Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409230099
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
W.L., Hardy
A: First, let's acknowledge that predicting new technology is like slicing pie in the sky: you never know what-if anything-will fall onto your plate.
Home entertainment systems come as three kinds of TV hardware: the big backyard dish antenna and two smaller ones, DSS and Primestar.
Price cuts aren't likely, and certainly won't come soon, people in the business say.
DSS, or Digital Satellite System, is the newest. Roanoke was among the first cities to receive it. Its 18-inch roof-mounted dish and receiver cost about $700.
Programming is received from two Hughes Corp. satellites and starts at $21.95 per month for 24 channels, major networks not included.
Residents in non-cable rural areas can receive ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox networks for an additional $3.95 per month for the four.
Premium movie channels such as HBO and Cinemax are available at additional cost, and individual movies can be dialed in at $2.95 each.
Don't look for price wars within the DSS system.
Primestar, the other recent entry in home entertainment, is available from cable companies. Its dish and receiver box are leased by the customer, avoiding the up-front capital outlay.
DSS was intended to serve rural areas that don't receive cable TV, but its greatest demand so far has been from urban-area tekkies eager to try the new technology.
Economics and user-friendly features probably will influence the mass market's decision on whether to move to DSS, Primestar or a similar technology that's not yet fully shaped.
Double red lights
Q: On Wonju Street, when I make a left turn onto Colonial, there are two red lights. Why two? Also, on Brambleton, when I turn left onto Brandon, there are two red lights. Why?
B.W., Roanoke
A: Two red lights-minimum-are required at every intersection that has a traffic light.
That's a fed rule, set down by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Bob Bengtson, city traffic engineer, said these particular intersections were more confusing when one of the reds was on a right-turn lane. Motorists faced a green right arrow and red light at the same time, and some folks didn't know which light to obey.
Campfires, no
Q: Open fires for burning brush and trash are illegal in Roanoke County, but what about campfires? Are they permitted if someone has an outdoor fireplace?
R.C., Roanoke
A: There's not much clearance on this one. Open burning is illegal even if the fire is contained, a county fire officer said.
An outdoor barbecue pit with a chimney is allowed for cooking food. However, a building permit is required if the structure is to be more than 30 inches tall, and it must be set back 3 feet from all property lines.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB