Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
On Thu, 15 Apr 2010, Rick Glazier wrote: In one word, complain. There are a million reasons this can happen, but most come down to compression and money (cost)... Compression. There is only so much bandwidth available on the wire and frankly, there isn't enough room for all the channels in hidef. They get around this by giving great HD for the most watched channels, but the upper channels that have few viewers they compress like they're trying to fit a BD on a VCD. Complain about your channels, they will blame it on you to start, so expect a few useless housecalls. Christopher Fisk -- Chris Griffin: Alright, dad! Fight the machine! Stewie Griffin: How does he know about the machine?
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
And then to fix that they switch to SDV which screws up DVRs. (SDV means only the channels being watched are taking up bandwidth so more stuff can fit on the cable) On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 5:09 AM, Christopher Fisk chr...@mhonline.net wrote: On Thu, 15 Apr 2010, Rick Glazier wrote: In one word, complain. There are a million reasons this can happen, but most come down to compression and money (cost)... Compression. There is only so much bandwidth available on the wire and frankly, there isn't enough room for all the channels in hidef. They get around this by giving great HD for the most watched channels, but the upper channels that have few viewers they compress like they're trying to fit a BD on a VCD. Complain about your channels, they will blame it on you to start, so expect a few useless housecalls. Christopher Fisk -- Chris Griffin: Alright, dad! Fight the machine! Stewie Griffin: How does he know about the machine?
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
That's what Charter is doing now. I already have some mind do new tuner thingthat is supposed to replace the cable card. Its installed, but not operational yet. How will that screw up my DVR? If I can't get two channels in, then I'm going to be royally pissed. On 4/16/2010 9:41 AM, Eli Allen wrote: And then to fix that they switch to SDV which screws up DVRs. (SDV means only the channels being watched are taking up bandwidth so more stuff can fit on the cable) On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 5:09 AM, Christopher Fiskchr...@mhonline.net wrote: On Thu, 15 Apr 2010, Rick Glazier wrote: In one word, complain. There are a million reasons this can happen, but most come down to compression and money (cost)... Compression. There is only so much bandwidth available on the wire and frankly, there isn't enough room for all the channels in hidef. They get around this by giving great HD for the most watched channels, but the upper channels that have few viewers they compress like they're trying to fit a BD on a VCD. Complain about your channels, they will blame it on you to start, so expect a few useless housecalls. Christopher Fisk -- Chris Griffin: Alright, dad! Fight the machine! Stewie Griffin: How does he know about the machine? No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2814 - Release Date: 04/16/10 02:31:00
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
That begs the question... I guess a DVR does NOT count as watching? Is that because it may NOT go through the main set-top control box? I have to ask, I have no Cable... Rick Glazier From: Eli Allen And then to fix that they switch to SDV which screws up DVRs. (SDV means only the channels being watched are taking up bandwidth so more stuff can fit on the cable)
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
Most DVRs have tuners built in...either a cable card or these new things (I can't recall their name)...but they only let is the channel you're watching so bandwidth is saveda DVR is always tuned to some channel, so it will be watching...but they had better let in at least two channels or it will be an effective downgrade for people with dual tuners. On 4/16/2010 10:14 AM, Rick Glazier wrote: That begs the question... I guess a DVR does NOT count as watching? Is that because it may NOT go through the main set-top control box? I have to ask, I have no Cable... Rick Glazier From: Eli Allen And then to fix that they switch to SDV which screws up DVRs. (SDV means only the channels being watched are taking up bandwidth so more stuff can fit on the cable) No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2814 - Release Date: 04/16/10 02:31:00
[H] My 2010 Gamer PC Build
Thanks for the help in the past here. Most recent build was 2007 where I started a similar post. You folks were helpful in building a PC that I am still gaming on today, with only a video card upgrade between now and then and that was due to failure after 2.5 years. This time around I need to start right from the chassis. Previous build I just re-used a metal Chieftec tower. This time around I need a whole new case because the PC in the Chieftec is going to get wiped and used for my wife. Here's a general idea of where the plan stands. A gaming/simulation PC that also does some video editing, mainly family HD recordings or gaming videos. It will do flight and racing simulations and I plan on doing 3 screens down the line. I've usually done Nvidia cards but this time around I plan on going ATI. I have no allegiance to either card company but very much want the option to run 3 screens and the ATI performance will be more than enough for me. I'm thinking ATI 5870 right now. I'm also thinking Intel i7 930 to 950 range depending on cost per performance. FIRST STEP, I need a case! I don't want anything too fancy. Spending big money on the case itself hurts. However I want something that gives me the room to build, and if need be later easily crossfire the ATI cards, and have adequate cooling. I've looked at a few. MY DILEMNA, I have a small open desk setup to the right of my main gaming office desk. I fit my Chieftec tower in there with clearance enough to keep the little keyboard tray to that desk. It fits 3 towers with ease. I use it to have my gaming PC, my kids PC, and a LAB/DUMMY PC. That way my legs are free of wires and heat while at the gaming PC desk. Width is no issue but height may be. It seems my Chieftec tower (WITH OUT FEET INSTALLED) stands at 20.5 inches. I can always remove that desk's keyboard tray, but I like it for neatness and my little kids have it at a good height but would prefer to keep it. Few full tower cases I've looked at: Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower Black Case HEIGHT: 21.5 inches Thermaltake Element V VL20001W2Z HEIGHT 21 inches Few mid tower cases I've looked at: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case HEIGHT: 19.5 inches (It fits!) COOLER MASTER CM690 II Advanced Black Steel body HEIGHT: 20.10 (It fits!) SO, the mid towers fit, the full towers are a tad too tall. Can anyone recommend another good gaming tower I can look at? Or any suggestions regarding the search itself. I have not bought a new tower by itself since 2003. Appreciate any and all of your suggestions as I start putting together the parts of the next machine.
Re: [H] My 2010 Gamer PC Build
Cooling wise from TT I still recommend the Armor+ VH6000BWS despite the price. Unlke the MX variant there is tray HDD modules at the bottom that can be replaced with 12/14cm fans, better than the Element there is a side 24cm fan *installed*. IMHO the side 24cm fan is not enough alone to keep the video cards card cage area cool enough, nor do the font 12cm's do a whole lot either. The one thing I regret about the generation Armor I bought: lack of the bottom HDD/fan modules. Have considered many times dremeling my case to add them, just too much work ATM. A con for Armor+ is they a design change from open 11 bays exposed to 7+5 system where the bottom 5 bays are rotated sideways into a hdd cage. Yes it's expensive, has no PSU, etc... but you grab one when they're on sale only because they are well worth it over $100 cases! Surely similar great models exist from Cooler Master and the TT Element does look v-good IMHO also. Don't skimp on PSU rating or brand, go large reputable rather than listening chants of you don't need a 700W PSU. On 4/16/2010 8:21 AM, GPL wrote: Thanks for the help in the past here. Most recent build was 2007 where I started a similar post. You folks were helpful in building a PC that I am still gaming on today, with only a video card upgrade between now and then and that was due to failure after 2.5 years. This time around I need to start right from the chassis. Previous build I just re-used a metal Chieftec tower. This time around I need a whole new case because the PC in the Chieftec is going to get wiped and used for my wife. Here's a general idea of where the plan stands. A gaming/simulation PC that also does some video editing, mainly family HD recordings or gaming videos. It will do flight and racing simulations and I plan on doing 3 screens down the line. I've usually done Nvidia cards but this time around I plan on going ATI. I have no allegiance to either card company but very much want the option to run 3 screens and the ATI performance will be more than enough for me. I'm thinking ATI 5870 right now. I'm also thinking Intel i7 930 to 950 range depending on cost per performance. FIRST STEP, I need a case! I don't want anything too fancy. Spending big money on the case itself hurts. However I want something that gives me the room to build, and if need be later easily crossfire the ATI cards, and have adequate cooling. I've looked at a few. MY DILEMNA, I have a small open desk setup to the right of my main gaming office desk. I fit my Chieftec tower in there with clearance enough to keep the little keyboard tray to that desk. It fits 3 towers with ease. I use it to have my gaming PC, my kids PC, and a LAB/DUMMY PC. That way my legs are free of wires and heat while at the gaming PC desk. Width is no issue but height may be. It seems my Chieftec tower (WITH OUT FEET INSTALLED) stands at 20.5 inches. I can always remove that desk's keyboard tray, but I like it for neatness and my little kids have it at a good height but would prefer to keep it. Few full tower cases I've looked at: Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower Black Case HEIGHT: 21.5 inches Thermaltake Element V VL20001W2Z HEIGHT 21 inches Few mid tower cases I've looked at: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case HEIGHT: 19.5 inches (It fits!) COOLER MASTER CM690 II Advanced Black Steel body HEIGHT: 20.10 (It fits!) SO, the mid towers fit, the full towers are a tad too tall. Can anyone recommend another good gaming tower I can look at? Or any suggestions regarding the search itself. I have not bought a new tower by itself since 2003. Appreciate any and all of your suggestions as I start putting together the parts of the next machine.
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
On Fri, 16 Apr 2010, Rick Glazier wrote: That begs the question... I guess a DVR does NOT count as watching? Is that because it may NOT go through the main set-top control box? I have to ask, I have no Cable... Time Warner in my area has Switched Digital, it is actually a very good tech. Saves bandwidth for only what is being watched in your area. Works fine with my Tivo, I had to get a (free) box that plugs in via USB to my TiVo to actually change channels, but can record 2 programs at once with it. I am not against the tech, it is a good solution to a real problem, and Time Warner came up with a solution to get it working with Tivo, can't complain about that. Christopher Fisk -- We must have the attitude that every child in America, regardless of where they're raised or how they're born, can learn. George W. Bush, April 18, 2001
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
On Fri, 16 Apr 2010, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Most DVRs have tuners built in...either a cable card or these new things (I can't recall their name)...but they only let is the channel you're watching so bandwidth is saveda DVR is always tuned to some channel, so it will be watching...but they had better let in at least two channels or it will be an effective downgrade for people with dual tuners. The cable company DVR's support this, but not ones you purchase or make yourself. You'll need a Tuning Adaptor, and you'll need to have it work with whatever DVR you use. In my case they have a Tuning Adaptor (No charge at all) that was provided to get my Tivo to work. I don't know if it would work with a MythTV setup or similar. Christopher Fisk -- We must have the attitude that every child in America, regardless of where they're raised or how they're born, can learn. George W. Bush, April 18, 2001
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
Its not that Time Warner came up with the solution, its that the FCC forced CableLabs to have a solution avalible. The problem with tunning adaptors is they don't always work, partially because its not that reliable in how it communicates to the head end but also because they tell the headend if its a automated recording which means the headend doesn't have to honor the request. Tivo would rather have a tcp upstream communication http://www.scribd.com/doc/24455769/Tivo-s-Response-to-FCC-National-Broadband-Plan On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Christopher Fisk chr...@mhonline.net wrote: On Fri, 16 Apr 2010, Rick Glazier wrote: That begs the question... I guess a DVR does NOT count as watching? Is that because it may NOT go through the main set-top control box? I have to ask, I have no Cable... Time Warner in my area has Switched Digital, it is actually a very good tech. Saves bandwidth for only what is being watched in your area. Works fine with my Tivo, I had to get a (free) box that plugs in via USB to my TiVo to actually change channels, but can record 2 programs at once with it. I am not against the tech, it is a good solution to a real problem, and Time Warner came up with a solution to get it working with Tivo, can't complain about that. Christopher Fisk -- We must have the attitude that every child in America, regardless of where they're raised or how they're born, can learn. George W. Bush, April 18, 2001
Re: [H] Channels on Hi-Def Cable
On Apr 16, 2010, at 4:21 PM, Christopher Fisk wrote: On Fri, 16 Apr 2010, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Most DVRs have tuners built in...either a cable card or these new things (I can't recall their name)...but they only let is the channel you're watching so bandwidth is saveda DVR is always tuned to some channel, so it will be watching...but they had better let in at least two channels or it will be an effective downgrade for people with dual tuners. The cable company DVR's support this, but not ones you purchase or make yourself. You'll need a Tuning Adaptor, and you'll need to have it work with whatever DVR you use. In my case they have a Tuning Adaptor (No charge at all) that was provided to get my Tivo to work. I don't know if it would work with a MythTV setup or similar. Devices have had this ability for years. My ReplayTV (early competitor to Tivo, probably got it around 1998-1999 and it still works! SDTV only, but it automatically skips commercials!) has an Infrared controller--a wire which plugins into the ReplayTV and then you tape one end over the front of the DVR...then pick the type of the DVR and it (hopefully) knows how to change the channel. Slingplayer has the exact same thing. Scott
