First Look: The New Weather Channel Interactive

[PeggyD]

As of 4:20 pm PST (7:20 pm EST) it's working on ch 100 on the 721 but not on the Vip622 or the 510. Since TWC is doing their "Storm Stories" right now, I can't check if it's working on 214.

An odd thing is that after letting it download the data for my zip code & showing the local banner, the channel changed to 214 behind the banner. Pressing the Cancel button to exit ch 100, the channel went back to the previous channel.

 

[Dirtydan]

I have the freeze when phone rings, I had to change channels then go back to un-freeze it.

 

[jhamps10]

still don't have it working for me. 6:40 PM, question, does ANYONE who has a 322 has it operational?

 

[videogod]

I have a 301 a 501 and (2) 510's

It is working on channel 100 on only 1 of my 510's and not the rest.

pretty cool

 

[Hall]

Where are the naysayers now ??

 

[jhamps10]

good question... I figured that they had a small problem realizing that their wrong. but anyway, anyone got this on 214? And opinions of channel 100?

 

[skyviewmark]

Not a naysayer.. But I am upset that they teased me by adding the menu option on all three of my receivers but didn't actually make it work. I am heartbroken.. I wanted something new to play with.

 

[jhamps10]

skyview, I would keep checking throughout the evening. By putting this in the menu area, I'm sure that if not tonight, i'd expect this tomorrow or friday at the latest. This is something that dishnetwork will not waste time on, because I'm sure that people will call dish network about this if it isn't put on soon.

 

[Poke]

Yeah I have is listed on my 411 but when I click on it I get E305. Which says E305 the feature you are trying to access is currently unavailable on this recveiver. Check back periodically to se if this new feature is available to you.

 

[psumattDE]

Actually, so far this is nothing more than an enhanced local weather that we had previously from AccuWeather on Channel 100.

So, I wouldn't go dancing in the streets just yet.

The local on the 8's via Channel 214 will be interesting. This, well, is nothing to be excited over.

 

[dishcomm]

For years now one of the big complaints posted by folks new to Satellite TV is the lack of local weather information on the Weather Channel.

Well all that is about to change as Dish Network is getting ready to roll out its new Weather Channel Interactive service!

SatelliteGuys.US is proud once again to give you another first look at the exciting new enhanced interactive service coming soon from Dish Network and The Weather Channel.

The new interactive service will use Overlays and full screen slideshows to give you your local weather information from over 19,000 cities and over 33,000 zip codes throughout the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. What is neat is that your receiver will automaticlly default to your zip code based on your Dish Network account. (Yes you can change this in the settings)

Users will be able to store up to 5 favorite cities in their settings.

In addition for the first time ever Satellite viewers will be able to view their full local weather information on the Weather on The 8's!

Dish Network viewers will be presented with a banner prompting them to press SELECT for their local weather. When the viewers presses SELECT, the Locals on the 8s slideshow presentation begins. The information presented in the slide show consists of: Current Conditions, Severe Weather Alerts, Local Observations, Regional Radar, Daypart Forecast, Short Term Forecast, 5-Day Extended Forecast. The information is presented with the stame style and look that cable tv viewers enjoy today.

In addition the new TWC Interactive can alert viewers of area Weather Alerts for their area.

Unlike the old OpenTV Interactive Weather application the new Weather Channel Interactive supports 12 regional radar maps. And more importantly the forecast information and regional radar maps are updated approximately every 15-20 minutes instead of only a few times a day.

When the new TWC Interactive rolls out (and the rollout is expected within the next few days) viewers will be able to access the new TWC Interactive a few ways.

The first being by going to Channel 100 (Dish Interactive) and Selecting The Weather Channel from the News Category.

The second being by going to the Weather Channel (Channel 214) and by pressing select on your remote when an icon or banner appear.

Our thanks to the folks at Dish Network for once again giving SatelliteGuys members another First Look!

Wed. 11/8:
TWC Weather application A104 S108 [1st]: 25% all iTV capable models except 721 [100%] and 311, 351 [0%] initially
........this is a software update for the WX Channel application..Ahh progress..note the date above left..

 

[LER]

at least one of my 721's and my 622 have it working on channel 100, but not on the 214 weather on the 8's yet.

Progress, but....

LER

 

[navychop]

Well, Dish "Instant" Weather- isn't.

Getting the local weather via channel 100 takes so long as to be almost useless. First, you wait for the weather option to come by in the "select" area, then you wait for it to download- and it's not much. I gather that when the 214 bit works, it will be much more useful.

Interesting to note- when I called it up on my ViP622, I had to select state and city. But when I tested it on my 508, it went straight to my local weather without my selection. So did my choice in the ViP622 get "shared" with my 508? Or did the 508 "remember" my local area selection from when similar info was available previously? Also, trying it out on my 721 gets the "try again later" notice.

I'm looking forward to what will become available on TWC/214. I don't think I'll show my wife what's available now thru 100.

- - - - -

TWC HD in 2008?

 

[jldhawk]

No, luck getting these features on my 411 Reciever.

 

[csschrot]

For those that have it what software ver. do you have for your receivers?


Thanks.
Shawn

 

[Stargazer]

What is sad is that most people will not know about it until they put it on the weather channel. They may have chosen not to put this on the weather channel yet until people on this site (or people calling in) tells them if they experience any problems with this feature on channel 100. If they find few problems on channel 100 then they will probably release it on 214. This is why I think it is not on 214 yet.

 

[LER]

on my 721 its still L322. 622 also is the same sw as yesterday. so this is datastream stuff, not firmware on the boxes.

 

[Poke]

No, luck getting these features on my 411 Reciever.

Everyone should be able to get them on 411 and 211 as far as I know. Do we know if there is a sofware update from the 3.41 to get the feature activated??Hmm its not a software update they both are on the 3.41.

 

[jhamps10]

The only reciever that it was supposed to go to ALL of them today was the 721. There was a grand total of 25% of all recievers that have the interactive features in them were supposed to get it today. NO 311 were to get it today. Just speculation here, but I'd expect the other 75% of the recievers to be released over the next few days to a week. Kinda to get the bugs out maybe, but like I said this is just speculation, maybe scott can chime in more on a timetable for release.

 

[Poke]

Ok check my other TV which has a 211 it works there just wonder why the 411 is not working yet. I would think it would.. Maybe I will waite and see if it will be activated..