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I hate directv! (rant)


Steptide

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15 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

I cut ties with Direct TV after they stopped showing the "shortcuts" on Mon, Tues, Wed nights. I used to record the games I wanted to review and watch at my leisure during the week. I loved watching the games with no announcer comments or commercials. I mean, who can watch so many games all at once anyway. Better to just watch the highlights on various channels.

 

I switched to Spectrum and get NFL network along with the red zone package . I watched the game last night on channel 8.  I also have their high speed internet 119.1 mpbs download, 11.2 upload along with a landline. I haven't looked back...especially when it rains. :)

 

How many shows can you record at once?

 

You can do 5 on DTV,  which happens alot with the wifey.

 

 

15 hours ago, pi2000 said:

I cancelled DTV 3 days ago and will go with Hulu Live as an alternative ($45/mo, w/local channels).   

 

I also subscribe to NFL Gamepass Europe.     You can download the app from 3rd party sites on the web to get around the geo restrictions for installing the app.

 

I use a VPN service to spoof my location before I launch the app.    I also configured my wifi router to connect to the VPN so I can chromecast from the app to my 65" TV.     It's beautiful, the quality is superb.   NFL Gamepass Europe Pro version also includes RedZone and NFL Network live stream.    IIRC I paid about $180 US.

 

If they really wanted to, the NFL could use a service like Geoguard to block VPNs, but there are probably so many of us that they'd be losing significant revenue if they went that route.   This way I'm not cheating the NFL by watching a pirated stream... I'm paying them, while giving a big middle finger to DTV :)

 

that sounds way too complicated for me.

 

 

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15 hours ago, TheFunPolice said:

I'll bet Sunday Ticket is pretty much the only thing keeping Direct TV afloat at this point. It's a PIA for anyone who rents (yes, the law says you can have it but many landlords don't care and it's a nightmare), when the weather is bad you can't watch TV, the the customer service has gotten worse and worse. 

 

Back when we rented in a large apartment building we were out of the Bills market area (stuck in the crappy NE zone) and I was willing to subscribe to Direct TV and leave the box unopened in my closet, just so I could get streaming access to the games and watch the Bills. We also had cable at the time for internet and TV. I could not install the dish anywhere and the landlord wouldn't even allow us to use a tripod on our private porch, which probably would not have worked anyway. Direct TV insisted that I had to actually install their equipment or they could not allow me to pay for the service, even if I wanted to. So they got zero $$ instead. The whole thing with Direct TV and the NFL is plain stupid. 

 

The NFL likes it this way, because in their minds making it as difficult as possible for fans to see out of market games is a good thing, because they think it will increase attendance and viewership for the in-market games. Instead, people just find free online streams and they don't get a dime. 

 

Most other sports have streaming packages that anyone can sign up and pay for and watch legally, which benefits everyone. The NFL is stuck in the past when it comes to this. 

 

All that said, I think we're about to see the end of the golden age of streaming. Everyone wants their own apps now with exclusive content, so the days of Netflix or Hulu having what you need are coming to and end very soon. You'll have to subscribe to 11 different services to watch what you want. 

 

Man, i just started streaming with Amazon, dont tell me its over already?!

 

 

14 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Hey, that’s worth a try! I have it set to record again at 2:00am replay, but I’ll check this out today. 

 

It seems they are making a comeback as people get fed up with cable and DTV. One guy just yesterday was telling how much better the picture is than cable. I know several people moving to antennas and saving a lot of money. Add Netflix and maybe HULU, etc and forget the cable bill. 

 

What about the extra sports channels like CBS sports and Fox sports?

 

 

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17 hours ago, Marv Levy said:

I tried Reddit NFL Streams last night. It was choppy at first, but i was actually able to watch most of it no problem. I'm surprised the NFL is going bonkers about the Reddit website stream! Anybody else watch it thru Reddit? Just curious.

 

Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t. ?

 

If I did, it would have been a clear, uninterrupted picture that may have been about two plays behind live action. 

 

 

16 hours ago, matter2003 said:

get IPTV. $15 a month, all games and channels. This is a recording.

 

I’m curious, how is IPTV able to broadcast games?  Other sports as well?

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17 hours ago, Steptide said:

I'm venting here, I need to get it all out because my wife doesnt seem to understand. 

 

Last night, like all of us, I was looking forward to watching the bills. I have not had CBS since the beginning of July and not had ABC since June. I was plenty aware the bills games would be on CBS. First thing I did was bought 2 over the air antennas. One was a cheap 10 dollar one and the other a powered 75 dollar one (both indoor). Anyway, neither of those worked, so I bit the bullet and subscribed to YouTube TV which includes all local channels. As much as I hate paying for both directv and a streaming TV service, at least I'd be able to watch my bills. 

 

Low and behold, YouTube had the bills game blocked on CBS last night and directv has no CBS where I live. I tried in a fit of rage to get my antenna working but no luck. I called directv and lost my mind on them. After that I attempted to watch the game via the bills app, but the stream was sketchy at best. Very pixalated and constantly cutting out. 

 

I called directv back again (to see if there was a way I could watch ppv) and the woman told me that CBS and directv agreed to a deal and I should have cbs (which I didnt). She then transfers me to tech support who tells me that CBS DID reach a deal, just not where I live. I'm almost to the point of getting spectrum, and paying for both services. Only reason I won't cancel directv is the Sunday Ticket. I can't be the only one in this boat? 

So question... I'm also using direct tv for the Sunday Ticket...if they don't have CBS, how will that effect the ticket??? 

 

In other words...will the Ticket have CBS games???  I'm in philly & it's either my house or the Bills Backer Bar... but we both use Direct Tv... 

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15 hours ago, Bangarang said:

 

Sounds like you’re better off taking your business somewhere else.

I'm with the other guy... you can't take your business elsewhere when they have the only thing your trying to pay for.

 

I only use direct for the Ticket...then I suspend my account for 7 months... then pick it back up during September. 

 

I might blast off on them if they tell me "Direct still doesn't have CBS..." cause where in the World do you watch a Bills game in Philly?!?!?

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2 minutes ago, Scorp83 said:

 

I might blast off on them if they tell me "Direct still doesn't have CBS..." cause where in the World do you watch a Bills game in Philly?!?!?

You're not supposed to watch Bills games in Philly. You live in Philly, you're supposed to watch the Eagles. For the ones complaining about the game being blacked out, IMO its the NFL's way of getting back at the fans for getting rid of the local blackouts. Preseason games are a regional broadcast shown for the fans who live in the region. For the ones who don't live in WNY, maybe you should have left.  

 

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12 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

You're not supposed to watch Bills games in Philly. You live in Philly, you're supposed to watch the Eagles. For the ones complaining about the game being blacked out, IMO its the NFL's way of getting back at the fans for getting rid of the local blackouts. Preseason games are a regional broadcast shown for the fans who live in the region. For the ones who don't live in WNY, maybe you should have left.  

 

You can't dictate people living situations...come on dude... that's not right ?  

 

That's like you living in Buffalo & me telling you...your not suppose to watch Eagles games because you live in Buffalo.  That's just flat out wrong...

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13 hours ago, youthemanog said:

 

I emailed my local cbs programming person. She said that the only preseason game that will be streamed is the 8/23 game. The regular season will all be streamed. I switched from direct tv to YouTube tv and saved $100 per month

So they're showing one pre season game and all the regular season games? What kinda sense does that make 

2 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

Me too. Might look into YouTube TV or switch to spectrum.

 

 

 

how can they reach a deal but not in all areas!?!? What kind of BS is this!! Just checked and nope!! They have to make a deal with every region ????

 

 

Apparently the areas that CBS owns CBS directly are back on the air. I guess areas where CBS is owned by nexstar, it's still blacked out. Such bs

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1 hour ago, Scorp83 said:

I'm with the other guy... you can't take your business elsewhere when they have the only thing your trying to pay for.

 

I only use direct for the Ticket...then I suspend my account for 7 months... then pick it back up during September. 

 

I might blast off on them if they tell me "Direct still doesn't have CBS..." cause where in the World do you watch a Bills game in Philly?!?!?

 

If you live in Philly then Bills games aren’t going to show on your local CBS station anyway (unless we play the Eagles).

 

 

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2 hours ago, Scorp83 said:

So question... I'm also using direct tv for the Sunday Ticket...if they don't have CBS, how will that effect the ticket??? 

 

In other words...will the Ticket have CBS games???  I'm in philly & it's either my house or the Bills Backer Bar... but we both use Direct Tv... 

I'd imagine Sunday ticket will still have the bills game showing, going off assumptions that Sunday tickets contract is with the NFL not cbs (or even fox) to show the games

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3 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

 

that sounds way too complicated for me.

 

 

 

Its really not that difficult. I did that a few years ago and it worked great (only issue was sound quality was not 100%, but maybe 90% when using Chromecast to tv).

 

First, download a geo spoofing app like Fake GPS. If you search NFL Gamepass APK, you can then download what isn't available in the states via Google Play, etc. Based on the fake "Euro location" you choose, there may be a different charge, so you may want to research based on country (Example: a few years ago, it was like $99 in The Netherlands, but $180 in Spain). As for payment, they will accept your US address credit card. 

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2 hours ago, Scorp83 said:

So question... I'm also using direct tv for the Sunday Ticket...if they don't have CBS, how will that effect the ticket??? 

 

In other words...will the Ticket have CBS games???  I'm in philly & it's either my house or the Bills Backer Bar... but we both use Direct Tv... 

 

From what I understand, you should be fine for all games that aren't being broadcasted locally to you. The negotiations between DTV and CBS stations is based on individual, regional stations specifically. So even though some DTV customers are getting CBS back, its strictly based on where they live, because those individual stations are striking new deals w/DTV. Also, when you watch a game via ST, you dont see the local stations' paid commercials, you only see the commercials that have paid the NFL directly. That's because you arent watching any local station's feeds. Those broadcasts belong to the NFL. When you try to watch a game on ST that is being broadcast locally in your area, it is blacked out on ST and you are forced to watch the local feed. That's where you may encounter an issue. So if the Bills aren't being broadcast on the Philly CBS affiliate at all this year, you're good.

2 hours ago, Scorp83 said:

I'm with the other guy... you can't take your business elsewhere when they have the only thing your trying to pay for.

 

I only use direct for the Ticket...then I suspend my account for 7 months... then pick it back up during September. 

 

I might blast off on them if they tell me "Direct still doesn't have CBS..." cause where in the World do you watch a Bills game in Philly?!?!?

 

Sure you can. There are work-arounds that are described in this thread.

 

What you wont get is the 4 or 8 game mix channels for NFL games. And no option to record unless you purchase something seprately for that.

Edited by Drunken Pygmy Goat
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2 hours ago, Jrb1979 said:

You're not supposed to watch Bills games in Philly. You live in Philly, you're supposed to watch the Eagles. For the ones complaining about the game being blacked out, IMO its the NFL's way of getting back at the fans for getting rid of the local blackouts. Preseason games are a regional broadcast shown for the fans who live in the region. For the ones who don't live in WNY, maybe you should have left.  

 

 

I love it when people try to make a point and don't have a clue what they're talking about. 

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4 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

 

What about the extra sports channels like CBS sports and Fox sports?

 

 

THAT I do not know. The people who have made the move always swear they can get whatever they want. Of course, they don’t know the ridiculous amount of sports I watch, and they can be expected to defend their decision to some extent. 

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5 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

Man, i just started streaming with Amazon, dont tell me its over already?!

 

 

 

What about the extra sports channels like CBS sports and Fox sports?

 

 

The golden age of streaming, where you could just "unplug" and get everything for a fraction of the cost is coming to an end.

 

Networks are starting up their own streaming services and pulling their content from services like Netflix.

 

The 2 most watched shows on Netflix are Friends and the Office. Both will be gone shortly, exclusive to the networks own service.

 

There was a short window before greed caught up, but these networks only needed some time to figure out new ways to gouge customers. Cable companies will just provide the internet access and boost the price. 

 

I'm just amazed that the NFL hasn't gotten in on streaming without all of these ridiculous restrictions. 

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9 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

How many shows can you record at once?

 

You can do 5 on DTV,  which happens alot with the wifey.

I believe four.

 

The thing was I could record every game from Sunday which were shown at 1 pm / 4 pm and then have a chance to watch at my leisure during the week on my DVR. They would show each game at half hour intervals from midnight to 6 am, Mon thru Wed. Each game was only a half hour long with literally no commercials and little commentary... awesome right?

 

https://forums.att.com/t5/DIRECTV-Apps/NFL-SUNDAY-TICKET-Short-Cuts/td-p/4900732

 

 

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On 8/9/2019 at 11:55 AM, Marv Levy said:

I tried Reddit NFL Streams last night. It was choppy at first, but i was actually able to watch most of it no problem. I'm surprised the NFL is going bonkers about the Reddit website stream! Anybody else watch it thru Reddit? Just curious.

I think you meant you're surprised the NFL ISN'T going nuts about Reddit. I watch the majority of the games and have no problem. My only real concern is picking up a virus or some kind of malware. I suppose it's not the most ethical way to go about it, but times are tough!

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On 8/9/2019 at 10:44 AM, Steptide said:

I'm venting here, I need to get it all out because my wife doesnt seem to understand. 

 

Last night, like all of us, I was looking forward to watching the bills. I have not had CBS since the beginning of July and not had ABC since June. I was plenty aware the bills games would be on CBS. First thing I did was bought 2 over the air antennas. One was a cheap 10 dollar one and the other a powered 75 dollar one (both indoor). Anyway, neither of those worked, so I bit the bullet and subscribed to YouTube TV which includes all local channels. As much as I hate paying for both directv and a streaming TV service, at least I'd be able to watch my bills. 

 

Low and behold, YouTube had the bills game blocked on CBS last night and directv has no CBS where I live. I tried in a fit of rage to get my antenna working but no luck. I called directv and lost my mind on them. After that I attempted to watch the game via the bills app, but the stream was sketchy at best. Very pixalated and constantly cutting out. 

 

I called directv back again (to see if there was a way I could watch ppv) and the woman told me that CBS and directv agreed to a deal and I should have cbs (which I didnt). She then transfers me to tech support who tells me that CBS DID reach a deal, just not where I live. I'm almost to the point of getting spectrum, and paying for both services. Only reason I won't cancel directv is the Sunday Ticket. I can't be the only one in this boat? 

 

I’m paddling with you.  Direct TV always had some issues but since AT&T took over, it’s been horrible.  Upgraded to the Genie2 hoping the new hardware/software would be better but it’s not.

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28 minutes ago, ColeB said:

 

I’m paddling with you.  Direct TV always had some issues but since AT&T took over, it’s been horrible.  Upgraded to the Genie2 hoping the new hardware/software would be better but it’s not.

Totally agree and have been saying the same thing for a few years now. Before AT&T took over, their customer service was fantastic. Always spoke to someone that spoke english and they were good about any issue you had. Now it's like talking to a brick wall and pulling teeth to talk to someone in the states. I will say they are still pretty helpful if you can get them to transfer you to someone in America. My brother had directv for a few years and had a ton of problems with their streaming app and they couldn't give him a reason it wouldn't work. They've declined greatly 

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On 8/9/2019 at 1:44 PM, Steptide said:

I'm venting here, I need to get it all out because my wife doesnt seem to understand. 

 

Last night, like all of us, I was looking forward to watching the bills. I have not had CBS since the beginning of July and not had ABC since June. I was plenty aware the bills games would be on CBS. First thing I did was bought 2 over the air antennas. One was a cheap 10 dollar one and the other a powered 75 dollar one (both indoor). Anyway, neither of those worked, so I bit the bullet and subscribed to YouTube TV which includes all local channels. As much as I hate paying for both directv and a streaming TV service, at least I'd be able to watch my bills. 

 

Low and behold, YouTube had the bills game blocked on CBS last night and directv has no CBS where I live. I tried in a fit of rage to get my antenna working but no luck. I called directv and lost my mind on them. After that I attempted to watch the game via the bills app, but the stream was sketchy at best. Very pixalated and constantly cutting out. 

 

I called directv back again (to see if there was a way I could watch ppv) and the woman told me that CBS and directv agreed to a deal and I should have cbs (which I didnt). She then transfers me to tech support who tells me that CBS DID reach a deal, just not where I live. I'm almost to the point of getting spectrum, and paying for both services. Only reason I won't cancel directv is the Sunday Ticket. I can't be the only one in this boat? 

Just find a stream. I live in Pennsylvania and have been in VA since Wednesday and was able to watch the game in HD on my tablet. 

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43 minutes ago, Bills2ref said:

So... what the heck was the reason for DIRECTV adding channel 212-1 if every game on it is blacked out?! ?

Pretty sure they only show the alternate game if the main game is blacked out in the area.

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14 hours ago, Bangarang said:

 

If you live in Philly then Bills games aren’t going to show on your local CBS station anyway (unless we play the Eagles).

 

 

But we're talking about Direct TV & they're CBS dispute.  Again, I have the ticket... so I can live in Bangkok & it doesn't matter. My point was hopefully direct get it together soon because not having CBS will not only effect NFL fans across the country, but the Bills Backer bars that uses The NFL Ticket. The Ticket is the only way to watch games outside of Buffalo. 

13 hours ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

I'd imagine Sunday ticket will still have the bills game showing, going off assumptions that Sunday tickets contract is with the NFL not cbs (or even fox) to show the games

See I was thinking this... but this point would apply to other sources...like Fios, comcast, ect. Locally CBS will still air the NFL games... but because CBS & Direct is in a dispute...Direct won't be airing games on CBS. 

 

Again...which sucks for people outside of they're favorite teams area code. That means if you have Direct & your a Chiefs fan living in Arizona...you can't watch your Chiefs play. That sucks so hard!

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17 hours ago, Steptide said:

So they're showing one pre season game and all the regular season games? What kinda sense does that make 

Apparently the areas that CBS owns CBS directly are back on the air. I guess areas where CBS is owned by nexstar, it's still blacked out. Such bs

 

that's BS. Any word on nexstar then??

 

 

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On 8/10/2019 at 1:56 PM, LSHMEAB said:

I think you meant you're surprised the NFL ISN'T going nuts about Reddit. I watch the majority of the games and have no problem. My only real concern is picking up a virus or some kind of malware. I suppose it's not the most ethical way to go about it, but times are tough!

Yes, I meant "Isn't". that was a typo. Thanks!

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On 8/9/2019 at 8:14 PM, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

 

How is it you can get Sunday Ticket by streaming? Don't they have a bunch of restrictions on that? Like you have to live in an apartment complex that doesn't allow satellites or be a college student in a dorm room? So basically a minuscule percentage of the population is eligible to stream Sunday Ticket that way without an actual DirecTV subscription. 

Well, DirectTV Now (AT&T Now is the new name) is just their streaming service and since I have a subscription to that I can get Sunday Ticket. 

 

I get a decent amount of TV stations, I don't get NFL Network and that sucks but I think with a more expensive package I could, but I get ESPN (I don't really watch that) and I get HBO on top of that I can stream through two devices at one time (that includes my RokuTVs). 

 

I pay $55/mo for my package (including tax) and then I just pay for Sunday Ticket every year. 

 

Here is a link https://www.directvnow.com

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On 8/10/2019 at 12:00 PM, TheFunPolice said:

The golden age of streaming, where you could just "unplug" and get everything for a fraction of the cost is coming to an end.

 

Networks are starting up their own streaming services and pulling their content from services like Netflix.

 

The 2 most watched shows on Netflix are Friends and the Office. Both will be gone shortly, exclusive to the networks own service.

 

There was a short window before greed caught up, but these networks only needed some time to figure out new ways to gouge customers. Cable companies will just provide the internet access and boost the price. 

 

I'm just amazed that the NFL hasn't gotten in on streaming without all of these ridiculous restrictions. 

They're starting, are you forgetting some games that are exclusively available on yahoo in recent years? Except in local markets. Yet you're right all of this isall  driven by money from the networks looking to line their pockets now that they aren't making as much money from commercials since they're limited or not seen due to fast forwarding on DVRs etc. Yet I think we're all going to start to realize that ala carte pricing that many want isn't as cost effective when each channel tries to collect $10 a piece. 

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Still, when you look into the details of Sunday Ticket streaming you have to "qualify" for their service. There is little rhyme or reason. I put in some of my old addresses, some of which were single family homes and I got a nice "Welcome to the Team!" message. My current address? Nope. Not so special, I guess.

 

Doesn't matter to me, because I live in WNY and between the Bills games and Red Zone I have no need for the ticket anymore. But I know it matters to a lot of other people. 

 

It should be exactly this simple: if you want it and have the money you can buy it at the price the NFL or whoever the partner is wants to charge for it. Practically every other sports league of any importance figured this out long ago. Even the NHL, which seems determined to bury its own product and has a commissioner that I am convinced hates his sport and its fans. 

 

From a quick Wikipedia search:

NFL purposely chose a provider that is a PIA for people to use because they really don't want out of market games being shown. "Watch your home team" is what the owners probably would say. That and "get off my lawn!" 

 

I wonder what the limit on how much an out of market fan would pay to see their team is. The amount people spend on games, parking, food is a lot. Would (say) a Chiefs fan stuck in Maine be willing to pay $500 for the season, knowing he/she couldn't make it to the games? $1000? 

 

The NFL wants to keep a lid on this and thus increase viewership for the local market. 

 

 

Edited by TheFunPolice
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Just to check in with DTV via an online chat, I asked if any ST promos were available and here was the exchange:

Shane: Thanks for your patience. Upon checking, unfortunately all the special offers for the NFL Sunday Ticket are no longer available.
Me: When were they available?
Shane: Special offers are changing monthly and they are for a limited time. You can definitely check our website at&t.com for options.

What a load of crap.  So it's luck of the draw when you check in for promos.  The time to check could have been yesterday, a week ago or even an hour ago.

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