TWC Today Forums
Present - The Weather Channel 2000 => Local Forecast => Topic started by: TWCJim on May 29, 2015, 12:34:06 AM
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Figured I should start a new topic about this. I came across this link to a PDF file through a random Google search:
https://www.nctconline.org/index.php/programming/technical-notices/item/download/74_f656cf3afe5f4b94de0028c8bc1b0568 (https://www.nctconline.org/index.php/programming/technical-notices/item/download/74_f656cf3afe5f4b94de0028c8bc1b0568)
Sounds like The Weather Channel is retiring all of the remaining IntelliSTAR units, requiring all cable headends who still have them to upgrade to an IS2 and/or an IS2 Jr by this October. Better enjoy the IS while it's still around, I suppose.
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Its sad to see the original IntelliStar go. It's had a good 12 or so year run. I wonder if WeatherScan is going to be updated, or just plain discontinued now since it says "Please note that your new IntelliStar equipment must be installed by October 1, 2015 to ensure seamless activation with no disruption to service. All IntelliStar 1 SD units will discontinue service no later than November 16, 2015."
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The weatherscan intelliStar is different from the weather channel's IS. Still it's sad to know that the Allen Jackson narration will soon be discontinued. IMO the Jim Cantore narration doesn't sound much like Cantore. :no:
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pardon my ignorance but I thought the Intellistar was discontinued already? And everyone has the IS2 at least in SD??
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pardon my ignorance but I thought the Intellistar was discontinued already? And everyone has the IS2 at least in SD??
I don't think so. :no: Most cable providers, however, do seem to be showing a letterboxed HD feed on SD (which I assume removes the purpose for an IS 1 anymore). But I think there are some IS 1 systems still around from those cable companies who have not yet made the switch. Now I guess these companies have to decide whether they want to letterbox the HD feed on SD and use that IntelliSTAR 2 xD or keep the SD feed as 4:3 and install an IntelliSTAR 2 Jr. I wonder which is cheaper?
Also, I don't understand what they mean by "The FCC has mandated that in order for The Weather Channel to continue to provide emergency alerts to viewers, we must ensure that an audible version of such alerts is also available to customers." Didn't the IS 1 have audible versions of the emergency alerts? Does the IS2 have Cantore reading the entire alert out loud or something now?
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pardon my ignorance but I thought the Intellistar was discontinued already? And everyone has the IS2 at least in SD??
Cox Cable in New Orleans still has a IS on SD. It might be on its last legs, noticed a lot of late cues lately.
Wonder if they will just downconvert HD to SD or actually grab a Jr.
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My Charter headend still has the IS but no IS2 yet. :no: Chances are they'll probably finally get an IS2 before the October deadline. I wonder if Charter will also get an IS2 Jr as well, but they'll probably just simulcast the IS2/HD feed onto the SD channel once the IS2 is installed.
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Maybe this whole thing of buying an IntelliStar 2/ IntelliStar 2 Jr. is why Verizon FiOS decided to drop the weather channel. I'm not sure when this notice was sent to the cable headends, but alluding to the fact that cable companies are forced to upgrade, I infer that this was prolly the reason FiOS dropped TWC.
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Maybe this whole thing of buying an IntelliStar 2/ IntelliStar 2 Jr. is why Verizon FiOS decided to drop the weather channel. I'm not sure when this notice was sent to the cable headends, but alluding to the fact that cable companies are forced to upgrade, I infer that this was prolly the reason FiOS dropped TWC.
The statement says the replacement will be at no cost to affiliates.
If a system drops TWC, it's because the two sides couldn't agree on how much the system would pay per subscriber to TWC. Period.
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Welp, looks like Blue Ridge here already replaced our IntelliStar with a letterboxed version of the IntelliStar 2 here within hours of TWCJim's first post O.o. I just talked to one of the technicians finally, and he told me that "that was their only option". (He has no idea about anything in that letter but I bet they got it already) And apparently they've been getting complaints that people are only getting one location for the weather now as compared to one location on SD and another on HD in places. Glad I managed to get the few videos of it I did before it disappeared.
RIP IntelliStar: ??/??/???? to 5/29/2015
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Last I knew good ol' 26820 was still in service...with no IS2.
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First, let me say I'm not the least bit surprised to hear about this. It seemed like a foreshadowing of what was to come considering all legacy STAR units were required to be retired/decommissioned last year. Technically, the IntelliSTAR is a legacy STAR also because of longevity. It makes sense to start moving on to something more updated across the board (technology wise).
Also regarding Weatherscan, it's either going bye-bye or they'll probably just leave it alone since they obviously have slim to zero interest in it right now anyway.
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Same here, I'm not surprised to hear this. The Allen Jackson narrations must be the last remains of the TWC we all love and NBC must really want to get rid of it :lol:. It's going to be interesting to see what the fate of WeatherScan will be, I think they may well get rid of that too seeming as the number of providers carrying it has decreased over the years.
Keep a look out for these units around your cable provider's headend trash cans (is that the word or is it dumpster?)! :bleh:
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You guys should take pictures/videos of the non IS2s still in service. I'd love to see some of them in their state today.
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
Hey, you have the Motorola Set Top Box just like my old one!
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
I like that. IMO, it's easier to read with that blue background. :yes:
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
I like that. IMO, it's easier to read with that blue background. :yes:
It fixed itself 1 he later :(
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
I like that. IMO, it's easier to read with that blue background. :yes:
It fixed itself 1 he later :(
The ticker has nothing to do with the IntelliStar...why was this posted here? :blink:
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The ticker has nothing to do with the IntelliStar...why was this posted here? :blink:
Because the person who posted it didn't know where else to put it?
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The ticker has nothing to do with the IntelliStar...why was this posted here? :blink:
Because the person who posted it didn't know where else to put it?
thats what the gen twc discussion thread is for right? :P
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The ticker has nothing to do with the IntelliStar...why was this posted here? :blink:
Because the person who posted it didn't know where else to put it?
thats what the gen twc discussion thread is for right? :P
Oh sorry
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looks like Dish has cropped out the part of the HD feed to remove the extra stuff like the "Today's Top Stories thing and the extra info like Hail reports, weekend getaways and others stuff that you would see on the right side of the screen
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looks like Dish has cropped out the part of the HD feed to remove the extra stuff like the "Today's Top Stories thing and the extra info like Hail reports, weekend getaways and others stuff that you would see on the right side of the screen
I'm staying at a hotel with Dish, and the HD Feed still has the sidebar.
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I can't believe it!
As of yesterday, my cable company FINALLY upgraded to the IS2 (or Jr).... No more Alan Jackson narration. And we have TWC in HD!
My cable company is very small, only serving 4 towns in rural Vermont. They aren't known for upgrading Weatherstar units quickly. We had the 3000 up until the late 1990s, then went to the IS. So there MUST be some truth to the retiring of IS units this fall if this happened.
Of course today the local forecast (and LDL) is out and are just getting the national feed.
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Cox New Orleans now letterboxing HD on the SD channel. Not sure if it's the existing IS2 or if they got an IS2 XD unit.
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My IntelliSTAR unit have changed. I notice that last night when the ldl bar looks kinda different. I'll send the video's later on today. Now we're hearing Jim Cantore's voice now.
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My IntelliSTAR unit have changed. I notice that last night when the ldl bar looks kinda different. I'll send the video's later on today. Now we're hearing Jim Cantore's voice now.
What you have now is the IntelliSTAR 2 Jr, which uses Cantore's narrations. My cable headend still has the IS1 which uses Allen Jackson's narrations.
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That's right!
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looks like Dish has cropped out the part of the HD feed to remove the extra stuff like the "Today's Top Stories thing and the extra info like Hail reports, weekend getaways and others stuff that you would see on the right side of the screen
I'm staying at a hotel with Dish, and the HD Feed still has the sidebar.
i was talking about the SD feed,
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So far only 2 Known IS Units remain Was 3 until 9/9/2015 When I lost my IS :cry:
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You know I wouldn't be a bit surprised if October 1st came and my Intellistar 1 is still here, considering my headend still hasn't purchased an Intellistar 2 and TWC is pretty unpredictable these days. :rofl:
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You know I wouldn't be a bit surprised if October 1st came and my Intellistar 1 is still here, considering my headend still hasn't purchased an Intellistar 2 and TWC is pretty unpredictable these days. :rofl:
You and me both! :lol: I too wouldn't be so surprised if my IS1 lived past October 1st, although in the memo released to headends it said that the IS1 service would be discontinued no later than November 16th. My headend still does not have the IS2 HD yet either. :no:
I wonder if this will turn out like when the legacy STAR units (WSJr, 4000, XL) went out of service past May 31st of last year because many headends didn't yet have the IS2 Jr at that time, and it took about a month after the initial deadline for the legacy units to be retired and decommissioned. Depending on what happens (as you mentioned how unpredictable TWC can be) maybe the remaining IS1s will be retired later than this Thursday's initial deadline. Who knows? :dunno:
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You know I wouldn't be a bit surprised if October 1st came and my Intellistar 1 is still here, considering my headend still hasn't purchased an Intellistar 2 and TWC is pretty unpredictable these days. :rofl:
You and me both! :lol: I too wouldn't be so surprised if my IS1 lived past October 1st, although in the memo released to headends it said that the IS1 service would be discontinued no later than November 16th. My headend still does not have the IS2 HD yet either. :no:
I wonder if this will turn out like when the legacy STAR units (WSJr, 4000, XL) went out of service past May 31st of last year because many headends didn't yet have the IS2 Jr at that time, and it took about a month after the initial deadline for the legacy units to be retired and decommissioned. Depending on what happens (as you mentioned how unpredictable TWC can be) maybe the remaining IS1s will be retired later than this Thursday's initial deadline. Who knows? :dunno:
It does mention in the letter that all Intellistar 1 units left will be officially discontinued by November 16th, but if my area doesn't purchase an Intellistar 2 by October 1st it mentions a "disruption of service", what could that possibly mean? And quite frankly I don't think any part of MD has an Intellistar 2 yet :blink: Last time I seen a Baltimore Intellistar video it was still the Intellistar 1, and that's a pretty major area of MD>
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Now it is October 1st, and my IS1 still remains in existence. After all, didn't TWC's memo clearly state that all new IS2 XD/Jr units "must be installed by October 1, 2015 to ensure seamless activation with no disruption to service"? :unsure: Given that the memo also says all IS1s will be discontinued no later than November 16th, I wonder if TWC extended the deadline for headends such as mine who still haven't gotten replacements to get their new equipment soon. :thinking:
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Here is my video of it from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwJjeXxoNtM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwJjeXxoNtM)
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Now it is October 1st, and my IS1 still remains in existence. After all, didn't TWC's memo clearly state that all new IS2 XD/Jr units "must be installed by October 1, 2015 to ensure seamless activation with no disruption to service"? :unsure: Given that the memo also says all IS1s will be discontinued no later than November 16th, I wonder if TWC extended the deadline for headends such as mine who still haven't gotten replacements to get their new equipment soon. :thinking:
Yup, the IS1 in San Luis Obispo, CA is still kicking around... at least I'll get to hear the Allen Jackson narrations for a while longer lol
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Charter of Redding, CA just upgraded to what I believe to be an IntelliStar 2 Jr within the past day or 2.
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
The I2Jr is fully SD and is easy to tell from the 2 others (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M)).
The I2XD (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc)) and HD are somewhat difficult to tell apart since they're both HD. My best advice is to remember what channel the IS1 SD feed was on, and then check the actual HD feed (Xfinity around my area has this in the higher channels, with no local forecast). If the former SD channel is now in HD, check the HD channel- it should either be the national version or the I2HD. If national on the HD channel is the case, then it's likely to be the I2XD on the SD channel. Of course, it's hard to tell when both the SD and HD channels have a local forecast. In this situation, either there's a I2HD that is being put onto both the HD and SD feeds, or separate I2XD and I2HDs. To add on to this answer, I'd try seeing if the welcome message or backgrounds are any different on the two channels (which would prove that there are two different Stars in use).
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
The I2Jr is fully SD and is easy to tell from the 2 others (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M)).
The I2XD (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc)) and HD are somewhat difficult to tell apart since they're both HD. My best advice is to remember what channel the IS1 SD feed was on, and then check the actual HD feed (Xfinity around my area has this in the higher channels, with no local forecast). If the former SD channel is now in HD, check the HD channel- it should either be the national version or the I2HD. If national on the HD channel is the case, then it's likely to be the I2XD on the SD channel. Of course, it's hard to tell when both the SD and HD channels have a local forecast. In this situation, either there's a I2HD that is being put onto both the HD and SD feeds, or separate I2XD and I2HDs. To add on to this answer, I'd try seeing if the welcome message or backgrounds are any different on the two channels (which would prove that there are two different Stars in use).
Thanks. I've checked some resources that I have and I was able to conclude that the XD is the newest HD IntelliStar available, however as opposed to a BNC output from the IRD to the IntelliStar, it's using a digital transport stream from the IRD to the STAR, then another digital transport stream from the STAR to the cable operators modulator equipment. It's basically the same as the IS2Jr, but in HD and without the BNC connections.
From what I can tell, you appear to be correct when you say it's hard to tell the difference. I thought I heard that the XD outputs in both SD and HD, but it's letterboxed? To me that'd sound like the cable plant is splitting the output signal and down converting one to SD and keeping the other HD, then modulating those signals to the correct channel. This could also be achieved with the IS2HD. Now, if the XD didn't letterbox and had two output streams, that'd be impressive to me.
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
The I2Jr is fully SD and is easy to tell from the 2 others (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M)).
The I2XD (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc)) and HD are somewhat difficult to tell apart since they're both HD. My best advice is to remember what channel the IS1 SD feed was on, and then check the actual HD feed (Xfinity around my area has this in the higher channels, with no local forecast). If the former SD channel is now in HD, check the HD channel- it should either be the national version or the I2HD. If national on the HD channel is the case, then it's likely to be the I2XD on the SD channel. Of course, it's hard to tell when both the SD and HD channels have a local forecast. In this situation, either there's a I2HD that is being put onto both the HD and SD feeds, or separate I2XD and I2HDs. To add on to this answer, I'd try seeing if the welcome message or backgrounds are any different on the two channels (which would prove that there are two different Stars in use).
Thanks. I've checked some resources that I have and I was able to conclude that the XD is the newest HD IntelliStar available, however as opposed to a BNC output from the IRD to the IntelliStar, it's using a digital transport stream from the IRD to the STAR, then another digital transport stream from the STAR to the cable operators modulator equipment. It's basically the same as the IS2Jr, but in HD and without the BNC connections.
From what I can tell, you appear to be correct when you say it's hard to tell the difference. I thought I heard that the XD outputs in both SD and HD, but it's letterboxed? To me that'd sound like the cable plant is splitting the output signal and down converting one to SD and keeping the other HD, then modulating those signals to the correct channel. This could also be achieved with the IS2HD. Now, if the XD didn't letterbox and had two output streams, that'd be impressive to me.
You're correct- the XD is the newest IntelliStar 2 unit, which basically allows headends to place the HD feed on the former SD channels. The XD is fully digital, and therefore you're correct when you mention no BNC ports on it.
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
The I2Jr is fully SD and is easy to tell from the 2 others (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M)).
The I2XD (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc)) and HD are somewhat difficult to tell apart since they're both HD. My best advice is to remember what channel the IS1 SD feed was on, and then check the actual HD feed (Xfinity around my area has this in the higher channels, with no local forecast). If the former SD channel is now in HD, check the HD channel- it should either be the national version or the I2HD. If national on the HD channel is the case, then it's likely to be the I2XD on the SD channel. Of course, it's hard to tell when both the SD and HD channels have a local forecast. In this situation, either there's a I2HD that is being put onto both the HD and SD feeds, or separate I2XD and I2HDs. To add on to this answer, I'd try seeing if the welcome message or backgrounds are any different on the two channels (which would prove that there are two different Stars in use).
Thanks. I've checked some resources that I have and I was able to conclude that the XD is the newest HD IntelliStar available, however as opposed to a BNC output from the IRD to the IntelliStar, it's using a digital transport stream from the IRD to the STAR, then another digital transport stream from the STAR to the cable operators modulator equipment. It's basically the same as the IS2Jr, but in HD and without the BNC connections.
From what I can tell, you appear to be correct when you say it's hard to tell the difference. I thought I heard that the XD outputs in both SD and HD, but it's letterboxed? To me that'd sound like the cable plant is splitting the output signal and down converting one to SD and keeping the other HD, then modulating those signals to the correct channel. This could also be achieved with the IS2HD. Now, if the XD didn't letterbox and had two output streams, that'd be impressive to me.
You're correct- the XD is the newest IntelliStar 2 unit, which basically allows headends to place the HD feed on the former SD channels. The XD is fully digital, and therefore you're correct when you mention no BNC ports on it.
Digital has nothing to do with BNC. Every STAR ever built is, by definition, 100% digital. The only thing that wasn't digital with every STAR before the IS is the transmission method. Everything now days is encoded with the DigiCipher II which is digital. The VideoCipher II that TWC used for the legacy STARs (XL and below) was encrypted, however it was an analog transmission. I just want to clear that up so people don't get confused :thumbs:
BNC doesn't dictate whether it's digital or not- 1s and 0s can still be carried over BNC, as can a modulated sine/square wave. The thing that dictates whether it's digital or not is the modulation method. In this case, now days TWC uses the digital DCII. In the old days, they used the analog VCII. :yes:
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^Oh cool, another Californian on this forum :big grin:
Something I never really understood... since I've never seen these newer units in use (IS2Jr or IS2XD)... how can you tell the difference between an IS2XD and the IS2Jr/IS2HD?
The I2Jr is fully SD and is easy to tell from the 2 others (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1UbPx_P8M)).
The I2XD (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zO5mRepmZc)) and HD are somewhat difficult to tell apart since they're both HD. My best advice is to remember what channel the IS1 SD feed was on, and then check the actual HD feed (Xfinity around my area has this in the higher channels, with no local forecast). If the former SD channel is now in HD, check the HD channel- it should either be the national version or the I2HD. If national on the HD channel is the case, then it's likely to be the I2XD on the SD channel. Of course, it's hard to tell when both the SD and HD channels have a local forecast. In this situation, either there's a I2HD that is being put onto both the HD and SD feeds, or separate I2XD and I2HDs. To add on to this answer, I'd try seeing if the welcome message or backgrounds are any different on the two channels (which would prove that there are two different Stars in use).
Thanks. I've checked some resources that I have and I was able to conclude that the XD is the newest HD IntelliStar available, however as opposed to a BNC output from the IRD to the IntelliStar, it's using a digital transport stream from the IRD to the STAR, then another digital transport stream from the STAR to the cable operators modulator equipment. It's basically the same as the IS2Jr, but in HD and without the BNC connections.
From what I can tell, you appear to be correct when you say it's hard to tell the difference. I thought I heard that the XD outputs in both SD and HD, but it's letterboxed? To me that'd sound like the cable plant is splitting the output signal and down converting one to SD and keeping the other HD, then modulating those signals to the correct channel. This could also be achieved with the IS2HD. Now, if the XD didn't letterbox and had two output streams, that'd be impressive to me.
You're correct- the XD is the newest IntelliStar 2 unit, which basically allows headends to place the HD feed on the former SD channels. The XD is fully digital, and therefore you're correct when you mention no BNC ports on it.
Digital has nothing to do with BNC. Every STAR ever built is, by definition, 100% digital. The only thing that wasn't digital with every STAR before the IS is the transmission method. Everything now days is encoded with the DigiCipher II which is digital. The VideoCipher II that TWC used for the legacy STARs (XL and below) was encrypted, however it was an analog transmission. I just want to clear that up so people don't get confused :thumbs:
BNC doesn't dictate whether it's digital or not- 1s and 0s can still be carried over BNC, as can a modulated sine/square wave. The thing that dictates whether it's digital or not is the modulation method. In this case, now days TWC uses the digital DCII. In the old days, they used the analog VCII. :yes:
Thanks for clearing that up. I do get confused with that at times, to be honest, even though it should be simple to understand! :thumbsup:
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is1 support ends this fall. local now lanching soon wake up with al canclelld sam chanpion leaves amhq and other stuff is going on
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Looks like we finally have an IS2 here in Hanover. Unlike last time they tried to replace our IS1 with a unit from 40 miles away in Lancaster, this one is actually localized for Hanover.
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Would Local Now replace WeatherScan? i'm also wondering what's going to happen to the IS2 graphics if they're going to be updated or not.
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According to TWC's The Front, Local Now is a service that TWC will provide to Over-The-Top TV providers such as SlingTV.
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My intellistar Ticker has a really weird shade of really light blue
Hey, you have the Motorola Set Top Box just like my old one!
i have a motorola box with my chater differnt from jims.
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Would Local Now replace WeatherScan? i'm also wondering what's going to happen to the IS2 graphics if they're going to be updated or not.
Is there any indication that there may be another graphics revamp? I haven't been following much of anything recently so it'd be news to me.
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Would Local Now replace WeatherScan? i'm also wondering what's going to happen to the IS2 graphics if they're going to be updated or not.
Is there any indication that there may be another graphics revamp? I haven't been following much of anything recently so it'd be news to me.
I've not seen anything come through The Front about any graphics revamps. TWC seems to be sticking to the current graphics set.
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Would Local Now replace WeatherScan? i'm also wondering what's going to happen to the IS2 graphics if they're going to be updated or not.
Is there any indication that there may be another graphics revamp? I haven't been following much of anything recently so it'd be news to me.
I've not seen anything come through The Front about any graphics revamps. TWC seems to be sticking to the current graphics set.
I like the actual forecasts... very good graphics work there in my opinion. It's just the on-air LDL and sidebar that make me cringe a little. I tried accepting them, but I still find it a little too hard to enjoy. The HD STARs are better with the LDL and sidebar, but they still could use some work.
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i saw vids form jim i think he has is2