It’s A Sad Day For Hdtv

[ScooterS]

For many of us, our first exposure to HDTV was standing in awe at the local electronics store, watching never before seen TV images in unbelievable detail, with camera shots from places that we never had been.

Whether it was watching the morning dew in a rainforest, the latest fashion trends from New York, or news from around the world, Voom took us there.
Long before the major national networks got serious about HD broadcasting, let alone HD content, Voom was there. Rather than simply shooting the same types shows with a different camera, several channels and programs were dedicated to the new and unique.

When we first subscribed to Voom through Dish Network, I asked my wife if it was really worth the $10 a month for the channels. We both agreed that, other than the WOW factor when the neighbors came over, it probably wasn't a good deal. However, we considered Voom as a good investment in the "cause" of original HD programming.

Then something happened, I'm still not sure what. Voom seemed to back off on new content. Nothing was sudden, just fewer new programs. I assumed that we were asking too much. Somewhat like the early days of SDTV, when networks could only produce a limited number of shows.

Then the national networks caught-up. Many of our favorite programs were now in HD. They offered little unique, just a better picture. We just slowly found ourselves watching less and less Voom. I believe that many others did the same.

The loss of Voom isn't so much about Voom's failure to invest in new programming. It isn't about Charlie's need for more bandwidth. It is about the loss of the network that truly pioneered HD programming.

Yes, it is a sad day for HDTV.

 

[KAB]

One of the most intelligent re-caps yet! I salute you, Sir!!:clap

 

[r_childress]

+2

 

[grb]

This is all so true! And the new HD national channels are part time HD with tons of commercials (Voom had none), many done in dreaded stretch-o-vision.

The quality of the production value on the Voom channels will rarely, if ever, be duplicated in even one HD national channel.

 

[Peter Parker]

Didn't take long to go downhill. but you tried Scooters. you tried.

 

[harshness]

The loss of Voom isn't so much about Voom's failure to invest in new programming. It isn't about Charlie's need for more bandwidth. It is about the loss of the network that truly pioneered HD programming.

I disagree.

VOOM failed to remain engaging through providing new and unique content in a world that is moving ever faster towards HD. It does come down to whether or not VOOM met their contractual obligations. DISH Network risks being forced to bring VOOM back if they've incorrectly assessed the situation.

Keen observers will remember the recent quake in the Mark Cuban household over DIRECTV's attempt to kill HDNet and HDNet Movies by moving them to the HD Extra package. I still haven't figured out how they managed to keep HDNet Movies in the HD Extra package.

 

[KAB]

I disagree.

VOOM failed to remain engaging through providing new and unique content in a world that is moving ever faster towards HD. It does come down to whether or not VOOM met their contractual obligations. DISH Network risks being forced to bring VOOM back if they've incorrectly assessed the situation.

Keen observers will remember the recent quake in the Mark Cuban household over DIRECTV's attempt to kill HDNet and HDNet Movies by moving them to the HD Extra package. I still haven't figured out how they managed to keep HDNet Movies in the HD Extra package.

I think you missed the real sentiment of the OP.

 

[dishbd]

Not to be the voice of descent, but I recall many posts/threads in the past demanding that Dish dump VOOM, so that we could get all the HD channels that everyone wants to watch as DirecTV was adding them. Well, those channels have arrived and now VOOM is gone. Now suddenly everyone is missing VOOM! I will say though that I will miss the collecting channel and the cropped Flipper reruns on the Family channel.

 

[jacmyoung]

The exact same thing was said when VOOM crashed the first time, it did not stop the HD train.

 

[kstuart]

Please everyone start their own VOOM thread because ONLY YOUR OPINION MATTERS !!

READING OTHER PEOPLES POSTS IS FOR FOOLS !

No, everyone should start 10 VOOM threads with 10 different facets of THEIR OPINION !!

...Of course, no one will read your opinion, because everyone is just posting and not reading... but that is what the 21st Century is all about...

 

[dangue]

Please everyone start their own VOOM thread because ONLY YOUR OPINION MATTERS !!

READING OTHER PEOPLES POSTS IS FOR FOOLS !

No, everyone should start 10 VOOM threads with 10 different facets of THEIR OPINION !!

...Of course, no one will read your opinion, because everyone is just posting and not reading... but that is what the 21st Century is all about...

+1

 

[wonko]

Not to be the voice of descent, but I recall many posts/threads in the past demanding that Dish dump VOOM, so that we could get all the HD channels that everyone wants to watch as DirecTV was adding them. Well, those channels have arrived and now VOOM is gone. Now suddenly everyone is missing VOOM! I will say though that I will miss the collecting channel and the cropped Flipper reruns on the Family channel.

Yeah, because it certainly couldn't be different people who want and don't want VOOM. But I'm sure your generalization of "everyone" is more accurate.

 

[dishbd]

Yeah, because it certainly couldn't be different people who want and don't want VOOM. But I'm sure your generalization of "everyone" is more accurate.

Just an observation based on what I've seen on here. I don't care either way about VOOM, but it is obvious now that it is a very sensitive subject.

 

[Slamminc11]

Please everyone start their own VOOM thread because ONLY YOUR OPINION MATTERS !!

READING OTHER PEOPLES POSTS IS FOR FOOLS !

No, everyone should start 10 VOOM threads with 10 different facets of THEIR OPINION !!

...Of course, no one will read your opinion, because everyone is just posting and not reading... but that is what the 21st Century is all about...

I'm thinking about starting my own thread about how the takedown of Voom hasn't affected me what so ever, just so that there can be another thread about voom

 

[richiephx]

Just curious, over the last two years, any time VOOM was ever mentioned, all the D* fanboys and VOOM haters took over whatever thread it was mentioned in. They thrived on bad-mouthing VOOM. There were few pro-VOOM defenders. Now, since VOOM has been dropped, most of the threads with hundreds of comments supporting VOOM hit the forums. Where were all you people the last two years? The VOOM bashers must be sitting back laughing their asses off because they are dead silent now.

 

[yaz96]

Just curious, over the last two years, any time VOOM was ever mentioned, all the D* fanboys and VOOM haters took over whatever thread it was mentioned in. They thrived on bad-mouthing VOOM. There were few pro-VOOM defenders. Now, since VOOM has been dropped, most of the threads with hundreds of comments supporting VOOM hit the forums. Where were all you people the last two years? The VOOM bashers must be sitting back laughing their asses off because they are dead silent now.

What do you mean? The VOOM bashers are there in every VOOM thread. I do wonder why the VOOM bashers feel a need to keep turning the knife in our backs....

We pro-VOOMers were too busy watching our HD channels to mouth off to VOOM haters. What's the use?

 

[yaz96]

Not to be the voice of descent, but I recall many posts/threads in the past demanding that Dish dump VOOM, so that we could get all the HD channels that everyone wants to watch as DirecTV was adding them. Well, those channels have arrived and now VOOM is gone. Now suddenly everyone is missing VOOM! I will say though that I will miss the collecting channel and the cropped Flipper reruns on the Family channel.

Why does this question continue to be asked?

Don't you folks realize there are two groups?

1. VOOM-haters - Very vocal group that would bash VOOM, and call for it's demise at every opportunity, and continue to do so after it's death.
2. VOOM-appreciaters - Not so vocal group that liked 24/7 HD and the niche programming that VOOM provided. Now that our channels are gone, we have become very vocal about our loss.

 

[dead3ye]

I'm thinking about starting my own thread about how the takedown of Voom hasn't affected me what so ever, just so that there can be another thread about voom

+1

 

[ekilgus]

Remember this. E* owns a 20% stake in VOOM. If it's Charlie's intention to see VOOM go under, he stands to lose a bunch of money so maybe VOOM will eventually be back in some fashion. I doubt Charlie would sell VOOM to another service.

 

[Heavie]

I remember when everyone was using the DVR-942 to watch HD. Charlie, sad to view the new voom channels you needed the vip622. Everyone swap there dvr to view voom and now it's gone.