Dish Network HD Programming

[Freckles]

Does anyone know of any additions coming to Dish Networks HD lineup? I keep hoping Cinemax and Encore will be available in the near future.

[juan ellitinez]

Encore no longer exists as an HD channel

[Freckles]

Encore no longer exists as an HD channel

ummh, I guess that means I won't be seeing it anytime soon.. :sure: Thanks for the info. Is there anything else in the works for Dish Network HD?

[brennt]

I think they are planning to add the remaining 11 of the original 21 Voom HD channels sometime in 2006.

[kermit24]

They need networks (ABC,NBC,FOX) now! Looks like they might lose me to D* if they don't get thier act together soon!

[olgeezer]

Dish is supposed to reveal some of their plans in regards to HD and MPEG4 next month. That's what Charlie mentioned on an earlier Chat. Have to wait to find out. I have to believe the Encore HD will come back when there are more program providers offering a larger selection of channels.

[Stewart Vernon]

They need networks (ABC,NBC,FOX) now! Looks like they might lose me to D* if they don't get thier act together soon!

Just a question, so please don't take it the wrong way... but if you switched to DirecTV would you qualify for those HD networks? From what I hear, many do not.

In my area, for instance, I would not qualify as I can receive fairly strong signals from all of my local digital channels using just the cheap UHF "remote antenna" connected to the back of my Model 6000U... so if I went the extra mile and put a real antenna on the roof, I'd be in fat city.

I very much empathise with the folks who can't get their locals digital or HD over-the-air... and do hope Dish is able to provide those folks with something in the near future... but I hope they won't fall into the trap of providing locals in HD for those of us who can get them free, and wasting bandwidth for that instead of other channels AND covering the HD locals/networks for folks who have no other options.

[lionsrule]

AMEN, to the above reply. A few years ago I was also one to bitch and moan about wanting locals in HD. Since that time, I've put up a large OTA and guess what.... I get: HD versions of ABC,CBS,NBS,FOX out of Grand rapids/Kalamazoo, CBS,NBC out of South Bend and FOX,ABC,UPN,WB out of Milwaukee/Green Bay....all for FREE!! Trust me, I understand if you don't want an antenna on your roof. I was (and still am) a snob when it comes to lowering house value and all of that stuff. However, my NUMBER ONE HOBBY is Home theater/HD/DVD/Video games, etc... If you're as lucky to have a wife as understanding as mine then you'll just go ahead and swallow your vanity and put one up. Trust me, you'll forget it's there. With my 921 (no, it's not the devil's DVR as everyone says it is), I've been able to "time-shift" my network HD viewing for the last year or so.

Regarding future HD programming, I obviously don't want efforts wasted on locals in HD. How about: SCIFIHD,VH1HD,MTVHD,CartoonHD,WGNHD,TBSHD,Universa lHD,etc.....

Basically, when will the vast majority of "cable" channels simply be in HD as a default? That's the day I look forward to. When "Broadcast in Stereo" was a big new thing in the 90's, we didn't have to pay anything more than the equipment (the TV) to enjoy it..........THAT IS WHERE HD VIEWING SHOULD BE HEADED.....

[kermit24]

Just a question, so please don't take it the wrong way... but if you switched to DirecTV would you qualify for those HD networks? From what I hear, many do not.




Yes, In my area I do qualify. I realize that many do not. If my OTA reception was good I would probably not switch, since I have been happy with dish besides the HD networks issue.

Also, ESPN 2 HD will be launching soon with D*, and I doubt dish will carry ESPN 2 HD before MPEG 4 comes out, or the "Dish 1000" - both are some time away. Especially if you want a MPEG 4 DVR! Any word on an MPEG 4 DVR? I'm sure the first boxes will be receivers only. Where's the insider information?

[Stewart Vernon]

Yes, In my area I do qualify. I realize that many do not. If my OTA reception was good I would probably not switch, since I have been happy with dish besides the HD networks issue.

Glad I asked... it sounds like for you, that it might be worth consideration on the switch if Dish isn't able to do something soon for you, and I can understand that. You sound like the kind of person I was talking about that I hope Dish will decide to help first.

When SD locals started going up on satellites, they obviously went for the high-population markets first... to get more money... but it happens that many folks in those markets will be able to get HD OTA for free... so I'm hoping the braintrust at Dish will decide not to just go for the heavy populated areas that may not need HD locals... but instead try to determine the parts of the country who are in a blank-zone who actually need this coverage first.

Also, ESPN 2 HD will be launching soon with D*, and I doubt dish will carry ESPN 2 HD before MPEG 4 comes out, or the "Dish 1000" - both are some time away. Especially if you want a MPEG 4 DVR! Any word on an MPEG 4 DVR? I'm sure the first boxes will be receivers only. Where's the insider information?

I keep wondering about ESPN2HD... so far I've been living fine without it... but last year when it announced supposedly DirecTV had a deal signed (or so it seemed in press releases) but nothing yet... so I'll believe it when I see it!

I hope Dish gets it eventually... but since Dish has TNTHD and DirecTV has UniversalHD... both camps have been equally ranting to their respective companies about why can't they have what the other guy has.

[jgoggan]

AMEN, to the above reply. A few years ago I was also one to bitch and moan about wanting locals in HD. Since that time, I've put up a large OTA and guess what.... I get: HD versions of ABC,CBS,NBS,FOX out of Grand rapids/Kalamazoo, CBS,NBC out of South Bend and FOX,ABC,UPN,WB out of Milwaukee/Green Bay....all for FREE!!

Can I ask what antenna you put up and how high you went?

I've got a nice 8-bay up, but still can't get anything decent (and I'm about 50 miles from the nearest tower). The 8-bay is also pretty directional -- so I'm curious what you are using since you appear to be pulling in signals from significantly divergent locations...

Thanks!

- John...

[TheRatPatrol]

Can I ask what antenna you put up and how high you went?

I've got a nice 8-bay up, but still can't get anything decent (and I'm about 50 miles from the nearest tower). The 8-bay is also pretty directional -- so I'm curious what you are using since you appear to be pulling in signals from significantly divergent locations...

Thanks!

- John...

John, curious to see what this 8 bay looks like, are there any pictures of it anywhere? Thanks.

[brennt]

Not sure what others have, but I have an 8-bay and a pic of it can be found here (http://www.channelmaster.com/images/4228.jpg).

I have that one and an another antenna hooked together with a Join-Tenna. See here (http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/Passives.htm ) for an example.

Both are in my attic and I have a booster connected to each one. My 8-bay picks up the stations from an antenna farm 25 miles away. The other antenna picks up a station that is 14 miles away in the opposite direction of the farm. Reception is great for all channels.

[TheRatPatrol]

Not sure what others have, but I have an 8-bay and a pic of it can be found here (http://www.channelmaster.com/images/4228.jpg).

I have that one and an another antenna hooked together with a Join-Tenna. See here (http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/Passives.htm ) for an example.

Both are in my attic and I have a booster connected to each one. My 8-bay picks up the stations from an antenna farm 25 miles away. The other antenna picks up a station that is 14 miles away in the opposite direction of the farm. Reception is great for all channels.

Looks interesting. What all does that pick up, VHF/UHF/FM/AM? Thanks.

[olgeezer]

John, curious to see what this 8 bay looks like, are there any pictures of it anywhere? Thanks.

Remember when the analog stations go back, many of the analog VHF channels may revert to digital VHF. Thats in about 3+ years

[jgoggan]

Looks interesting. What all does that pick up, VHF/UHF/FM/AM? Thanks.

The 4228 8-bay is advertised as a UHF-only antenna. However, it actually does give some good gain for VHF in the channels 9-13 range.

But, what was just said is right -- my 8-bay might not be such a good choice if UHF digitals go to VHF later. But, we'll see.

I need to get an amplifier for my 8-bay. I currently can't really get anything with it unless the moon is full and it an odd Tuesday or something. :D And, even at those times, I only pick up one channel. :(

- John...