Charlie Chat Recap 3-09-09

**rey_1178** · 03-10-2009 08:42 AM

i'm glad to see that Dish will be adding more hd very soon! i love competition!

**madailey** · 03-10-2009 09:19 AM

So, did they give a tier breakdown for the new HD channels? Where they blunt about the new channels being OR NOT BEING part of the TurboHD packages? I don't want to get my hopes up...again.

**boavista** · 03-10-2009 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by harveystern

what is showcase hd Harvey

Its one of Showtime's multiplex channels.. "( Like Showtime extreme, Showtoo, etc..)

**M Sparks** · 03-10-2009 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by buckchow

DIRECTV at least seems to be able to pick and choose the channels they want from Viacom.

DirecTV carries ALL those HD channels except BET, which hasn't launched. (They used to show a BET-HD logo on their website) They also carry more SD channels from Viacom than DISH...Logo, plus one or two more MTV/VH1 channels.

Originally Posted by buckchow

Considering Charlie's apparent preference for "HD" channels that air mostly 4:3 SD upscales, I'm surprised he's not begging TCM to launch an HD channel. Now THAT is a channel that airs mostly older films, and mostly in the old 1.37:1 (about 4:3) aspect ratio to ensure that all HD transfers from the oldest film is pillarboxed, his favorite kind of presentation on widescreen displays. I guess he wouldn't really want TCM HD either because TCM would be smart and air HD transfers of those 1.37:1 films, and he only really likes selling 4:3 SD content as new HD these days.

I assume this is supposed to be sarcasm of some sort, but any movie lover will tell you that TCM shows more letterbox programming than any other channel. They even have a short documentary they show between films explaining the importance of preserving the aspect ratio. TCM is one of the best candidates for an HD channel, and I suspect their desire to do it properly is why we don't have one yet...all those HD transfers take time and money.

TV Land would have been a better example for your "joke", as it shows VERY little that could ever be properly converted to HD.

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

Dish is the first to carry this channel, and I am told that most if not all of the content is in HD.

Guess we find out on Wednesday.

Interesting. Are they carrying the SD feed too, or will this be going into Platinum?

Originally Posted by dfergie

But keep in mind the SD on these channels beats their compressed counterparts...

This is why I welcome ANY "HD" channel that doesn't stretch the picture, even if the actual HD programming is limited.

Also, many of the channels that initially appeared on DISH with little or no HD now carry quite a bit. Higher viewership creates more pressure to deliver more.

Originally Posted by jeffmwknight

Did they say what package ShowcaseHD would be on or is it a premium channel?

Showcase is part of Showtime of course.

However, I'd still like to know if The Movie Channel HD will be included with the Gold packages as Encore HD is.

Originally Posted by neljtorres

I wonder in what sat. they are going to put the new HD channels ?

There are 20 "TMP" HD channels already uplinked to 129 and 61.5 (same channels on each). Presumably, 11 of them will become these channels...room for 9 more!

There are other TMPs up as well, but they will require additional uplinks before they can go live. (Specifically, there are 7 channels at 110 that would require an EA mirror, 4 at 129 that require mirrors at 61.5, and 2 more that aren't properly mirrored.)

Originally Posted by harveystern

what is showcase hd Harvey

Talk to yourself much?

It's the Showtime version of HBO Signature. By that, I mean that they pretend that it features more original programming and "artsy" movies, but really, it's the same stuff that's on HBO/Showtime and HBO 2/Showtime Too.

HBO Signature used to be called HBO 3, and Showcase used to be called Showtime 3. They are brilliant mimics over at Showtime.

There is a channel in Canada called Showcase that is unrelated, though they do carry some of Showtime's original programming.

**jacobm69** · 03-10-2009 09:39 AM

Did anyone else notice how charlie talked about tivo when it was brought up. I believe that it was mentioned that Dish's DVR's are better than TIVO and Charlie quickly spoke up and said that is what CNET says. He stated that TIVO is a very good product and Dish has a good DVR as well. Any speculation on what this means in regards to the ongoing lawsuit? It was almost like he was extending an olive branch towards them....

**MikeD-C05** · 03-10-2009 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

Dish is the first to carry this channel, and I am told that most if not all of the content is in HD.

Guess we find out on Wednesday.

I despise Jazz so this channel is a waste to me.

**MikeD-C05** · 03-10-2009 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by r424chevy482

Then why did Chalie totally avoid the question when asked about speed and fx?

He said that these two channels were up for negotiation this summer . So until then they won't be launched in hd . I don't think he avoided it , but he didn't say it was coming SOON either.

**MikeD-C05** · 03-10-2009 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by jacobm69

Did anyone else notice how charlie talked about tivo when it was brought up. I believe that it was mentioned that Dish's DVR's are better than TIVO and Charlie quickly spoke up and said that is what CNET says. He stated that TIVO is a very good product and Dish has a good DVR as well. Any speculation on what this means in regards to the ongoing lawsuit? It was almost like he was extending an olive branch towards them....

He probably already negotiated something with TIVO or its in the works and he didn't want to piss them off. I predict that DISH will have to pay to license the software in the end. Especially when the judge said it would be in both their best interest to settle before he rules.

**db2** · 03-10-2009 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by jacobm69

Did anyone else notice how charlie talked about tivo when it was brought up. I believe that it was mentioned that Dish's DVR's are better than TIVO and Charlie quickly spoke up and said that is what CNET says. He stated that TIVO is a very good product and Dish has a good DVR as well. Any speculation on what this means in regards to the ongoing lawsuit? It was almost like he was extending an olive branch towards them....

I picked up on that too. My thought was that he might be planning to use Tivo software in Dish products sometime in the future and therefore he doesn't want to knock the Tivo name.

**KindNMean** · 03-10-2009 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by perki

Did everyone ignore charlies drugged out description of how to watch MLB TV on your VIP receiver by going on the internet? Is there going to be a vip web browser in the future? Sorry to bring this up again but non one was talking about it and i love baseball.

So does anyone have any idea how to watch mlbtv or mlb network through your vip 622 or 722 recievers??? Charlie said it cost and you could access it through your vip reciever. I am pretty sure he has no idea what he is talking about(especially when he said it was like al-a-carte-LOL.. But if there is a way to do this through the reciever and some genious out there who can walk me through it PLEASE post how. I love everything baseball and the lack of mlb network is the only reason I would leave for D*......THANKS!!!