Dish High Definition Broadcast's Questions?

[Hoosier]

Can someone explain?
Do you need a HD TV set or just dish HD reciever to recieve these broadcasts? confused?

I have a HD tv 1080i toshiba..but have never used it? It is hooked up to a PVR508...

Does dish rent these HD units or do you have to buy them?


I would appreciate any advice and info on this topic?

:confused:

[Ken_F]

Hoosier,

You just need a HDTV receiver to see the broadcasts. You need a HDTV set to actually see them in HDTV (rather than downconverted to say, DVD quality).

If you have a Toshiba HDTV, you just need the HDTV receiver to be able to see HBO HDTV, Showtime HDTV, Discovery HDTV, HDTV PPV, and the NBA TV HDTV broadcasts. More channels like ESPN-HD, Cinemax HDTV, Bravo HDTV, and several Hdnet networks are reportedly coming to Dish Network later this year.

If you have waited this long, you might want to consider waiting a little longer for the 921 HDTV PVR (in case of Dish Network) or HDTV Tivo (in case of DirecTV). You can read more about the 921 in the Dish Network forums on this site. The current Dish Network 6000 HDTV receiver is also in the process of being phased out, with a replacement model coming late this year or early next.

[Scooters]

You can hook up your 508 to receive and PVR standard definition broadcasts.

You need a Dish HDTV receiver to receive and display HDTV on your existing HD Rcvr.

At present the 6000 is the Dish HDTV Rcvr. There is no Dish HDTV PVR.
You will also need:
*A second dish pointed at one of the wing satellites that carry HDTV.
*An 8PSK module for the 6000 to carry the new signal format for HDTV
*An 8VSB module to act as an off-air tuner for your local HDTV channels.

Dish is going to offer a 921 model HDTV PVR. Current guestimates are that it will be available sometime between late summer and the end of the year. However, the schedule is on a "sliding scale." Cost will, most likely be in the (gasp!) $1000 range.

For what it's worth I use the tuner built into my HDTV for locals. I receive standard def Dish network on my 501 (it is like a 508). I am waiting for the 921 to come out. I will then decide If I want/ can afford the HDTV PVR.

Hope this helps!

[RAD]

Originally posted by Scooters
*An 8PSK module for the 6000 to carry the new signal format for HDTV


The 8PSK module only gets you the Discovery HD Theater channel and some 'special events' so far all that's been is an NBA game or two ( and with the payoffs going to be done quickly there's no word on what else will be on 9425). So unless you want either of those two channels I'd hold off on the 8VSB until Dish actually announces something.

PS:If you oder a new 6000 from Dish or a retailer it's supposed to come with the 8PSK included, so this only becomes important if you're picking up a used 6000.

You might also want to check to see if your cable system carries any HDTV programming and go with them until Dish replaces the 6000 (which is showing its age) or carries a channel you MUST have.

[boba]

The model 6000 is now the 6000U that indicates it has the 8PSK module already installed price for the 6000U is still $499.00. It is not available as a lease and DISH does not sell them to customers. Dish refers you to your nearest dealer. If you have locals from the side satellites (61.5 or 148) subscribe to those and DISH will install the second dish free. The best use is to add the 8VSB over the air tuner and get the tuning ability for free over the air High Definition Channels from your local broadcasters.

[Hoosier]

I have a second dish to recieve all my locals..so your saying that all I would need is the 8VSB tuner to get the High Def local channels? How would that work with the PVR 508..connection wise?

[Tomsoundman]

The 8VSB tuner only works with a model 6000 receiver, not a 508.

[Glenn]

Originally posted by boba
It is not available as a lease and DISH does not sell them to customers. Dish refers you to your nearest dealer.
Not anymore. A few weeks ago I went on that assumption and bought a complete 6000U system from Sears (for $699). When I got it home I immediately called Dish to schedule the installation (for another $100), and was told that I could've bought my system direct from Dish for $599 installed. I told the CSR that there was nothing on their web site indicating this, but she told me they had just recently started selling them, and that the site probably hadn't been updated yet. Needless to say, I returned my system to Sears post haste, and bought it direct from Dish, thereby saving $200.

[angiodan]

Glen, are you a new sub? If so, you could have purchased this system for even less.

[Glenn]

Yeah, I know, but sadly I'm not new -- just adding HD to my collection of electronic toys.

[Hoosier]

So the 8VSB turner cartrige will allow me to recieve my locals in high def..without having the model 6000 reciever? I am confused?
please explain.???

[Mike123abc]

The 8VSB tuner cartrige plugs into the back of the 6000 and lets it recieve over the air channels.

[dfergie]

Before you buy the 8vsb make sure the "locals" are broadcasting hdtv, or just digital.

[Mike123abc]

Well even if they are just doing digital, you can get a good picture on locals. It is a much better picture than analog or what LIL does from dish.

[dfergie]

My "local" in digital is about same quaility as the dishnet version. The Parent station in albuqurque broadcasts in hd (abc) but apparenty the local  repeater does not.