The Weather Channel

phipsi571 · 06-10-06, 11:07 AM

Maybe this is a simple question, however I want to ask it. I've had D* for two years now and one thing I miss from cable is The Weather Channel having the local area's weather on the 8's. I figure that since the Weather Channel isn't sending a local beam for satellite viewers, we won't get local weather. I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks.

FavreJL04 · 06-10-06, 11:51 AM

Nope, you are totally normal there. That's the way they do it.

phipsi571 · 06-10-06, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FavreJL04

Nope, you are totally normal there. That's the way they do it.

Thanks for the reply. I just feel like I'm at a hotel.

After comparing D* to adelphia, I will be with D* for a long time.

LMckin · 06-10-06, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phipsi571

Thanks for the reply. I just feel like I'm at a hotel.

After comparing D* to adelphia, I will be with D* for a long time.

at the bottom of the of the Weather Channel Screen they have the National Local Temps for every National city.

carl6 · 06-10-06, 05:48 PM

And, using the D11 or R15, you can use the Active channel for weather.

Carl

jonaswan2 · 06-10-06, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl6

And, using the D11 or R15, you can use the Active channel for weather.

Carl

Or D10 and soon enough the H20 and HR20.

phipsi571 · 06-10-06, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMckin

at the bottom of the of the Weather Channel Screen they have the National Local Temps for every National city.

Thanks, the bottom helps. However, I miss the radar loops and the weather alerts for the area.

It helps because all of the locals have their own radars on the digital channels (3-3,9-2, 18-3, 36-2)

phipsi571 · 06-10-06, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl6

And, using the D11 or R15, you can use the Active channel for weather.

Carl

I just started doing that on my D-10. I think the maps are pretty cheezy on it. But it is better than nothing.

unsub · 06-11-06, 06:09 AM

and you have to keep re-entering your zip code every time the receiver re-boots. I have given up on active weather for that reason.

Nick · 06-11-06, 06:53 AM

As a suggestion, for current weather, radar and forecasts, get The Weather Channel's
subscription online service, or just go to one of a number of free online weather services.
I get TWC's local feed w/locals on the 8s via cable, but I also use several online weather
resources as well.

JohnVT · 06-11-06, 10:15 AM

since the Weather Channel has decided to diversify, it takes way too long to get a forecast, and when they do finally get to the Northeast, the forecaster stands in front of Vermont on the map anyway!
I do enjoy some of the focused presentations on weather topics, but it seems too much time is spent on chatting, special presentations, etc., and you can't just tune in to TWC to catch a quick forecast.

Faster to turn on the computer, or throw the kids off the computer, to get the local forecast online.

oh well.

unsub · 06-11-06, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

As a suggestion, for current weather, radar and forecasts, get The Weather Channel's
subscription on line service, or just go to one of a number of free on line weather services.
I get TWC's local feed w/locals on the 8s via cable, but I also use several on line weather
resources as well.

No offense, but do you take us/me for an idiot? The point of this thread is that Directv subs want their local weather on their TV like they had with cable.I`m sure most here know how to use there PC`s to get there local weather via a web site.I use weatherunderground.com, No need for any weather.com subscription services, LOL. but there are times when it would be more convenient to get local weather/storm warnings on your TV screen, as basic cable provides.

JLucPicard · 06-11-06, 07:28 PM

No offense, but that's their local weather on their TV.

unsub · 06-11-06, 07:33 PM

No offence taken, I did change it. You work for them dont ya .I bet you voted for Bush also.

Newshawk · 06-11-06, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsub

No offense, but do you take us/me for an idiot? The point of this thread is that Directv subs want their local weather on their TV like they had with cable.I`m sure most here know how to use there PC`s to get there local weather via a web site.I use weatherunderground.com, No need for any weather.com subscription services, LOL. but there are times when it would be more convenient to get local weather/storm warnings on your TV screen, as basic cable provides.

Unsub, unfortunately, that's not gonna happen. Your local cable company has the local forecast only because it has a WeatherStar decoder/inserter that pulls the local weather info out of a data stream, converts it to graphic pages and inserts that over the national video TWC sends out during the local forecast segment. To do that withany satellite system would require replicating the WeatherStar in every satellite receiver in existence, then feeding the data stream to every box. When its done for programming authorizations or guide info/channel maps, then it is an efficent use of the bandwidth. When it is done on the off chance that some viewers might tune into TWC, then its a waste of bandwidth. If you want personalized local forecasts, get a D10/D11/R15 and use the Active service.

John W · 06-11-06, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsub

No offence taken, I did change it. You work for them dont ya .I bet you voted for Bush also.

How about Post # 15.You did know that, didn't you?

unsub · 06-12-06, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newshawk

Unsub, unfortunately, that's not gonna happen. Your local cable company has the local forecast only because it has a WeatherStar decoder/inserter that pulls the local weather info out of a data stream, converts it to graphic pages and inserts that over the national video TWC sends out during the local forecast segment. To do that withany satellite system would require replicating the WeatherStar in every satellite receiver in existence, then feeding the data stream to every box. When its done for programming authorizations or guide info/channel maps, then it is an efficent use of the bandwidth. When it is done on the off chance that some viewers might tune into TWC, then its a waste of bandwidth. If you want personalized local forecasts, get a D10/D11/R15 and use the Active service.

I have the R-15 and D-10. The Weather Channel without the data stream as you explained as Directv provides is a waste, imo. With the data stream it would be a valuable and frequently watched channel. So you are saying there is more bandwidth available through cable than satellite?

jonaswan2 · 06-12-06, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsub

I have the R-15 and D-10. The Weather Channel without the data stream as you explained as Directv provides is a waste, imo. With the data stream it would be a valuable and frequently watched channel. So you are saying there is more bandwidth available through cable than satellite?

No, he didn't say that at all. You see, cable is local so they can have those WeatherStar decoder at the source before you actually get it.

This is not possible with DBS. You would have to have a WeatherStar decoder in all of the set top boxes to achieve this.

Oh, and he said the waste would be just using the data stream for local weather. I agree with him.

d0ug · 06-12-06, 02:22 AM

I dont know how many of you have seen some of the interactive commercials DTV has had recently. but this would be of great use on the weather channel. They could have the normal weather channel content, and then you would hit a button to go interactive. That would then give you your local 5 day forecast, radar loops and other local only info.

Another way would be when it gets to the point in time where the cable companies would usualy insert the local forcast, interactive mode would automatically kick in show the local weather, 5 day, radar loops and whatnot, then when the local weather segment is over shut off interactive mode and go back to the video.

JLucPicard · 06-12-06, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsub

I have the R-15 and D-10.

So have you tuned into the Active Service yet to see what's available weather-wise there? I have not looked at the service myself, but there have been several threads that indicate it has something to offer as far as local weather goes.

Personally, I never watch or even look at the Weather Channel. In fact, when I set up a new receiver, I remove that channel from the "Channels I Receive". I've never had a need to follow weather that closely, though I realize some people do for various reasons. As such, I wouldn't really like to see D* make a large investment in getting all of their equipment modified to provide local weather information the same way cable can.

unsub · 06-12-06, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLucPicard

So have you tuned into the Active Service yet to see what's available weather-wise there? I have not looked at the service myself, but there have been several threads that indicate it has something to offer as far as local weather goes.

Personally, I never watch or even look at the Weather Channel. In fact, when I set up a new receiver, I remove that channel from the "Channels I Receive". I've never had a need to follow weather that closely, though I realize some people do for various reasons. As such, I wouldn't really like to see D* make a large investment in getting all of their equipment modified to provide local weather information the same way cable can.

Im really getting tired of entering my zip code every week because most Directv receivers reboot every week or so.Active weather really doesnt provide much information anyway. I have given up on it and will not enter my zip code in anymore !!

JLucPicard · 06-12-06, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsub

Im really getting tired of entering my zip code every week because most Directv receivers reboot every week or so.Active weather really doesnt provide much information anyway. I have given up on it and will not enter my zip code in anymore !!

Gotcha. I have read that here and that would be major league annoying. I don't blame you. I hope future software upgrades will take care of that situation for you and for the others that could make good use of these features if it weren't for that.

phipsi571 · 06-12-06, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ug

I dont know how many of you have seen some of the interactive commercials DTV has had recently. but this would be of great use on the weather channel. They could have the normal weather channel content, and then you would hit a button to go interactive. That would then give you your local 5 day forecast, radar loops and other local only info.

Doug,

I've checked out the active part on my D-10, and it isn't that great. Its forcast is ok, however the one map that it offers is vague and it covers the whole country. No radar or loops, and except for the 5 day forecast and the current temps, that's all it's good for. Better than nothing, but not much...

flynlr · 06-13-06, 05:23 AM

im thinking 5 bytes of data IE zip code isnt gonna put a strain on the r-15 Hdd space.
cmon DTV just use the dang HDD to store this info so when i do the 40 reboots a week I dont have to re-enter my zip.

Proc · 06-13-06, 06:28 AM

When we had cable, my wife had the "Local on the 8's" from The Weather Channel up all the time. It got to be annoying. She still says she misses it nearly 3 years later. I will admit, I did like the local radar loop. We get the local weather via the sub-channel of the NBC affiliate (Ch. 4-2) that we pull in via the OTA antenna hooked up to the H20.

I've got an old D10 in the garage I recently re-hooked up. The Active stuff is pretty cool. A bit rudimentary but neat all the same.

Side note to all this...anyone catch the alternative camera stuff, etc. on Channel 1004 (they were showing the YES feed from a Yankees game and neat stuff)?