Possible HD upgrade want some opinions

[sullic82]

Am thinking of upgrading to Dish HD, and was wondering if I could get some help. I was curious if it is worth the extra 25 something dollars. Is there even enough programming in HD. I do like to watch bball and discovery but what about the other channels. Do they offer HD programming all day? Just wanted to hear from some people who have Dish HD and what they think and if it is worth the money to get the extra 30 channels. Also does the HD receiver deliver better quality for SD channels? And what about A&E HD do they offer much programming and how much programing is in 1080i. Sorry for all the questions but i want to know if it is the right choice.

 

[bhelms]

Recall that almost all HD through both sat. providers is really "HD Lite", but the PQ is still decent and improving. This is not to be a discussion on HD vs. the lower quality renditions however - plenty of other threads on that!

I have the lowest HD package - HDBronze - and that one still gets me 27 HD channels, IIRC. I for one like a lot of the content on the 15 voOm channels, particularly FilmFest, MonstersHD, Rave, Worldsport, and yes even UltraHD. There's very little in real-time sports on the national HD channels and voOm however. ESPN and ESPN2 are about it. Not all channels are 24/7 HD, but the voOm channels are. One complaint with voOm is that it's repetitive, but I actually like that - many opportunities to see everything once. A&E HD is a mixed bag. I don't watch it much. Most of what I have seen is really SD. Some of the programming is in 1080i, but the "other" resolution number is also important as is the bitrate. MPEG-4 is going a long way toward improving the HD experience!

I have an 811 and a 622. Both are mediocre on the SD channels, but that is as much a limitation of watching on a large screen TV as it is a comment on the receivers' capabilities. I don't watch much SD on my big screen TV so I don't have that complaint, but it is real. Some folks get better results on SD by using one of the composite outputs so you might want to try that.

That's my 2-cents worth. To me it's worth it, even tho' I only get to watch only 6-10 hours of HD a week. As always, YMMV...

 

[sullic82]

I thought with dish, that its a 20$/month for 31 channels. And that 20$ includes all 31 channels in HD that Dish provides. How is the quality of HD programming on those channels compared to cbs or abd hd.

 

[navychop]

I have the top 250 plus HD package, formerly known as HD Gold. There are 31 HD channels available.

Yes, the HD picture is far superior to SD. Voom, indeed, most of the HD channels, are HD 24/7. But some HD channels in fact show a lot of SD. I don't watch much A&E HD because of this. Voom has no commercials. I particularly like Voom Equator.

It is certainly worth the money to me. If you already have an HDTV, I suspect it will be worth it to you. But only you can make that decision. Look over the HD offerings in the "All Channels" guide and see what you think.

OTA HD is generally the best that you can get. Dish HD is not quite that good. DirecTV is of even lower quality.

A few of the HD channels are not available on the lower tiers. If you don't get the SD version of the channel, I don't think you'll get the HD version.

On edit: National Geographic HD is only available on the AT250 level. HBO/Showtime HD are available only to HBO/Showtime subscribers. There's NHL HD & PPV HD at extra charge. You might want to look over this DISH Channel Chart.

 

[sullic82]

well i have the top 250 just so ya knows.

 

[LJALLEN97]

Dish HD

I am very pleased with Dish HD programing. With the proper set up the viewing is
far superior to SD. I am watching programs with pleasure that I would not on SD. I
am believing that we will grow in the next 2 years rapidly. Some of the network shows are shown on TNT in HD as reruns. My SD is still much better than cable digital.

My only concern is your may possibly receive a majority of HD broadcasts on 129 and
not knowing where you live you may have issues. If you decide to have the HD / 250
upgrade ask a few questions.

1. Am I getting a dish 1000? Depends on US location
2. If you live in the west they should install (2) 500's one for 110-119 and the other for 129.
3. The 129 in the west has signal issues. I recommend you ask the technical people
when requesting the upgrade about this. A supposed fix is a 24" antenna in lieu of another 500. Be very agressive and take notes.
4. If you upgrade, make the technician spend an extra 10 minutes tuning the dish
to it's max, they have tendancies to rush the installation. Get is name and office phone number and don't hesitate to call if not satisfied.

Larry / Oregon

 

[Kaydigi]

One thing about SD on the HD channels. They look much better than their SD only counterpart.

PTI on ESPN HD is SD only. The SD channel it looks washed out and the colors are way off. While PTI on the HD channel (the show is still SD on it) the color is great and the picture is slighty larger in 4:3 mode.

 

[bhelms]

...How is the quality of HD programming on those channels compared to cbs or abd hd.

If you are in an area that has your locals available in HD from E* you will automatically get them if you subscribe to the SD LiLs. But if you can receive the networks via OTA, like navychop said you will have better PQ that way as they are (or should be) b'cast in full resolution/full bitrate. The local OTA broadcaster is responsible for how he allocates his 6MHz bandwidth, Most have an HD subchannel and one or more SD subs crammed into the same space. Usually they will give highest priority to the HD sub in which case it will look very good. (This is sometimes not true based on some complaints in these threads, but I have never seen a diminished HD OTA b'cast.) The point is, if you are planning to get an HD receiver you are well advised to connect an appropriate OTA antenna if your locals are b'cst in HD !! The OTA signal is at this time noticeably superior to the same HD channel via either sat. service...

 

[sullic82]

Just so you know I live in Oshkosh WI.

 

[bigthrust]

I went to HD just 3 weeks ago. I was on the original HD pack a couple of years ago and I must say that it is much better than it used to be. It's worth $20 bucks to me now that I have a HD DVR (run in single mode) and also have HD on more than 1 TV (I have a 211 as well). HD on my LCD TVs look insane!

WARNING!!!

It is hard to go back once you go HD.

 

[bhelms]

...WARNING!!!...It is hard to go back once you go HD.

I'm with you there! (Damn that avatar of yours! Now I'm starved and considering BK for supper...!)

 

[navychop]

Just a guess- 1,400 calories and 60 carbs?

 

[bhelms]

Just a guess- 1,400 calories and 60 carbs?

And that's just to LOOK at it...!

 

[dendavis]

I went to HD just 3 weeks ago. I was on the original HD pack a couple of years ago and I must say that it is much better than it used to be. It's worth $20 bucks to me now that I have a HD DVR (run in single mode) and also have HD on more than 1 TV (I have a 211 as well). HD on my LCD TVs look insane!

WARNING!!!

It is hard to go back once you go HD.

In 2003, we got a 57" Sony rear projection television that was HD capable. We loved the big picture, and thought we were the cat's meow, even though we were just getting DISH in SD. Then I got an HD set top converter box, and got infected with the HD bug from watching the OTA locals. With the VIP 622 receiver, you get the benefits of HD, plus the time shift management of dvr. We have the full-Magilla, America's Everything+HD, and I would not go back. As to A&E, to me it appears it is the same programming as their SD channel. But, if you are channel surfing, and come across some of the programming on VOOM, like a travelog-type show, you find yourself mesmerized, almost falling in to the screen it is so real. Enjoy