[ehren]

Why is it not in bronze? Pretty upsetting I was told I would get all the new MPEG 4 channels when I purchased the 211. What makes National Geographic so special?

 

[Nick]

Because...it's National Geographic.

Go for the Gold!

 

[garys]

Actually, come Feb. it won't matter as the HD package will stand on it's own, haven't seen anything on different packages for HD after that.

 

[Yes616]

Why is it not in bronze? Pretty upsetting I was told I would get all the new MPEG 4 channels when I purchased the 211. What makes National Geographic so special?

NGEO-SD is in the top 180 (soon to be the AT-250) package. It seems that corresponding HD channels are only in their SD package teir. ESPN, ESPN-2, Food, HGTV, etc are all in the AT-60 package. Get it?

I know this doesn't seem fair as we do pay extra for HD.

Anyway, so far this is the only channel affected like this as all other HD counterparts have their SD channel at the bronze level (AT-60 + HD). Soon to be AT-100 + HD.

 

[Link]

At least someday there won't be any paying extra for an HD channel or package because the only feed will be the HD one after SD is obsolete and all receivers are MPEG-4.

 

[ehren]

Guess I will be getting it in Feb, and no I don't want the Gold package, I don't want ANY friggin SD channels!

 

[Yes616]

At least someday there won't be any paying extra for an HD channel or package because the only feed will be the HD one after SD is obsolete and all receivers are MPEG-4.

There is no requirement that basic cable or satellite channels go HD in 2009. Only OTA TV must go digital and there is no requirement that it be in HD. What the new law states is that OTA must go digital and analog channels must be shut down by Feb 17, 2009.

My holiday wish to all in these forums:
I guess the day will eventually come when all is in HD and we should all live long enough to see that day.

 

[dvbfan]

I wonder if the technology allows Dish Network to provide it as ala carte and just charge the subcriber as such?


Meaning, if somebody wants a pick any top 10 channels in HD that he/she wanted to subscribe, technologically through Dish receiver, is this possible?

Eg. I would pick: TNT-HD, Discovery-HD, Nat-Geo-HD, HDNet-Movies, HBO-HD, Starz-HD, Food-HD, HGTV-HD, NFL-HD, HD-News plus local channels in HD.

I won't mind paying $25~$30 just for this.
That's all I need.

 

[TBoneit]

They could do it in terms of technology, however they are by contract with the channel providers unable to do it legally. The providers contracts in broad terms state what packages they can go in. And also what they can not do. No provider wants it channel ALA Carte as then they could only claim true subscribership to the advertisers vs if it is in a package then they say available to X viewers.

Plus I'm watching channels I would never have suscribed ala carte. However having them available to me I looked at them and liked them. If Dish could do Ala Carte it wouldn't work out much cheaper than a whole package as the providers would wanr more $ per ala carte sub.

Bottom line, By contract Dish can not do ala carte.

 

[garys]

I wonder if the technology allows Dish Network to provide it as ala carte and just charge the subcriber as such?

Meaning, if somebody wants a pick any top 10 channels in HD that he/she wanted to subscribe, technologically through Dish receiver, is this possible?

Eg. I would pick: TNT-HD, Discovery-HD, Nat-Geo-HD, HDNet-Movies, HBO-HD, Starz-HD, Food-HD, HGTV-HD, NFL-HD, HD-News plus local channels in HD.

I won't mind paying $25~$30 just for this.
That's all I need.

Come Feb, the entire HD package will be an additional $20 to any other package. I'm sure if you want to pay more, Dish will take your money.

 

[culbjn]

I think dvbfan was talking about just the HD with no other channels. I remember that my brother had Dish many yeras ago on a pick 20 channels for $20. I don't know what kind of list he had them to pick from, but I would be like to pick 20 from the Gold package with HD's and pay $30 now. I don't wactch over 20 channels now so it would be easy to pick 20.

 

[TNGTony]

Just the HD package by itself is available to those who OWN their HD receivers (not lease) and those who are not in some sort of contract agreement for $29.99 + $6 HD enableing fee right now.

National Geographic HD is part of AT180/250 Plus (not or) the HD Pack.
HBO HD, SHO HD, Starz HD are part of their respective premium packages

See ya
Tony

 

[Chris Freeland]

I think dvbfan was talking about just the HD with no other channels. I remember that my brother had Dish many yeras ago on a pick 20 channels for $20. I don't know what kind of list he had them to pick from, but I would be like to pick 20 from the Gold package with HD's and pay $30 now. I don't wactch over 20 channels now so it would be easy to pick 20.

Back in 96 when E* was just starting out, they offered DishPix which allowed one to pick 10 channels from AT40 ($19.99/mo in 96) except Disney for $10/mo, and additional channels for just $1/mo each. It was not long before Viacom started requiring their channels to be sold together, if you purchased 1 Viacom channel you were required to buy all of them (TV-Land, MTV, Nichaloadian etc.). It was not long until DishPix was $15/mo for your choice of 10 channels and single channels for $1.50/mo with many restrictions until E* finaly discontinued the package.

 

[ehren]

I bought my 211 and I am not in a committment thank god.

 

[tedb3rd]

Although not in HD, DirecTV carries National Geo at their lowest/cheapest package... If Dish doesn't offer National Geo in a lower package, I'm going to switch. National Geo is a great channel and Dish knows that--that's why they only offer it in such a high tier.

 

[Yes616]

Well now, here we have NGEO-SD available in free preview mode for a month. Enjoy it while you can on channel 286.

 

[jrb531]

Guess I will be getting it in Feb, and no I don't want the Gold package, I don't want ANY friggin SD channels!

LOL you will once the "gee-wiz" wears off and you see how little "real" content is in HD. Most people find the HD content they watch is from the networks LOL

-Cass

P.S. I bit on the entire HD thing myself. Love the 622 but if Dish would allow me to substitute any other $20 worth of programing I would in a heartbeat

 

[Nick]

As an old-timer in television, the "gee whiz" won't wear off for me. I was an a/v
professional, and for those of us who have a background in the biz, I don't think
the appreciation for a well-calibrated HD picture will ever be taken for granted.

 

[koralis]

You might appreciate the compelling picture, but I guarentee that you'll eventually come to the realization that most HD content (non-network) is dull. That's what he meant... eventually you'll realizing that watching inferior graphics is neccessary to actually be entertained.

 

[bobukcat]

You might appreciate the compelling picture, but I guarentee that you'll eventually come to the realization that most HD content (non-network) is dull. That's what he meant... eventually you'll realizing that watching inferior graphics is neccessary to actually be entertained.

I disagree, I've had HD for 3+ years and just added my second HD set. I find that I will watch things in HD that I wouldn't normally watch just because it looks so good. I have nearly abandoned watching any SD except some sports where I have no choice. I liken it to the DVR experience, once you get used to it you find you will only watch shows that have been recorded (again, live sports is the exception), even going as far as watching something off the DVR while a show you want to watch is being recorded instead of watching it live.

Once you go HD (or DVR), you'll never go back, that's what I tell everyone!