DISH NETWORK® UNVEILS BIGGEST HIGH DEFINITION UPGRADE IN TV HISTORY

**Scott Greczkowski** · 07-31-2008 06:57 AM

Did you know that the existing DVR's could be upgraded to 1080p?

**sampatterson** · 07-31-2008 06:58 AM

I like it!

**uncrules** · 07-31-2008 07:06 AM

As you might remember earlier in the week DirecTV announced that they would have 130 HD channels by the end of the year.

This game of leapfrog by both companies means MORE HD FOR EVERYONE no matter who is your satellite provider. This is a great thing for all satellite consumers!

Scott you may not have seen it but Jason got clarification from D* that the 130 will be by 8/14.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-...ml#post1464622

I got a response to my clarification question, wanting to be sure they intend to have 130 HD by Aug 14:

Quote:
Safe to say we should have 130 on Aug 14.

Essentially, after the RSN error, I tried to read too much into the press release

That should be solid indication that there will be a handful of national channels beyond what was indicated in the press release.

95 now, add 12 RSNs, 2 nationals, and a few PPVs (we'll say 6) = 115

Still upwards of 15 or so channels that are not named yet.

So that still gives room for D* to hit the 150 number by the end of the year.

I agree that this is a great time to be a customer of either D* or E*, but not so good if you're a cable customer. I just don't see how cable will keep up with either. Both will offer 150 HD channels and 1080p service in one form or another.

**dmendenjr** · 07-31-2008 07:08 AM

OK, there is a trivia question to store away, "What was the first VOD movie available in 1080p?" Sounds like a Charlie Chat trivia question if you ask me!

**HDRoberts** · 07-31-2008 07:11 AM

Yep, the 2 big surprises are our current MPEG4 Boxes taking 1080p (not that I care as I have a 720p TV), and the claim they will match the Directv total of 150 by year end. (Although I'm not so sure of that, given they claim in this press release to have 114. What kind of math are they using?)

Hopefully they will eventually offer some of this HD on demand stuff free.

**Scott Greczkowski** · 07-31-2008 07:13 AM

There is no doubt. I expect 150 to be the magic number for BOTH COMPANIES by the end of the year.

Its a great time to be a HD fan and a satellite subscriber.

**HDRoberts** · 07-31-2008 07:16 AM

Oh, another thought (hopefully not too pessimistic): Could this be a bad sign for the 2Q earnings report coming out next week. Some good news to soften the blow?

**msmith198025** · 07-31-2008 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

Did you know that the existing DVR's could be upgraded to 1080p?

I didnt KNOW it, however I think several suspected that it could be.

Edit: I dont mean to complain about the info scott. It IS good news for sat subs

**johnner1999** · 07-31-2008 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by HDRoberts

Oh, another thought (hopefully not too pessimistic): Could this be a bad sign for the 2Q earnings report coming out next week. Some good news to soften the blow?

well if I knew it was going to bad wouldn't you want this news after the "numbers"? as this will be old news at that point? People in wallstreet have a very short memory LOL

**120inna55** · 07-31-2008 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by darrencp22

Ok, so the big news is that Dish added Lifetime and Planet Green. We knew everything else.

Ahh, the fickle masses. (Just kidding, Darren).

This is good news for DISH customers with 1080p sets and MPEG-4 HD DVRs. Although, I expect most won't really be able to tell much of a difference. The allusion that the DISH PPV "I Am Legend" and the Blu-ray version will be of similar quality is a nice spin, but I doubt it. There's a lot to be said for compression. But I will be doing an A/B comparison as I'm sure many will.

I, by no means, intend to slight DISH for this change and the resulting spin. I am certainly happy about it. I just imagine that it will not be as earth-shattering as some current HD customers expect.

I wonder if 1080p will be available over component as well as HDMI, or HDMI only (my set accepts 1080p over component, too).