The WeatherStar XL, introduced in the fall of 1998, is an IRIX-based machine, a major leap from 4000s in terms of capabilities and graphic generation. It is similar to the now-discontinued WeatherStar III in terms of products and appearance, but uses the typeface of the 4000. is a budget model introduced in 1993 that was very uncommon from its introduction. The WeatherStar 4000 is the oldest and the first in the series that produces graphical local forecasts and radar. Three other STAR systems are used sporadically. The IntelliStar is not the only type of STAR in operation. With an IntelliStar, cable viewers see current weather conditions for their area, surrounding areas, and their region 36-hour, daypart, and 7-day forecasts almanacs air quality and health reports specialized school day and activity forecast in coastal areas, tides and marine forecasts and, in certain large media markets, traffic conditions supplied by Traffic Pulse (which gathers the information in real time from intelligent transportation systems operated by state department of transportation).

The IntelliStar platform can also generate graphics for Weatherscan, The Weather Channel's 24-hour localized weather network. The information is then inserted over the TWC feed with local insertion technologies.Īs of 2016, the majority of cable operators use the IntelliStar, the latest STAR system. The machines are installed in a headend and receive the information from the vertical blanking interval of the TWC video feed and from data transmitted on satellite.

The name has caused confusion in the New York area with CBS Corporation properties WCBS-TV and WCBS AM, as the properties use a similar slogan, 'traffic and weather on the 8s'.įorecasts are generated by a WeatherStar machine. The Weather Channel filed for a trademark on the name on June 24 1997. The name was introduced on Apto coincide with a sweeping revamp of the channel's presentation. The name comes from the timing of the segment, as the times it airs end in '8' (such as 9:18, 9:28, etc.)īefore the implementation took place in mid-1995, the forecast was seen either every five minutes or 8 times an hour at various times (more in the morning and less at night). 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.

Weatherstar 4000 emulator for mac