What does Charlie have to say to keep you?

[ride525]

Charlie can keep me as a subscriber if I can get a HD receiver in the immediate future.

I have an HDTV, I want to see some HD content. I've been waiting patiently (well, maybe impatiently) for Dish's HD offerings. If I can't get the HD on Dish's programming, at least I'd like to get HD OTA.

My immediate need is for an HD receiver. The 811 at $299 (or less for current subs?) sounds like it should work for me. But I need to hear that I have some way to get one soon. Dish is competing with Directv's $399 offer for complete Samsung or Hughes HD system, INCLUDING the Dish and installation.

So, for me, if I can get the 811 very soon, I'll stay. The SuperDish and the HD package could come a few months later, and that would be all right with me. But, both need to be competively priced with the Directv offerings.

Check my sig for my HD attitude.....

Jeff

[Jerry G]

So, for me, if I can get the 811 very soon, I'll stay. The SuperDish and the HD package could come a few months later, and that would be all right with me.

I understand that for someone who hasn't had any HD in the past, any HD would be welcome. But for many of us who have been receiving HD for a while and haven't seen a new HD channel on Dish for over a year, we want the new channels *now*.

The nightmarish rollout of the Superdish, especially if Dish insists a "qualified" installer" is required, guarantees that many will not see the new channels until the end of October or later. This is unacceptable to me. either Charlie puts some of the new channels up on existing birds temporarily now or he guarantees me that I'll have whatever I need to get the new channels by the end of the first week in October, or I'm going to DirecTV. On 9/8, I will be able to make my decision.

[dbronstein]

Nothing. I'm perfectly happy with my current service.

Dennis

[RAD]

Charlie's going to have to lay all the cards out on the table and tell me:

- SuperDish, how much, when will it be available and where can I order and get it installed from
- Programming, when will the new HDNet and HDMovies be available to order and how much
- What's happening with ESPN-HD, a "we're in negotiations" to me is the same as we won't offer it, if Comcast can get it Dish should be able to.
- When will the 921 be available and pricing especially since the PVR fee has popped up since the $999 price was announced

And when I say I want dates I mean something line 10/1/03, not
'available during the fourth quarter'. Charlie played that tune on the HDNet/HDMovies being available this summer, which ends 9/22, and all fingers point to them not being available until sometime on October.

[Bill R]

I think that a lot of DISH subscribers will agree that that are a lot of things wrong at DISH right now and it is going to take more than just a few words from Charlie to fix them. BUT since Charlie and Jim are the heads of DISH and they do speak FOR DISH, the Charlie Chat is a good place to start fixing things. The first thing that they have to do is make the Charlie Chats the way they used to be. WAY less "guest time" and more customer questions and a LOT more REAL information. They need to change the way that they screen calls. The call screeners are only allowing the "soft ball" questions through. They REALLY need to change that and let Charlie answer the "tough" questions. DISH also needs to start giving ACCURATE information with REAL dates on new products. Just look how long they have been talking about the 921 and the 522 and, as of now, they STILL aren't available. Charlie and Jim need to be truthful with customers on what their LONG term plans are for services like HD so that current customers can plan better (just look how many times things have changed in the last year on their HD "plans"). They also need to move the Charlie Chats to Tuesdays like they used to do during football season.

As I mentioned, I feel that there are many things at DISH that needs to be fixed now. Another area that I think that could use fixing is their marketing department. Some of the ads have become sleezy, cable like ads. Ad example of this is the DVR 510 roll out. Not even the dealers have any idea of what DVOD really is and, more importantly, that it is not anything like what the cable companies (and most customers) consider as any form of VOD. Ads need to clearly explain what a service is and what the customer needs to do (DISH VOD customers need to record programs FIRST before they can watch them and this is NOT what customers expect when they buy a service like VOD). There is NO reason in that an ad should fool the customer about what he or she is buying and, unless they change the ad, that is what DVOD does. The marketing department needs to become more creative. DON'T use names (like VOD) that cable companies use. The service IS different, it should be called something different.

Another thing that DISH needs to do is come up with a program to keep their EXISTING customers that have older hardware. DirecTV has realized that and has recently started their "$99 DirecTV TiVo program". DISH does have a 508 upgrade program but there is not a FIRM price on the offer. Some customers are offered better deals than others and, for a lot of us, the 508 is not that great of a product (feature wise, comparied to what we have now).

That is just where I would start. There are a lot of other "growing problems" at DISH but I will leave the disscussion of them for another day.

[cbusbee]

I want to know when we are going to be able to get the new HD package (Superdish installed and new channels)?

I want to know what new HD channels are being added (not in negotiations) and when? Getting ESPN ASAP is the critical channel to me. I have already talked to D* regarding switching. And like others have said it wouldn't cost me to much, it would just be an inconvenience. I still have 2 D* receivers, would only have to get the $399 HD package.

I want to know how much it is going to cost to upgrade again to be able to receive all future HD programming? I have a 6000, 508, 3900, a Dish 500 and 300 and a legacy quad. I want to know what else I have to buy to get the new HD programming. I really think the upgrade price should include all switches or lnb's needed to replicate one's current service. After all, I paid $150 for the quad lnb and pay an extra $10 a month for the additional receivers. I would suggest that this upgrade should be $99 installed with a 1 year commitment to the new HD package.

I agree with many other posters about E* dropping the ball on HD programming this summer. I cannot understand why we didn't get ESPN-HD and the HD net channels this summer. E* had/has the satellites capacity to offer them. They could have offered them on an interim basis on one of the main satellites until Superdish and the new receivers were made available. This would have made the transition more orderly and not pissed off many of the high-end customers (who through word-of-mouth can really help a company grow). In fact they could have given a free demo until the new dish was available and scored big with their current customers. How much revenue or profit would that really have meant. Heck it could have caused many D* customers to switch providers and all new ones to go with E*. Maybe Charlie will do just this during his Sept 8 CC....

He will announce that the HD net channels and ESPN-HD will go live later that week on a current bird (110 or 119 so everyone can get them) and will be free until the customer gets Superdish installed during the 4th quarter. This would motivate E* to get the product in the customers hands as quick as possible. He would also announce an upgrade program for 5000 and 6000 owners to get a 811 and Superdish for $399 (with a 1 year commitment). This would neutralize D*'s HD marketing plan and get rid of legacy receivers. He will also announce that 921's will begin shipping in October and should be readily available by year-end.

What does everyone else think of my proposal? If you agree with it maybe Scot can set up a poll and E* can be sent the results...

Looking forward to next Monday. I may actually record MNF and watch it Tuesday so that I don't miss the CC. That will be a first for me - missing a football game for a tech show...

[Peluso]

921 isn't going to be there this year. At least my sources don't think it will be.

To keep me, or get me again as i'm not currently subscribing Dish needs to have a good introductory offer on the Superdish. I'll even get the $299 811 if it really is $299. This way, i get everything set up and then in the spring I move to the 921 and put the 811 in the bedroom.

[Jerry G]

He will announce that the HD net channels and ESPN-HD will go live later that week on a current bird (110 or 119 so everyone can get them) and will be free until the customer gets Superdish installed during the 4th quarter.

This is the most crucial thing that Dish could do for so many obvious reasons. And I don't want to hear that they can't do this because people will complain when the channels suddenly disappear after enough people have had the opportunity to get the Superdish installed in a relaxed manner instead of the stampede that will occur. Dish put Discovery HD on the demo channel for free for about a month and I didn't see any reports of people getting upset when it became subscription only.

[Dsquared]

I will stay with Dish regardless (in spite of) what Charlie says. I am very patient and believe that Dish will ultimately have a fine HDTV offering of both programming and equipment. I would like this by November or December.

Dish should include their monthly programming magazine free for those who choose the "Everything Package" and "HDTV" package.

Dish should not require us to use their installers if we are capable of doing so ourselves. That would give us a break on upgrade costs.

Dish should offer incentives to upgrade such as a free "SuperDish" and switches for those who either upgrade to the "Everything" or "HDTV" packages. For those who wish to replace their 5000 or 6000 units Dish should offer a generous trade-in offer.

Finally Dish should change the "Charlie Chat" to some other format that does not include Charlie.

[RAD]

I will stay with Dish regardless (in spite of) what Charlie says. I am very patient and believe that Dish will ultimately have a fine HDTV offering of both programming and equipment. I would like this by November or December.



I agree that Dish will, in the long run, have a better HD offering then D* just because they have the bandwidth available to provide it. The problem that I have with Dish lately is announcing things that will be coming but then not following through and getting them out in a timely manner. While the tends to freeze some folks from switching (hey, look what Dish will be coming out with) it does nothing but tick them off when they keep dragging out the availability (the 921 is the greatest example, followed by the 721 software upgrades and new receivers such as the 522). I really think that Dish needs to start keeping their mouths shut on the future offerings and only announce something when it's actually available.

[xgrep]

Charlie can keep me if he comes up with a way to deliver my HD locals. That, or be substantially cheaper than any other choice, so that I can afford to get my HD locals off cable, and keep E*.

x

[Lee L]

To make me feel happy and that the chat was more than a total waste of time, I want to hear a concrete list of channels in the HD package and a concrete start date for the package along with a concrete date for when we can call and order the pacakge from a CSR.

Also, I want a concrete availability date and price on the Superdish and 921.

In other words, I want someone to do something besides sling B.S. at me and tell me it is chocolate pudding and I should like it.

Also, the package will need to have all the available HD channels out there or I will be forced to think that it is just a me too announcement, proving that E* really does not have a commitment to HDTV and it is a desperate attempt to keep people from going to D*.

[jfulenchek]

Where have you found the $399 Direct HD Offer?

[scottchez]

My top 5 Reasons:

1. SCI-FI / USA
=================
Who ever is first to get the new SCI-FI / USA Network HDTV (enhanced TV)!

My friend at Direct TV says they are already in talks with SCI-FI / USA .

I know Dishnetwork has more bandwidth and could carry this channel, but if Direct TV beats everyone else- they will get all of my business.

Its a race now for Bandwidth and Bandwidth means more HD or Enhanced Channels.

2. Pappas Local WB and Fox
===========================
Direct TV is about to sign a contract with Pappas (the ownes about about 15% of the countries Fox and WB stations). Dish is still fighting over some spanish station out on the Wing Sats. Who will get the stations first. Locals are important.

3. Discount for Self installs
==========================
Direct TV will let you install your own Tripple LNB dish. In some areas it may take Months to get an installer out for those not in major cites. I remeber on my PVR 501 mandatory install dish sent an installer from Kansas to install in Nebraksa (a 3 Hour Drive). It took 2 Months to get him out there.

4. No more Telemarketers
=====================
Dish keeps calling asking me to add Showtime.
They do this durring dinner all the time.

5. An 811 model with the Fire wire port turn on
===========================
I want to connect a DVHS.

[jcrash]

921 Shipping by November at $199 each ( able to buy more than one ) with a two year agreement for existing subscribers .

I can tell you with 100% certainty that the first company with such a deal (well, DirectTV could be a new subscriber deal) will get my business.

[John Quaglino]

921 Shipping by November at $199 each ( able to buy more than one ) with a two year agreement for existing subscribers .

I can tell you with 100% certainty that the first company with such a deal (well, DirectTV could be a new subscriber deal) will get my business.

Good one jcrash but you will never see this happen.

I would like to see Dish have some firm commitment to anything HD. I sold my 6000 and I've got the money waiting to spend it on a 811, 921 or DirectTV. I'm still veiwing Dish HD via the 5000 with modulator. I want the same trade up option that was available on the 6000 to be available for the 811 or 921. That is "send in your mod and we will give you $200 off". If I choose to exercise this on the purchase of an 811, then I lose the ability to archive HD. I will not purchase a 921 if the Dishwire port is not available from the beginning.

[JosephF]

What does Charlie have to say to keep you?

Absolutely nothing... What Charlie says has no bearing on what source I choose for my TV watching habits.

[Jacob S]

> Add local channels in my DMA
> Not charge $5 VOD fee on each DVR
> Keep price increases at a minimum
> Improve customer service
> Improve DVR hardware quality

What would help

> Dual tuner DVR's
> Special pricing on SuperDish
> Affordable HD programming
> Good HD channel offerings
> Improve software quality in DVR's
> Lower hardware costs
> Offer reasonably priced high speed internet service

[cbusbee]

Where have you found the $399 Direct HD Offer?

Read about it on AVS forum and called Directv. They confirmed it. You do have to commit to $40 package (total choice and locals) and HD package for a year.

[GreyGhost00]

Nothing as it's too late for me - I churned last week to D* after over 6 years. My reasons were varied, but I think above all I lost trust in E* that they really had their act together. Trust is a hard thing to gain back once lost, and Dish's follies over the last year have really soured me on what I once felt was a company with good leadership. I no longer believe that. Among other reasons:
-- D* had the content that I am more likely to watch - NFLST; MLBEI; etc.
-- D* has HDTV now with existing equipment (that I can put up myself), not in 2-4 months. For football fans like myself, that's huge. Missing 3/4 of the season is atrocious, particuarly if, as some here have said, E* has had a carriage agreement for ESPNHD since Spring.
-- D* has more mature HD receiver technology made *and supported* by multiple CE vendors. I've grown wary of Dish's new technology after the DishPlayer fiasco. The fact is that E* just can't offer the kind of support for the CE boxes that the major vendors can. I like being able to *choose* between competing models as well. I also felt that when the HDPVR technology finally ships, that the HDTivo will be superior to the 921.
-- A gut feeling about the future of the two services. Don't spew to me the drivel about who has more slots/transponders, etc - There will always be a solution to technology problems and most can be mitigated with $$. If you had to choose between Charlie and Rupert Murdoch, who would you place your money on?

Dish still has a lot going for it, however for me, I no longer felt as though they cared about my particular wants/needs. I think Charlie and the folks at Dish horribly underestimated the effect that their actions would have on the early adopters.

[Chris Freeland]

I will likely stay with E* because my locals are included in the E* "planned to add list" for this year and not on D* list and E* still having Superstation package helps too.

What I would like Charlie to announce on September 8 chat that would make me happy!
1. Date on when Chattanooga locals will be available.
2. Free Superdish upgrade for those of us who need it to get locals.
3. Date when 522 will be available and the price.
4. Good current customer discount on 522.
5. Change DVR fee from per-unit to per-account.

What Charlie should announce to make others happy!
1. Starting date and channel list for new ATHD package.
2. ATHD for $9.99 per month, including at least the following channels at intro; ESPN-HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, Bravo-HD+, Discovery HD Theater, INHD, INHD2, E*Special Events-HD and Sharper Movies-HD when available.
3.Free Superdish upgrade for current subs who commit to new ATHD package bundled with a basic package.
4. Firm date for 811 and 921 introductions.
5. Current sub discounts on 811 and 921 upgrades and commitments to ATHD combined with any basic package.
6. Allow self-install option for Superdish.
7. Cinamax-HD with Cinamax and Starz-HD with Starz as soon as these channels become available.

[Big Bob]

lifetime pvr fee.
I like to keep my equipment for quite a while

[Randy_B]

3. Date when 522 will be available and the price.
4. Good current customer discount on 522.
5. Change DVR fee from per-unit to per-account

Ditto.

[gpflepsen]

Charlie has to tell me I can have installed and be able to view HD in one months time - second Monday in October.

By view HD I mean have Espn HD, both HDnets, Dicovery HD, both INHDs and.... well ALL the available HD. It's not too hard as they are there, deliver them.

Oct 13. 13, unlucky for Dish or me?

[Mark Holtz]

I'm not sure how Charlie would be able to win me back. I'm on a year-long commitment, so breaking it would be $175x3. When Charlie said that Dish had the "best DVR", I was just shaking my head, but by then, the equipment had been ordered.

[Unthinkable]

What does Charlie have to say to keep you?

Absolutely nothing... What Charlie says has no bearing on what source I choose for my TV watching habits.

Ditto.

[Cheyenne]

Nothing. I'm perfectly happy with my current service

[RAD]

I take it that the posters that say they're happy with Dish do not have HD equipment and have no plan to get any.

[dbronstein]

I take it that the posters that say they're happy with Dish do not have HD equipment and have no plan to get any.

Yup. I see no reason to spend the money on an HD set when I can't get any programming. I can't get OTA HD signals, Comcast doesn't carry any HD yet, and Dish and DirecTV only have about 5 HD channels each.

Dennis

[xgrep]

[...] Comcast doesn't carry any HD yet [...]They do here in SF Bay area. They don't have their HD DVR out yet (Motorola DCT6208). It will very likely be later than the 921 (if you can believe that - the DCT is already there, but Comcast hasn't got it tested and configured, yet). And there will be monthly fees, just like E*, only probably more expensive.

Frankly, the montly DVR fee by itself didn't bother me that much. It's the constant change of strategy, and especially leaving existing customers in the lurch with expensive, useless equipment, that got me to think twice about E*. It's nice to focus on new customers, but *all* of these will instantly become existing customers, and if you develop a rep for screwing them, you won't get as many new ones. But I guess the math geniuses at E* have figured all that out. They only need to get their $1M bonuses for the next few years, anyway, so who cares about the long term ...

x

[johnsmith22]

I am happy with the service and unlike most people who post here I am very lucky, my 501 works like a dream and does everything I want it to do so, simply, the answer for me is nothing, there is no reason to change. All in all E* is a good deal.

[scottchez]

I guess the only way I can watch Star Trek on UPN is with the SuperStation Package that Direct TV does not have.

My local Cox Cable owns all the rights to UPN here.


I guess if I want to watch Star Trek I have to stay with Dish no matter what they do to us.

[pjboud]

I emailed ceo@echostar.com requesting a refund on my 8psk module. I sited the fact that new channels were promised this summer and not delivered. I also voiced my displeasure at many of the issues discussed here. I didn't get any satisfactory answers but I did get a phone call from the woman who responded to the email. She didn't seem to know any of the details of what is going to be announced either. She at least let me vent for awhile. I don't know how high up this person was. I do know that it was the same woman that authorized a $10 price adjustment to my account when the DISH 6000 stuttering problem came up last month.

[Jacob S]

Its more like what Charlie has to do than what Charlie has to say because we know what happens when he says something, things get changed or delayed or unexpected things happen or things are ''mysteriously" forgotten and never mentioned again.

[pjmrt]

Charlie has to redeem himself from last month's fiasco. He has to seriously address the dvr fee thing - either explain why (and make a plausable case) for charging the fee or show common sense and repent.... No DVR fees!

I also have to see an attractive package for EXISTING subs for the new hardware coming like Superdish

Since HD is still next year at the earliest (for me) - that's not as critical. I would like to see some progress toward an attractive HD package

[Unthinkable]

I take it that the posters that say they're happy with Dish do not have HD equipment and have no plan to get any.

I've had an HD set for probably a year and a half now, but there isn't anything currently being broadcasted in HD on Dish that makes me want to issue ultimatums torwards them over this issue alone as others have. It's only TV here afterall and I have plenty of patience for things to sort themselves out and evolve properly over time. I'm certain I'd enjoy Discovery HD a few times a week, but not at its current price. As a hockey fan, I'm also fairly certain I'd enjoy watching the NHL on ESPN HD, but again my life isn't going to be negatively impacted by not having it and hell the reg. season doesn't even start for another month. Given the choice between NHL Center Ice or ESPN HD, I'd take NHL Center Ice every day of the week and twice on Sunday's truth be told. Ultimately, Dish offers me a superior service to what cable used to provide me for less $$$ and with far better technology and far better receivers all in all. That matters far more to me then what current and future HD offerings are available from Dish compared with DTV and cable offerings here.

We seem to live in a far more insisting "what have you done for me lately?" kind of reality these days where people continually want something for nothing and nothing is ever quite good enough at the end of the day. In my opinion, some of the repeated rants on this forum are akin to a kid kicking and screaming in a Toys R Us over not getting his or her way while others are completely justified with merit. Sometimes I do wonder though whatever happened to the satellite/cell phone/broadband internet customer who isn't always looking to threaten to switch to the other provider just for the sake of getting more more more for free from his current provider. You know what they say about avarice being the root of all evil. It's a shame to me when policies and satellite retention departments are abused to no end with people constantly looking for a free ride in all truth.

[RAD]

I've had an HD set for probably a year and a half now, but there isn't anything currently being broadcasted in HD on Dish that makes me want to issue ultimatums torwards them over this issue alone as others have. It's only TV here afterall and I have plenty of patience for things to sort themselves out and evolve properly over time. I'm certain I'd enjoy Discovery HD a few times a week, but not at its current price. As a hockey fan, I'm also fairly certain I'd enjoy watching the NHL on ESPN HD, but again my life isn't going to be negatively impacted by not having it and hell the reg. season doesn't even start for another month. Given the choice between NHL Center Ice or ESPN HD, I'd take NHL Center Ice every day of the week and twice on Sunday's truth be told. Ultimately, Dish offers me a superior service to what cable used to provide me for less $$$ and with far better technology and far better receivers all in all.

We seem to live in a far more insisting "what have you done for me lately?" kind of reality these days where people continually want something for nothing and nothing is ever quite good enough at the end of the day. In my opinion, some of the repeated rants on this forum are akin to a kid kicking and screaming in a Toys R Us over not getting his way while others are completely justified with merit. Sometimes I do wonder though whatever happened to the satellite/cell phone/broadband internet customer who isn't always looking to threaten to switch to the other provider just for the sake of getting more more more for free from his current provider. You know what they say about avarice being the root of all evil.


The issue for me was Charlie and Dish stating over and over "Dish will be the HD leader". That's the reason that I dumped three D* receivers (one of them HD) and switched to Dish. However over the past few months Dish had lost the lead and kept passing out empty promises. How many times has Dish talked up the 921, look at all the awards that it has, but no availability date. Or what about the 211 or 811 that Dish has shown, where have they been. Since Dish and Dish only makes their hardware we have no choice. The Dish 6000 has one of the worst user interfaces that I've ever seen and the program guide is almost useless. If Dish and Charlie had just shut up and not said a word until something was actually available that would be a different story.

[Unthinkable]

The issue for me was Charlie and Dish stating over and over "Dish will be the HD leader". That's the reason that I dumped three D* receivers (one of them HD) and switched to Dish. However over the past few months Dish had lost the lead and kept passing out empty promises. How many times has Dish talked up the 921, look at all the awards that it has, but no availability date. Or what about the 211 or 811 that Dish has shown, where have they been. Since Dish and Dish only makes their hardware we have no choice. The Dish 6000 has one of the worst user interfaces that I've ever seen and the program guide is almost useless. If Dish and Charlie had just shut up and not said a word until something was actually available that would be a different story.

I hear where you are coming from and understand the frustrations by all means, but its a total catch 22 for Dish Network dont you think? They are torn new orifices when they are mum about releasing any new information and also torn new orifices when they make official press releases either way. I make it a personal policy to rarely ever bank on a technology company meeting all of its objectives in the time frame they initially envision so when I hear about dates and release schedules for new hardware or software, I take everything with huge grains of salt. Its the same exact thing with cutting edge PC technology, the next great 3d accelerated first person shooter game or graphics card on the horizon, or cutting edge anything for the most part. I don't view these things as "promises written in stone" so my expectations are never falsely set higher then they should be in the end. Ultimately we have total control over whether or not we allow something we want badly to become a true "promise" to us. I do believe Charlie Ergen has every intention of being the HD leader in this industry, but I'm not about to sell him down the river this early on in the game. He's talking long term initiatives in saying this preaching a bit of patience to those who can wait a bit. Setbacks happen in this business as they do all over the tech sector.

[dbronstein]

Sometimes I do wonder though whatever happened to the satellite/cell phone/broadband internet customer who isn't always looking to threaten to switch to the other provider just for the sake of getting more more more for free from his current provider.

They're sitting at home enjoying their TV instead of complaining about their provider here. :)

Dennis

[BobMurdoch]

He can say that ESPN HD wil be available next week and that the 921 will be out by Nov. 1st.

Oh wait, he just did!

[cbusbee]

He can say that ESPN HD wil be available next week and that the 921 will be out by Nov. 1st.

Oh wait, he just did!

Is ESPN-HD available next week or the 16th?

[BobMurdoch]

My bad, .....

It will be available on the 16th. I rounded down.... More than a week, less than two weeks.

[scottchez]

I just want a HD Receiver by the end of Sept.

I do not want a model 6000.

A 811 or 921 avl in Sept will make me very happy. I do not want to wait. I need to get my OTA HD Content NOW!

[GreyGhost00]

I just want a HD Receiver by the end of Sept.

I do not want a model 6000.

A 811 or 921 avl in Sept will make me very happy. I do not want to wait. I need to get my OTA HD Content NOW!
You're SOL - no 811 until "around" November 1.

[BobMurdoch]

You can get a 6000 now and pay a few hundred more or get an 811 by the end of next month.

<Chris Berman> Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick

921s FINALLY available at end of next month. My starving HD Sony will finally get some content from somewhere other than my XBox...........

[Peluso]

921s FINALLY available at end of next month. My starving HD Sony will finally get some content from somewhere other than my XBox...........

I definatly feel your pain in this area. The Matrix is the only game that really gave my HDTV a workout. Have you played it? PS don't get SCII Package may say 720p but it's got the black bars on the side. very misleading.

I want my 921 and i'm finally excited again about getting it.

[BobMurdoch]

Enter the Matrix was fun when it was hand to hand combat. The rail shooter scenes (driving the car to chase the truck or the final mission with Naobi's ship) were awful.

The film scenes were the best. A lot of the backstory was filled in by the game. Hey, and how can you not like a game where Jada Pinkett Smith and Monica Bellucci lock lips like Madonna and Britney?

Dragon's Lair 3D looks gorgeous as well but the gameplay is extremely frustrating (I finally got to the final scene and I STILL can't beat the dragon at the end after I shoot the evil wizard with the arrow).

I just wish the 921 and the Superdish get released so I can then start agonizing over the next big things....... Halo 2, Half Life 2, and Doom 3. (Although Battlestar Galactica is going to be released as an XBox game as well before Christmas, so you have to add that to the list as well)

[Peluso]

The film scenes were the best. A lot of the backstory was filled in by the game. Hey, and how can you not like a game where Jada Pinkett Smith and Monica Bellucci lock lips like Madonna and Britney?

I loved it, I just thank god that my wife was working when that particular part came on. She would absolutely kill me if she saw that on my TV.


Dragon's Lair 3D looks gorgeous as well but the gameplay is extremely frustrating (I finally got to the final scene and I STILL can't beat the dragon at the end after I shoot the evil wizard with the arrow). I just wish the 921 and the Superdish get released so I can then start agonizing over the next big things....... Halo 2, Half Life 2, and Doom 3. (Although Battlestar Galactica is going to be released as an XBox game as well before Christmas, so you have to add that to the list as well)

I just want to see more games that are actually built for widescreen play. Soul Calibur was such a tease advertising 720p and then putting the black bars on the sides and keeping the aspect ratio for the game at 4x3.

I'm looking forward to the 921. I wonder what cost for dealers is going to be with that baby. Do they make any profit on the hardware at all?

[dlsnyder]

Count me as another satisfied customer. A 522 for $99 even with the dvr fee would be nice, though :D

[BobMurdoch]

I loved it, I just thank god that my wife was working when that particular part came on. She would absolutely kill me if she saw that on my TV.




I just want to see more games that are actually built for widescreen play. Soul Calibur was such a tease advertising 720p and then putting the black bars on the sides and keeping the aspect ratio for the game at 4x3.

I'm looking forward to the 921. I wonder what cost for dealers is going to be with that baby. Do they make any profit on the hardware at all?

A source told me that they expect retailer cost to be $799 on the 921.

[Jacob S]

Perhaps when they offer the 522 in the future they will be able to offer special deals on it and for current subscribers as well like they are doing with the 510 seeing that they probably have less in one 522 than they do two 510's and this would save subscribers $10 in that they would not have an additional outlet fee and DVR fee on a second 510.

[SNT]

I guess there is no one here from the NY area.

[DevoDave]

I guess we have two camps here, All HD all the time, and those satisfied with SD and lower costs. My concern is that Dish has for too long drug ass on HD content. Where I live, HD on cable does not exist, HD locals do not exist on Dish, so I pull HD locals out of the air and its wonderful.

I'm hoping the 921 will be great and would LOVE an HD DVR, but if you don't subscribe to dish, your OTA module goes down as well (or so I read). Darn.

Also, I have seen too many Dish SD signals look very blocky due to compression. This is totally unacceptable in HD.

Let's hope for the best from the chat tonight.

Foolish Optimist

[BobMurdoch]

I guess there is no one here from the NY area.

Does Central NJ count?

[SNT]

Does Central NJ count?
That counts.

-SNT

[BobMurdoch]

SNT, is that a veiled YES network reference, or did you have a question for the NY area subscribers?