143 views

Load Replies (6) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: NYDutch, Bobby and navychop

Bobby

Wednesday at 10:10 PM

dishstaller said:
Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI

That brought tears to my eyes.

Reactions: NYDutch

dishstaller

Wednesday at 10:12 PM

Bobby said:
That brought tears to my eyes.

Really...REALLY hate to do this to you Bobby, but....

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOo3jzkhYA&pp=ygUed29tYW4gaGVhcnMgZm9yIHRoZSBmaXJzdCB0aW1l

Reactions: NYDutch and Bobby

dishstaller

Wednesday at 10:15 PM

Okay....if you think you can take it....this one brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it and did again just now.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i5UCDwHMatg?feature=share

Reactions: NYDutch and Bobby

dishstaller

Thursday at 11:32 PM

This came up in my suggestions probably because of the video I posted. I had NO idea exactly what being color blind actually was. Now I understand why that man was so blown away with seeing the trees......a lot of color blind people see green as brown, so grass, trees, etc all look brown.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18_RngKJDQ

Juan

45 minutes ago

Its a shame nobody told him orange was blue and red was purple etc etc etc

telstar_1

39 minutes ago

Often people who have organic vision or hearing activated as adults after never having had it cannot practically utilize it because their brains never developed the massive neural network needed to make sense of any of it.

Well, he sees in color, just differently. Can't he just enjoy that? My granny had anachromatic color blindness, meaning pretty much like a b&w tv

b4pjoe

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 51 minutes ago · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal

15 Replies · 330 views

Load Replies (15) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: HipKat and primestar31

harshness

Jun 25, 2026

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?

Reactions: Mr Tony and primestar31

Neutron

Yesterday at 3:04 PM

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.

Reactions: AZ. and navychop

dishstaller

Yesterday at 3:06 PM

harshness said:
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

Reactions: navychop

TRG

Yesterday at 9:50 PM

Neutron said:
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.

Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.

Reactions: reubenray

navychop

Yesterday at 10:36 PM

I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.

Jimbo

Today at 9:55 AM

TRG said:
Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.

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 :eeek

reubenray

Today at 12:50 PM

navychop said:
I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.

As long as my Roku Ultra works I will use it. I use it for all of my streaming apps except for Prime. I read that Prime works best with Android TV's.

navychop

Today at 1:03 PM

Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?

osu1991

Today at 1:11 PM

navychop said:
Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?

Prime seems to have a problem passing the DV/HDR metadata to Roku and Apple devices, but no problem with their Fire devices.

Juan

51 minutes ago

dishstaller said:
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads

The ads are boring and repetitive...same ad over and over...bring back 1970s ads..might not be as big an issue

View all replies (15)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Google’s Space Data Center: What Can It Actually Power? #shorts

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

0 Replies · 8 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 12:48 PM · 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....

68770 Replies · 2687287 views

Load Replies (68770) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 9:21 PM

Really Wanna Know You - Gary Wright

Reactions: RaiderPower

hwkn

Today at 2:43 AM

Don't WANNA KNOW-Maroon 5

harshness

Today at 9:51 AM

I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

Reactions: gms49ers, RaiderPower and FTA4PA

Bobby

Today at 11:11 AM

Oh What A Night For Dancing - Barry White

sdfntx

Today at 12:48 PM

It's a Good Night for Singing - Jerry Jeff Walker

View all replies (68770)

dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 12:47 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Gas Price Info With National Gas Temperature Map

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

5569 Replies · 462456 views

Load Replies (5569) Reply Legacy View

Bobby

Yesterday at 11:49 AM

Regular$5.459
Premium$5.899
Diesel$7.999
at Costco, Rohnert Park.

Reactions: harshness

dishstaller

Yesterday at 11:59 AM

Billboard along I-10 had reg at $3.81 and diesel at $5.54

Bobby

Today at 11:10 AM

Regular$5.399
Premium$5.899
Diesel$7.999
at Costco, Rohnert Park.

osu1991

Today at 11:49 AM

$3.55

reubenray

Today at 12:47 PM

$3.45 in Jane, MO.

View all replies (5569)

Linus Tech Tips

Today at 12:22 PM · posted in Linus Tech Tips

I’ve never seen this before (and it’s 20 years old.)

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