Echostar looking to lower the cost of HDTV

[Scott Greczkowski]

Very Interesting Article....

http://cableworld.com/ar/echostar_looking_lower/index.htm

[Scott Greczkowski]

BTW this line is interesting....However, both DBS providers are ESPN HD affiliates, and they want to take advantage of ESPN's relationship with Best Buy.
Since when is Dish and ESPN-HD affilate? Or does Cable World know something we don't know. :D

[Cyclone]

Or else its a reporter who doesn't have their facts straight.

[Chris Freeland]

Yes, I noticed that statement too, it is looking like "ATHD", SuperDish, 811. 921 and HDTV monitor and 811 combo is truly coming soon. This article also explains the $299 price for the 811 too. :)

[Mike123abc]

$1500 would not be hard for dish if the 811 is $299, there are a lot of HDTV capable tube TVs out there in the 999-1500 range. Not a top of the line Sony but many sets that can be a huge improvement over the average person's television set.

[Mike123abc]

The other intersting thing is "up to a dozen channels"... HBO, SHO, DHDT, CBS, ESPN-HD, HDNet, HDMovies, Cinemax-HD, Starz-HD, Bravo-HD, InHD (sp?) is 11 channels (yes I know CBS is only in 17 large markets). It could be quite a package if they do 12 real HDTV channels and another 10-20 enhanced definition stations.

[Cyclone]

I think that there might be two INHD channels. The 2nd might be ppv or cable only.

Also, the HD Demo channel might be counted.

[jeffwtux]

I hope they will give this package to retailers too. I realize that it's going to be hard to stock and transport the HDTV monitors, but that package sounds way to appealing to ignore.

[Zach2]

Good article but I'll believe it when I see it. It may happen but my guess is not for another year just because of the way things usually work w/ echostar.

[Lee L]

Well, they better be careful telling people "we have the whole enchilada", "this is all you need" given their track record. I don't see the average Rat Shack consumer being as forgiving as most of us have been of the incremental equipment purchases as E* changes there mind about their distribution system every 6 months.

[DavidG]

"EchoStar, which has been giving consumers glimpses of what's to come, introduced an EchoStar-manufactured HD television set at the CES show in January as well as an HD/PVR box, which won best in show in innovation at the design and engineering showcase."


What size TV was the one introduced CES?

[Jacob S]

If you can get it in writing or print of the promises being made then they go back on their word, turn it into the Attorney General if you send it to Dish Network without any luck. Keep a copy for yourself. Without it being in writing or print it should make you wonder the legitimacy of what is being said. Also if you do see it on a chat if you record it then you would have proof that way as well.

I think Dish will give its retailers the HD channels on their showroom receivers but would probably require the 811 to get them.

[wipeout]

Any specs on the monitor?

[Jeff_R]

BTW this line is interesting....
Since when is Dish and ESPN-HD affilate? Or does Cable World know something we don't know. :D

Dan Collins stated a while back on the other site that Dish has in fact signed an agreement with ESPN, but are waiting to launch the channel.


I would be cautious of anything that Dish is claiming, until I see it. We've been hearing about the 921 for almost 2 years, more HD programming for the same time, and still nothing has surfaced.

I know Charlie's got something up his sleeve, there aren't 12 channels available: HDNet, HDNet Movies, Bravo, ESPN, InHD1, InHD2, Discovery, Sharper Movies, CBS. That's about it for standard channels. I doubt Cinemax will be included in a package, and no one else has made any announcements. We all know he's got some "big suprise" up his sleeve, so it might just be some new channel that will be exclusive for a time with them, or the rumored widescreen 480P versions of USA, etc.

Jeff

[Jacob S]

By the time they want to release the 921 product there will already be something else to replace it if they keep this up. Just look at how the 501 changed to a 508 to now maybe a 510 and also the possibility of the 721 being discontinued.

[belsokar]

i don't feel people are going to be terribly eager to order HD packages when most programming that people want to view is on one of the networks...which is minus abc,nbc, and fox right now on dish network...i think if dish network can strike up some hd coup and get a national hd feed to most customers, then that'll greatly increase the chance of attracting more consumers...

[DarrellP]

If my old, gray brain cells serve me correctly, I think the monitor was a 40" RPTV like the Toshiba. With a set top receiver, this would be a fantastic deal (if you want a RPTV).

[Peluso]

RCA has a rear projection TV at costco for something like $1100. Dish can easily package the 811 with a bulk purchase of the RCA TV and have a all inclusive HDTV package for $1500. In truth if they really worked it hard, they probably could sell the package for $999.00

They would have to charge for the Superdish, and make sure of a multi year programming commitment but it could be done. That would be interesting to see. If they really wanted to have some fun with it, they could do credit checks and bill people an extra $80.00 or so a month for the first year. Then they could conceivably sell the product as a no money down offer. The ultimate offer would be a 'free HDTV' where the consumer agrees to a large package for three or more years and the HDTV is built into the profit of the programming package.

The possibilities for expanding the HDTV market in the US are absolutely amazing.

[Jacob S]

I seriously doubt they will do the $80 a month thing, they will just tell you to put it on a credit card and for you to pay them monthly.

[Mike D-CO5]

If Dish could get the networks in hdtv and get around the shiva law on who can get it legally they surely would beat the competition in satellite. Cable is already doing this in large cities, like Houston. Time Warner Cable has all the major networks and they use a simple converter device that attaches to the digital box that allows hdtv. It only adds like $4.00 to the bill.

If Dish could get this going and add the other channels like Directv has and give a cheap tv, receiver and dish package for $1500.00 , they will be helping the public adapt to hdtv and helping themselves to more subscribers at the same time.

[Jacob S]

A simple covertor device for satellite would be awesome and for only $4 extra a month would not be all that bad seeing how HD is still fairly new.

It would be great if satellite was allowed to broadcast HD network channels if you cannot receive the channel in HD in your area. This would help Dish and Direct out.

[Nick]

"...where the consumer agrees to a large package for three or more years..."

Unlikely that many who can otherwise afford HD would go for such a long-term commitment. As far as the "large package" goes, 10 or 15 HD channels won't do it for me. I'm looking for min 25-30 channels for starters on any HD 'package' that Dish offers.

Also, is Dish going to warranty the package TV like they do their IRDs? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Marcus S]

And so the HD wars heat up. *D is moving birds around to enhance Alaska / Hawaii coverage and offer 2 additional HD channels. I would be disappointed to see *D or E* only offer more premium HD channels. Cinemax, Starz . The premium movies seem to get older and older while PPV seems to be dishing out some content that left the box office 6 mo's ago. All said, HD-Bravo would make a nice contribution to *D's HD pak, but then so would CBS-HD blanket waiver. The next series in this war is Comcast plans to supply a few Denver HD locals in Aug.

[JohnL]

"...where the consumer agrees to a large package for three or more years..."

Unlikely that many who can otherwise afford HD would go for such a long-term commitment. As far as the "large package" goes, 10 or 15 HD channels won't do it for me. I'm looking for min 25-30 channels for starters on any HD 'package' that Dish offers.

Also, is Dish going to warranty the package TV like they do their IRDs? Inquiring minds want to know.

Nick,

Where is dish or any provider for that matter going to find anymore than 10-14 channels of national content to deliver in HD?

Bottomline their are not 25-30 channels of national content available in HD, so where is dish or another provider going to pull these vapor HD channels from.

John

[Nick]

Well, EchoStar is certainly the industry leader in marketing hype.

[Mike D-CO5]

And Vapor ware, so why not Vaper T.V. channels.