DISH HD MPEG4

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-----Original Message-----
From: Ed <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 11:05:17
To:HDTV Magazine <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: DISH HD MPEG4

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Hear! Hear!

They can count me in!

Ed Romain
Magnolia Travel Center
141 Magnolia Avenue
Millbrae, CA 94030-2524
P:(650) 777-4240
F:(650) 777-4243
[email protected]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr Robert A Fowkes" <[email protected]>
To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: DISH HD MPEG4


> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> At 12:07 AM 1/11/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>>Following tonight's "Charlie-Chat" there are a lot of excited DISH subs,
>>but not all are happy.
>>
>>It seems that there will be new HD channels, but all will be in MPEG4
>>and not accessible to older receivers.
>>
>>There appear to be no "free" upgrades.
>
>
> Others have addressed the somewhat misleading comments above so I won't
> rehash them other than to say that "not accessible to older receivers"
> does not mean that the older Dish HD receivers suddenly go dark. And
> while not "free" the Dish plan for MPEG2 -> MPEG4 migration is actually a
> LOT better than I thought it would be. While the words cited above may be
> technically correct the statement doesn't tell the whole story by any
> means.
>
>
> I'm a "power" Dish (E*) user with two HD dual tuner DVRs, a standard DVR
> and a 4th box. And I've been a satisfied user of HD from them since I got
> my first HD capable projector over six years ago. After listening to the
> Charlie Chat on Monday night count me in with the "Happy" subscribers if
> all promises are kept. While nothing is "free" they are allowing us to
> swap out existing HD DVR (dual tuner) MPEG2 boxes (either 921 or 942 - I
> have both) for a net of $99 (with a $200 rebate for older equipment in
> April) including installation of any additional switches or dishes needed
> (I think I'm already fine on that score, but we'll see.) Even without
> "rebates" the HD MPEG2 boxes (non-DVR) will be $99 including any
> installation items needed and the HD DVR (Model 622, two tuners + OTA
> tuner) will be $299. This applies to all existing as well as new DISH
> subscribers and is a welcome change. When I purchased my 942 I tried to
> get into a "lease" situation for much less money but was told that this
> was for new subscribers only and I wasn't willing to jump through the huge
> hoops needed to do this in a roundabout fashion.
>
> Also, the amount of HD content will increase substantially. For one
> thing, they are adding the rest of the VOOM channels (I now have 10 and it
> will go to 15 - they consolidated the original 20 channels to 15 according
> to a Rainbow exec who was on the chat). They are also adding ESPN2-HD and
> Universal HD. And FoodHD and HGTV-HD channels will also be coming by 2Q
> '06. Finally, I'm in one of the areas (NYC) where all local HD channels
> will now be on the birds in the next month or so instead of OTA so when
> the smoke clears my current HD channel count of 22 or 23 (if you include
> all the demo and PPV channels) goes well over 30. They said something
> like over 1700 hours/week of HD content will be available for E*
> subscribers. They are even throwing in the Winter Olympics in HD (MPEG2
> so everyone can watch without new boxes) at no additional cost in
> February.
>
> And the interesting thing is that with the new price structure, since I
> subscribe to "America's Everything Package" my total cost for all my
> programming and new equipment will remain just about the same (I think it
> nets out at a penny more a month).
>
> Like I said, count me in the "excited" category. As far as I'm concerned,
> E* has taken a giant step forward in HD offerings. Of course, in this
> race the lead is constantly changing, but that's a good thing for
> consumers.
>
>
> -- RAF
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
> day) send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.17/227 - Release Date: 1/11/2006
>
>



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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

1) What are they reducing? From your report, just sounds like new HD
additions will be MPEG4, not unlike what DirecTV is doing with their HD
locals.

2) "Stuck" in what way? DISH has a fleet of satellite pumping out MPEG2.
Those won't just go dark overnight. Your legacy gear should theoretically
continue to work to the end of its useable life or the end of life of the
MPEG2 satellites.

3) DirecTV is upgrading folks to MPEG4 capable receivers for a $99
installation fee. IOW, free is not exactly free These are simply HD
receivers, since the HD DVR isn't ready yet.

There is no need for DISH to upgrade all subs. Only those wanting to access
the new HD channels need the new hardware and dish. And a lease isn't any
magic money maker for them since they have to carry the cost of the hardware
on the balance sheet. Leasing is just a necessary evil to keep pace with the
cable cos. What I thought was a butt kicker with DISH was the $249 upfront
cost for a DVR that they still called a lease.

Did they discuss the new home media centers in that chat?

Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
> Howard A. Blackstead
> Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:08 PM
> To: HDTV Magazine
> Subject: DISH HD MPEG4
>
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Following tonight's "Charlie-Chat" there are a lot of excited DISH subs,
> but not all are happy.
>
> It seems that there will be new HD channels, but all will be in MPEG4
> and not accessible to older receivers.
>
> There appear to be no "free" upgrades.
>
>
>
> My Questions:
>
> 1) Can a service provider REDUCE the number of channels to present SUBS?
>
> 2) Will DISH be "stuck" with those of us with obsolete equipment?
>
> I suppose this is even more severe with regard to SD equipment!
> When the digital transition occurs, will a large number of providers
> (the vast majority of cable and DBS channels) convert to SD 480i 4x3
> programming?
>
> There is a claim that the new MPEG4 channels have a "header" which is in
> MPEG4, but that the actual channel data is in down rezzed MPEG2, which
> if true suggests that the new channels are sort of like "bait" to get
> users to purchase new equipment.
>
> So, the question is at what point (if there is a point) would the MPEG2
> service would be discontinued and DISH do free upgrades?
>
> 3) It seems that DIRECT at one time claimed it would provide free MPEG4
> upgrades,...did it?
>
> With say 12 million SUBS x $200/STB (an estimate of the cost of MPEG4
> boxes)=$2.4Billion to convert all SUBS to MPEG4 STB's. This is about the
> cost of two satellites. Plus all of the dish installations, the total
> would be about $4Billions!
>
> However, conversion to STB lease would generate a very substantial
> revenue stream say $10/STB/Month x 10 million SUBS x 12 months =$1.2
> Billion/year. Look for DISH to go to a lease system.
>
> I hope that fiber to home becomes a rapid reality!
>
>
> Howard in South Bend
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
> day) send an email to:
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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

At 12:07 AM 1/11/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>Following tonight's "Charlie-Chat" there are a lot of excited DISH subs,
>but not all are happy.
>
>It seems that there will be new HD channels, but all will be in MPEG4
>and not accessible to older receivers.
>
>There appear to be no "free" upgrades.


Others have addressed the somewhat misleading comments above so I
won't rehash them other than to say that "not accessible to older
receivers" does not mean that the older Dish HD receivers suddenly go
dark. And while not "free" the Dish plan for MPEG2 -> MPEG4
migration is actually a LOT better than I thought it would be. While
the words cited above may be technically correct the statement
doesn't tell the whole story by any means.


I'm a "power" Dish (E*) user with two HD dual tuner DVRs, a standard
DVR and a 4th box. And I've been a satisfied user of HD from them
since I got my first HD capable projector over six years ago. After
listening to the Charlie Chat on Monday night count me in with the
"Happy" subscribers if all promises are kept. While nothing is
"free" they are allowing us to swap out existing HD DVR (dual tuner)
MPEG2 boxes (either 921 or 942 - I have both) for a net of $99 (with
a $200 rebate for older equipment in April) including installation of
any additional switches or dishes needed (I think I'm already fine on
that score, but we'll see.) Even without "rebates" the HD MPEG2
boxes (non-DVR) will be $99 including any installation items needed
and the HD DVR (Model 622, two tuners + OTA tuner) will be
$299. This applies to all existing as well as new DISH subscribers
and is a welcome change. When I purchased my 942 I tried to get into
a "lease" situation for much less money but was told that this was
for new subscribers only and I wasn't willing to jump through the
huge hoops needed to do this in a roundabout fashion.

Also, the amount of HD content will increase substantially. For one
thing, they are adding the rest of the VOOM channels (I now have 10
and it will go to 15 - they consolidated the original 20 channels to
15 according to a Rainbow exec who was on the chat). They are also
adding ESPN2-HD and Universal HD. And FoodHD and HGTV-HD channels
will also be coming by 2Q '06. Finally, I'm in one of the areas
(NYC) where all local HD channels will now be on the birds in the
next month or so instead of OTA so when the smoke clears my current
HD channel count of 22 or 23 (if you include all the demo and PPV
channels) goes well over 30. They said something like over 1700
hours/week of HD content will be available for E* subscribers. They
are even throwing in the Winter Olympics in HD (MPEG2 so everyone can
watch without new boxes) at no additional cost in February.

And the interesting thing is that with the new price structure, since
I subscribe to "America's Everything Package" my total cost for all
my programming and new equipment will remain just about the same (I
think it nets out at a penny more a month).

Like I said, count me in the "excited" category. As far as I'm
concerned, E* has taken a giant step forward in HD offerings. Of
course, in this race the lead is constantly changing, but that's a
good thing for consumers.


-- RAF


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[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Hear! Hear!

They can count me in!

Ed Romain
Magnolia Travel Center
141 Magnolia Avenue
Millbrae, CA 94030-2524
P:(650) 777-4240
F:(650) 777-4243
[email protected]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr Robert A Fowkes" <[email protected]>
To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: DISH HD MPEG4


> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> At 12:07 AM 1/11/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>>Following tonight's "Charlie-Chat" there are a lot of excited DISH subs,
>>but not all are happy.
>>
>>It seems that there will be new HD channels, but all will be in MPEG4
>>and not accessible to older receivers.
>>
>>There appear to be no "free" upgrades.
>
>
> Others have addressed the somewhat misleading comments above so I won't
> rehash them other than to say that "not accessible to older receivers"
> does not mean that the older Dish HD receivers suddenly go dark. And
> while not "free" the Dish plan for MPEG2 -> MPEG4 migration is actually a
> LOT better than I thought it would be. While the words cited above may be
> technically correct the statement doesn't tell the whole story by any
> means.
>
>
> I'm a "power" Dish (E*) user with two HD dual tuner DVRs, a standard DVR
> and a 4th box. And I've been a satisfied user of HD from them since I got
> my first HD capable projector over six years ago. After listening to the
> Charlie Chat on Monday night count me in with the "Happy" subscribers if
> all promises are kept. While nothing is "free" they are allowing us to
> swap out existing HD DVR (dual tuner) MPEG2 boxes (either 921 or 942 - I
> have both) for a net of $99 (with a $200 rebate for older equipment in
> April) including installation of any additional switches or dishes needed
> (I think I'm already fine on that score, but we'll see.) Even without
> "rebates" the HD MPEG2 boxes (non-DVR) will be $99 including any
> installation items needed and the HD DVR (Model 622, two tuners + OTA
> tuner) will be $299. This applies to all existing as well as new DISH
> subscribers and is a welcome change. When I purchased my 942 I tried to
> get into a "lease" situation for much less money but was told that this
> was for new subscribers only and I wasn't willing to jump through the huge
> hoops needed to do this in a roundabout fashion.
>
> Also, the amount of HD content will increase substantially. For one
> thing, they are adding the rest of the VOOM channels (I now have 10 and it
> will go to 15 - they consolidated the original 20 channels to 15 according
> to a Rainbow exec who was on the chat). They are also adding ESPN2-HD and
> Universal HD. And FoodHD and HGTV-HD channels will also be coming by 2Q
> '06. Finally, I'm in one of the areas (NYC) where all local HD channels
> will now be on the birds in the next month or so instead of OTA so when
> the smoke clears my current HD channel count of 22 or 23 (if you include
> all the demo and PPV channels) goes well over 30. They said something
> like over 1700 hours/week of HD content will be available for E*
> subscribers. They are even throwing in the Winter Olympics in HD (MPEG2
> so everyone can watch without new boxes) at no additional cost in
> February.
>
> And the interesting thing is that with the new price structure, since I
> subscribe to "America's Everything Package" my total cost for all my
> programming and new equipment will remain just about the same (I think it
> nets out at a penny more a month).
>
> Like I said, count me in the "excited" category. As far as I'm concerned,
> E* has taken a giant step forward in HD offerings. Of course, in this
> race the lead is constantly changing, but that's a good thing for
> consumers.
>
>
> -- RAF
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
> day) send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.17/227 - Release Date: 1/11/2006
>
>



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Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.17/227 - Release Date: 1/11/2006


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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----


Robert, great summary, thanks! There are some customers who will NEVER be
satisfied, but they've really come up with a pretty good plan for the vast
majority of us.

One other thing that should be cleared up is the reference to "MPEG4
satellites" and "MPEG2 satellites." The satellites don't care one bit how
the programming is encoded - they just slurp up the one's and zero's from
the uplink center and spit them back out to our dishes on another
frequency. Therefore, the programming (SD or HD) can be transitioned to
MPEG4 at whatever time the provider can make the necessary receiver
swap-outs. In the case of DISH Network, it will probably be a long time
before all programming is MPEG4. I would guess that all HD would
transition first, then SD premium movie channels, then Top 180 channels,
and then mainstream SD (Top 120 and Top 60) as receivers are changed out by
attrition.

Brad

Brad Krehbiel, PE
Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.
Phone: 816-274-8564
Fax: 816-274-4567



Dr Robert A
Fowkes
<[email protected]> To
Sent by: "HDTV "HDTV Magazine"
Magazine" <[email protected]>
<hdtvmagazine_tip cc
[email protected]>
Subject
Re: DISH HD MPEG4
01/11/2006 11:37
AM


Please respond to
"HDTV Magazine"
<hdtvmagazine_tip
[email protected]>






----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

At 12:07 AM 1/11/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>Following tonight's "Charlie-Chat" there are a lot of excited DISH subs,
>but not all are happy.
>
>It seems that there will be new HD channels, but all will be in MPEG4
>and not accessible to older receivers.
>
>There appear to be no "free" upgrades.


Others have addressed the somewhat misleading comments above so I
won't rehash them other than to say that "not accessible to older
receivers" does not mean that the older Dish HD receivers suddenly go
dark. And while not "free" the Dish plan for MPEG2 -> MPEG4
migration is actually a LOT better than I thought it would be. While
the words cited above may be technically correct the statement
doesn't tell the whole story by any means.


I'm a "power" Dish (E*) user with two HD dual tuner DVRs, a standard
DVR and a 4th box. And I've been a satisfied user of HD from them
since I got my first HD capable projector over six years ago. After
listening to the Charlie Chat on Monday night count me in with the
"Happy" subscribers if all promises are kept. While nothing is
"free" they are allowing us to swap out existing HD DVR (dual tuner)
MPEG2 boxes (either 921 or 942 - I have both) for a net of $99 (with
a $200 rebate for older equipment in April) including installation of
any additional switches or dishes needed (I think I'm already fine on
that score, but we'll see.) Even without "rebates" the HD MPEG2
boxes (non-DVR) will be $99 including any installation items needed
and the HD DVR (Model 622, two tuners + OTA tuner) will be
$299. This applies to all existing as well as new DISH subscribers
and is a welcome change. When I purchased my 942 I tried to get into
a "lease" situation for much less money but was told that this was
for new subscribers only and I wasn't willing to jump through the
huge hoops needed to do this in a roundabout fashion.

Also, the amount of HD content will increase substantially. For one
thing, they are adding the rest of the VOOM channels (I now have 10
and it will go to 15 - they consolidated the original 20 channels to
15 according to a Rainbow exec who was on the chat). They are also
adding ESPN2-HD and Universal HD. And FoodHD and HGTV-HD channels
will also be coming by 2Q '06. Finally, I'm in one of the areas
(NYC) where all local HD channels will now be on the birds in the
next month or so instead of OTA so when the smoke clears my current
HD channel count of 22 or 23 (if you include all the demo and PPV
channels) goes well over 30. They said something like over 1700
hours/week of HD content will be available for E* subscribers. They
are even throwing in the Winter Olympics in HD (MPEG2 so everyone can
watch without new boxes) at no additional cost in February.

And the interesting thing is that with the new price structure, since
I subscribe to "America's Everything Package" my total cost for all
my programming and new equipment will remain just about the same (I
think it nets out at a penny more a month).

Like I said, count me in the "excited" category. As far as I'm
concerned, E* has taken a giant step forward in HD offerings. Of
course, in this race the lead is constantly changing, but that's a
good thing for consumers.


-- RAF


To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

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day) send an email to:
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