VOD Vs DOD

[SatRick]

Current D* sub with SD looking to HD
Last research showed D's and Dish's "On Demand" was thru modem and had to be downloaded to watch

Dish's site now says only phone line needed
Have they changed to more realistic VOD approach?
TIA

[BattleZone]

Both sat companies offer two types of "OnDemand".

The first method is really accomplished by having the DVR tune to a hidden channel during the middle of the night (assuming you aren't using both tuners at that time) and downloading selected movies and shows to a reserved portion of the hard drive. DirecTV in particular seems to be looking at your viewing history and choosing selections that fit your past viewing habits. Anyway, these selections are usually limited to 10-12. Like any DVR'd content, they are available instantly.

Then there is actual downloaded content. For both companies, you must have an HD-DVR, and it must be connected via the HD-DVR's Ethernet port to your Internet connection (wireless adapters and powerline adapters for Ethernet can be used in place of a hardline, of course). There is a much larger selection of downloadable content, particularly with DirecTV, but it uses your Internet connection, so download speeds will be limited to your Internet connection speed, up to about 6Mb/s, which often means you have to wait for most/all of the show to download before you begin viewing it.

If you're comparing to cable's OnDemand, which typically uses a dedicated bandwidth of about 20 Mb/s, satellite's OnDemand isn't going to be "instant" like cable. Satellite makes up for that with FAR more live channels, something cable can't deliver.

[Michael P]

The phone line is only used to communicate with the service provider that you are "purchasing" an on-demand program that is already on your hard drive or live off the satellite. Phone lines were never suitable connections for actual downloading of program content.

If you have a broadband connection you don't need a phone line.

[SatRick]

Thanks
I didn't see anything in Dishs that said ethernet or Ic, thats why I asked,
but I do have> DSL 1.5

Cable? eeeeek,:nono2: haven't had that in a while

is there any place on Dshs site [other than channel 501]that shows the line up?
and

On a new install what dish do you get for HD/VOD >no international or sports pkg
300? 500?
What is thier RG6 run off the dish 1? 2? 4?
2 to each DVR? or do thay utilize a SWM type setup?
thks