Messages

2806

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 10:34:37 PM »

My original intent was to upload it to the forum, but it appears that that option has been disabled.

It's still enabled.

Look under "Additional Options" underneath the box where you type your post, Billy.

2807

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 10:18:49 PM »

Okay, Victor, you need to download a codec to play the video. I use ffdshow tryouts, which provides support for all kinds of video formats. Make sure support for Xvid and DivX are enabled. I would also disable the mp3 support while you're at it; the default Windows support is better.

2808

Everything Else TWC / Re: The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:51:00 PM »

I've just watched Steve's HD local forecast video, and I notice that the Severe Weather Warnings page doesn't seem to show warning polygons, but instead shows the old way of filling in the entire county.

Nope, neither does the regular satellite LF; it's rather annoying.

2809

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:49:20 PM »

By the way, are we supposed to do remote hosting? I wasn't sure what to do with the video.

That's entirely your option, as far as I'm aware. I just did it so that it would be instantly accessible.

2810

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:48:04 PM »

Ok, all done!

http://b.imagehost.org/download/0091/LAT48-20080212-808pm.avi

Do you need an SD satellite LF? I should still have one on my DVR's buffer.

I'm never able to open and watch your videos. How long does it take to open a video Steve?

Are you able to download it? My HD LF files are intentionally large to preserve quality. I could provide you with a smaller file if you'd like. If you're having issues actually playing it but can download it just fine, let me know, and I'll tell you what to do.

2811

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:39:46 PM »

Ok, all done!

http://b.imagehost.org/download/0091/LAT48-20080212-808pm.avi

Do you need an SD satellite LF? I should still have one on my DVR's buffer.

I believe Dan was recording the SD Satellite LF.

All right, that's what I thought.

2812

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:36:15 PM »

Ok, all done!

http://b.imagehost.org/download/0091/LAT48-20080212-808pm.avi

Do you need an SD satellite LF? I should still have one on my DVR's buffer.

2813

Everything Else TWC / Re: The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:33:54 PM »

The still image radars weren't really terrible, IMO. I really don't mind either implementation, although Skytracker is a more impressive tool from a technology standpoint, and it can even display information other than just the radar.

BTW, at that time, TWC did not yet have the capability to use Skytracker at the key wall. It could only be used from the EE desk or the Expert Desk. Someone around 2005, they were able to configure that big metal clicker to operate Skytracker from the key wall.

2814

Questions, Comments, Suggestions / Re: Next Local Across The 48's

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:23:01 PM »

Yeah, that's something we should have noted; EE tends to run their first segment late, pushing the LF to air as late as :11 past on some nights.

My video is being encoded as I type this.

2815

Everything Else TWC / Re: The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

« on: February 12, 2008, 07:02:05 PM »

btw, does anyone know when skytracker debuted? I first saw it in March 2004 when I started to watch TWC. Cantore was the only guy who would use it at a consistent basis back then.

And how come no one ever presents it using the computer these days? I remember back on Evening Edition where Cantore would take the red skytracker mouse, zoom in with the red zoom box, and even pan around rather than using it up in front of the TV.

I recently posted a video on this site featuring Jim Cantore using Skytracker in November 2003. I'm guessing Skytracker might have debuted with the Sept. 2003 relaunch or somewhere near that time. Every now and then you'll see Skytracker being manually operated, but I guess TWC found it better to have the OCM up at the key wall operating Skytracker with a clicker that runs through a preprogrammed Skytracker presentation. Within the past year or so, Skytracker, when used on YWT, A&B, and EE, is operated manually by a non-OCM while the OCM stands at the wall. This can be beneficial since the operator can do stuff on-the-fly, but it can also be problematic because the operator doesn't always know when to change what's being displayed.

2816

Everything Else TWC / Re: The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

« on: February 12, 2008, 01:41:46 AM »

Well, you can't blame him for having fun with that thing. I wish I had a Skytracker unit!

2817

Everything Else TWC / Re: The Weather Channel | HD Discussion

« on: February 12, 2008, 12:32:23 AM »

I have a really fun video from 2006 where Carl Parker takes the Skytracker out to the west coast and turns the radar 90 degrees and flattens it out so that we're looking due east almost parallel to the surface. After that, he takes it straight to the Gulf Coast where he turns it back facing north, reduces the tilt, and overlays all of the fronts/pressure systems/moisture flows. You can see the machine choking to process all of that stuff at once.

2818

Everything Else TWC / Possible TWC/WBBM partnership someday? (speculation)

« on: February 10, 2008, 10:08:32 PM »

I've noticed that, very recently, TWC has suddenly switched from using reports from WLS to WBBM here in Chicago. WBBM just so happens to be a CBS O&O, just like WCBS in New York, which has already formed a partnership with TWC. Might we see WBBM and TWC join forces?

2819

OCMs & Personalities / Re: Stephanie Abrams

« on: February 10, 2008, 09:51:02 PM »

She went out to Truckee, CA in early January to report on a huge storm coming in. I think that was the last time she was out in the field. BTW, since her and Mike started A&B, they both still go out in the field, but not as often. She hasn't appeared on EE for a long time because Carl Parker became the primary fill-in after he lost his weekday spot. Steph or Mike still might appear on EE on Thursday or Friday if absolutely necessary, but as long as 2 of the 3 EE anchors are present, they won't call upon anyone else to fill-in.

2820

OCMs & Personalities / Re: Carl Parker

« on: February 10, 2008, 06:35:21 PM »

I saw him wearing glasses the other day when he was on Weather Center.

Ah, I wasn't home that day. It figures he would wear them on a day I wasn't home.