View Full Version : New Channel Expectations
OK lets start at the beginning. First of all, just because DIRECTV has a new satelitte up and running does NOT mean they have every channel in the world available to us.
First off DirectV has to do carriage issue. Then they have to wait for the Broadcasting company to make the channel available to be viewed.
Are there HD channels out there that everyone wants? Yes, but DirectV has to plan and act on facets for this to happen.
With patience and understanding the channels will come on line for us, the customer, to view in all there HD glory.
I here alot of you wanting FOXNEWS, HALLMARK, HBO's and other channels, when you say you know they have them in HD.
What was the annoucenment on FOX NEWS the other day? After the conventions when they go back to there Washington and New York offices they will truly be ready for there actual HD channels to be available.
So we do need to have a little bit of patience and understanding for at least once in our lives.
Second, there are probably a lot of you on here that would like your local's in HD.
Do you really know if DirectV is trying to get them? Or is the carriage company giving them the run around? The carriage companies do not have to offer any programing in HD. Only in a digital format of some kind.
We should also rememeber that they still, the carriage companies have (5) more months before they even have to send a Digital picture.
mauijiminar
08-20-08, 08:26 AM
OK lets start at the beginning. First of all, just because DIRECTV has a new satelitte up and running does NOT mean they have every channel in the world available to us.
First off DirectV has to do carriage issue. Then they have to wait for the Broadcasting company to make the channel available to be viewed.
Are there HD channels out there that everyone wants? Yes, but DirectV has to plan and act on facets for this to happen.
With patience and understanding the channels will come on line for us, the customer, to view in all there HD glory.
I here alot of you wanting FOXNEWS, HALLMARK, HBO's and other channels, when you say you know they have them in HD.
What was the annoucenment on FOX NEWS the other day? After the conventions when they go back to there Washington and New York offices they will truly be ready for there actual HD channels to be available.
So we do need to have a little bit of patience and understanding for at least once in our lives.
Second, there are probably a lot of you on here that would like your local's in HD.
Do you really know if DirectV is trying to get them? Or is the carriage company giving them the run around? The carriage companies do not have to offer any programing in HD. Only in a digital format of some kind.
We should also rememeber that they still, the carriage companies have (5) more months before they even have to send a Digital picture.
WELL SAID!
All 26 of the HBO and Cinemax channels have been available in HD since June. DIRECTV carries four?
If you're trying to make the point that the channel needs to be available, you should avoid mentioning HBO and/or Cinemax.
What have they been doing in the five months that it took to get D11 up and running? Adding a whole four national HD channels, that's what.
paulman182
08-20-08, 09:33 AM
OK lets start at the beginning. First of all, just because DIRECTV has a new satelitte up and running does NOT mean they have every channel in the world available to us.
First off DirectV has to do carriage issue. Then they have to wait for the Broadcasting company to make the channel available to be viewed.
Are there HD channels out there that everyone wants? Yes, but DirectV has to plan and act on facets for this to happen.
With patience and understanding the channels will come on line for us, the customer, to view in all there HD glory.
I here alot of you wanting FOXNEWS, HALLMARK, HBO's and other channels, when you say you know they have them in HD.
What was the annoucenment on FOX NEWS the other day? After the conventions when they go back to there Washington and New York offices they will truly be ready for there actual HD channels to be available.
So we do need to have a little bit of patience and understanding for at least once in our lives.
Second, there are probably a lot of you on here that would like your local's in HD.
Do you really know if DirectV is trying to get them? Or is the carriage company giving them the run around? The carriage companies do not have to offer any programing in HD. Only in a digital format of some kind.
We should also rememeber that they still, the carriage companies have (5) more months before they even have to send a Digital picture.
The "carriage company?" I've never heard the term.
The digital changeover referrs only to over-the-air broadcast stations, not cable or satellite channels.
justlgi
08-20-08, 09:48 AM
What have they been doing in the five months that it took to get D11 up and running? Adding a whole four national HD channels, that's what.
Clearly you have been "misguided." You have 30 HD PPV choices now. Why aren't you happy? How could they have known that they would be launching a satellite that would eventually need more HD carriages to broadcast?
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/08/comcast-strikes.html
If negotiations are their issue they have made some bad business decisions somewhere.
Also, I'll say it for you(not you, but the apologist) . "If you're not happy why don't you just enjoy cable, and see how much you get there." ... "Why don't you just leave?" ... "how much HD do you expect*" ... etc ... etc ... etc ... par for the coarse around here.
I think if things continue the way they have been with both Dish Cable and Fios catching up in channel counts (and some ahead with equipment) it won't be long and we'll be all be talking about the DIRECTV that WAS, before Malone.
man_rob
08-20-08, 09:52 AM
I think it comes down to agreements. I'm sure DirecTV will get the vast majority of mainstream HD channels, but they made their agreements for them to start in, or after Sept. The recent additions were more for PR purposes than anything else. DirecTV wants to remain the PR HD champion. Yes, on apples for apples comparisons, they do have more HD channels, but with Dish and FiOS nipping at their heels, DirecTV didn't want to wait until Sept. to up their channel count.
BudShark
08-20-08, 09:54 AM
I predict this thread will look like all the others in 3... 2... 1.... ;)
Clearly you have been "misguided." You have 30 HD PPV choices now. Why aren't you happy? How could they have known that they would be launching a satellite that would eventually need more HD carriages to broadcast?
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/08/comcast-strikes.html
If negotiations are their issue they have made some bad business decisions somewhere.
Also, I'll say it for you(not you, but the apologist) . "If you're not happy why don't you just enjoy cable, and see how much you get there." ... "Why don't you just leave?" ... "how much HD do you expect*" ... etc ... etc ... etc ... par for the coarse around here.
I think if things continue the way they have been with both Dish Cable and Fios catching up in channel counts (and some ahead with equipment) it won't be long and we'll be all be talking about the DIRECTV that WAS, before Malone.
He can't leave Directv, he's a Dish Network subscriber. You seem to be really unhappy with Directv.
Doerner
08-20-08, 10:01 AM
After taking the plunge and upgrading to HD back in March, I can understand folks becoming impatient when it comes to channels they watch that aren't available to them in HD. I watch FOXNEWS and can't wait for the HD version.
On a side note, this is my first or second post, and I mean no disrespect, but is it really necessary to "reply with quote" when your post is on the same page as the original post? Especially when your response is as simple as, "Well said."
Don't know if you can see it with an HDTV but I have a SDTV and I am receiving alot of "Downrezzed" HD channels.The colors in the picture are deeper and the faces have a little more definition.So I would agree that the Start date in the contract to carry has just not arrived yet.;)
He can't leave Directv, he's a Dish Network subscriber. You seem to be really unhappy with Directv.
So he's in a hurry to switch to DirecTV?.;) :D :lol:
igator99
08-20-08, 10:12 AM
I think it comes down to agreements. I'm sure DirecTV will get the vast majority of mainstream HD channels, but they made their agreements for them to start in, or after Sept. The recent additions were more for PR purposes than anything else. DirecTV wants to remain the PR HD champion. Yes, on apples for apples comparisons, they do have more HD channels, but with Dish and FiOS nipping at their heels, DirecTV didn't want to wait until Sept. to up their channel count.
Chiller was suppose to be in HD from the time it was introduced some three years ago. What would stop it from being added?
paulman182
08-20-08, 10:16 AM
After taking the plunge and upgrading to HD back in March, I can understand folks becoming impatient when it comes to channels they watch that aren't available to them in HD. I watch FOXNEWS and can't wait for the HD version.
On a side note, this is my first or second post, and I mean no disrespect, but is it really necessary to "reply with quote" when your post is on the same page as the original post? Especially when your response is as simple as, "Well said."
Especially if your response is "Well said," a quote is important. Otherwise people will think you are replying to the post immediately prior to yours whether you are or not.
By the way, have you been welcomed to the forum?:balloons: :icon_band :biggthump
gregjones
08-20-08, 10:19 AM
I think if things continue the way they have been with both Dish Cable and Fios catching up in channel counts (and some ahead with equipment) it won't be long and we'll be all be talking about the DIRECTV that WAS, before Malone.
How is DirecTV behind when the stated date for new channels is and has been next month? What percentage of HD subscribers (not just DBSTalk posters) do you think are frustrated with DirecTV being behind in some way? Holding up Dish or FIOS as a gold standard is a fallacy. Dish is losing picture quality with each new channel they add. And FIOS is still struggling with the number of HD channels you can watch (or record) simultaneously in a household.
A year ago, there was a lot to complain about. DirecTV's subscribers had waited too long for more HD. Granted, DirecTV had said end-of-year 2007 for a long time. It wasn't unexpected, just a long wait. Then D10 lit up and brought dozens of channels. In the spring, they said new channels would be available from D11 in September 2008. They haven't missed that date.
You get two choices with companies dealing with public announcements. Some companies post speculative information and miss, frequently. Some companies post information during or after the event. DirecTV posts information as late as possible and makes statements as pessimistic as possible. D11, they said, will start delivering new channels in September 2008.
It seems under Malone they have been a little more conservative in statements. They were already fairly conservative. This is a responsible business practice meant to keep them out of shareholder issues.
justlgi
08-20-08, 10:23 AM
He can't leave Directv, he's a Dish Network subscriber. You seem to be really unhappy with Directv.
Unhappy is a relative term. The DVR is only above Comcast's by the thinnest of margins, although I would say that's only speaking about the UI, I've never heard of a Comcast DVR missing or recording blank on such a regular basis. (granted it gotten better, but it was really crappy for a while) Do they have more HD? At the moment yes. Does it matter? No, because I'm in a contract at the moment.
The main rub is the DIRECTV butt kissing here every day. I've said it before. If DIRECTV had added "watching grass grow HD" the same people would be praising them and saying how they couldn't wait for the next roll out of "watching paint dry HD". It happens in the HD threads, the DVR issues threads ... the where the heck is the PBS that was announced a year ago threads ... excuses excuses excuses. :rolleyes:
justlgi
08-20-08, 10:42 AM
How is DirecTV behind when the stated date for new channels is and has been next month? What percentage of HD subscribers (not just DBSTalk posters) do you think are frustrated with DirecTV being behind in some way? Holding up Dish or FIOS as a gold standard is a fallacy. Dish is losing picture quality with each new channel they add. And FIOS is still struggling with the number of HD channels you can watch (or record) simultaneously in a household.
A year ago, there was a lot to complain about. DirecTV's subscribers had waited too long for more HD. Granted, DirecTV had said end-of-year 2007 for a long time. It wasn't unexpected, just a long wait. Then D10 lit up and brought dozens of channels. In the spring, they said new channels would be available from D11 in September 2008. They haven't missed that date.
You get two choices with companies dealing with public announcements. Some companies post speculative information and miss, frequently. Some companies post information during or after the event. DirecTV posts information as late as possible and makes statements as pessimistic as possible. D11, they said, will start delivering new channels in September 2008.
It seems under Malone they have been a little more conservative in statements. They were already fairly conservative. This is a responsible business practice meant to keep them out of shareholder issues.
I said "catching up" hardly "gold standard" lets not act as if DIRECTV is either.
The most recent announcement said to me "here are some HDPPV so that we can inflate our numbers." Then they confirmed just that (see link in my post above) Sure they said by the end of September originally, then we had this release and they added the channels. Can you show me why I should expect any more than what was just added?
Curtis0620
08-20-08, 10:43 AM
Unhappy is a relative term. The DVR is only above Comcast's by the thinnest of margins, although I would say that's only speaking about the UI, I've never heard of a Comcast DVR missing or recording blank on such a regular basis. (granted it gotten better, but it was really crappy for a while) Do they have more HD? At the moment yes. Does it matter? No, because I'm in a contract at the moment.
The main rub is the DIRECTV butt kissing here every day. I've said it before. If DIRECTV had added "watching grass grow HD" the same people would be praising them and saying how they couldn't wait for the next roll out of "watching paint dry HD". It happens in the HD threads, the DVR issues threads ... the where the heck is the PBS that was announced a year ago threads ... excuses excuses excuses. :rolleyes:
Yes, Let's get back to the Charlie butt kissing.:hurah:
bobnielsen
08-20-08, 10:50 AM
DirecTV posts information as late as possible and makes statements as pessimistic as possible. D11, they said, will start delivering new channels in September 2008.
But they delivered ABC Family and Planet Green in August. Blatant lies! :D
Curtis0620
08-20-08, 10:58 AM
I said "catching up" hardly "gold standard" lets not act as if DIRECTV is either.
The most recent announcement said to me "here are some HDPPV so that we can inflate our numbers." Then they confirmed just that (see link in my post above) Sure they said by the end of September originally, then we had this release and they added the channels. Can you show me why I should expect any more than what was just added?
Unlike how DISH is inflating theirs by adding HDVOD to their count.:sure:
rudeney
08-20-08, 10:59 AM
Yes.
gregjones
08-20-08, 11:00 AM
The main rub is the DIRECTV butt kissing here every day. I've said it before. If DIRECTV had added "watching grass grow HD" the same people would be praising them and saying how they couldn't wait for the next roll out of "watching paint dry HD". It happens in the HD threads, the DVR issues threads ... the where the heck is the PBS that was announced a year ago threads ... excuses excuses excuses. :rolleyes:
OK, it seems to be time for a reality check on the good and bad with DirecTV:
HD Extra Pack - wrong for customers and wrong for the networks that sustained DirecTV when they had no other channels. HDNet moving out of it was a partial solution, but this left a bad taste in a lot of customer's mouths.
Channels I Get - a failure, especially as it pertains to search
Only 50 series links is a design flaw that needs addressing quickly, especially considering the new higher capacity HR22 and the future possibility of MRV
Missed recordings - have more to do with programming information from channels than the DVR design (I had a DirecTivo and it didn't fair much better)
PPV time limits - not specific to DirecTV. It is infantile to blame them for policies also forced on cable, Dish and others.
PBS - They announced an agreement. They did not announce a release date. The overwhelming majority of people can receive their local PBS station with a $10 set of rabbit ears. I can pickup 3 at my house. The issue here is that PBS is a lot like ABC, CBS and NBC. They want each affiliate to get their own contributions. It is not a single channel.
HD Channels a Particular Viewer Doesn't Like - Problems with specific channels belong with the channels. A lousy channel isn't specific to one provider or another. If you don't like the paint-drying channel HD, don't watch it. It's probably on Dish, too, just with less picture quality
DirecTV has missed the boat on a few things. But I am amazed at the impatience of some of the posters. Let's review some of the really important things that people wanted a year ago:
Better picture quality on HD channels - overwhelmingly fixed
VOD - fixed. You may not like it, but I have a high-speed Internet connection and know how to use a network. I love it.
No dropping of HD channels during Sunday Ticket - fixed
Older HD channels available in MPEG4 - fixed
More premiums in HD - fixed for Showtime, STARZ, HBO seems to be tweaking things
Regional Sports Networks in HD - loads of them, often full-time now
Sunday Ticket games in MPEG4 - fixed according to their announcement
Channels I Get fixed - failure as it relates to searches
MRV - pieces of it are in testing
More basic cable channels in HD - fixed for the great majority of channels, announced plans to add more in September
So many of us aren't apologists. We have issues with specific decisions DirecTV has made. But we are also vastly aware of the changes that have taken place in one year. What you call an apologist attitude, I would call perspective and reason.
merchione
08-20-08, 11:00 AM
Locals only tomorrow in a few DMAs. More next week for locals as well.
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=136824 (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=136824)
rudeney
08-20-08, 11:03 AM
After taking the plunge and upgrading to HD back in March, I can understand folks becoming impatient when it comes to channels they watch that aren't available to them in HD. I watch FOXNEWS and can't wait for the HD version.
Well, in case any of the non-HD channel owners are listening, I am an HD snob and I only watch HD! While I’d love to watch Fox News, I can’t because it’s only SD. So, for all you advertisers out there with Fox News contracts counting on me to buy your products, sorry! :)
On a side note, this is my first or second post, and I mean no disrespect, but is it really necessary to "reply with quote" when your post is on the same page as the original post? Especially when your response is as simple as, "Well said."
Yes. :p
Uh, yes, sometimes it is necessary. Heck, some threads around here can move so quickly that by the time you type your response, it’s grown by two pages. :eek2:
Anyhow, welcome to the forum!
man_rob
08-20-08, 11:24 AM
Chiller was suppose to be in HD from the time it was introduced some three years ago. What would stop it from being added?
Is it even launched yet? According the the Chiller TV website, the HD version is "coming soon".
http://www.chillertv.com/Chiller_HD/chillerhd_300x120.jpg
JoeTheDragon
08-20-08, 12:06 PM
It will nice to have a few sub - channels for the big citys on the sat.
In Chicago they have
ABC 7 News Now / Local AccuWeather Channel
ABC 7 Plus
nbc 5 weather plus
May they can make a deal with NBC to get weather plus as they now own the weather channel or work with them to have the a form of the IntelliStar software running on your DTV box.
they don't Me Too in chi yet.
Holding up Dish or FIOS as a gold standard is a fallacy. Dish is losing picture quality with each new channel they add. And FIOS is still struggling with the number of HD channels you can watch (or record) simultaneously in a household.
Then they should market their strengths rather than stooping to the levels of others in the industry by artifically inflating their numbers with questionable "channels".
And I really think they have turned in to a pretty decent DVR. I'm not aware that I have missed a recording since the early days after its introduction.
I really don't understand the love fest for the Tivo. I had the HD one and the thing that really bothered me was the response time when managing the scheduler. It was absolutely horrible! Was that ever fixed?
Channels I Get fixed - failure as it relates to searches
The quote from above is to ask why this is such a hard thing for DirecTV to fix. In my honest opinion this should be fairly simple, and I believe DirecTV is hesitant to fix it. They want you to see what you are missing.
gregjones
08-20-08, 01:36 PM
And I really think they have turned in to a pretty decent DVR. I'm not aware that I have missed a recording since the early days after its introduction.
I really don't understand the love fest for the Tivo. I had the HD one and the thing that really bothered me was the response time when managing the scheduler. It was absolutely horrible! Was that ever fixed?
The quote from above is to ask why this is such a hard thing for DirecTV to fix. In my honest opinion this should be fairly simple, and I believe DirecTV is hesitant to fix it. They want you to see what you are missing.
I understand why they don't want this fixed. It gives the user a list of items they could watch ***if they just subscribed to the right services***. As someone that subscribes to just about everything, it doesn't annoy me often with one exception. Finding every network program on the local SD LIL channel, the channel in the 80s and the channel in the 380s gets old.
I really don't care that they have 30 PPV HD channels. They charge too much for PPV. I wish they would get the Travel Channel HD.
And FIOS is still struggling with the number of HD channels you can watch (or record) simultaneously in a household.
You're confusing FiOS with AT&T's U-Verse. FiOS has no such restriction. They run QAM, just like regular cable does, so I can watch as many HD channels concurrently as I want (I'm a FiOS subscriber). U-Verse, on the other hand has an issue with this due to their architecture. They currenly only allow a total of 4 feeds running concurrently into your house, only 1 of which can be HD - although they're expanding out to 2 HD feeds this year.
dcowboy7
08-20-08, 04:29 PM
In my honest opinion this should be fairly simple, and I believe DirecTV is hesitant to fix it.
then why did they put it there in the 1st place ?
Just for the record, someone posted a link to this in a fios forum. I thought it was pretty informative:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081
There are some nits that are in there. For example, Verizon aready announced that they would add Mojo HD and MSNBC HD (when available), but both are not show that way. Still, I think it's a pretty good snapshot of HD channels available per provider.
HDTVFreak07
08-20-08, 04:33 PM
Clearly you have been "misguided." You have 30 HD PPV choices now. Why aren't you happy? How could they have known that they would be launching a satellite that would eventually need more HD carriages to broadcast?
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/08/comcast-strikes.html
If negotiations are their issue they have made some bad business decisions somewhere.
Also, I'll say it for you(not you, but the apologist) . "If you're not happy why don't you just enjoy cable, and see how much you get there." ... "Why don't you just leave?" ... "how much HD do you expect*" ... etc ... etc ... etc ... par for the coarse around here.
I think if things continue the way they have been with both Dish Cable and Fios catching up in channel counts (and some ahead with equipment) it won't be long and we'll be all be talking about the DIRECTV that WAS, before Malone.
I'm not happy with DirecTV needing to provide more PPV in HD because I can't really enjoy them at all with their lack of closed captioning. Plus, why do I see the need to pay an additional fee to enjoy a PAY per view in HD when I'm already paying extras for HD access and HD extra pack?
ruthiesea
08-20-08, 05:00 PM
I think that the frustration is caused by a lack of information from D*. For what ever reason, many companies keep new products secret until the last moment. One thing that D* could do, is to say that on XX/XX/2008 there will be a major rollout of new HD channels. They could even put a countdown timer on their website. This does not commit them the any particular HD channels, but gives subs something to forward to.
At least we would know something more than we did.
HDRoberts
08-20-08, 05:03 PM
Holding up Dish or FIOS as a gold standard is a fallacy. Dish is losing picture quality with each new channel they add.
A bit of a nitpick: I have had Dish HD since January 2007 and haven't noticed a drop in PQ. Just keep drinking the kool-aid.
If you ask me, having the same channels as your top competitor is hardly a gold standard, just good business.
inkahauts
08-20-08, 06:21 PM
All 26 of the HBO and Cinemax channels have been available in HD since June. DIRECTV carries four?
If you're trying to make the point that the channel needs to be available, you should avoid mentioning HBO and/or Cinemax.
What have they been doing in the five months that it took to get D11 up and running? Adding a whole four national HD channels, that's what.
You know... I'm beginning to wonder if those extra HBO channels won't be coming online until they have set up all the HD boxes to get 1080P.. and if those channels will be in 1080p....
cartrivision
08-20-08, 06:28 PM
You know... I'm beginning to wonder if those extra HBO channels won't be coming online until they have set up all the HD boxes to get 1080P.. and if those channels will be in 1080p....
No, since all the HBO channels are supplied to cable and satellite operators only in 1080i format, not 1080p.
HBO should be a priority.
JoeTheDragon
08-20-08, 06:42 PM
I'm not happy with DirecTV needing to provide more PPV in HD because I can't really enjoy them at all with their lack of closed captioning. Plus, why do I see the need to pay an additional fee to enjoy a PAY per view in HD when I'm already paying extras for HD access and HD extra pack?
cable does the same thing and it is only $1 more. along with the 24H window.
Chiller was suppose to be in HD from the time it was introduced some three years ago. What would stop it from being added?Chiller debuted almost 18 months ago, not three years ago. Press releases regarding the impending new channel were distributed in January of 2007 IIRC.
What stops anything from being added:
1. Failure to launch the channel
2. Failure to reach a carriage agreement.
3. Other channels getting priority for the available bandwidth.
In this instance, it is the failure on the part of NBC/Universal to follow through on their promised HD and on-demand elements of the Chiller offering. They have established a most excellent record of failure on their demand offerings and bringing back Bravo has patched up most of their HD channel failures outside of Chiller.
I think that the frustration is caused by a lack of information from D*. For what ever reason, many companies keep new products secret until the last moment. One thing that D* could do, is to say that on XX/XX/2008 there will be a major rollout of new HD channels.The last time they did that (last week), three or four of the channels didn't launch on time.
It is best that they keep their cards close to their vest so that they don't get dinged for missing anything important.
In my honest opinion this should be fairly simple, and I believe DirecTV is hesitant to fix it.CIG is imperative for automated searching. If they don't want to have a guide option with CIG, that's easy to do.
The problem obviously isn't trivial and it is a leading cause of grousing.
Ed Campbell
08-21-08, 08:06 AM
Most folks who troll about the "lack" of HD channels haven't a clue about how the entertainment industry does business. They're happiest when they get to do the introducing - and when it coincides with their own promotions - especially the beginning of some season or other.
As we hit the season openers in September - and, yes, the mid-season break in December - there will be more intros.
Cripes, there are sports fans, here, who've been watching promos for HiDef sports events in England and Europe for months - while watching the SD version - and we know we won't get to see them for another year or so because Fox [the U.S. carrier] won't spend the money on providing them to the U.S..
They won't even give us the 16x9 SD except by accident, every now and then, even though SPEED does it by choice for F1.
Nope, business is business and DirecTV's business is channeling TV to folks via satellite. 99 times out of 100 - just like the extended wait for LIN locals - the question comes back to the content provider. And buck$.
JDubbs413
08-21-08, 08:18 AM
I firmly believe 90% of the delays are caused by the channels themselves. Like I said in another thread, carriage agreements aren't done overnight.
gregjones
08-21-08, 08:18 AM
A bit of a nitpick: I have had Dish HD since January 2007 and haven't noticed a drop in PQ. Just keep drinking the kool-aid.
If you ask me, having the same channels as your top competitor is hardly a gold standard, just good business.
And you would be in the minority. I call DirecTV on their failures and a number of Dish subscribers have called them on this. Don't ask me. Ask other Dish subscribers that have complained about it.
gregjones
08-21-08, 10:50 AM
You're confusing FiOS with AT&T's U-Verse. FiOS has no such restriction. They run QAM, just like regular cable does, so I can watch as many HD channels concurrently as I want (I'm a FiOS subscriber). U-Verse, on the other hand has an issue with this due to their architecture. They currenly only allow a total of 4 feeds running concurrently into your house, only 1 of which can be HD - although they're expanding out to 2 HD feeds this year.
I stand corrected. Both fall into the same category for me: not offered within several hundred miles of my address.
HDRoberts
08-21-08, 05:54 PM
And you would be in the minority. I call DirecTV on their failures and a number of Dish subscribers have called them on this. Don't ask me. Ask other Dish subscribers that have complained about it.
Of course if you just ask the complainers you will get complaints. Try asking some other subscribers. Read the recent thread in the Dish HD forum about dish not having true HD. Most of us acknowledged Dish could do better, but they are not bad.
Dish has been 7HDs/TP for a long time. Yeah, it could be less, but that's how it's been. They have not been adding more HDs per transponder. I don't get how you can say they are getting worse as they are not compressing things any more than they have been. That's all I was calling out. Some people prefer Directv, but most I've asked, including my own comparison, don't see much of a difference.
gregjones
08-22-08, 08:24 AM
Of course if you just ask the complainers you will get complaints. Try asking some other subscribers. Read the recent thread in the Dish HD forum about dish not having true HD. Most of us acknowledged Dish could do better, but they are not bad.
Dish has been 7HDs/TP for a long time. Yeah, it could be less, but that's how it's been. They have not been adding more HDs per transponder. I don't get how you can say they are getting worse as they are not compressing things any more than they have been. That's all I was calling out. Some people prefer Directv, but most I've asked, including my own comparison, don't see much of a difference.
I didn't ask. They have stated it here and on a number of other forum sites. I can only convey what they have said as I do not have Dish.
It will nice to have a few sub - channels for the big citys on the sat.
In Chicago they have
ABC 7 News Now / Local AccuWeather Channel
ABC 7 Plus
nbc 5 weather plus
May they can make a deal with NBC to get weather plus as they now own the weather channel or work with them to have the a form of the IntelliStar software running on your DTV box.
they don't Me Too in chi yet.
Nice channels. I watch them. 7-3 now has a new format too. Much improved over the old Accu-Weather maps with poor resolution. But, it's not practical for D* to put every subchannel on the dish. Bandwidth is just not there. So, as I have been pointing out for months on this forum, D* NEEDS TO MANUFACTURE RECEIVERS WITH OVER THE AIR TUNERS. This is another example of people wanting OTA channels/subchannels, i.e. WMEU, above.
I would agree that there are too many D* apologists on this forum. I think it's because they work at D*. I just wish some of them could be more open minded to what the consumer wants instead of what they perceive the customer should have. Don't get me wrong, I have D* because it is the best of the cable/satellite providers, but there are some serious shortcomings that have been blown off for some time.
A black H24/HR24 with over the air tuner and built in B-band converter... Please make it happen D*! If Dish can have an OTA tuner in 3 or 4 receivers, I hope D* can do it to at least be competitive.
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