View Full Version : Any scuttlebutt on converting mirrored HD channels over to 103
bhelton71
11-04-07, 09:14 AM
I apologize - couldn't find anything recent. I messed myself up this morning - tried tuning to TNT on 245, and just got a black screen. Thought I lost a channel for a minute. Then I remembered it is just the virtual 75 and its Sunday. It doesn't have the normal 'programming will return at 5:00PM' message and I had a duh moment.
So anyone heard anything about converting ESPN, TNT, etc over to MPEG4 - so they wouldn't have to take TNT completely down ?
Yeah, what the heck is this about? I wanted to watch Jurassic Park III this morning, and get nothing. Am I to understand that they preempt TNTHD to make space for football or racing? This really irritates me - if D* is going to talk about all the great programming they've got, they need to deliver it. Cutting out programming to their basic channels to broadcast football or anything else is garbage. They sell a programming package with a set of channels in it - that's what they are obligated to deliver. This isn't a best efforts game.
I find it hard to believe that they're actually doing something this dumb - can anyone verify?
Update:
Just called CSR and was advised that the only channels they preempt are the shopping channels. She assured me that TNTHD was not being preempted, although she couldn't explain to me why I wasn't getting the channel. She had me do the standard drill - reset the receiver, reprogram the dish, jump down turn around pick a bail of cotton. I have a tech coming out friday to investigate the multiswitch. I suspect that TNTHD will be back by then. Oh well - I just installed about 45 days ago, so at least the technician visit resets my warranty period to 90 days.
lwilli201
11-04-07, 10:35 AM
Yeah, what the heck is this about? I wanted to watch Jurassic Park III this morning, and get nothing. Am I to understand that they preempt TNTHD to make space for football or racing? This really irritates me - if D* is going to talk about all the great programming they've got, they need to deliver it. Cutting out programming to their basic channels to broadcast football or anything else is garbage. They sell a programming package with a set of channels in it - that's what they are obligated to deliver. This isn't a best efforts game.
I find it hard to believe that they're actually doing something this dumb - can anyone verify?
Update:
Just called CSR and was advised that the only channels they preempt are the shopping channels. She assured me that TNTHD was not being preempted, although she couldn't explain to me why I wasn't getting the channel. She had me do the standard drill - reset the receiver, reprogram the dish, jump down turn around pick a bail of cotton. I have a tech coming out friday to investigate the multiswitch. I suspect that TNTHD will be back by then. Oh well - I just installed about 45 days ago, so at least the technician visit resets my warranty period to 90 days.
Channel 75 states Programming Will Return at 5:00 PM ET. Nothing wrong with your receiver. CSR was wrong.
Watch it on 245(I know its not HD but its still the same programming), this is the last season that this will happen.
Watch it on 245(I know its not HD but its still the same programming), this is the last season that this will happen.
Not the point Ken they take off a channel we pay extra for....
I know that but its about 0.20 worth of programming, its all reruns of reruns, most of it not even really HD, stupid stretchovision. It's just not that big of a deal, when you get the same stuff in SD anyway.
I know that but its about 0.20 worth of programming, its all reruns of reruns, most of it not even really HD, stupid stretchovision. It's just not that big of a deal, when you get the same stuff in SD anyway.
Has nothing to do with the value/cost, Some of us could give a crap about football and we should not be stepped all over year after year.... Sorry if I seem to overreact but this is tiring after 2 years of it
Tom Robertson
11-04-07, 11:17 AM
The good news is this will be the last year of the TNTHD blackouts during the NFL season.
As to the OP, I'm not sure when TNT will be mirrored on MPEG4 or moved completely.
Cheers,
Tom
I remember a lot of people speculating that the MPEG-2 would be mirrored in MEPG-4 around the time they start forcing us to pay for the HD Extra Pack. Then Earl said he wouldnt be surprised if MPEG-2 HD was gone when MLB EI starts in April.
bonscott87
11-04-07, 12:13 PM
I don't expect it until D11 goes up. Use D10 for all the new channels so they can hit their 100 number. MPEG2 HD will be gone soon enough.
Channel 75 states Programming Will Return at 5:00 PM ET. Nothing wrong with your receiver. CSR was wrong.
So - CSR is either uninformed and wasted 45 minutes of my time this morning, or they just lied to me. I don't know which makes me angrier.
AND - to you folks here who say "well its only .20 worth of programming" - you completely miss the point. It could cost .02 or $200 - if they're not delivering the channel, they're STEALING whatever they charged you for it.
I'm talking to another CSR right now who is assuring me that it isn't off the air because of sports. She says there's a technical issue which is preventing them from broadcasting TNTHD.
...another example of CSR incompetence or dishonesty?
At least I was able to angle for a free PPV movie for my inconvenience.
Bill Johnson
11-04-07, 07:59 PM
As to the OP, I'm not sure when TNT will be mirrored on MPEG4 or moved completely.
If I'm wrong, somebody should correct me, but I believe there are close to half a million or more D* HD subs still on MPEG2.
And all conjecturing aside, is there any inside D* official info, he oxymoronically asks, when we HD MPEG2 subs will be given a drop dead date for upgrading???
Tom Robertson
11-05-07, 12:26 AM
My guess is your estimate of remaining MPEG2 HD only customers is very high. Many people, I believe, have upgraded one if not more receivers to MPEG4, typically keeping their HR10s and other HD receivers.
There is precious little hard data, at CES in January, the plan was organic transition as much as possible. And with people transitioning or new customers signing up, DIRECTV has demand high enough right now, they wouldn't want to force the issue just yet.
We do know that the NFL ST HD will be MPEG4 next season. Likely so too will be the MLB EI. And Nascar will have all its HD in MPEG4, IIRC.
These will nudge many more people into MPEG4, eventually DIRECTV will be down to a few customers and switch next year.
Cheers,
Tom
CoachGibbs
11-05-07, 04:37 AM
I don't expect it until D11 goes up. Use D10 for all the new channels so they can hit their 100 number. MPEG2 HD will be gone soon enough.
Agreed, though I wish it would be earlier.
paulman182
11-05-07, 04:54 AM
AND - to you folks here who say "well its only .20 worth of programming" - you completely miss the point. It could cost .02 or $200 - if they're not delivering the channel, they're STEALING whatever they charged you for it.
True, but for some reason it would make me a lot more upset if they stole $200, but maybe that's just me!:)
True, but for some reason it would make me a lot more upset if they stole $200, but maybe that's just me!:)
HA! Well, you may be right. That would probably get me a little more upset too, but you get the point. I just don't understand people who want to justify this. I wonder if I could con them into sending me some free money every month. I guess there's one born every minute.
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