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AT&T celebrates one year of U-verse in Ohio, promises further expansion
AT&T has made a habit of patting itself on the posterior whenever it reaches the one-year mark in U-verse deployment at a certain locale, but given that it also took the time to reiterate its $500 million investment in Ohio this go 'round, we figured we'd let you toss on a party hat and join in. Over the past year, U-verse TV has been made available to 600,000 living units in Ohio, and according to the company, it's planning to "invest in fiber network upgrades and further broadband deployment" across the state. As it stands, U-verse is available in parts of nearly 200 Ohio communities -- let's see how much that number changes over the next 12 months, shall we?
Six more markets get HD locals on DirecTV
Can't say it still feels like summer in some parts of the US, but regardless of semantics, DirecTV is forging ahead with its HD locals rollout. Effective immediately, a half dozen more markets can find at least a couple of the big broadcast stations in HD, with Mobile, Richmond, South Bend, Syracuse, Toledo and Youngstown all getting gifted. For details on which DMA got which stations, head on down to the read link.[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]
Wide Open West adds an HD trifecta
Man, it has been awhile since Wide Open West subscribers saw a new HD channel hit their EPG. Thankfully, it looks like the drought is over, with FX HD, History HD and FOX News HD coming to Chicago, Columbus, Evansville and Michigan. No word on whether any others are on the way, but let's celebrate this small victory before begging for more, shall we?[Thanks, David]
TWC running out of time, could see Dayton's WDTN dropped
Same song, different chorus. LIN TV, which is notorious for asking ungodly amounts of cash from carriers in order to carry its stations, has been unable to reach an agreement with Time Warner Cable (who, to be fair, wants the channel for next-to-free) over Dayton, Ohio's WDTN. The local NBC affiliate will fall off the EPG on October 2nd unless a deal is hammered out beforehand, and according to a recent notice put up on the channel's website, the companies have been going at it for the past two months in an attempt to lock down a long-term carriage agreement that includes both analog and high-definition signals. Judging by history, we have all ideas an agreement will be stumbled upon at the eleventh hour, but don't be shocked to see your rates creep up ever-so-slightly in order to pay for it. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Dayton Guy]
Dayton's WHIO-TV shows off digital with dueling political speeches
Though certainly not the first station to use its X.x channels for something other than pixelated weather and re-runs, Dayton, Ohio's WHIO-TV recently showcased what digital TV was all about with simultaneous widescreen broadcasts of local political speeches. Both major party presidential nominees were in the Miami Valley area and speaking at the same time, and rather than being, you know, biased, it choose to provide live uninterrupted coverage of both speeches on DTV channels 7.1 and 7.2. Of note, the speeches weren't used as a DTV test (good choice), but news director David Bennallack did assert that this was a "great opportunity to show viewers how DTV can work for them." On that note, have you applied for your voucher yet?Thanks, Dayton Guy]
Charter reaches agreement with Big Ten Network just in time to see Ohio State be totally awesome
Charter's next on the block to add the Big Ten Network and "related programming" in time for Saturday's football openers. No word whether or not this will include the HD version of the network, or if it will be in time for the start of the season, but it is definitely on the way. In a minor footnote, Charter mentioned that in addition to carrying the BTN across its systems in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Northern Illinois it's also reupping Jim Tressel's snazzy sweatervest collection, teaching Terrelle Pryor the correct name of "the University of Ohio State University" and teaching Ohio State how to defend against the spread offense. Good times all around.
Time Warner Cable gets Big Ten Network in time for Ohio State's next BCS Championship blowout
Proud Buckeyes (& other fans in Big Ten country) served by Time Warner Cable can expect a new addition to their channel lineup ahead of Saturday's season opener against Youngstown State. On the way is the Big Ten Network's HD feed and video on-demand programming, so you don't have to worry about missing a snap as Ohio State looks forward to it's weak non-conference schedule (aside from USC) and the tantalizing future of yet another BCS Championship defeat at the hands of SEC speed. Cox customers take heart, word is they are also close to an agreement, not surprising now that TWC and Comcast have worked out their differences with BTN. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Mike & Paul]Update: Unfortunately not everyone will have the HD & VOD packages in time for the August 30 game, but if you can stomach just one 480i game against punching bag Youngstown State, they're promised to be added "later" (Go Wolverines!). [Thanks Paul!]
Diebold comes clean, admits that its e-voting machines are faulty
For years, Diebold has embarrassed itself by claiming that obvious faults were actually not faults at all, and during the past decade or so, it mastered the act of pointing the finger. Now that it has ironically renamed itself Premier Election Solutions, it's finally coming clean. According to spokesman Chris Riggall, a "critical programming error that can cause votes to be dropped while being electronically transferred from memory cards to a central tallying point" has been part of the software for ten years. The flaw is on both optical scan and touchscreen machines, and while Mr. Riggall asserts that the logic error probably didn't ruin any elections (speaking of logic error...), the outfit's president has confessed to being "distressed" about the ordeal. More like "distressed" about the increasingly bleak future of his company.[Via Techdirt]
Ohio Apple Store robbed in early morning hours
Early yesterday morning, an Apple Store in Ohio was robbed. The Easton Town Center Apple Store's glass window (or door) was shattered and the robbers began snatching merchandise and placing it in their car's trunk. The robbers were reported to be driving a black Lexus. When police arrived on the scene, the robbers drove off, hitting the police car. If you are in the Columbus, Ohio area and have information for police, you are urged to call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545. There is no word yet on when the Apple Store will re-open for business.[via NBC4 Columbus, Ohio]Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Time Warner Cable adds a trio in Columbus, Ohio
It has been a few months since the great city of Columbus, Ohio received any new HD channels courtesy of Time Warner Cable, but residents can once again celebrate now that the carrier has added three more. Discovery HD (762), History HD (767) and Palladia HD (774) -- which is described as a music-centric station from MTV Networks -- have just appeared in the EPG. Word on the street has it that the latter will be replacing MHD in name only, so don't be too shocked if it pops up in your neck of the woods as well. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jason]
AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video
Remember that Ohio-based firm that planned on converting 300 or so Saturn Skys into all-electric roadsters? Advanced Mechanical Products ring a bell? At any rate, said outfit has just hosted up a video of its fourth test drive of a prototype, which is shown sporting an "Electric" badge on the front fender and a whole mess of batteries and wires underneath the hood. Oh, and then there's that unmistakable whizzing sound as it cruises on by. Check out the video after the jump.[Via AutoblogGreen]
WNWO to provide Olympics programming on Buckeye CableSystem, future still uncertain
We had a feeling folks on both sides of the WNWO / Buckeye CableSystem table would come to terms in order to keep the Olympics coverage flowin' despite their disagreements, but it seems the future beyond that is still murky. The local NBC affiliate in Toledo, Ohio will allow coverage to continue on the aforesaid carrier until August 24th, but there are still terms to hash out before a retransmission agreement for September and beyond is agreed upon. Nothing like broadcast drama, right?[Thanks, Keith]
Buckeye CableSystem, WNWO work to keep station on the air
Another month, another bitter argument between a cable carrier and a local broadcaster. On the docket today is Toledo's own WNWO-TV, a local NBC affiliate that is (of course) asking for "fair compensation" for its signal. Pertinent to this conflict is the fact that NBC is the station in question -- you know, the main channel responsible for delivering live Olympics coverage in just over a week. As it stands, both parties feel confident that a deal will be reached, but if the sides cannot come to an agreement, local viewers will be forced to throw up an antenna or seek alternate sources in order to catch local NBC action. We'll be sure to keep an eye on things as the nail-biting discussions continue.
Cincinnati Bengals to broadcast preseason games in HD, four fans celebrate uncontrollably
Let's face it -- there's hardly a good reason to spend a few good hours of your night glued to a preseason matchup where the starters barely even sniff the field, but those hardcore Bengals fans who vehemently disagree will be thrilled by this. The team has announced that, for the first time, each of the club's four preseason tilts will be broadcast in high-definition and presented by hhgregg. If you're losing your marbles right now in excitement, calm down and give the read link a look for the HD schedule (assuming you don't already know it).[Image courtesy of Weblo]
AT&T announces U-verse for Miami Valley, Ohio
Nope, still no U-verse for Miami, Florida, but TV lovers in Miami Valley (Ohio) can start popping those corks. Folks in said area can start phoning up AT&T to see if U-verse TV, high-speed internet and digital phone is available for their place of residence, but here's a hint -- citizens living in Beavercreek, Butler Township, Centerville, Clayton, Dayton, Fairborn, Huber Heights, Kettering, Mad River Township, Miami Township, Miamisburg, Moraine, Northridge, Oakwood, Riverside, Springfield, Springfield Township, Vandalia, Washington Township, West Carrollton and Woodbourne-Hyde Park have the best shot at hearing "yes." Also of note, 2 HD / 2 SD is in full effect, which leads us to believe that said feature will be the norm from here on out.
DISH Network launching HD locals in four more markets
After the onslaught of rapid-fire HD locals launches in March, all has been quiet on the DISH Network front -- until now. Four more markets can gleefully celebrate the homecoming of HD locals via DISH: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tampa, Florida, Cleveland, Ohio and Richmond, Virginia. Each of the aforementioned locales will be receiving their respective local ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX stations save for Milwaukee, which will sadly miss out on CBS. You're all giddy, aren't you? The HD locals go live for these four regions on April 10th at 6:00AM ET -- yeah, tomorrow!
WoW TCG March of the Legion event dates and locations announced
As you may recall, Upper Deck recently announced the March of the Legion tour, a series of tournaments against their own legionnaires for fabulous prizes. They've updated the tour page today with information on the first leg of the tour, including the identities of the legionnaires and the places they'll be visiting, including Northern California, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Philadelphia, Florida, Michigan, and Ontario (Canada). The events last through June, so there's sure to be more locations and dates added later. The legionnaires are no slouches, though. We're talking lead developers and high class judges for the TCG here, so it sounds like you'll have your work cut out for you if you want to win yourself a Varimathras extended art card and a Leeroy Jenkins T-shirt by defeating them. Of course, as mentioned, just showing up gets you that Weeble extended art card, and it sounds like the event should be fun. Let us know how it goes if you show up to one!
TWC customers to see Cincinnati Reds in HD this season?
Considering that every single New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays matchup will be seen in HD in their respective markets, it's understandable for Reds fans to long for more than Time Warner Cable delivered last season. During 2007, TWC failed to carry the initial 33 Cincinnati Reds games on FSN Ohio in HD, but according to Karen Baxter, public affairs director for the carrier's southwest Ohio division, it's hoping to "be able to offer the Reds in HDTV this year." Notably, Insight brought these very games to its Northern Kentucky subscribers last year in HD, making Ohio residents that much more upset to be left in the pixelated dark. Still, considering that DirecTV and DISH Network has access to all 71 FSN Ohio HDTV games, we're hoping Time Warner steps up to the proverbial plate here and gives the local Reds fans a clearer picture this go 'round -- particularly since we know the channel itself is already on the way. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Image courtesy of Megan Construction]
Digital realignment in Ohio could wreak havoc on TWC DVRs
Although Time Warner has been handing out heaps of HD channels in the state of Ohio here lately, some subscribers could face a few headaches in the coming days. As of this week, the carrier is realigning its digital channels in order to "create a uniform lineup across all of its systems, including those it acquired from Adelphia." Unfortunately for customers, this means that they'll have to reprogram their DVR to record shows / series after the changes occur, and worse, it could affect some of the content already on there. When asked if the change would erase stored programs, a TWC spokesman (unsurprisingly) replied: "We're not sure." Weirder still, the company has actually gone so far as to post a how-to guide of transferring saved television shows from your DVR onto another medium (VHS, DVD, etc.), and it's encouraging subscribers to do so to ensure they don't lose any content. Um, thanks? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
FSN Ohio HD, National Geographic HD coming to TWC Cincinnati / Dayton
Make no mistake, Time Warner Cable is showing the great state of Ohio some serious love. Just days after four new HD channels were announced for the Columbus market and four others arrived in Cleveland, e-mails are now being received by TWC subscribers in the Dayton / Cincinnati region that confirm National Geographic HD and FSN Ohio HD are on the way. Yep, starting on March 25th, customers in the aforementioned locales will see Nat Geo HD on slots 757 (Dayton) / 983 (Cincy) and FSN Ohio HD on channel 768 (Dayton) / 968 (Cincy). Alright TWC, enough with pampering Ohio -- you've plenty of other markets to service, too. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Dayton Guy]
