Directv Screwed me (General Blackout Issues)

[pitchleague]

So, I programmed my directivo to record the game on 642 AND on 737 (the scheduled channel for the game) for a 6 hour block. I went to work and eagerly waited until I got home.

 

When I get home, I turn on the tube and hit play on my recording. Nothing happened. Turns out, I recorded 12 combined hours of black screen. For some reason, I did not get the game!

 

I've been on the phone with DTV for a half hour now and they (big surprise) can't do anything about it. They are going to credit my bill $10 a month for a year and give me the sports pack for $2 a month for a year. But as of right now, they can not guarantee that I, living in AZ, can get tomorrow's or any other Milwaukee Brewer game!

 

This is absurd! I can't remember the last time that I was this angry!

[Paul77]

I'd be very upset as well.

 

I worried too, but everything recorded fine for me, this time.

 

Hopefully when Dtv adds 642 full time (this summer, supposedly) this sort of thing will not happen.

 

Sorry.

[Boy Jeenius]

Gee, I got it fine. I hope it's just a one day thing for you. It has happened every now and then that a game will "disappear" , but they usually correct it right away.

[pitchleague]

the thing that gets me the most is that even if if my guide says "to be announced" wouldn't the actual programming on that channel appear? It's not like it needs to be downloaded and then loaded into the memory like an online video download or something.

[DHonks]

in AZ, I programmed it for the channel as part of the MLB package, and mine recorded just fine with DirecTV

[brewmann04]

I got the first 2 innings and then it seemed my Reciever powered off and then ended up seing usa on my tv.

[Crazyk1294]

Ouch! I can't imagine waiting all day for a game and then-NOTHING!

[pitchleague]

thank goodness for archived Uecker, though, so I was at least able to listen to the game.

 

Of course, while DTV was "guiding" me through resetting my receiver (like I didn't know how to do it anyways--oh, by the way, resetting it did nothing to my problem!), when the picture came back on after acquiring satellite info, it popped onto a channel scrolling scores and, of course, I inadvertently looked right at the Brewers score and doubly ruined things. Boy, DTV got an earful from me and I didn't really care about being courteous.

 

Since DHonks lives in Phoenix and HE got the game, I'll be sending an email to DTV later tonight to demand something in addition to the "discounts."

[Fatter than Joey]

So, I programmed my directivo to record the game on 642 AND on 737 (the scheduled channel for the game) for a 6 hour block. I went to work and eagerly waited until I got home.

 

Did you purchase extra innings? -- You won't get 737 unless you purchased extra innings -- and you won't get MLB games on FS networks outside your area -- I get the Brewers on 642 because I live in WI -- you would get the Diamondbacks on whatever FS channel they are on, however you won't get the Brewers on 642.

 

It seems to make sense to me -- unless you purchased Extra Innings.

[RyDogg66]

Yeah, if you didnt purchase extra innings you are probably out of luck living in AZ.

[LennyBrisco]

Joey's right, living in AZ you;re probally not going to get the brewers on 642. Living in Wis, I can watch 622 ( YES Network ) and watch shows about the yankees, but when the game comes on, no dice. You'd think by paying for that sport package ( 600's ) you'd get to see all the games. Basketball works the same way.

 

I think I saw on a commercial directv has the MLB package free this week, if that helps

[pitchleague]

sorry to say, but yes I have Extra Innings and I have Sports Pack. I have received both for 5 seasons now and have watched the games and pre-/post-game shows on 642 also.

 

Sorry, you're wrong. I can get them here.

 

EDIT: Sorry to be snide, but DTV screwed up today with a loyal customer. I respect Joey, but he is incorrect in this case. If I did not have the packages, then he would be right.

[1992casey]

pitchleague,

 

I didn't check, but I'm betting that Extra Innings used the Dodger feed today. That would have eliminated 642 as an option.

 

Games will pop up on Channel 642 if the Brewers' feed is being used for Extra Innings. Because it's the exact same broadcast, there's no reason not to turn on both channels.

 

Because you're out of market, you're not entitled to games on 642 if Extra Innings is using the opponent's feed. On those days, you're likely to find the opponent's feed on two different channels.

 

Still, you're right. DirecTV messed up. You should have gotten somebody's version of the game.

 

One more thing... With these channels that are only on part time, I've had much better success setting the DVR to record manually. If I don't, it isn't always quite sure when to start and stop.

[Fatter than Joey]

If I did not have the packages, then he would be right.

 

In all fairness you did not make that clear in your initial post.

[brettac1]

Even if you didn't get Extra Innings, there is a free preview for the first week of the season, so that has nothing to do with it.

[Fatter than Joey]

Also -- I don't think Extra Innings guarentees that every game is covered.

 

That sucks though to miss opening day.

[pitchleague]

yup, Casey, that's what I did. I set two recording manually (on my directivo that means going thru the menus until you get to "manual record time & channel" or something like that)

 

And, yeah, I can understand getting the Dodger feed so that's why 642 didn't work, but 737 should have had something pop up despite the guide saying "to be announced". It's almost like somebody turned off my Extra Innings package inadvertently or something.

[brettac1]

I'm doubting they showed the Dodger feed, since the Brewers were the home team. I had the Brewers feed. Most likely it was a fluke, because everyone should have Extra Innings right now with the preview. I was able to watch on both the Extra Innings channel, which should have been blacked out (bodes well for being able to get tonight's game), as well as 642 yesterday.

[pitchleague]

and FTJ, you are correct. I did not state that I subscribe to Extra Innings and Sports pack in my initial post.

 

To be honest, I was firing off so many heated emails and posts that I probably couldn't keep them all straight with regards to what was said in what email/post.

 

At least I got some discounts on my bill for a year. I should have demanded HBO or something, too.

 

Good news is that by this morning channel 642 had programming (including the game, pregame, postgame) on the guide. So did the Extra Inning channels. So I'm guessing somebody screwed up and inadvertently de-activated my subscriptions or something.

[AZBrewCrew]

I live in Phoenix and recorded the game with no problems on my dvr. It sounds like you attempted to record the "Upcoming: Dodgers vs Brewers" instead of the actual game, which is why you got the black screen.

[pitchleague]

nope, sorry. Incorrect.

 

My guide said "To be announced" for every channel at all times of the day for the Extra Innings Channels and the Sports Pack channels. So I couldn't have programmed the "Upcoming: Dodgers at Brewers" game since that wasn't an option. Also, I mentioned above that I set a Manual record time and channel for the times of the game.

 

When I got home and found out that the game didn't record, I checked the Pirates-Astros game that was starting as I got home, that wasn't on either. Once I called DTV, it suddenly popped on (not on the guide, but I did see the beginning of the game go from black screen to Roy Oswalt suddenly pitching). This is why I believe that somebody screwed up and de-activated my package.

[brewcrew00]

Mine recorded alright in St. Louis, if you hang on the phone with DTV long enough they usually cave and fix things pretty good for ya.

[pitchleague]

and yes, they cave. But in my case it was too late. I even asked if they could get the re-airing put on but the Twins game was on 642 by that time.

[pitchleague]

HOORAY!

 

I got home today and the DTV logo is on 642 and now I am watching the pregame show.

 

Darn you, DTV! Ruined my Opening Day! At least you apparently fixed it and I get a discount. But still.

[L8ManChecker]

Yerghh.

I remember two years ago when I had directTV and the same thing happened. They wanted me to buy their fancy sports program over allowing me to watch the game on ESPN, which I already paid for.

That's why I have an empty dish bracket on top of my house.