[James Long]

DISH Network(R) First to Offer All Standard and High Definition Programming in MPEG-4

Industry's Most Advanced Delivery System Includes Best Picture Quality on Any TV

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the third largest pay-TV provider and the digital television leader, today became the first in the pay-TV industry to transmit all standard and high definition programming in the MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding Standard. This milestone continues DISH Network's series of industry firsts, including the latest expansion in high definition services, the launch of TurboHD -- the only 100 percent HD service -- the availability of movies in Blu-Ray Disc quality 1080p resolution, and the commitment to offer up to 150 national HD channels by the end of the year.

New customers in 21 designated markets* in the eastern half of the U.S. who sign up for any DISH Network(R) HD package will be the first in the nation to receive the industry's most advanced delivery system on all televisions connected to DISH Network service. This includes all SD and HD programming broadcast in MPEG-4 via DISH Network's award-winning MPEG-4 HD and HD DVR receivers -- even further enhancing DISH Network's already superior picture.

"DISH Network once again leads the pack in providing customers with an unparalleled entertainment experience. Our complete MPEG-4 solution -- which will offer up to 150 HD channels by the end of the year -- uses the most advanced technology in the industry to deliver the best quality picture to any television set in the home, perfect for those who have or are considering upgrading to high definition," said Jessica Insalaco, Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network. "We look forward to expanding this advanced service to more consumers throughout the U.S. in the coming months."

To maximize the MPEG-4 TV experience, new customers can sign up for DISH Network's recently-introduced TurboHD, the only packages in the industry featuring 100 percent HD, MPEG-4 programming, starting at $24.99 per month. TurboHD is available in three separate tiers and comprises special "turbo-charged" features and benefits such as DISH Network's award-winning and industry-leading technology, the highest quality HD available including 1080p where applicable, and the most-watched HD channels that may be viewed on any TV -- analog, digital or high definition.

Current DISH Network customers looking to add the industry's best high definition experience can get a "turbo-charged" HD package for as little as $10 more per month.

For more information about DISH Network's MPEG-4 service, 1080p programming, new HD channels, and TurboHD system and packages, visit http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

* The first wave of the all-MPEG-4 offer will occur in 21 markets,
including: Cleveland; Richmond, Va.; Baltimore.; Columbia, S.C.; Tampa,
Fla; Green Bay, Wis.; Greensboro, N.C.; Providence, R.I.; Greenville,
S.C., Knoxville, Tenn.; Raleigh, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit; Charlotte,
N.C.; Dallas; Nashville, Tenn.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Philadelphia.;
Washington, D.C.; New York, N.Y.; and Hartford, Conn. Additional markets
will be announced at a later date.

 

[DustoMan]

So will customers who are in these markets, and already subscribe to HD, just get "switched over" to MPEG4 automatically?

Edit: Nevermind. I found my answer in another thread.

 

[davemayo]

Wow, Cleveland is listed first. That's a shocker. :eek2:

 

[MarcusInMD]

Why do just about all of the channels still look like crap?

 

[James Long]

Why do just about all of the channels still look like crap?

Are you a DISH MPEG4 subscriber?

All MPEG4 service is currently being offered on an extremely limited basis ... only new customers in 21 markets who want HD currently qualify. More markets will be added and existing customers will be able to migrate.

Limited release, but still first to market.

 

[MarcusInMD]

I have a 622 in the Baltimore Market and receive the HD channel package. The SD channels are still crappy...The HD channels are just so-so too much macro blocking and lack of resolution.

 

[kal915]

I have a 622 in the Baltimore Market and receive the HD channel package. The SD channels are still crappy...The HD channels are just so-so too much macro blocking and lack of resolution.

But are you a new customer?

 

[phrelin]

Here we go again. An otherwise perfectly good statement about where Dish technology is but with:

...movies in Blu-Ray Disc quality 1080p resolution,....

Does this mean "Blu-Ray Disc quality" and "1080p resolution" or is it supposed to be a "fuzzy marketing" statement that for some its in 1080p resolution, for most its 1080i resolution, and for nobody is it Blu-Ray Disc quality.:nono:

 

[lwien]

-- the availability of movies in Blu-Ray Disc quality 1080p resolution......

That apparently, only about 20% of the HD sets can pass the compatibility test. As stated here as well as at 2 other sites, MOST of the HDTV's CANNOT get 1080p from dish.

 

[James Long]

Most of the nation cannot get an MPEG4 only setup yet ... but more markets and less rules are coming. More compatible TV are coming as well.

It would be interesting to see a real comparison of 1080p TVs ... one cannot complain that their non 1080p TV fails the tests. The content is available in the best resolution that the customer's set allows. Hopefully such a claim is based on tests of Only 1080p TVs.

 

[lwien]

Most of the nation cannot get an MPEG4 only setup yet ... but more markets and less rules are coming. More compatible TV are coming as well.

It would be interesting to see a real comparison of 1080p TVs ... one cannot complain that their non 1080p TV fails the tests. The content is available in the best resolution that the customer's set allows. Hopefully such a claim is based on tests of Only 1080p TVs.

I can complain, for my 1080p set as well as many others who have 1080p/24 sets have failed the compatibility test. I'd go so far as to say that most of the 1080p sets that have reported in here as well as at the other two sites have failed the test.

 

[James Long]

Hopefully DISH is getting those reports and working on the issues. There is only so much testing that can be done. Reporting in the appropriate forum should lead to a solution.

 

[Taco Lover]

I don't understand why it would be new customers only. Wouldn't it be that if you have an MPEG4-capable receiver, you'll just get it when it's switched on?

 

[harsh]

Does this mean "Blu-Ray Disc quality" and "1080p resolution" or is it supposed to be a "fuzzy marketing" statement that for some its in 1080p resolution, for most its 1080i resolution, and for nobody is it Blu-Ray Disc quality.:nono:

It means Blu-ray disc resolution (1920x1080p). Nothing more is expressed or implied.

 

[harsh]

I don't understand why it would be new customers only. Wouldn't it be that if you have an MPEG4-capable receiver, you'll just get it when it's switched on?

The idea is that at this point, there is no reason to switch people over to the new system from the old system. When there is something exclusive to the new system from a programming standpoint, the rules will likely change.

 

[James Long]

I don't understand why it would be new customers only. Wouldn't it be that if you have an MPEG4-capable receiver, you'll just get it when it's switched on?

DISH has decided to scramble the new channels in a way that requires the new G3 Smartcard. The channels are active on current MPEG-4 equipment - but without that card you can't watch them.

The good news is as the new Smartcards go out customers will be able to get the channels from the new locations. Personally I plan on having a hybrid system ... let my MPEG-4 equipment see 61.5° and 72.7° for MPEG4 and my MPEG-2 equipment will continue to work off of 119° and 110° ...

 

[jbast]

So now you Dish people have to get new equipment and have 2 separate dishes to get all your SD and HD content? What a messed up system. With D* you have one dish and can connect to all sat's and equipment is already mpeg-4

 

[James Long]

So now you Dish people have to get new equipment and have 2 separate dishes to get all your SD and HD content? What a messed up system. With D* you have one dish and can connect to all sat's and equipment is already mpeg-4

The new service is a single dish service with that dish aimed at 77°/72.7°/61.5°. The dish is about the same size as a Phase III dish and all three locations are DBS satellites ... no ka band or large dishes needed.

 

[phrelin]

It means Blu-ray disc resolution (1920x1080p). Nothing more is expressed or implied.

"Blu-Ray disc resolution" and "Blu-Ray disc quality resolution" mean two different things to me, but I'm always reading things into those extra words....

 

[Taco Lover]

DISH has decided to scramble the new channels in a way that requires the new G3 Smartcard. The channels are active on current MPEG-4 equipment - but without that card you can't watch them.

The good news is as the new Smartcards go out customers will be able to get the channels from the new locations. Personally I plan on having a hybrid system ... let my MPEG-4 equipment see 61.5° and 72.7° for MPEG4 and my MPEG-2 equipment will continue to work off of 119° and 110° ...

I see, the smartcard rollout has something to do with it.