Dish 411's Now Available

[G_Sup]

No componet output?

According to the .PDF file it does have Component outs .

[Purogamer]

It's expensive because it's not geared for John Q. Satellite Customer, it'd designed for new customers and the very "I need it NOW" current customer who will usually pay anything to have the newest thing out regardless if there's actually content for it or not. This is also why it doesn't come with cables because there is an exceedingly high chance that the customers getting them already have their cable of choice and will just use it on the new box. New customers will get a cheapo cable and be charged for it. It's not really some scam or a trick, it's a box that will have a short shelf life and be for specific people. They're marketing it exactly how they should to make money off of such a product.

BTW, If you were a dish tech guy wouldn't you be really pissed to have to be messing with ever-changing MPEG-4 testing the week before christmas? Maybe that's why none of it makes sense, they're really mailing it in because they're not into it. They could put up the new channels now and make everyone happy but they won't until after the new year. They're making it LOOK like they're busy when they really aren't...What logical reason would there be to upload something like OLN if not to make it available? Easy, to get us talking...

It's no secret that there will be plenty of people here on christmas day making posts about MPEG-4 and Voom and whatnot. Dish has us wrapped around their finger and they know it...

[vinnyv07]

I just replaced a leased 811 with a purchased 942, but I plan to hold onto our other leased 811. I cannot see E* rolling out new national HD channels in MPEG-4 (that would be insane)...only rolling out MPEG-4 HD LIL in the top markets. .

I believe this statement ....I too feel that if E rolls out national HD in Mpeg 4 they would effectively implode. Really ...think about how many subs you would take out of the market. The only logical thing to do is to slowly put local HD ch's on MPEG 4 and keep the nationals on Mpeg 2 ....for now. If they try anything else....they deserve what's coming to them.

[riffjim4069]

I believe this statement ....I too feel that if E rolls out national HD in Mpeg 4 they would effectively implode. Really ...think about how many subs you would take out of the market. The only logical thing to do is to slowly put local HD ch's on MPEG 4 and keep the nationals on Mpeg 2 ....for now. If they try anything else....they deserve what's coming to them.

Not to start a flaming war, but E* always had the option to save bandwidth by implementing their new and improved 8PSK Turbo code on existing MPEG-2 HD channels.

[Lucky]

I believe this statement ....I too feel that if E rolls out national HD in Mpeg 4 they would effectively implode. Really ...think about how many subs you would take out of the market. The only logical thing to do is to slowly put local HD ch's on MPEG 4 and keep the nationals on Mpeg 2 ....for now. If they try anything else....they deserve what's coming to them.

This has always been my theory. DirecTV is currently rolling out MPEG4, but only for locals, and in select markets. If Dish puts nationals in MPEG4 during the tranistion stage that is all new territory. Then they would be forcing their entire customer base to either upgrade to MPEG4 receivers or not be able to get the new channels. If they put the locals in MPEG4 I would not have a problem with that. Then everyone could make a decision as their market is added. If they put the nationals in MPEG4 than that would be a disgrace. That would be a ploy to try and get everyone to go and buy new receivers, and that would anger me.

[SRW1000]

In the Quick Facts PDF is alludes to programing charges to recieve OTA...what is that about?

I noticed the same thing. This footnote from the quickfacts guide sounds rather dubious:

1Additional authorization may be
required before high definition
programming and/or off-air
digital broadcasts can be
viewed; additional fees may
apply.

Could they seriously be thinking of charging a monthly fee to use the 411's OTA tuner? Bad idea, really bad idea.

Also, why only have a two-day guide? With the almost-monthly drops in flash RAM prices, why not allow for additional storage? Heck, a USB port could be used to allow owners to add their own USB flash drives for extra data. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard.
Scott

[n0qcu]

Also, why only have a two-day guide? Scott

It's not a DVR, do you really need to find something to watch live more than two days into the future. If I am looking to watch something live I only need to know what is on NOW not later.

[BrettTRay]

I agree I would like to see at least a 72hr guide. Even though its not a DVR it comes in real handy for setting timers if you have a DVD recorder and just to see what is coming on in a few days.

[SRW1000]

I agree I would like to see at least a 72hr guide. Even though its not a DVR it comes in real handy for setting timers if you have a DVD recorder and just to see what is coming on in a few days.

That's one of the things that I'd want to use it for. I'd also like to have the auto-tune function so I don't forget to watch something. I'd also like the option of seeing what's going to be on next weekend, check for new episodes, etc.

The value of a seven-day guide is huge to someone who's used to having it. Two days just isn't enough.

Scott

[BrettTRay]

Seven Day would be great