IntelliStar 2
Encyclopedia
The IntelliStar 2 is the high-definition
successor to the IntelliStar
system used by the American cable
and satellite television
network The Weather Channel
, used for inserting local weather information into the channel's programming, namely in a portion known as "Local on the 8s
." Like previous iterations of the WeatherStar
, the unit is installed at each cable provider's headend. The system is currently the only one to output in 1080i
high-definition. The IntelliStar 2 is not intended to replace existing IntelliStar systems or the systems that operate the channel's Weatherscan
channel. Currently, the system is rolling out in a gradual process.
nor Dish Network
are able to use the IntelliStar 2 Equipment. Some satellite companies have resorted to making a "Local On The 8's App" that will cue at the same time as the STARs on most cable companies' feeds. Although this app provides local data, it does not show the full range of information that the IntelliStar does.
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
successor to the IntelliStar
IntelliStar
IntelliStar is the fifth generation successor to the WeatherStar systems used by the American cable TV and satellite TV channel The Weather Channel , for inserting local forecasts and current weather information into TWC's programming...
system used by the American cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
and satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
network The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is a US cable and satellite television network since May 2, 1982, that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, along with entertainment programming related to weather 24 hours a day...
, used for inserting local weather information into the channel's programming, namely in a portion known as "Local on the 8s
Local on the 8s
The Local on the 8s or Local Forecast is the portion of programming where viewers see current weather conditions and local weather forecasts for their respective area on The Weather Channel in the United States...
." Like previous iterations of the WeatherStar
WeatherStar
WeatherStar refers to the technology used by The Weather Channel to generate their Local Forecast segments on cable TV systems nationwide...
, the unit is installed at each cable provider's headend. The system is currently the only one to output in 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
high-definition. The IntelliStar 2 is not intended to replace existing IntelliStar systems or the systems that operate the channel's Weatherscan
Weatherscan
Weatherscan is a TV channel offered by The Weather Channel. Carried on select cable systems in the United States, Weatherscan features uninterrupted local weather information in graphical format on a continuous loop...
channel. Currently, the system is rolling out in a gradual process.
Current products
- Current Conditions - The weather conditions, current temperature, wind speed, wind gusts, feels like temperature, dewpoint, visibility, and pressure
- Weather Bulletins (when a weather statement has been issued) - Shows any watches, warnings, or advisories issued for your area by the National Weather Service
- Metro Conditions - Basically a map based version of the Latest Observations segment, usually with one to three locations added and without the wind data
- Regional Doppler - Shows any precipitation in the area and its movement over the course of three hours
- Metro Doppler (when precipitation is present) - A zoomed in radar showing the immediate metro area used when precipitation is moving through
- Hourly Forecast - The forecast weather conditions, temperature, and winds at ten points in the day
- Local Forecast - The forecast for the next 36 hours in your area
- The Week Ahead - The forecast for the next seven days (including the current day).
Graphics
The IntelliStar 2's layout includes the current screen that is being shown (see Current Products) with a sidebar flipping between Current Conditions and a 12 hour forecast. A smaller version of the Metro Doppler is shown at the bottom of the sidebar.Cable
Cable operators have the option to purchase the IntelliStar 2 from The Weather Channel to use in their cable headend operations.Satellite
Currently, neither DirecTVDirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
nor Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
are able to use the IntelliStar 2 Equipment. Some satellite companies have resorted to making a "Local On The 8's App" that will cue at the same time as the STARs on most cable companies' feeds. Although this app provides local data, it does not show the full range of information that the IntelliStar does.
Timeline
- July 2010 - The IntelliStar 2 exits beta stage and debuts it's first two units in MurfreesboroMurfreesboro, TennesseeMurfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
and NashvilleNashville, TennesseeNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. - August 2010 - Jim CantoreJim CantoreJames D. Cantore is an American meteorologist. He is best known as an on-air personality for The Weather Channel.- Career :...
's voice debuts as the narration for the IntelliStar 2. - Fall 2011 - Corner "mini" radars are updated on some Intellistar 2s to include more than one city on the map.
See also
- The Weather ChannelThe Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel is a US cable and satellite television network since May 2, 1982, that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, along with entertainment programming related to weather 24 hours a day...
- Local on the 8sLocal on the 8sThe Local on the 8s or Local Forecast is the portion of programming where viewers see current weather conditions and local weather forecasts for their respective area on The Weather Channel in the United States...
- WeatherscanWeatherscanWeatherscan is a TV channel offered by The Weather Channel. Carried on select cable systems in the United States, Weatherscan features uninterrupted local weather information in graphical format on a continuous loop...
- WeatherStarWeatherStarWeatherStar refers to the technology used by The Weather Channel to generate their Local Forecast segments on cable TV systems nationwide...
- Weather Star Jr
- Weather Star IIIWeather Star IIIThe Weather Star III is one in a series of systems from The Weather Channel that use data from satellite systems and organize it for broadcasting. Introduced in 1986, it was a major hardware upgrade over the Weather Star II...
- Weather Star 4000Weather STAR 4000The Weather Star 4000 is the first graphic-capable model of the WeatherStar line manufactured for The Weather Channel. It was first introduced in December 1989 and was designed by Canadian electronics company Amirix . The WeatherStar 4000 was manufactured by Northern Telecom...
- Weather Star XLWeather STAR XLWeather Star XL is the fifth system designed for The Weather Channel's local forecast. At its rollout in 1998, it came months after a major update to the channel's presentation. The Star XL was a major leap over the much older Weather Star 4000 system, featuring advanced capabilities such as...
- IntelliStarIntelliStarIntelliStar is the fifth generation successor to the WeatherStar systems used by the American cable TV and satellite TV channel The Weather Channel , for inserting local forecasts and current weather information into TWC's programming...