DirecTV going the way as Dish Network. - Blu-ray Forum

philnopatiences · 10-22-2008, 01:09 AM

Has anybody got their HD receivers from DirecTV upgraded today?? I have 2 HR21 models and they crashed at 7:15pm for an upgrade. The upgrade has DirecTV going the way of 1080P on demand. They are copying Dish Network on this. They do NOT have enough bandwidth for this. This is nothing more than another try for more customers. They WILL NOT match Blu-ray on the bandwidth.

Septimus Prime · 10-22-2008, 01:12 AM

I'm pretty sure their intent isn't to match Blu-ray; it's to match Dish Network so they don't lose subscribers.

Bobby Henderson · 10-22-2008, 03:12 AM

I subscribe to Dish Network and have a ViP722 receiver capable of downloading those 1080p VOD movies.

I don't think the 1080p video on demand service is really a big enough draw to cause negative customer "churn" against DirecTV. D* currently offers more national HD channels than E*. The only significant thing E* has over D* is carrying all the HBO channels in HD and a couple other odd HD channels D* doesn't have.

D* has channels like SpikeHD, FXHD, NickHD, MTV-HD, VH1-HD, Fox NewsHD and several others not carried on E*. D* was first to pass the 100 markets level of HD local channels. Right now E* has less than 70 markets of local HD. If anything, E* is having to scramble to keep from shedding more and more of its customers to D*.

The 1080p VOD stuff from E* isn't a good enough deal for me. $6.99 for a 24 hour rental window isn't going to cut it. I live only a mile from two video stores with decent selections of Blu-ray movies for rent. One store offers $4.99 rentals for 5 days. The other has $5.99 rentals for 7 days (with a $2 credit to your account if you return the movie after 1 day). If I lived a long way from any video stores then I might consider using the service, but only then. The video is indeed 1080p, but it isn't at the high bit rates typical of Blu-ray.

bdforum · 10-22-2008, 03:35 AM

So how does the Satellite 1080P VOD compare to the VUDU HDX 1080P content?

Bobby Henderson · 10-22-2008, 04:42 AM

It probably isn't any better than VUDU HDX. But then VUDU HDX certainly is not as good as Blu-ray either. Nothing in home video is equal to Blu-ray quality. Not in broadcast. Not in downloads. Not in rival disc formats. Nothing. Blu-ray is at the top in terms of quality for HD video in the home.

The only thing 1080p VOD via satellite or services like AppleTV or VUDU provide is convenience. The problem is they provide that convenience with a negative hit against quality. The "HDX" titles from VUDU may be an improvement, but it still isn't as good as Blu-ray -and you get no lossless, next-gen audio either.

Septimus Prime · 10-22-2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

I subscribe to Dish Network and have a ViP722 receiver capable of downloading those 1080p VOD movies.

I don't think the 1080p video on demand service is really a big enough draw to cause negative customer "churn" against DirecTV. D* currently offers more national HD channels than E*. The only significant thing E* has over D* is carrying all the HBO channels in HD and a couple other odd HD channels D* doesn't have.

D* has channels like SpikeHD, FXHD, NickHD, MTV-HD, VH1-HD, Fox NewsHD and several others not carried on E*. D* was first to pass the 100 markets level of HD local channels. Right now E* has less than 70 markets of local HD. If anything, E* is having to scramble to keep from shedding more and more of its customers to D*.

The 1080p VOD stuff from E* isn't a good enough deal for me. $6.99 for a 24 hour rental window isn't going to cut it. I live only a mile from two video stores with decent selections of Blu-ray movies for rent. One store offers $4.99 rentals for 5 days. The other has $5.99 rentals for 7 days (with a $2 credit to your account if you return the movie after 1 day). If I lived a long way from any video stores then I might consider using the service, but only then. The video is indeed 1080p, but it isn't at the high bit rates typical of Blu-ray.

I was thinking more along the lines of them being able to tell their less-educated customers, "Yeah, we have that too," when they ask about TurboHD.

Grim Reaper · 10-22-2008, 06:21 AM

i have the HR20 box from DirecTv. my update came around 7:45PM EST. when i have only 1080p checked. the channels goto 480p.

ryoohki · 10-22-2008, 03:25 PM

standart 480p cable is not equal to DVD, same for HD... the more Channel they will put, the less quality you'll have the more you'll pay..

Teabaggins · 10-22-2008, 03:35 PM

I was thinking about getting TurboHd from Dish but if they don't have Spike in HD then it's not much use to me. that is one of my biggest problems with Charter cable's HD package

nbxfan · 10-22-2008, 03:45 PM

This happened for me as well. Though I don't know what time it happened, I came home late last night and planned to watch some of the "prime time" programs that were supposed to have recorded and my box wouldn't turn on. Had to unplug and reset the system. Needless to say nothing recorded. But, after watching TV for 10-15 minutes it requested time to download the "new" features. It mentioned 1080p movies in the near future but didn't say anything about them being PPV.

Moefiz · 10-22-2008, 03:58 PM

I got this download this morning yes they did mention 1080p and some other stuff I did notice the channel grid is much faster now when searching for channel.

Bobby Henderson · 10-22-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryoohki

standart 480p cable is not equal to DVD, same for HD... the more Channel they will put, the less quality you'll have the more you'll pay..

That's only if they're squeezing more and more channels onto one particular satellite. Both DirecTV and Dish Network have been launching more satellites lately. My Dish 1000.2 currently receives signals from 3 satellites. I'm about to add a "wing dish" to get signals from a fourth "bird" so I can have my local channels in HD.

Dish Network recently forced HD programming customers to swap old MPEG-2 based receivers for new ViP series models. All of their HD programming went to MPEG-4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

I was thinking about getting TurboHd from Dish but if they don't have Spike in HD then it's not much use to me. that is one of my biggest problems with Charter cable's HD package

E* is still in talks with News Corp., Rainbow and a couple of other cable network parent corporations. Dish still claims they'll have "150 channels of HD" by year's end. I'm not very optimistic about that since they would need to add channels like SpikeHD to get to that level. It seems like hell would have to freeze over before channels like SpikeHD, SpeedHD, FX HD and others show up in my channel guide.

supersix4 · 10-22-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philnopatiences

Has anybody got their HD receivers from DirecTV upgraded today?? I have 2 HR21 models and they crashed at 7:15pm for an upgrade. The upgrade has DirecTV going the way of 1080P on demand. They are copying Dish Network on this. They do NOT have enough bandwidth for this. This is nothing more than another try for more customers. They WILL NOT match Blu-ray on the bandwidth.

yeah did you also notice they really worked on menu speed!!!

thing flys now !

nbxfan · 10-22-2008, 04:36 PM

Woo Hoo...called Directv as none of my programs got recorded because of a glitch that powered off the receivers and as compensation they are giving me 2 free months of movie channels....

Teabaggins · 10-22-2008, 04:49 PM

that's pretty good customer service

NovaCrystallis09 · 10-23-2008, 11:14 PM

I just got a brand new HDTV and I currently have Time Warner Cable. I was thinking of subscribing to their HD service but it looks pretty weak.

Are DirectTV and Dish Network loads ahead of TWC in terms of quality and HD? What signal are their "HD" programs broadcast in? 720p or 1080p?

And finally which is the best? DirectTV or Dish? I live in NC btw. Wake County.

obiwopkenobi62 · 10-24-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

I just got a brand new HDTV and I currently have Time Warner Cable. I was thinking of subscribing to their HD service but it looks pretty weak.

Are DirectTV and Dish Network loads ahead of TWC in terms of quality and HD? What signal are their "HD" programs broadcast in? 720p or 1080p?

And finally which is the best? DirectTV or Dish? I live in NC btw. Wake County.

I've had both DirectTV and Dish Network. I still have Dish Network. I just like em better. When I had DirectTV I lost signals a lot. That rarely happens with Dish. I think DirectTV has more HD channels but I still like Dish better. As far as either of them having 1080p, it will take them a long time before they get to Bluray quality.

NovaCrystallis09 · 10-24-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obiwopkenobi62

I've had both DirectTV and Dish Network. I still have Dish Network. I just like em better. When I had DirectTV I lost signals a lot. That rarely happens with Dish. I think DirectTV has more HD channels but I still like Dish better. As far as either of them having 1080p, it will take them a long time before they get to Bluray quality.

Thanks for the response.

So what would you say is the general standard then? 720p? Either way it's gotta be better than standard cable right?

obiwopkenobi62 · 10-24-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaCrystallis09

Thanks for the response.

So what would you say is the general standard then? 720p? Either way it's gotta be better than standard cable right?

The HD channels on Dish are 720p, some look great and others a little less. Not sure about DirectTV. I didn't have HD programming when I had them.

NovaCrystallis09 · 10-24-2008, 12:41 AM

Thanks I was sorta leaning towards Direct but now that I've talked with you I'll definitely take a closer more fair look at Dish Network.

10-22-2008, 01:09 AM	#1
philnopatiences Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:NC 4K collection:422 Blu-ray collection:1690 DVD collection:2 Digital collection:22 Blu-ray reviews: 3	DirecTV going the way as Dish Network. Has anybody got their HD receivers from DirecTV upgraded today?? I have 2 HR21 models and they crashed at 7:15pm for an upgrade. The upgrade has DirecTV going the way of 1080P on demand. They are copying Dish Network on this. They do NOT have enough bandwidth for this. This is nothing more than another try for more customers. They WILL NOT match Blu-ray on the bandwidth.

10-23-2008, 11:14 PM	#16
NovaCrystallis09 Banned Member since:Oct 2008	Which is Better? I just got a brand new HDTV and I currently have Time Warner Cable. I was thinking of subscribing to their HD service but it looks pretty weak. Are DirectTV and Dish Network loads ahead of TWC in terms of quality and HD? What signal are their "HD" programs broadcast in? 720p or 1080p? And finally which is the best? DirectTV or Dish? I live in NC btw. Wake County.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
What should I get Dish or DirecTV	General Chat	Propellarhead9	8	03-09-2010 03:43 AM
For dish or directv How do they install it? Noob here	Home Theater General Discussion	hordeall	24	01-20-2010 02:22 AM
Dish-network	General Chat	DealsR4theDevil	4	12-13-2008 07:31 PM
Dish and DirecTV, satellites	Display Theory and Discussion	Nafziger321	4	08-22-2008 02:59 AM
Dish Network and DIRECTV Talk Merger	Home Theater General Discussion	xwingsct	11	08-06-2008 05:13 PM

10-22-2008, 01:12 AM	#2
Septimus Prime Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray collection:164 Trading Score:2	I'm pretty sure their intent isn't to match Blu-ray; it's to match Dish Network so they don't lose subscribers.

10-22-2008, 03:12 AM	#3
Bobby Henderson Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Oklahoma Blu-ray collection:96 Blu-ray reviews: 12	I subscribe to Dish Network and have a ViP722 receiver capable of downloading those 1080p VOD movies. I don't think the 1080p video on demand service is really a big enough draw to cause negative customer "churn" against DirecTV. D* currently offers more national HD channels than E. The only significant thing E has over D* is carrying all the HBO channels in HD and a couple other odd HD channels D* doesn't have. D* has channels like SpikeHD, FXHD, NickHD, MTV-HD, VH1-HD, Fox NewsHD and several others not carried on E. D was first to pass the 100 markets level of HD local channels. Right now E* has less than 70 markets of local HD. If anything, E* is having to scramble to keep from shedding more and more of its customers to D. The 1080p VOD stuff from E isn't a good enough deal for me. $6.99 for a 24 hour rental window isn't going to cut it. I live only a mile from two video stores with decent selections of Blu-ray movies for rent. One store offers $4.99 rentals for 5 days. The other has $5.99 rentals for 7 days (with a $2 credit to your account if you return the movie after 1 day). If I lived a long way from any video stores then I might consider using the service, but only then. The video is indeed 1080p, but it isn't at the high bit rates typical of Blu-ray.

10-22-2008, 03:35 AM	#4
bdforum Junior Member Member since:May 2008	So how does the Satellite 1080P VOD compare to the VUDU HDX 1080P content?

10-22-2008, 04:42 AM	#5
Bobby Henderson Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Oklahoma Blu-ray collection:96 Blu-ray reviews: 12	It probably isn't any better than VUDU HDX. But then VUDU HDX certainly is not as good as Blu-ray either. Nothing in home video is equal to Blu-ray quality. Not in broadcast. Not in downloads. Not in rival disc formats. Nothing. Blu-ray is at the top in terms of quality for HD video in the home. The only thing 1080p VOD via satellite or services like AppleTV or VUDU provide is convenience. The problem is they provide that convenience with a negative hit against quality. The "HDX" titles from VUDU may be an improvement, but it still isn't as good as Blu-ray -and you get no lossless, next-gen audio either.

10-22-2008, 06:21 AM	#7
Grim Reaper Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Let Me In! 4K collection:499 Blu-ray collection:2022 DVD collection:25 Trading Score:13	i have the HR20 box from DirecTv. my update came around 7:45PM EST. when i have only 1080p checked. the channels goto 480p.

10-22-2008, 03:25 PM	#8
ryoohki Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:6 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:5	standart 480p cable is not equal to DVD, same for HD... the more Channel they will put, the less quality you'll have the more you'll pay..

10-22-2008, 03:35 PM	#9
Teabaggins Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2008	I was thinking about getting TurboHd from Dish but if they don't have Spike in HD then it's not much use to me. that is one of my biggest problems with Charter cable's HD package

10-22-2008, 03:45 PM	#10
nbxfan Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Anaheim, CA Blu-ray collection:246 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:15	This happened for me as well. Though I don't know what time it happened, I came home late last night and planned to watch some of the "prime time" programs that were supposed to have recorded and my box wouldn't turn on. Had to unplug and reset the system. Needless to say nothing recorded. But, after watching TV for 10-15 minutes it requested time to download the "new" features. It mentioned 1080p movies in the near future but didn't say anything about them being PPV.

10-22-2008, 03:58 PM	#11
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	I got this download this morning yes they did mention 1080p and some other stuff I did notice the channel grid is much faster now when searching for channel.

10-22-2008, 04:36 PM	#14
nbxfan Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Anaheim, CA Blu-ray collection:246 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:15	Woo Hoo...called Directv as none of my programs got recorded because of a glitch that powered off the receivers and as compensation they are giving me 2 free months of movie channels....

10-22-2008, 04:49 PM	#15
Teabaggins Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2008	that's pretty good customer service

10-24-2008, 12:41 AM	#20
NovaCrystallis09 Banned Member since:Oct 2008	Thanks I was sorta leaning towards Direct but now that I've talked with you I'll definitely take a closer more fair look at Dish Network.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals