Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

DIrecTv's press release proves it.
 
"A Boeing 702 model satellite, Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway  
F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform and  
will conduct commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital  
slot."
 
 
No existing receiver is designed to handle the 102.8 WL slot.
 
 
Which do you think they will do first?  
 
  A) Sell every new model HD receiver they can for $500
      and new HD-DVR for $1000
 
  B) Swap out current HD receivers for new ones for free.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article  
<jackzwick-4B36A0.16022022082005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com>,
 Jack Zwick <jackzwick@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
> DIrecTv's press release proves it.
>  
> "A Boeing 702 model satellite, Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway  
> F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform and  
> will conduct commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital  
> slot."
>  
>  
> No existing receiver is designed to handle the 102.8 WL slot.
>  
>  
> Which do you think they will do first?  
>  
>   A) Sell every new model HD receiver they can for $500
>       and new HD-DVR for $1000
>  
>   B) Swap out current HD receivers for new ones for free.
 
Further proof:
 
CAN I RECEIVE FOX HDTV PROGRAMMING?
 
There are three ways to receive FOX HDTV programming:
 
1. FOX HDTV programming may be available in select markets to some  
DIRECTV customers who have HD equipment and a TOTAL CHOICE programming  
package or the DIRECTV HD Package. The FOX HDTV programming currently  
available for eligible customers is from either WNYW (New York) or KTTV  
(Los Angeles), depending upon your geographic location. The select  
markets where eligible customers may receive the feeds are: New York,  
NY, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA, Boston, MA, Dallas,  
TX, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, MN, Detroit, MI, Atlanta, GA, Houston,  
TX, Tampa Bay, FL, Orlando, FL, Cleveland, OH, Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO,  
St. Louis, MO, Milwaukee, WI, Kansas City, MO, Salt Lake City, UT,  
Birmingham, AL, Memphis, TN, Greensboro, NC, and Austin, TX. If you  
cannot see a picture on channel 88 or 89, and you live in one of these  
markets, you may need to obtain a waiver from one or more non-local FOX  
affiliates. This can take up to 45 days to process.
 
Please note, that in the near future, DIRECTV will be launching new  
state-of-the-art satellites to deliver HD local channel feeds from  
additional markets. When local HD channels launch in your market, you  
may no longer be able to see the New York and Los Angeles programming  
feeds, and a new dish and HD receiver will be required to see your local  
market HD channels.
 
http://www.directv.com/see/landing/fox_hd.html

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> "A Boeing 702 model satellite, Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway  
> F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform and  
> will conduct commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital  
> slot."
>  
>  
> No existing receiver is designed to handle the 102.8 WL slot.
 
Actually, all the recent ones are.
 
Current multiswitches can't handle it, but the newer receivers all have
the hardware for the latest switching standard that allows some
unreasonable number (8, I think) of satellites.
 
It's not active in any receiver yet, but it's merely a matter of a firmware
update (that can be downloaded via the satellite).
 
So, all we would need is new multiswitches to "see" the new satellite.
 
Still, it's 100% certain that DirecTV will use 8PSK on all the new
transponders, there will be at least some Ka band, and at least some
MPEG-4.  No current receivers can handle any of those things, so "seeing"
the satellite won't make a bit of difference.
 
The advantage to being able to use the new switching technology is that
you can have a legacy receiver that can get everything current but still
have it connected to the new style multiswitch along with your new MPEG-4
HD receiver.
 
--  
Jeff Rife |  
          | http://www.nabs.net/Cartoons/OverT [...] fKings.gif

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <MPG.1d742bba7e61820a989f49@news.nabs.net>,
 Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
 
> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > "A Boeing 702 model satellite, Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway  
> > F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform and  
> > will conduct commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital  
> > slot."
> >  
> >  
> > No existing receiver is designed to handle the 102.8 WL slot.
>  
> Actually, all the recent ones are.
>  
> Current multiswitches can't handle it, but the newer receivers all have
> the hardware for the latest switching standard that allows some
> unreasonable number (8, I think) of satellites.
>  
> It's not active in any receiver yet, but it's merely a matter of a firmware
> update (that can be downloaded via the satellite).
 
 
Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated hardware  
-
i.e. new receivers.
 
 
 
>  
> So, all we would need is new multiswitches to "see" the new satellite.
>  
> Still, it's 100% certain that DirecTV will use 8PSK on all the new
> transponders, there will be at least some Ka band, and at least some
> MPEG-4.  No current receivers can handle any of those things, so "seeing"
> the satellite won't make a bit of difference.
>  
> The advantage to being able to use the new switching technology is that
> you can have a legacy receiver that can get everything current but still
> have it connected to the new style multiswitch along with your new MPEG-4
> HD receiver.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
> as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated hardware  
 
Which I said later in the post, and which everybody knew a *long* time ago.
 
Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
alongside the new equipment.
 
--  
Jeff Rife |  
          | http://www.nabs.net/Cartoons/Rhyme [...] erBowl.jpg

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <MPG.1d744677772d2b46989f4b@news.nabs.net>,
 Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
 
> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
> > as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated hardware  
>  
> Which I said later in the post, and which everybody knew a *long* time ago.
>  
> Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
> luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
> alongside the new equipment.
 
But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"  
upgrade for MPEG4.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

"Jack Zwick" <jackzwick@yahoo.com> wrote in message  
news:jackzwick-F81978.20453022082005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com...
> In article <MPG.1d744677772d2b46989f4b@news.nabs.net>,
> Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
>
>> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
>> > Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
>> > as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated  
>> > hardware
>>
>> Which I said later in the post, and which everybody knew a *long* time  
>> ago.
>>
>> Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
>> luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
>> alongside the new equipment.
>
> But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"
> upgrade for MPEG4.
 
Be slow to attribute to malice what can be simply explained by ignorance or  
stupidity.
 
Pat

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
> > luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
> > alongside the new equipment.
>  
> But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"  
> upgrade for MPEG4.
 
Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
 
--  
Jeff Rife |  
          | http://www.nabs.net/Cartoons/Pickles/Adoration.gif

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <fzvOe.647$rS4.619@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net>,
 "Greywolf" <greywolfin45@*spamisbad*sbcglobal.net> wrote:
 
> "Jack Zwick" <jackzwick@yahoo.com> wrote in message  
> news:jackzwick-F81978.20453022082005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com...
> > In article <MPG.1d744677772d2b46989f4b@news.nabs.net>,
> > Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> >> > Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
> >> > as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated  
> >> > hardware
> >>
> >> Which I said later in the post, and which everybody knew a *long* time  
> >> ago.
> >>
> >> Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
> >> luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
> >> alongside the new equipment.
> >
> > But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"
> > upgrade for MPEG4.
>  
> Be slow to attribute to malice what can be simply explained by ignorance or  
> stupidity.
>  
> Pat  
 
If reps are instructed to tell the falsehood that software upgrades are  
in the works, what conclusion should one come to?

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <MPG.1d745ca3a6045c3c989f4c@news.nabs.net>,
 Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
 
> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > > Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
> > > luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do now
> > > alongside the new equipment.
> >  
> > But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"  
> > upgrade for MPEG4.
>  
> Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
> there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
 
EVERY rep I've talked to has been instructed to say the software story.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

You sound like a cable commercial. I've learned that nothing is perfect and  
any of these formats can be nitpicked to death.
 
A person - such as I - would never buy new technology if we nitpicked it to  
death. There will always be something new and better coming along and it  
won't get here soon enough.
 
We've been hearing about HDTV for 20 years. Why should they race to put out  
Buggy service when most people are still buying $200 to $300 analog sets?
 
I want things to speed up just as much as the next guy, but I know tht  
miracles are hard to come by.
 
Sorry for the rant.
 
 
"Jack Zwick" <jackzwick@yahoo.com> wrote in message  
news:jackzwick-BEDCC5.22505922082005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com...
> In article <MPG.1d745ca3a6045c3c989f4c@news.nabs.net>,
> Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
>
>> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
>> > > Old receivers couldn't possibly handle Ka band, MPEG-4, or 8PSK, but
>> > > luckily some foresight allows them to still keep doing what they do  
>> > > now
>> > > alongside the new equipment.
>> >
>> > But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"
>> > upgrade for MPEG4.
>>
>> Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
>> there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
>
> EVERY rep I've talked to has been instructed to say the software story.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
> > there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
>  
> EVERY rep I've talked to has been instructed to say the software story.
 
Since this isn't official in any way, it really makes no difference.  You
have no way of knowing that they haven't decided to mess with you and tell
you this every time, and tell the truth to everybody else.
 
--  
Jeff Rife | "You are now dead.  Thank you for using Stop and  
          |  Drop, America's favorite Suicide Booth since  
          |  2008."  
          |         -- "Futurama"

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <MPG.1d746f16a4711699989f4d@news.nabs.net>,
 Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
 
> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> > > Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
> > > there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
> >  
> > EVERY rep I've talked to has been instructed to say the software story.
>  
> Since this isn't official in any way, it really makes no difference.  You
> have no way of knowing that they haven't decided to mess with you and tell
> you this every time, and tell the truth to everybody else.
 
Since 5 reps and 3 supervisors have each told me that DirecTv is  
planning a software upgrade for current receiver to do MPEG4,
I will not make excuses for them like you do.
 
It's a big lie.
 
It certainly isn't official that DirecTv will provide free hardware  
upgrades when the new HD channels come online. Or can you provide an  
authoritative URL that says they will?

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <hlxOe.9713$1g2.1881@fe05.lga>,
 "JTS" <jtshellnc@charter.net> wrote:
 
> You sound like a cable commercial. I've learned that nothing is perfect and  
> any of these formats can be nitpicked to death.
>  
> A person - such as I - would never buy new technology if we nitpicked it to  
> death. There will always be something new and better coming along and it  
> won't get here soon enough.
>  
> We've been hearing about HDTV for 20 years. Why should they race to put out  
> Buggy service when most people are still buying $200 to $300 analog sets?
>  
> I want things to speed up just as much as the next guy, but I know tht  
> miracles are hard to come by.
>  
> Sorry for the rant.
 
That's the first time I've ever been accused of being pro-cable. I hate  
the cable companies. But that doesn't excuse the misinformation DirecTv  
is passing out about the future of HD programming.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Once upon a time, Jeff Rife  <wevsr@nabs.net> said:
>Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
>> But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"  
>> upgrade for MPEG4.
 
Care to cite a source for this?
 
>Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO costs),
>there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
 
Heh, a cow-orker got an HD TiVo yesterday and the rep he talked to when
activating it told him there was no HD HBO!
 
Face it, call center staff is basically clueless; it isn't necessarily
that they are stupid or that the lack of clue is their fault - turnover
rates are high so training is minimal.  Taking comments from them as
statements of the company is stupid.
--  
Chris Adams <cmadams@hiwaay.net>
Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

"Jeff Rife" <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote in message  
news:MPG.1d746f16a4711699989f4d@news.nabs.net...
> Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
>> > Other than CSRs (who can't even accurately tell you how much HBO  
>> > costs),
>> > there hasn't been any statement of this from any DirecTV employee.
>>
>> EVERY rep I've talked to has been instructed to say the software story.
>
> Since this isn't official in any way, it really makes no difference.  You
> have no way of knowing that they haven't decided to mess with you and tell
> you this every time, and tell the truth to everybody else.
 
I'm sorry if this has been asked & answered before, but does anyone know (or  
can speculate) whether the new DTV HD box will be TiVo-based or some yucky  
proprietary system?

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

Jack Zwick <jackzwick@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:jackzwick-AEDB52.19065922082005@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com:  
 
> In article <MPG.1d742bba7e61820a989f49@news.nabs.net>,
>  Jeff Rife <wevsr@nabs.net> wrote:
 
>> Current multiswitches can't handle it, but the newer receivers all
>> have the hardware for the latest switching standard that allows some
>> unreasonable number (8, I think) of satellites.
>>  
>> It's not active in any receiver yet, but it's merely a matter of a
>> firmware update (that can be downloaded via the satellite).
>  
>  
> Even if thats the case you cant get a firmware upgrade to do MPEG4,
> as with the slow processors of DirecTv units you need dedicated
> hardware -
> i.e. new receivers.
 
 
MPEG4 isn't the point. the point is that, in theory, recent receiver  
scould tune to the Ka saltellite, despite not being able "play" the  
progrmming on it.
 
>  
>  
>>  
>> So, all we would need is new multiswitches to "see" the new
>> satellite.  
>>  
>> Still, it's 100% certain that DirecTV will use 8PSK on all the new
>> transponders, there will be at least some Ka band, and at least some
>> MPEG-4.  No current receivers can handle any of those things, so
>> "seeing" the satellite won't make a bit of difference.
>>  
>> The advantage to being able to use the new switching technology is
>> that you can have a legacy receiver that can get everything current
>> but still have it connected to the new style multiswitch along with
>> your new MPEG-4 HD receiver.
>

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.satellite.dbs,alt.dbs.directv (More info?)

In article <11gmdguimk08b88@corp.supernews.com>,
 cmadams@hiwaay.net (Chris Adams) wrote:
 
> Once upon a time, Jeff Rife  <wevsr@nabs.net> said:
> >Jack Zwick (jackzwick@yahoo.com) wrote in rec.video.satellite.dbs:
> >> But DirecTv lies to customers and says they're working on a "software"  
> >> upgrade for MPEG4.
>  
> Care to cite a source for this?
 
Call up and ask any rep to read your what they're told to tell you about  
MPEG4