Jeff_R
08-15-03, 06:31 PM
Just got back from the California State Fair. I had the opportunity to take a walk through the "HDTV Truck", and wasn't terribly impressed.
Upon walking in, there is a projector set up in one corner showing Laurie and the HD Demo Loop. Unfortunately, the reflection from the open front door ruins the effect of the usually beautiful HD Demo Channel.
They have a total of three HDTV recievers and displays, including the projector/demo. There is a side-by-side comparison of the actual HBO feed in SD and HD. Unfortunately, they are using a small, likely 32 or 24 inch tube HDTV, and it doesn't truly show off the difference HD can make. I was able to point out to a friend some subtle detail that was visible on the HD channel, and the lack of scanlines that showed on the standard HBO channel, however. She agreed that it was a little clearer, but nothing exciting.
Another of the same monitors was showing Discovery HD Theater. This looked disappointing. The grass in a nature program was blurred together, just looked bad in general. I wasn't impressed. There was a 6000 mounted below the screen, and the "HD" light was on, but it sure was soft compared to what I have seen from both Dish and Direct on that channel at home.
In all, they have 3 HDTV samples, 8 DVD players in the broadcast room showing some demo stuff on very small LCD screens, and about a dozen 501/508 units, for what I'm not quite sure. There are several TVs in the truck showing the requisite Weather Channel, USA, and the other sponsored channels.
Overall, this is a good "Dish Network Demo Truck Tour", but definately not a top notch HDTV demonstration.
Thought y'all might want to know what was inside.
I have to work several more days still at the fair, so if there's anything you'd like answers to, I'll be happy to either look or ask the questions to the PR people in the truck...
Jeff
Upon walking in, there is a projector set up in one corner showing Laurie and the HD Demo Loop. Unfortunately, the reflection from the open front door ruins the effect of the usually beautiful HD Demo Channel.
They have a total of three HDTV recievers and displays, including the projector/demo. There is a side-by-side comparison of the actual HBO feed in SD and HD. Unfortunately, they are using a small, likely 32 or 24 inch tube HDTV, and it doesn't truly show off the difference HD can make. I was able to point out to a friend some subtle detail that was visible on the HD channel, and the lack of scanlines that showed on the standard HBO channel, however. She agreed that it was a little clearer, but nothing exciting.
Another of the same monitors was showing Discovery HD Theater. This looked disappointing. The grass in a nature program was blurred together, just looked bad in general. I wasn't impressed. There was a 6000 mounted below the screen, and the "HD" light was on, but it sure was soft compared to what I have seen from both Dish and Direct on that channel at home.
In all, they have 3 HDTV samples, 8 DVD players in the broadcast room showing some demo stuff on very small LCD screens, and about a dozen 501/508 units, for what I'm not quite sure. There are several TVs in the truck showing the requisite Weather Channel, USA, and the other sponsored channels.
Overall, this is a good "Dish Network Demo Truck Tour", but definately not a top notch HDTV demonstration.
Thought y'all might want to know what was inside.
I have to work several more days still at the fair, so if there's anything you'd like answers to, I'll be happy to either look or ask the questions to the PR people in the truck...
Jeff