Scott, any new HD channels coming to E*?

[kstuart]

Have you been paying attention?

Dish didn't move SD's around on 110.

I indeed remembered incorrectly (partially because the HD move was a couple of months ago).

They downrezzed and bit starved the MPEG2 HD's on 110. 4 MPEG2 HD's per TP!

Think about it... they killed the quality on the programming you pay for to put up PPV's DirecTV has a better looking DiscoveryHD Theater right now.

However, I think this characterization is incorrect.

I had a recording on my 622 of one of the better looking HD-Net programs (Rick Steve's Europe). After the changeover to more MPEG2-HD channels per transponder, I spotted the same episode being shown again, and recorded it.

I spent quite a bit of time going back and forth between the two recordings, examining different details - water, faces, buildings, etc. - and couldn't find any difference. At one point, I thought I spotted a little improvement in one version - but it was very subtle, and I could have been wrong - and when I pressed "INFO", I found that the improvement was in the later recording.

At the bitrates necessary for real-world satellite and cable providers, downrezzing improves PQ, otherwise it wouldn't be used.

PS I'm watching Rave-HD right now, and you can see the tiny beads of sweat sitting on top of her face makeup. You can see imperfections in the varnish coating on the bass, and small variations in the corrosion on the brass. And - a really difficult test for encoders - the wisps of smoke from her cigarette are perfectly reproduced. If this is "HD-Lite", we need more!

 

[digiblur]

I'm not talking about HD-Net, that channel has been starved and downrezzed for a long time. Probably more than 6-8 months.

 

[kstuart]

I'm not talking about HD-Net, that channel has been starved and downrezzed for a long time. Probably more than 6-8 months.

Plenty of other people talked about it when the change was made. More channels were moved onto its transponder.
The point is that it seems likely that it was encoder improvements that allowed E* to make that move.
As far as HD-PPV - I'm hoping to see more titles.
For example, I heard some good things about the recent Die Hard movie, but had too many other commitments at the time to get to the theater. If it is shown on HD-PPV, $4 or $5 is still quite a bit less than what it would have cost to take the family to the theater. And, I'm not interested in HD-DVD until the format war is over.
HD-PPV seems like a benefit for both E* and the customer.

 

[Chris_R]

As far as HD-PPV - I'm hoping to see more titles.
For example, I heard some good things about the recent Die Hard movie, but had too many other commitments at the time to get to the theater. If it is shown on HD-PPV, $4 or $5 is still quite a bit less than what it would have cost to take the family to the theater. And, I'm not interested in HD-DVD until the format war is over.
HD-PPV seems like a benefit for both E* and the customer.

I'm actually looking forward to the HD-PPV's. If they do it right (and judging from Dish's recent experience, I think they will) the movies will look better than DVD and can "fill the void" while I wait out the HD-DVD format wars. The lack of HD PPV is exactly why I haven't purchased any offerings in a long time - why pay extra to watch something that's in SD and all washed out? But I am also hoping for a variety of titles, and good ones, too.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I'm actually looking forward to the HD-PPV's. If they do it right (and judging from Dish's recent experience, I think they will) the movies will look better than DVD and can "fill the void" while I wait out the HD-DVD format wars. The lack of HD PPV is exactly why I haven't purchased any offerings in a long time - why pay extra to watch something that's in SD and all washed out? But I am also hoping for a variety of titles, and good ones, too.

I got all the Premiums ,so I'll just wait untill they show all the PPV's on them channels.

 

[cheddarbob]

I am with you, after PPV it is a matter of days untill it goes to Starz, and if the whole starz pack goes HD, then I am happy. I want as many of the premium movie channels to be HD as possible, I didn't buy the Everything pack with HD for nothing.

 

[DanLee]

Wgn/cw

Can anyone tell me why Dish hasn't included the CW/WGN in their hd packages?

 

[tsduke]

Can anyone tell me why Dish hasn't included the CW/WGN in their hd packages?

WGN(the superstation) isn't broadcasting in HD yet. They are only broadcasting the local Chicago market version so far.

 

[aperry]

On a semi-related note, it would be nice to get the HD feeds for the channels in the superstations package (assuming those channels are available in HD).

 

[Peter Parker]

We established recently that WSBK is not. Not sure of any others.

 

[SKrueger]

Superstation KTLA is a CW affiliate and does broadcast here locally in HD. Don't know if Dish gets the HD feed however.

 

[darrencp22]

I really need FX HD and USA HD. I hope one of these is part of the rumored announcement. Anyone? I could care less about a new channel in HD.

 

[DanLee]

According to news release, Big 10 network and Dish will begin an HD simulcast of the network sometime next week!!!!!!!
DISH Network, the Leader in College Sports, Adds Big Ten Network: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

 

[tnsprin]

If I had a list I would give them to you.

...I am not expecting on Dish is Chiller HD and BTN HD. ...

Hmm. Btn HD is here. Does that mean Chiller HD may be coming.

 

[RADAMS]

Fox Nws Hd

Murdock owns fox i wonder if FOXHD news is going to be on dish ?

 

[tigerfan33]

Murdock owns fox i wonder if FOXHD news is going to be on dish ?

Fox News has not launched an hd channel yet. When they do I do think it will be on Dish. The sd channel is.

 

[jayn_j]

Superstation KTLA is a CW affiliate and does broadcast here locally in HD. Don't know if Dish gets the HD feed however.

KWGN Denver also has local CW feed in HD.

I am willing to bet that the superstation designation is only for analog and will require a court case to extend it to the ATSC feed.

 

[eddie willers]

I really need FX HD and USA HD. I hope one of these is part of the rumored announcement. Anyone? I could care less about a new channel in HD.

Since I have HD locals (Atlanta area) add those two and I'm all set.

But hey....I'll take more.

 

[Peter Parker]

KWGN Denver also has local CW feed in HD.

I am willing to bet that the superstation designation is only for analog and will require a court case to extend it to the ATSC feed.

DISH actually files a form with the FCC that lists how many subs subscribe to the analog and digital feeds of the superstations (for payment of copyright fee) if it were analog only why would they have to state how amny subs sub to the digital feed?

having said that others say that it is only analog because SHVERA and the FCC named six (and it was six not five) stations by call letter and the digital versions of thes ststions technically have different call letters.

 

[jayn_j]

having said that others say that it is only analog because SHVERA and the FCC named six (and it was six not five) ststions by call letter and the digital versions of thes ststions technically have different call letters.

Yep, same thing, but you said it better.