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emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/143823-dish-network-unveils-biggest-high-definition-upgrade-tv-history.html#post1464592

DISH NETWORK® UNVEILS BIGGEST HIGH DEFINITION UPGRADE IN TV HISTORY

Includes Industry’s First High Definition Programming Offered in 1080p and Up To 150 National HD Channels

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – July 31, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today set the bar for the next-generation HD standard by becoming the first in the pay-TV industry to offer high definition programming in 1080p, the highest and best HD resolution available.

This new functionality is part of DISH Network’s latest and unprecedented expansion in HD services, which includes the rollout of TurboHD, the industry’s first 100 percent, all-HD suite of programming packages. As previously announced, DISH Network will also launch 17 new national HD channels tomorrow, surpassing its goal of reaching 100 national HD channels five months ahead of schedule. DISH Network now offers up to 114 national HD channels and plans to expand that line-up to 150 channels by the end of 2008, made possible by the recent launch of Echo XI, the most powerful satellite in the company’s fleet.

“Over the years, DISH Network has maintained a very competitive HD offering in the marketplace, providing customers with a premium HD product including the best technology, signal and experience – at the best value – that no other pay-TV provider can come close to matching. Our latest system upgrade coupled with the introduction of TurboHD further strengthens our position as the leader in digital television and high definition television,” said Charlie Ergen, Chairman, CEO and President of DISH Network. “We know that once consumers start watching their favorite TV shows in HD, their viewing habits change and their preference switches to all-HD programming. Only DISH Network gives them that option, all for an industry-low price of $24.99 per month.”

DISH Network’s new HD services are supported by a proprietary “turbo-charged” system upgrade that, starting August 1, is being rolled out to all MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers. The upgrade activates a unique feature of the set-top boxes, improving the current standard of HD delivery used by pay-TV providers such as the ability to output 1080p programming. By early August, all DISH Network customers with MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers will have the only set-top boxes in the nation enabled to display 1080p content, allowing them to maximize the full potential of their 1080p-compatible HDTV sets.

To celebrate this new era in the HD viewing experience, DISH Network is offering subscribers a special deal in August to enjoy the unparalleled picture and sound of 1080p HD programming. Starting August 1, the recent blockbuster “I Am Legend” starring Will Smith will be available in 1080p resolution – same as Blu-Ray® Disc quality – only on DISH Network’s VOD service, DISH On Demand, at a discounted price. Subscribers may order the movie on DISH Network Channel 501. This marks the first time in history a pay-TV provider offers movies in 1080p, the highest resolution format available for HD video enthusiasts today.

Consumers can sign up for the best HD programming and service in the industry with DISH Network’s new TurboHD programming packages, the only all-HD packages on the market, starting at $24.99 per month. TurboHD is available in three separate tiers and includes DISH Network’s award-winning and industry-leading HD technology, advanced equipment enabled to display 1080p programming, and the most-watched HD channels that may be viewed on any TV – analog, digital or HD.

Current DISH Network customers with MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers are being automatically upgraded and will have their systems “turbo-charged” by early August with all the features and benefits of TurboHD. DISH Network customers looking to add the industry’s best HD experience can get a “turbo-charged” HD package for as little as $10 more per month.

The latest national HD channels added to DISH Network’s programming line-up are: ActionMax HD (DISH Network Ch. 313), CBS College Sports HD (Ch. 152), Lifetime HD (Ch. 108), Lifetime Movie Network HD (Ch. 109), Planet Green HD (Ch. 194), Encore HD (Ch. 340), HBO 2 HD (Ch. 301), HBO Comedy HD (Ch. 307), HBO Family HD (Ch. 305), HBO Latino HD (Ch. 309), HBO Signature HD (Ch. 302), HBO West HD (Ch. 303), HBO Zone HD (Ch. 308), Starz Comedy HD (Ch. 354), Starz Edge HD (Ch. 352), Starz Kids & Family HD (Ch. 356), Starz West HD (Ch. 351).
For more information about DISH Network’s 1080p programming, new HD channels and TurboHD system and packages, visit http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

# # #
DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider and the leader in digital television, provides more than 13.815 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable TV providers for eight consecutive years. DISH Network also provides customers with award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP722™ HD DVR, which received the Editors’ Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. In addition, subscribers enjoy access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

Media Contact:
Francie Bauer, 720.514.5351, press@echostar.com

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12088 Location: Fort Collins, CO

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Trying to one up each other...isn't competition great!

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/directv_says_30_more_hd_channels_1080p_movies_on_the_way/

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

Sweet! Soon, they'll both have bandwidth-constrained, over-compressed crappy 1080p. But, hey - it's 1080p - it's gotta be good, right? Hell, anything with "turbo" in can't be bad, can it?

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12088 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:19 pm Post subject:

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

You have dish SC? Who do you use for internet? I figured all internet people had cable.

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

I have 1.5mbps Qwest DSL, Greg. I've had Qwest DSL since they first rolled the service out in the Des Moines market in '97 or '98. Qwest offered static IPs, good upstream bandwidth, and decent enough tech support. They also used to provide (sell) good Cisco premise equipment. Cable OTOH was unpredictable, had complete crap upstream bandwidth, and terrible support. Since then, I've stuck with DSL mostly just because I hate Mediacom... but also because DSL is cheaper. I looked into switching a last spring to get the 5mbps service from Mediacom (that would be nice). Once I was finally able to get the REAL $^%$# price (not the intro price) out of the bastards, it was about $15-20/month higher than my Qwest service. That was for a home phone and broadband. I passed.

As for DirecTV, I've also had that for years. Since back when the PQ didn't suck - back before they had to retransmit the local affiliates' feeds for every Tom Town, Dick City and Harryville in the country. I'd switch, but it just seems like all the alternatives suck just as badly in one way or the other. Hell, if it were up to me, I'd get rid of pay TV completely. There's so much cool stuff to watch online, now. But, my wife is home with the kids all day every day. She'd never get anything done during the day if they couldn't watch a little Noggin. An episode of Dora, Word World, Oswald or the Backyardigans can mean the difference between losing your mind or not. Wink

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

I know what you mean about cable being spotty. I have the 3mbps cable package (1.5mbps if i am lucky) with only basic digital plan. Only HD I get are OTA. $60 a month. Cable internet flakes out about every 30 minutes. Pain in the ass when you are gaming online.

Have never tested the bandwidth thing, but am not serving anything so picture/video uploads and emails work fine.

The thing I don't get about people getting SAT is that you need a STB for each TV. That would frustrate the heck out of me. I like the freedom of dropping a tv whereever in whatever room and screwing it to the jack and am off and runnning...plus no funny dishes on my fence/deck/roof, etc.

I am really close to switching to dsl and then getting a dual HD DirecTV package, but can't get over this last hurdle. These are nice little perks they are letting out though.

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

You can get dish in an apt. Or do you only want the free package?

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

> Riiiiiiiigggghhttttt.... Ain't marketing great? Sadly, people will read that, it will get repeated, and some people will believe it. <

Of course. You do know that "100% digital!" means that their SD signals are completely perfect, right? Just ask anybody... they'll tell ya. Versus the crappy, only-99% digital of their competitors, I suppose.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

I wonder what percentage of their existing HD customer base have a display that accepts 1080P, or are they gonna just deliver it to the STB as 1080P and only output it as 1080i.

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

paw · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1176 Location: Arvada, CO

I know a guy that used a tripod. It was not structurally attached. He just weighted it down with sandbags and cinder blocks on the flat room of his apartment. I bet there's a chase (vertical, open shaft) from the roof down into the building. Just giving you food for thought.

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

I hate to ask an embarrassing question, but...

what's the point of 1080p, when you've castrated the horizontal rez down to 1440, and squeezed the bit-rate down to 6 MBit/sec?

Answer: you advertise the 1st number, and hide the other two.