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TWC implementing switched digital video in Kansas City
Stay sharp, Time Warner Cable subscribers -- we've got a feeling the switched digital video wave is just beginning to swell. Merely hours after hearing that San Diego residents were receiving a letter informing them that SDV was on the way, one particular user in Kansas City has apparently received the same. Better still, he was kind enough to post the full text, which explains that a number of "lesser-viewed" channels will be delivered via SDV as of August 20th. Of course, this means that existing CableCARD users will be out of luck unless they pick up a tuning adapter, and while some carriers have already committed to handing them out to those in need for free, TWC is entirely more ambiguous. The exact verbiage reads: "It is currently contemplated that the Tuning Adapter will be provided at no additional charge," but those unwilling to wait will be forced to pick up one of the carrier's own set-top-boxes in order to see the stations. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Time Warner Cable brings four new HD channels to Kansas City, MO
While it has been Charter of late doing all the lineup boosting in the Show Me State, Time Warner Cable is finally getting in gear and introducing four new high-definition channels in Kansas City. As of right this moment, subscribers in the region can find HDTV HD (1054), Food Network HD (1052), Discovery HD (1045) and MHD (1024) in the EPG. The release also notes that TWC "anticipates adding more new HD channels by the end of the month," but we don't have to tell you not to hold your breath. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jondy]
Rock Port, Missouri celebrates being "100% wind powered"
We've seen a number of locales pipe in quite a bit of energy from eco-friendly sources, but the community of Rock Port, Missouri is claiming to be 100-percent wind-powered. The gloating is due to four wind turbines erected on agricultural lands within the Rock Port city limits, and while the town is expected to consume around 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity this year, the aforesaid turbines will produce 16 million kilowatt hours. Excess energy generated will be pridefully sent out for purchase by the Missouri Joint Municipal Utilities, where it will eventually be consumed in less thoughtful areas. Of course, the town has been operating in such a manner for a small tick now, but it just recently found the energy to throw a party for itself to commemorate the accomplishment. Can we get an invite next year or something?[Thanks, Yossi]Read - Rock Port releaseRead - Rock Port video
Charter brings 11 new HD channels to Osage Beach, MO
Right around a month after Charter saw fit to gift the greater St. Louis area with eight new HD channels comes word that little 'ole Osage Beach is next in line to get eleven of its own. Matter of fact, AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, CNN HD, TBS HD, The Movie Channel (TMC) HD, TLC HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, Science HD, Discovery HD, Versus / Golf HD and The Weather Channel HD should all be live in the area as we speak. The rather impressive list of additions brings the total in the region to 30. According to Steve Trippe, vice president and general manager for Charter Communications in Missouri, the carrier will "continue to increase its HD offerings," though no specifics beyond that were released.
Kansas City's KSHB-TV takes local news high-def
As the nationwide commitment to HD news continues to blossom this week, Kansas City's own NBC affiliate (KSHB-TV) has too made the switch. As you'd expect, every single newscast from the station's studios will be aired in high-def, from the 5AM - 7AM Action News Today to the Action News at 10PM broadcast. Those interested in seeing what the talking heads have to say in glorious HD can tune via OTA (41.1), Time Warner Cable (1441), Everest (630), Sunflower (202), Comcast (232) or U-verse (1041). Any others around the country going to get in while the getting's good?[Thanks, Sean]
Charter adds eight HD channels in Metro St. Louis
Good news St. Louis, Charter's throwing eight more high definition channels on top of the three it added back in January, but unfortunately the press release completely neglected to mention which eight. Judging by a post from PWSHER at AVS Forum based on a mailer that came yesterday and confirmed by St. Louis Business Journal, we're pretty sure that AMC HD, CNN HD, TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, Science HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, The Movie Channel HD and TBS HD should be filling out your lineup sometime soon. Check after the break for the channel codes and let us know if you see anything new on your HDTV.Read - Charter adds 8 HD channels to Metro St. LouisRead - AVS ForumRead - St. Louis Business Journal
Allegiance Communications rolls out array of HD channels
Though Allegiance Communications may not be known very well nationally, we're sure mid-sized markets in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas are quite familiar with the name. Nevertheless, said cable carrier has reportedly just "completed the first phase of channel additions for 2008," and there's definitely some HD love mixed in. According to Oklahoma's Tecumseh Countywide News, local residents can now access A&E HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD, National Geographic HD and Starz HD on channels 972, 973, 975, 976 and 974, respectively. Better still, the outfit has also promised that ESPN2 HD will be joining the fold in the coming months, and just in case that still wasn't enough, subscribers can look forward to Chiller, Fox Business HD and RFD HD showing up in the not-too-distant future. Not bad for a rural carrier, huh?
AT&T brings U-verse to even more Kansas City, Missouri residents
Not even a year has passed since AT&T's own fiber-based television service wheeled into Kansas City, Missouri, but now it's delivering the U-verse goods to even more residents in the area. By expanding the service out to a new chunk of consumers, some 130,000 living units are now blanketed. As expected, users in the area can also look forward to the firm's U-bar, YellowPages.com TV and Yahoo! Games features. Ready to jump ship on your current provider? Phone up AT&T and see if your abode is covered this go 'round.
Charter adding three new HD channels to St. Louis, Missouri lineup
Just over a month after AT&T wired St. Louis, Missouri up with U-verse access, Charter Communications is (softly) hitting back by introducing three new high-definition options to the local lineup. Reportedly, Discovery Channel HD, The Weather Channel HD and Versus / Golf Channel HD will be available for viewing as of January 30th, but our tipster notes that CBS is still unavailable in HD. Can't win 'em all, right?[Thanks, Anthony]
Identity thief busted by calling tech support for his stolen driver's license printer
You know, if you don't know how to use a gadget, you probably shouldn't go to the trouble of stealing it, because your ass is as good as busted when you call tech support. In the latest case of a criminal not grasping this simple concept, a genius known as Timothy Scott Short stole a Digimarc printer used by the state of Missouri to print driver's licenses and casually called the company to procure the needed software drivers -- which caught the attention of the Secret Service agents already investigating him for identity theft. Digimarc isn't saying how the Secret Service knew Short had called, but since the printer can only be used to print Missouri IDs, it's safe to say they might have had a hunch.
Family gets Ben Ownby a Wii
Ben Ownby, the recent victim in the kidnapping that shook the residents of Missouri, USA has had a few days to return back to his normal life. Not for trying on his parents' part, however, as they recently got Ben a Nintendo Wii during a small welcome-home party for the 13 year old that saw numerous relatives chip-in together for Nintendo's console. How did he receive it? Mostly with shock and excitement, as one might imagine. Upon hooking it up in his basement, he asked if "anybody [was] up for bowling?"Here's to hoping something as small as a video game system can help Ben get back to life as he knew it before the kidnapping.
