WTF is up with OLN's satellite feed

[tywhy]

f'ing horrible. Can barely stand to watch there's so much static cutting in and out.

[bagtagley]

It's a test. How dedicated are you?

Just wait 'til the mountain stages.

[Trackhead]

I went to watch it on Comcast, and it was all cut up, etc. So I guess it isn't Comcast, but OLN?

Bastards! Get that shit working. NOW!

Exciting day for the Americans and SLC riders.

[eDub]

It's the "world feed."

I don't think OLN has any control over it.

[L7]

There seemed to be some static everytime the bike hit a bump. Given the roads looked really smooth they better sort that out before the hit the rural and mountain regions.

[wintermittent]

As I understand it:

Camera Dude is on motorcycle. Camera feed is uplinked to overhead chase helicopter. Helicopter is uplinked to satellite. Satellite is downlinked to TV station France 2, who has exclusive distribution rights. OLN has to use the "official" race feed from France 2, which can cut in and out if Camera Dudes or Helicopter Dudes have antenna problems (trees, bumps, little hills like l'Alpe d'Huez, etc).

So, bottom line: blame it on the French.

[Viva]

Why's the TDF so important to you guys? Except for a couple of you, there's not nearly the same passion when the classics or the Giro/Vuelta are running. What's so special about this race? I haven't seen a stage yet, nor am planning to. And I love cycling.

Not a flame, just interested.

[Telephil]

Why's the TDF so important to you guys? Except for a couple of you, there's not nearly the same passion when the classics or the Giro/Vuelta are running. What's so special about this race? I haven't seen a stage yet, nor am planning to. And I love cycling.

Not a flame, just interested.

I think the same reason it's so important to the racers, it's the most prestigious race in the world. I think everyone here follows those, but just not as much as the tour. It's just a bigger event with guys like Armstrong, Ullrich, etc. all of which are not in those other races. Oh, and you should watch, it's pretty exciting this year.

[Egon]

Why's the TDF so important to you guys? Except for a couple of you, there's not nearly the same passion when the classics or the Giro/Vuelta are running. What's so special about this race? I haven't seen a stage yet, nor am planning to. And I love cycling.

TeleAl's payday. I think its popularity is similar to the superbowl: the very best teams/athletes, trying their hardest to win, with lots of corporate sponsors, media hype.
Or maybe its just bob roll.

[Pedro]

I am a roadie jong.....so this is like the only race i know.

[Buzzworthy]

Why's the TDF so important to you guys? Except for a couple of you, there's not nearly the same passion when the classics or the Giro/Vuelta are running. What's so special about this race? I haven't seen a stage yet, nor am planning to. And I love cycling.

Not a flame, just interested.

Like watching the superbowl, the world series, the Masters, Daytona 500, the Ironman,..................

I grew up on a road bike watching the Tour. It is part of cycling history.

[Artie Fufkin]

Like watching the superbowl, the world series, the Masters, Daytona 500, the Ironman,..................

I grew up on a road bike watching the Tour. It is part of cycling history.

Exactly. Anytime the interest in road racing increases, whether it be just for the TdF, it's good for the sport in America. I think right now we are in the another peak of American cycling, the last one being the Lemond, Phinney Hampsten era.

I think there will be a drop off in the interest in cycling following Lance's retirement. Hopefully in about 5-10 years there will be another strong group of American cyclists influenced by Lance, just like the current ones who were likely introduced to the sport through the popularity of Greg Lemond in the 80s and 90s.