Hopper 3 / 4K Programming

[DERG]

Yup, you and everybody else with slow internet (including me) gets that same message when trying to download 4K from the internet.

Sad, but very true. Yup, our internet is slow by today's standards (5-6Mbs at best, 3Mbs average typical). Just seems odd that we get that error being it's not streaming video but downloading a file. Also, I know H.264 4k files can be quite large but the H3 is also H.265 compatible which makes 4k file size more like HD H.264's size.

In any case, Dish must know that the majority of their clients live in places where internet (if any) is slow. Maybe it's just an H3 bug(?).

BTW - the Channel 1 pre-loaded VOD is a great idea! Just need better selection of 4k movies. Still early but they're coming!

 

[patmurphey]

...In any case, Dish must know that the majority of their clients live in places where internet (if any) is slow. Maybe it's just an H3 bug(?).

BTW - the Channel 1 pre-loaded VOD is a great idea! Just need better selection of 4k movies. Still early but they're coming!

It's not a "bug", Internet streaming of 4k typically runs at 15mbs or more, Netflix recommends 25mbs capability. Dedicated HD space for VOD is probably the reason for limited selection. Streaming from satellite is not a good solution, check how long it takes over at DTV. It will likely stay the way it is now until content is available from cable channels.

I have 25mbs DSL - Dish and Netflix streaming 4k works fine through my Hopper3.

 

[DERG]

It's not a "bug", Internet streaming of 4k typically runs at 15mbs or more, Netflix recommends 25mbs capability. Dedicated HD space for VOD is probably the reason for limited selection. Streaming from satellite is not a good solution, check how long it takes over at DTV. It will likely stay the way it is now until content is available from cable channels.

I have 25mbs DSL - Dish and Netflix streaming 4k works fine through my Hopper3.

I tried streaming Netflix but had issues. Sometimes the video was low def, sometimes 720 & even 1080. For streaming I would agree 15Mbs min for HD, 25Mbs for 4k. Netflix is video streaming & cannot be downloaded to any hard drive.

But... Dish VOD is not streaming video, as Netflix is. Dish VOD it's a file transfer from Dish Network & recorded on my H3's hard drive via the internet. Once the file downloads to a point one can begin watching even though the file hasn't completely downloaded. I can download full HD to H3's hard drive all day long without issues & watch when I'm ready to regardless how fast my internet is. These recordings are usually good for 30 days only. Can't do this with VOD 4k as I get an error. Why wouldn't that be call that a bug?

 

[patmurphey]

After a few seconds, I watched the 4k VOD while it was streaming...

It appears that the Hopper3 requires streaming speed to download/stream 4k VOD, designed that way, not a bug. Have you confirmed that 4k VOD saves to the drive? The free stuff is so limited that I don't recall whether I had to delete when finished.

 

[bobvick]

I tried streaming Netflix but had issues. Sometimes the video was low def, sometimes 720 & even 1080. For streaming I would agree 15Mbs min for HD, 25Mbs for 4k. Netflix is video streaming & cannot be downloaded to any hard drive.

But... Dish VOD is not streaming video, as Netflix is. Dish VOD it's a file transfer from Dish Network & recorded on my H3's hard drive via the internet. Once the file downloads to a point one can begin watching even though the file hasn't completely downloaded. I can download full HD to H3's hard drive all day long without issues & watch when I'm ready to regardless how fast my internet is. These recordings are usually good for 30 days only. Can't do this with VOD 4k as I get an error. Why wouldn't that be call that a bug?

Perhaps it is the time it would take a file in 4K to download. I.E the Hopper sees the file will take, let's say 5 hours to download, and it sees that as a time out error.

 

[bmetelsky]

Just an FYI - if you subscribe to Netflix (the package that allows 4K UHD streaming) you can play Netflix selections designated as 4K UHD and it works very well via the Netflix app included with the Hopper 3. There are some limitations - i.e. no true Dolby Digital 5.1.

 

[Bobby]

Just an FYI - if you subscribe to Netflix (the package that allows 4K UHD streaming) you can play Netflix selections designated as 4K UHD and it works very well via the Netflix app included with the Hopper 3. There are some limitations - i.e. no true Dolby Digital 5.1.

You can get true Dolby 5.1 but you must use optical. Maybe, one day, they'll fix this.

 

[DERG]

After a few seconds, I watched the 4k VOD while it was streaming...

Sure, with fast internet you can begin watching VOD as it downloads to your hard drive moments after it is selected. With our slower speed we must wait a few minutes while it's streaming to H3s hard drive before watching. You'll find the download in Rentals which will need to be deleted later. That's the way VOD works.

It appears that the Hopper3 requires streaming speed to download/stream 4k VOD, designed that way, not a bug.

That sound like reasonable speculation & if that's the case then there's the answer.

Have you confirmed that 4k VOD saves to the drive? The free stuff is so limited that I don't recall whether I had to delete when finished.

4k VOD downloads fail, so no.

But, you're right; there is limited free 4k VOD. But, why would I pay $8-10 to experiment if 4k VOD movies would download when free 4k do not? Pre-loaded Channel 1 VOD would be the way to go as I know it works.
Just down the road from us they are running new fiber optic lines to update our internet & phone service. I never thought they would do this out in the sticks but they are. Might be 6-12 months before all is in place & working but coming never the less!!!

 

[DERG]

The VOD's on channel 1 are resident on your hard drive and need no internet streaming capability. They currently include 4 4K titles.

I say again, channel 1, channel 1, channel 1. That's where the pre-downloaded titles are. Where are they? Channel 1.

And also as said before, all the other VOD is from the internet.

That is the case.

An update.

Well, I invested $7.99 for 4k VOD feature on channel 1,channel 1, channel 1 & guess what. They are NOT pre-downloaded. After several hours of downloading I called Dish & asked why so long if these VOD on channel 1 are pre-downloaded? The tech had no idea what I was talking about & upped the call to a technician who verified that VOD on channel 1 are not pre-downloaded. Eventually enough data downloaded to begin watching but not until then.

Perhaps with internet speeds of 25mbs the pre-downloaded assumption can be made but the fact is, they are not.

 

[JSheridan]

An update.

Well, I invested $7.99 for 4k VOD feature on channel 1,channel 1, channel 1 & guess what. They are NOT pre-downloaded. After several hours of downloading I called Dish & asked why so long if these VOD on channel 1 are pre-downloaded? The tech had no idea what I was talking about & upped the call to a technician who verified that VOD on channel 1 are not pre-downloaded. Eventually enough data downloaded to begin watching but not until then.

Perhaps with internet speeds of 25mbs the pre-downloaded assumption can be made but the fact is, they are not.

I have DSL which maxes out at 8mbs and I guarantee you that the several 4K selections that I've watched from channel 1 did not come over my internet connection. In fact every time I've tried a 4K VOD from the 4K VOD shelf I get the message that I have insufficient bandwidth.

I have no idea what's happening in your situation but it is not normal.

 

[JSheridan]

An update.

Well, I invested $7.99 for 4k VOD feature on channel 1,channel 1, channel 1 & guess what. They are NOT pre-downloaded. After several hours of downloading I called Dish & asked why so long if these VOD on channel 1 are pre-downloaded? The tech had no idea what I was talking about & upped the call to a technician who verified that VOD on channel 1 are not pre-downloaded. Eventually enough data downloaded to begin watching but not until then.

Perhaps with internet speeds of 25mbs the pre-downloaded assumption can be made but the fact is, they are not.

And the 4K DaVinci Code is playing on my TV right now. It started up immediately after I clicked the order button and I double damn guarantee it's not coming over my slow internet connection. And the skip ahead function is even working.

 

[DERG]

And the 4K DaVinci Code is playing on my TV right now. It started up immediately after I clicked the order button and I double damn guarantee it's not coming over my slow internet connection. And the skip ahead function is even working.

I have no idea what's happening in your situation but it is not normal.

Yeah, something's fishy. But, I'm just providing feedback from the source, JSheridan. Dish says otherwise, that it is normal.

Has someone from Dish told you that VOD is pre-downloaded? Our DSL max's out at 7Mbs but typically 3-5Mbs. The time I began the 4k feature was about 4PM which the speed could of been 1-3Mbs which is very slow so It's understandable it took awhile to load enough to play. I'll add that I knew our DSL speed is slowest at that time but considered your feedback that channel 1 VOD is pre-downloaded as gospel. My guess is at 8Mbs you'd be able to watch it with a very short time. Can't wait for the internet upgrades coming summer of 2017!

And, I get that same error for non channel 4K VOD that I have insufficient bandwidth. But, that was with free 4k content. Next time I'll try PPV / VOD or whatever it is for a 4k feature & see if that works. Take care!

 

[ChadT41]

Channel 1 and 501 are preloaded. All other VOD requires download.

 

[dweber]

I believe that channel 1 and channel 501 are downloaded from the satellite and not through the internet. This happens in the background so that is why it is considered to be preloaded. It is possible that the channel had not finished loading from the satellite and that is why he had to wait before the viewing. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.