Category: tv
02/04/09 07:58 - 11ºF - ID#47641
The Digital Conversion Problem
My biggest problem is all the wrong information that is being told to people. Time Warner by the way is full of shit. They put all these ads on saying if you have cable you are covered. Well that is a fucking lie and here is why. Remember when they had that dispute where you couldn't get anything on WIVB was that CBS and the CW. Lets say they get into a dispute with another station like NBC (yes that is coming up in the future) or ABC. What you would have done in the past was just use those old rabbit ears or go out and buy some new ones. But now with the digital conversion if NBC isn't carried and you have an old TV that won't work. I think Time Warner wants to get people not get the boxes so they have more power, I also think that there ads are misleading. They are telling people you don't need to get the box just sign up for us. But what happens if what I said earlier happens. Or what if you lose your job and cut cable how would you get any TV then well you wouldn't.
What I did was apply for two coupons and then I bought my second box today. Yes I do have cable. Here is the reason I did that. If one of the networks gets dropped by Time Warner with out the box I won't be able to get that station. With out the credit the boxes run from about $50-$80 it would cost more to get them then. The other factor is what If I lose my Job and then I don't have the boxes and I don't have the money to get them, then what? The one thing of Rabbit ears I do have is pretty old and connects with screws so I think I will have to get new rabbit ears if I need them.
I want to make it clear that I don't know about what the other cable companies are doing so that is why I didn't attack them Like I did my company Time Warner. Yes sometimes I like them and some times I hate them. Overall there has been lots of information about this through ads with websites and numbers people can call. That being said a lot of people still don't really understand what is going on with the conversion. I think that I understand it pretty well but do get why people are confused and things like HDTV and the fact that there is HDRadio and all kinds of terms just makes things messier. Here is article I found on Yahoo today about the conversion date being changed.
WASHINGTON - After weeks of debate, Congress is giving consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The House voted 264-158 on Wednesday to postpone the shutdown of analog TV signals to June 12, to address growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready by the Feb. 17 deadline that Congress set three years ago. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week and the bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The change is being mandated because digital signals are more efficient than analog ones. Ending analog broadcasts will free up valuable space in the nation's airwaves for commercial wireless services and emergency-response networks.
The delay is a victory for the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, who maintain that the previous administration mismanaged efforts to ensure that all consumers - particularly poor, rural and minority Americans - will be prepared for the switchover.
The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not ready. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.
"The passage of this bipartisan legislation means that millions of Americans will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion," White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said in a statement.
Wednesday's vote came one week after House Republicans blocked the bill under a special fast-track procedure that required two-thirds support to pass. This time, the bill passed the House under a regular floor vote, which requires a simple majority.
Among Democrats, 241 voted for the bill, while 10 voted against it. Among Republicans, 23 voted for the bill, while 148 voted against it.
Speaking on the House floor Wednesday, Rick Boucher, D-Va., chairman of the House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, said a delay was needed to prevent the digital transition from becoming a failure.
"It is unfortunate that Congress had to take additional action on this issue, but the prospect of leaving millions of consumers in the dark was simply unacceptable," subcommittee member Edward Markey, D-Mass., added.
Opponents of a delay warned, however, that the move will confuse consumers, create added costs for TV stations that will continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals for four more months and burden wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting for the airwaves that will be vacated by the switchover.
"It's time for us to move forward on this and keep our word to the American people," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., calling for the transition to proceed on Feb. 17.
Democrats have tried to address these concerns by allowing broadcast stations to switch to digital signals sooner than June if they choose, potentially freeing up spectrum for public safety early. But it is unclear how many TV stations plan to take advantage of this option.
The Consumer Electronics Association, meanwhile, is warning that a delay could result in a shortage of converter boxes that translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs. Manufacturers and retailers have planned inventory based on a Feb. 17 transition date.
The new administration called for the digital transition to be postponed after the Commerce Department last month hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for coupons that subsidize converter boxes for consumers. The coupon program allows consumers to request up to two $40 vouchers per household to help pay for the boxes, which generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department administering the program, is sending out new coupons only as older, unredeemed ones reach a 90-day expiration date and free up more money. The NTIA has more than 3.7 million coupon requests on a waiting list - and those people would not receive their coupons before Feb. 17.
A separate measure, part of the economic stimulus proposal working its way through Congress, would add $650 million in funding for the coupon program.
Democrats on Capitol Hill and at the FCC have also questioned whether the government has provided enough on-the-ground support to help consumers hook up converter boxes - or whether enough call center resources have been arranged to handle what could be an avalanche of requests for help.
"The country is not prepared to undertake a nationwide transition in 12 days without unacceptably high consumer dislocation," acting FCC chairman Michael Copps said in a statement. "We've got a lot of work to do, but we now have an opportunity to do it better."
The National Association of Broadcasters also welcomed the delay. The group said it will provide new television spots to promote the June 12 deadline, and work with stations to coordinate additional analog shut-off tests to raise awareness and help consumers prepare.
One other thing that is odd for places like Buffalo is that Canada is changing to digital also but they are doing it at a different date that I don't remember when it is. So for people who want to get those channels they need a box that can take both analog and digital signals I think that is called a pass through box but not sure about that.
Permalink: The_Digital_Conversion_Problem.html
Words: 1556
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: sports
02/02/09 07:17 - 30ºF - ID#47607
Greatest Superbowl Ever??????
There have been teams that I have really liked that have won Superbowls like The 49ers, Raiders and Redskins so it is tough to base how good the game was on the result. I also remember really enjoying the Bills one until "Wide Right" but don't really remember any of it. In terms of how good a game it was I can only compare it to games that I have seen and compared to what I can remember it was a pretty good game. Of course though watching a game in a group vs. by ones self is always different. I didn't read the article on line since I didn't have time but some writer called this the 2nd best Superbowl of all time and The Steelers best.
I watched a bunch of Pregame before I went to the store to get stuff. I found it interesting that Micheal Phelps smokes or smoked weed, and now it is an issue. Hey maybe it is just me but I assumed it has smoked it for years. He is a white boy who listens to not sure if it would be hip hop or rap and I assumed he has been to plenty of parties with weed. It is to bad he said he is sorry. I know being an athlete can make things like smoking weed tough to admit but as long as he didn't use it a performance enhancer who cares. I get that people think of him as a role model but he isn't he is an athlete.
Here are some shots from my way to the party.
Then before the game like any other party with (e:strip)pers everyone was pretty much in the kitchen so here are the candid shots I got.
Then it was time to eat and watch some pregame stuff.
The next batch should be from the game. You will notice that there are pictures of the game going on. I assume that they look good I will see just when everyone else does when this is published. In theory they should look good since it isn't a TV screen with lines it is something projected but who knows.
The Boss at Halftime seemed pretty good to me, but I'm not a big Springsteen fan.
Some more pictures from the game and the activities
I admit I didn't answer if it was the best Superbowl game ever and I knew I never really could, it would be to hard to do. I know that it was a very good one, and that there where some pretty good ads on. I'm sorry that I don't have a link for people who want to watch them again or watch ones maybe they missed, not sure what my favorite one was. All in all the Superbowl is a great event for many reasons and it was nice to see everyone there and again thanks to Drew and Janelle. Here is the final thing of pictures of the 6 time world champion Steelers.
Permalink: Greatest_Superbowl_Ever_.html
Words: 759
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: tv
02/01/09 10:58 - 37ºF - ID#47589
Saturday NIght comedy
So during SNL I Saw that Heroes starts up on Monday and the NBC page has info and all kinds of stuff on the shows and Super Bowl stuff and SNL. In terms of SNL they have multiple ways to watch video from last nights show. I like that they Got the real McGuiver Richard Dean Anderson to play in the mockery of his own show and all the Pepsi stuff was funny to me also. Then the entire Diaper that you can eat thing was funny. Then the Paterson stuff was funny on weekend update. All in all a great show and Steve Martin Sings a song with a band, all in all a great show I thought. By the way the 1st part of the pregame starts in just over and Hour then I guess the net work stuff starts at 1pm, go Steelers!!!!!!!!!!!
Permalink: Saturday_NIght_comedy.html
Words: 364
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
01/31/09 03:35 - 14ºF - ID#47583
Thunder Slam 09
So for you fans of Monster Trucks you can still go tonight, the trucks are there for two nights and they race and do freestyle and then they have some smaller trucks race and some freestyle motocross. I Had A good time. I'm not good enough to get great pictures of the trucks in action they come out blurry or dark it seems so I may not post any of those. Before the event they have a Pit Party and those are the pictures below.
But first some Pictures of Downtown Buffalo Before the show
Ok now onto the monster trucks
Hope these pictures were or are Ok. I know I had a fun time on this superbowl weekend doing something that had nothing to do with football and I hope everyone who goes to the show tonight enjoys them selves and there are no one gets killed.
Permalink: Thunder_Slam_09.html
Words: 351
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: poll
01/29/09 07:10 - ID#47564
25 Things?????
1. I hate the idea of taking a shower:But once in it I like it as long as possible as long as it is very Hot (no 10 min shower for me, yes I have been burned)
2. I love eating it is more about the pleasure of it then being hungry most of the time
3. I hate taking a dumb oh gross. Sometimes I wish they made a pill that had no waste and gave you all your calories and tasted like food that would be awesome
4. From my blog you would never know it but I'm shy or some form of something like that
5. I graduated from Canisius but still suck at spelling
6. In high school I played 3 sports Track, swimming and Cross Country
7. I love art and have it all over my walls but I'm messy and lazy so the floors and every place else is a mess
8. Strip clubs are awesome even though I never go
9. I think I might like porno more then I like real sex but not sure about that one
10. I have never really understood what it means to miss someone if you have them in your thoughts then how are they missed?
Um I have to make it past 10 this isn't going so good
11. I'm bi-costal (born in CA and live in NY)
12. I like art and have even pictured how to draw something in my mind but it all ways comes out looking like crap since I have no art skills
13. Can't cut a straight line with a scissors
14. I have liked multiple teams in every sport I like Except Lacrosse
15. I am happy with my body, but wish I was taller and wider and that every part of me was propotionatly the same
16. Not good at the dress up thing I need to be comfortable and love Hoodiies
17. I like to keep warm on heater vents (yes have been slightly burned but not to point of pain or any damage)
18. I think people should have a moral code and live by it, or at least try there best to follow them
19. When I first joined (e:strip) I didn't think it was a blogging site I thought it was like a site where all the elmwood stores where connected in some way that is what the name implied
20. I like blogging and am not sure why. Some blogs of mine are on multiple pages but I have no idea if anyone reads them on those other pages
ok so now it gets tough it is like when you climb a mountain from what I have heard that you can see the top and it is close and you can't move or really breath so you just sit there. But I will finish and if I get a spurt of thoughts maybe add some more.
21. I love Tattoos and would love to get one, but I don't think that is the kind of pain I could take plus needles kinda scare me a bit.....
22. My user name is Metalpeter and it is on any site where I can use it and the term has many different meanings. When I was first online I thought maybe about using something else since using something that has a sexual meaning as one of the meanings might not be the best. But then someone I talked on line with liked Peter Steele from Type O Negative so I kept it.
23. I don't know if they are still up but there are more revealing shots then my costume on line from a long time ago, and some private ones someplace else, but I'm not saying where.
24. I like Action movies and shows. But what I like more is to people's stories and I think that is why I like TV so much and like all kinds of different shows and reality TV and even things like the Tattoo shows. For people who read I think the thing about the stories is also true just the media is different.
Oh boy 25 is tough what do I say and is there any bonuses I can add?
25. As anyone who has seen my blog can tell I like to take pictures for fun but don't know what photo documenting is called when you use a digital camera and aren't a pro.
I have no idea what else to write or if I even did this right or said the things I was supposed to. Have a great weekend everyone and for you sports fans hope you enjoy the Super Bowl, oh wait they might sue me so the bowl that is super. Yes that brand name is pretty costly so hope everyone has a great time and hope to see some of you at (e:drew)'s party.
Permalink: 25_Things_.html
Words: 846
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: peterazzi
01/28/09 07:14 - 23ºF - ID#47549
Buffalo and Snow TV
Permalink: Buffalo_and_Snow_TV.html
Words: 325
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: sports
01/24/09 11:23 - 11ºF - ID#47507
Super Sports Weekend
But see that isn't where the sports end. It is also NHL all star weekend . The all star game is Sunday at around 6 Pm I would like to see some of that even though from what I have heard "Sid The Kid" is hurt and won't play. Tonight at 7pm on VS. is the superskills contest. I'm not sure what the NHL network is going to show if you have that, it might be something to look into.
I'm sure there are other sports going on but I only cover the ones that I know about and yet there is one more thing going on The Bandits play away tonight. I Haven't looked into watching it live and was going to try it tonight but with the other sports I think I will try and find out what happens tonight through the news. I'm sure there are people who like to know about other Lacrosse teams or like teams other then the Bandits so for everything NLL . That just about covers everything I can think of. So hopefully some people now know that the week off during Football there are lots of great sports to watch and remember that next year also. Oh yeah that is right I forgot next year The Pro Bowl will be before the super bowl and not on the Island. I get that they are trying to make the game mean something and not just be a fun trip. But the problem is that no one who is Playing in the super bowl will want to play in it. If you are in the playoffs and your team loses do you really want to travel someplace. Not to mention where would you have and would in be a distraction if the field is being used by a team in the playoffs or super bowl?
Permalink: Super_Sports_Weekend.html
Words: 559
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: internet
01/22/09 06:37 - 27ºF - ID#47493
obamicon.me 2
Permalink: obamicon_me_2.html
Words: 137
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: tv
01/21/09 07:42 - 19ºF - ID#47479
obamicon.me 1
Well I hope to mess around there more and put up more pictures when I have more time.
In terms of talking about the guy I can't say much because I feel like I have said it all through comments here. What I will say is that I can't even try to understand what it was like yesterday for him and his wife to have to speak at 10 balls and I assume dance at each of them. I did see the Beyonce'e (oh what a hottie) sing a great version of that old time classic song, and thought she did a great job of it. I watched pretty much most of the live one for the youth on MTV. I think that they talked a little bit to much. But I guess part of that is that you can go on line and watch all the acts full sets. But the one thing that I did like about it was How Target kinda gets the message that to make this country better people have to help out. That seems like part of his message that The People who want change have to make it themselves but maybe I misunderstood something.
Permalink: obamicon_me_1.html
Words: 202
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: repost
01/18/09 01:49 - 24ºF - ID#47439
Bandits and V-day thoughts
Those pictures above where from the warm ups and the intros and stuff. To me the game seemed very physical and it was great to see some fights. One of them was near me and the other one was far away.
not sure how clear those shots on the screen are but here are some pictures from the other fight.
Not really sure how good those pictures above are. With a fight you kinda have to be there to know what it is like and to have that feeling.
Here are a few more random Bandits pictures from the game.
So after the game the interviewed the MVP of the game (montour) and He made a lot of saves (don't have the stats but maybe the math is able to be done if it is clear in the picture). I guess it is the biggest beating of Rochester in both Goals Scored and Goal Differantail. There was this cute lady sitting next to me but not sure if she was the same one from the last game she kinda looked like her. Lucky for her we are on the glass so she is pretty much not going to be on the Kiss Cam, but one can only hope right, HA. I wonder what would have happened though. The next home game for the Bandits is on Valentines day, fun. Well it will make the day good and I won't be home alone on that day. That leads into a couple things movie wise. Has anyone seen My Bloody Valentine 3D i love the ads for it "Nothing says Date movie like a trip to Hell". Also on Friday Feb. 13th the new Friday the 13th movie comes out. That does look pretty good. If I where to see I would see it in the day time. You never know what might happen at the regal (galleria or on Elmwood at night) and I'm sure that kind of movie is the type that both the White and Black trouble makers like, watch out for a race war to start (not saying it will but just watch out). From what I have heard some elements of the 1st few movies are mixed together. Like in the first one he didn't have that Hockey Mask. Maybe I'll see it.
Ok back to Valentines day. I'm not going to go on and on about the reasons I don't like it. Last year I tried to kinda get over that and it didn't work to well. I came up with a new category called repost.
The reason I call it repost is that it has something that I have or may have posted before. Another time when it would be good is say a party is coming up you could then post pictures from the last party or the last party of the same theme. Maybe it is an annual event then you can post pictures from previous events. So here is where I'm going to post some pictures that I have in the past from last V-day.
Well I just looked at my Media and I don't see the pictures I thought I put up so I guess and hope I can find them and if they are where I think they are they will be random so who knows what I'll get.
I wanted to post pictures of As Summer Dies and Soma also known to some as (e:Soma). It looks like they are all way to dark so I posted a few of Club Diablo that really was a great time last year and hopefully the Bandits game will be great and they will win, well off to go watch the pregame and watch some football, I don't want to go to work on monday. Oh yeah for you non football fans HBO has some Barrack concert thing on live in a bit to.
Permalink: Bandits_and_V_day_thoughts.html
Words: 775
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Frankly, I think if people can't get with the times and get a digital-ready tv, then oh well, maybe they shouldn't have TV.
I'm sorry if that's harsh, but I think it's absolutely ABSURD that the gov't is going to subsidize converter boxes for people. The economy is a disaster. The last thing we should be doing is spending millions so that people who can't/won't embrace current technology don't have to go without TV. this is not water, food, heat, air, etc. this is TV. An UNNECESSARY (albeit ubiquitous) "luxury item", I think.