BACKGROUND: My model-811 is also buggy, but I preferred its "ATSC" HDTV Tuner which receives "original UNCOMPRESSED over-the-air broadcasting signals in the MPEG-2 STANDARDS" and not the " COMPRESSED mpeg-4 stuff that I consider ideal for internet transmissions and computer-sized screen viewing".
The model-811 appeal and killer applications for me, consist of its MPEG-2 "ATSC" Tuner, consist of its indirect UHF Remote, consist of its On Screen Caller-ID feature, and especially consist of two(2) EXTERNAL VIDEO INPUTS which I used for my installation SECURITY CAMS#1(Front View) & #2(Rear View) of residence.
As of 15 August 2007 whereby E* marketing strategy abandon its legacy equiped HD customers in order to force the MPEG-4 "HD-LITE" programs upon me, but I 've been willing to pay at a rate of $2.00 per HD channel(ie ESPN-HD, HDmv, HDnet, Discovery-HD, and TNT-HD) or $9.99 monthly, in order to continue reception in " MPEG-2" the above and of SHOW-HD & HBO-HD.
OBSERVATION: Not enough SPACE for HD by using MPEG-2 the past three years???... Go figure::::the list of Shopping Channels=15, Religeous Channels=7, Cartoon/Family Channels=15, ESPN Channels=9, Dish Promo/Movie Trailer Channels= 9, Adult Channel=8(THE REAL MONEY MAKER), Movie PPV=20, Sports-Alternatives=20, and then there's the music channels.
Although I have SATs 61.5, 110, and 119, I could not get E* to return its Dish-HD, its VOOM' HDnews, nor the Discorvery-HD to my lineup after my foriegn contacts informed me that these mentioned channels are being view in MPEG-2 as foriegn subscribers. CAN OTHERS VERIFY?
Considering the Government contract that E* won, its expansion of 5-million foriegn subscribers for VOOM-HD, and its DATA Service with WACHOVIA, the lack of satellite space does not appear to be the reason that HD services using MPEG-2 cannot continue. The Cable Systems are able to provide four(4) HD Digital Channel by replacement of one(1) analog @ 6MHZ channel.