#235892 - 08/09/2006 17:30
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Well, then, the CableCard service in my area is the hangup.
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Bitt Faulk
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#235893 - 08/09/2006 18:19
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Questions about the HR20-700:
1. When DirecTV does finally start switching over to Mpeg4 and my HR10-250 becomes a paperweight, will I be able to simply unplug it and plug the HR20-700 in its place, or will I need an upgraded or additional antenna?
(In other words, will the MPEG-4 streams be coming off the same birds as the current stuff?)
2. Has anyone seen if its software is any good? What are the comparisons to Tivo?
3. Any promises yet made about the usage of its OTA antenna inputs?
4. Any promises made about us loyal HR10-250 owners getting discounted upgrade paths?
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#235894 - 08/09/2006 18:37
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Quote:
Questions about the HR20-700:
1. When DirecTV does finally start switching over to Mpeg4 and my HR10-250 becomes a paperweight, will I be able to simply unplug it and plug the HR20-700 in its place, or will I need an upgraded or additional antenna?
(In other words, will the MPEG-4 streams be coming off the same birds as the current stuff?)
2. Has anyone seen if its software is any good? What are the comparisons to Tivo?
3. Any promises yet made about the usage of its OTA antenna inputs?
4. Any promises made about us loyal HR10-250 owners getting discounted upgrade paths?
1. You can use the HR20-700 with any DirecTV dish, but MPEG4 content will require a 5-lnb dish. The only current 5-lnb DirecTV dish is the AT9 which is large and heavy. A slimline version should be coming out early 2007.
2. The UI is apparently identical to the R15 which is what replaced the SD DirecTiVos. There is a lengthy comparisson here, but lacks pictures. This thread has many photos and screen shots of the HR20-700.
3. OTA inputs are in the manual and rumors are they will be turned on in October. The HR20-700 is still not widely released yet. The only place to buy it officially is BestBuy until the 13th.
4. If you have an HR10-250 and you leased it, you should get an HR20-700 for free. Apparently someone did this on dbstalk.com, but I can't find the post right now. If you purchased your HR10-250, I would imagine you can work something out. Some long-time customers have been able to get $150 rebates upon activating the HR20-700. This is in addition to the AT9 dish and installation (with multiswitch if needed) for free (if leasing the HR20-700).
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235895 - 08/09/2006 18:46
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Quote:
Sure, the HR20-700 isn't a Tivo, but it's faster than v3.1 software that the HR10-250 seems to be stuck with.
It seems a couple minutes after writing that, there is some sort of confimation that 6.3 will be coming to the HR10-250. While this is good news, I still don't own an HD DVR and buying an HR10-250 this late in to its life doesn't seem like the best move.
I still plan on getting the HR20-700.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235896 - 08/09/2006 18:54
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Quote:
It seems a couple minutes after writing that, there is some sort of confimation that 6.3 will be coming to the HR10-250.
YAY!!! This will make me somewhat happier until I am forced to upgrade to get the Mpeg-4 compatibility.
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#235897 - 28/09/2006 15:51
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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veteran
Registered: 08/05/2000
Posts: 1429
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Ok, I am eating my hat. 6.3 has been rolling out and apparantly has had issues, so they already have 6.3a. I have yet to get either, even though I've done daily forced calls to try and get it.
Anyone else with the HD TiVo get it yet?
I am amazed that this is even happening. Wonder why...
What would be even better is for them to allow the Home Media stuff so that I could stream shows to another TiVo, but now I'm just dreaming (to quote "The Castle")...
- Jon
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#235898 - 28/09/2006 15:52
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: jbauer]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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My parents are still stuck without either 6.3 version.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235899 - 28/09/2006 16:40
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: jbauer]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12341
Loc: Sterling, VA
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My parents are also stuck on version 3. We've been checking for a couple weeks now, ever since I read that thread from the Tivo forum that Rob posted. I called DirecTV, and the rep said that everyone should have it "by October." I don't know what that means, but I don't have it yet, and I have a feeling there's a large number of people who don't either. I've heard rumors of 10/12 being a big date for people to get it on/by.
I also read a completely unsubstantiated rumor (I think it was also in that thread) that there was a software upgrade being prepared to make Tivo's record MPEG4 streams. I don't know if that's even possible, and even if it is, I'm more skeptical than ever. Of course I never would have thought that DirecTV would show any support for their shunned DirecTivo owners.
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Matt
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#235900 - 28/09/2006 16:48
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: Dignan]
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veteran
Registered: 08/05/2000
Posts: 1429
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Dunno where, but I've read that the HR10-250 is incapable from a hardware perspective (CPU speed, I think) for MPEG4. I believe that this info was given by TiVo engineers - it was a while ago that I read it.
Of course, if this were untrue, I'd be psyched.
I've also read that Murdoch may be selling off DirecTV. (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117950090?categoryid=1236&cs=1) Maybe that has something to do with the upgrade? Since they are trying to sell their lame-ass HR20, why on earth would they be opening Pandora's box, from a support perspective, by giving HR10 owners an upgrade which really doesn't even give us much in terms of new functionality? Folders and a bit more speed, from what I can gather...
Just strange.
- Jon
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#235901 - 28/09/2006 16:58
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: jbauer]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Quote:
...why on earth would they be opening Pandora's box, from a support perspective...
All their boxes have the same UI now, so it's less of a problem down the road as far as support calls go.
The HR20-700 box is also getting some streaming media support with Intel Viiv PCs. This would provide something no DirecTivo box can do without hacking.
I have nothing against Tivo and have been using their products since the SAT-T60 came out, but I don't think the DirecTV DVRs are too bad. From what I see, they're a billion times better than what the cable company would give you.
EDIT: Link for the Viiv/DirecTV news
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#235902 - 28/09/2006 17:16
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: jbauer]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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I am also still stuck with version 3, and wishing I had version 6.
Were the posts about version 6 just lies?
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#235903 - 01/10/2006 02:39
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Quote:
I'd be curious to see what you think of the non-Tivo boxes...
I've been playing with the DirecTV HR20-700 all day now and it seems to be decent. The UI and channel changing are extremely quick. It's a great deal quicker than the SD DirecTiVos with 6.2 and even the Samsung SIR-TS160 it replaced. Here's the pros and cons so far:
Pro:
- Very fast
- Guide is well laid-out and graphics are crisp
- Mini-guide (viewing one 1 channel's line-up while taking up very little screen real estate)
- Ability to view a single channel's programming while using the entire screen (can see about 5 future programs on each page). This is similar to the Tivo Live Guide, but seems more useful.
- Software updates come over the satellite (like other non-Tivo boxes). Within the first 10 minutes of activating the receiver, it grabbed the latest software.
- Hasn't screwed up on me yet. DirecTV doesn't appear to consider it a beta product, but it's still not widely available and software updates are being released very frequently.
- Hard drive upgrades are as easy as dropping in a new drive. It will automatically format upon boot (I think UltimateTV worked like that)
- 30-second fast forward. It's not a 30 skip, but it will fast forward for as many 30-second segments as you would like.
- Can switch output resolutions to match the native resolution of the program playing. I don't use this since my TV (rear projection CRT) doesn't accept 720p, only 1080i.
- The remote is very solid, heavy, and has a rubberized bottom part. I have a Harmony 880, but if I had to use the supplied remote, it seems very nice.
Cons:
- It's not a Tivo
- It will take a while to master the UI
- No HMO-type ability yet
- No skip-to-tick
- No skip-to-end (or I can't figure it out)
- No dual buffers (rumored to be coming)
- No OTA (this will be coming in October supposedly)
- Guide data not stored on the hard drive!!!!!!!! This is moronic for a DVR. If you lose power, your guide data will have to rebuild from scratch. If a series link (season pass) program is playing, and there's no guide data yet, the program won't be recorded (obviously).
- Gaudy. There are at least 17 blue LEDs on the face of this thing.
Most of the cons will hopefully be fixed in software. Overall, I think it's a solid product. There's no question it was rushed, but at least the basic functionality seems to be working. It's a shame it's not running Tivo software, but I think it could be a lot worse.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235904 - 01/10/2006 04:28
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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veteran
Registered: 08/05/2000
Posts: 1429
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Rob, thanks for the review. Hm. Maybe I don't have to commit seppuku without TiVo...
- Jon
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#235905 - 01/10/2006 12:25
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
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Thanks Rob. If they add some HMO functions, I think I'll sign up. I transfer shows daily so that'd be missed if I switched now...
I've had an HDTV-Ready TV since 2000 but have never run a HD signal through it yet!
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Brad B.
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#235906 - 01/10/2006 15:13
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Has it got a 30-second skip, or anything similar? Oh, and: This is the one that'll work with the new MPEG4 birds? Oh, and: My HD-DirecTivo gave me a message this week about how the upgrade was coming and to make sure I had my phoneline plugged in. Yay. 
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#235907 - 01/10/2006 15:44
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Streming media to the box is coming with Intel Viiv-enabled PCs (whatever that means).
The box has two SATA ports on-board. One is hooked up to the stock hard drive, and one is hooked up to an eSATA port on the back. The one hooked up to eSATA is currently disabled. If you open the box, you could switch the active port on the motherboard to hook up to the eSATA port. Since the hard drive will rebuild when you turn it on for the first time, you can just get an external eSATA enclosure. This way, your shows are being stored on a hard drive that's easily portable. I don't know how you can read the contents, but that's a possible option for the future.
The box also has ethernet and two USB ports. Those could be extraction options in the future as well.
I still have an SD DirecTivo in the living room to handle HMO.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235908 - 01/10/2006 15:51
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Quote:
Has it got a 30-second skip, or anything similar?
Yeah, I listed that in the pros. It's the 8th one down.
Quote:
Oh, and: This is the one that'll work with the new MPEG4 birds?
Yes. I only have the Phase 3 (3-LNB) dish right now. I will be getting the AT-9 (5-LNB, MPEG4) dish installed next saturday. Since I'm in NY, I don't think there are any channels I would get in MPEG4 that I don't already get in MPEG2. MPEG4 would save space on my hard drive though...
Oh yeah, another pro of the HR20-700 is that it has a meter for the remaining hard drive space and it's prominently displayed in the MyVOD (Now Showing) menu.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#235911 - 02/10/2006 18:18
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12341
Loc: Sterling, VA
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#235912 - 03/10/2006 11:44
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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veteran
Registered: 25/04/2000
Posts: 1529
Loc: Arizona
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On Saturday, I had a message that it was going to be done the previous Wed and to make sure the phoneline was plugged in. I made the call to try to force it but it didn't look like anything happened. Myabe the date was wrong and they meant 04 OCT instead of 27 SEP? I'm assuming the version number is the long string of numbers (starts with 3. something) on the page with all your settings listed? If I used it more, I'd actually be able ot name the menu items to get to it, I guess 
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#235913 - 03/10/2006 12:59
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: Tim]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12341
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Yeah, that's the version number. I think for you it should read 3.1.5....... That's what I have.
It's also on the phone settings screen, so I go straight there to see if it's been updated. If not, I make the call. But I'm not sure the call matters in the least. I'm sure they'll push it out when they feel like it.
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Matt
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#235914 - 04/10/2006 11:34
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: Dignan]
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veteran
Registered: 25/04/2000
Posts: 1529
Loc: Arizona
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Cool, thanks. I'm pretty sure the message said it was coming out last Wednesday. Since I'm actually going to turn on the TV tonight (NHL season starts today!!!!!! Finally!), I'll check to see if it went through.
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#235915 - 04/10/2006 12:38
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: Tim]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Quote:
NHL season starts today!!!!!! Finally!
Who's carrying the games in HD this season? HDnet seemed to fizzle out on us last season.
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#235916 - 04/10/2006 18:58
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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addict
Registered: 02/08/2004
Posts: 434
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
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Versus (what they used to call OLN) will be doing games in HD this season, as they did last season. I don't think too many cable companies outside of Comcast carry the HD games though. Here in Miami, Comcast broadcasts the HD games on the INHD channel. CBC will also do some games in HD. HDNet is also back this season with HD coverage. The NHL.com schedule is also showing which games are in HD. There are various local cannels that will be doing HD this season. FOX Sports Net Florida for Panthers games here in South Florida for example. I'm too lazy to post links to all the schedules, but they aren't hard to find....
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#235918 - 04/10/2006 22:03
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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addict
Registered: 02/08/2004
Posts: 434
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
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Quote:
Eeeeexcellent.
Yep! 
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#235919 - 05/10/2006 01:44
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: petteri]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
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Adelphia (currently transitioning to TimeWarner in this area) had the Hurricanes game in HD tonight on InHD. I was enjoying it till my wife stole the remote to watch America's Next Top Model. Argh!
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~ John
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#235920 - 05/10/2006 11:27
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: tfabris]
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veteran
Registered: 25/04/2000
Posts: 1529
Loc: Arizona
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There was a game on last night on the channel 'HD' (think that was the name). I think it was on 96 or 97. I didn't really pay attention because I was watching the Dallas/Denver game. As much as I wish both teams could lose, that was an exciting game.
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#235921 - 05/10/2006 13:54
Re: DirecTivo Series2 Hacking
[Re: Tim]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31600
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Yup, caught that game on the channel "HD", it was the sabres and hurricanes. I was disappointed because they said they were gonna play a double header, with another game to follow, and it didn't come on, it just went to "direcTV" screen and Comfortably Numb playing in the background.
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