Uplink Activity 5/09/08 6:45 PM EDT 87 changes

[M Sparks]

I dont mind watching stretch o vision on the HD channels mainly because it is still better pq than the actual SD version of the channel.

That's not the point. If they just took the SD picture and upconverted it (like the networks do), leaving it 4:3, it would look great. Why take the extra step of distorting it?

All the close ups of people make them look like they have encephalitis. Also, it makes me queasy when they pan and the background starts to "flex." I think it's nearly unwatchable most of the time.

The Scripps channels don't seem quite as bad as the Turner ones. They annoy me, but not enough to specifically tune down to the SD versions.

If they must screw with the, picture, I'd rather have them do it like Discovery, even though we lose the top and bottom edges. I honestly never notice there a problem on Discovery until the credits come on and I can see the bottom edge crop. I've never see a head get cut off or anything like that.

 

[Rey]

That's not the point. If they just took the SD picture and upconverted it (like the networks do), leaving it 4:3, it would look great. Why take the extra step of distorting it?

All the close ups of people make them look like they have encephalitis. Also, it makes me queasy when they pan and the background starts to "flex." I think it's nearly unwatchable most of the time.

The Scripps channels don't seem quite as bad as the Turner ones. They annoy me, but not enough to specifically tune down to the SD versions.

If they must screw with the, picture, I'd rather have them do it like Discovery, even though we lose the top and bottom edges. I honestly never notice there a problem on Discovery until the credits come on and I can see the bottom edge crop. I've never see a head get cut off or anything like that.

+1

 

[M Sparks]

I was just noticing...I had heard that HBO had launched ALL channels in HD. I thought that included Cinemax too. But only HALF the Cinemax channels are available in HD...the same ones that are on DISH.

Originally when they started adding theme channels, it was just Action and Thriller. They added the other 4 later. DISH skipped over Thriller, and added 5 Star. I guess DISH alone pushed 5 Star's subscribers up above the others. (Most other providers seem to have all 8, or just the first 2.)

Other things I noticed looking at the Premium websites....

Showtime ONLY has HD for Showtime 1 & 2, and The Movie Channel. So they'd be adding pretty much everything from Showtime. (I don't know if there are west feeds for Showtime 2 and TMC...their schedule won't show me west feeds.)

Did we know (I didn't) that Smithsonian Channel is from Showtime?

Starz doesn't have HD for Starz Cinema or Starz In Black, which is a pity since those channels have MORE exclusive programming than Comedy, Kids, and Edge.

Encore HD still hasn't returned from the grave Also, they still have indiePlex and retroPLEX available. Does ANYBODY get those channels? MoviePlex was for systems that didn't have room for 7 Encores (and DirecTV had it for a while in one of their packages.) I guess I just don't get why these channels are "Plex". Why not make them Encore 8 and 9?

Sorry, I'm sure many of you guys know this stuff, but I haven't been keeping up lately. So, it seems to me if you were going to add 4 or 5 premiums, you spread them out. HBO2, Showtime 2, MoreMax, one of the Starz, and maybe TMC. But if they add 2 to Cinemax and 3 to the Showtime package, that almost seems like they are try to boost subscribership in those particular packages. Anybody know if Starz has passed Showtime in subscribers?

 

[yaz96]

I dont mind watching stretch o vision on the HD channels mainly because it is still better pq than the actual SD version of the channel.

No way!

 

[TNGTony]

I dont mind watching stretch o vision on the HD channels mainly because it is still better pq than the actual SD version of the channel.

The PQ could be the best on the planet, but if it's distorted because the network thinks the general public is too STUPID to push their own "stretch" button, It is unwatchable to me. I would rather watch a grainy undistorted picture to an intentionally distorted but otherwise pristeen picture.

See ya
Tony

 

[kstuart]

So, it seems to me if you were going to add 4 or 5 premiums, you spread them out. HBO2, Showtime 2, MoreMax, one of the Starz, and maybe TMC. But if they add 2 to Cinemax and 3 to the Showtime package, that almost seems like they are try to boost subscribership in those particular packages. Anybody know if Starz has passed Showtime in subscribers?

What channels Dish Network adds to its lineup is based on two things - ratings of the channel and negotiations with the channel provider.

Starz channels seem to always be the last premiums to be added, and it seems likely that Dish and Starz always have problems coming to agreement.

So, the channel selections are not just based on popularity...

 

[space86]

The PQ could be the best on the planet, but if it's distorted because the network thinks the general public is too STUPID to push their own "stretch" button, It is unwatchable to me. I would rather watch a grainy undistorted picture to an intentionally distorted but otherwise pristeen picture.

See ya
Tony

I totally agree how hard is it for people to use the aspect ratio
button on their remote control ?

 

[Mr Zulu]

I totally agree how hard is it for people to use the aspect ratio
button on their remote control ?

YOU have not met my WIFE!!!!

 

[TNGTony]

LOL... If there was an "unstretch" feature on most TVs, I wouldn't care so much. But since there isn't (and for TNT/TBS) there can't be... Stretch-o-vision must die!!!

 

[DWS44]

LOL... If there was an "unstretch" feature on most TVs, I wouldn't care so much. But since there isn't (and for TNT/TBS) there can't be... Stretch-o-vision must die!!!

Preach on, man, Preach on!!! :up

 

[M Sparks]

Starz channels seem to always be the last premiums to be added, and it seems likely that Dish and Starz always have problems coming to agreement.

How do you figure? As far as the SD versions go (and not counting west feeds), DISH carries


4 of 8 Cinemax
5 of 8 Showtime
6 of 7 HBO
6 of 6 Starz & 7 of 7 Encore

Plus, they've got Starz On Demand, even if it's kind of half assed. No HBO or Showtime on Demand...

The only thing they don't carry from Starz is the Plex channels, which, as I mentioned, hardly anyone carries. (Which is too bad, since IndiePlex looks pretty good)

 

[kstuart]

Did Hans cause this?

DISH Network Charges Forward With Another Round of National HD Channel Launches
Sunday May 11, 10:27 pm ET
Satellite Provider Remains On Schedule to Reach Year-End Goal of 100 National HD Channels

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH - News), today announced plans to bolster its rapidly expanding HD programming with the launch of an additional 22 national HD channels beginning Monday, May 12. These additions include:

-- ABC Family HD (DISH Network Ch 180 -- Disney HD East (Ch. 172)
-- ESPNews HD (Ch. 142)
-- Biography HD (Ch. 119) -- Hallmark Movie Channel HD (Ch 187)
-- Bravo HD (Ch. 129)
-- Cartoon HD (Ch. 176) -- MGM HD (Ch. 385)
-- Cinemax 5 Star (Ch. 381) -- Sci Fi HD (Ch. 122)
-- Cinemax HD West (Ch. 380) -- Smithsonian HD (Ch. 374)
-- Comcast Sports Network Bay Area HD (Ch 419)* -- Tennis Channel HD (Ch. 400)
-- Toon Disney HD (Ch. 174)
-- Comcast Sports Network New England HD (Ch 435)* -- Travel Channel HD (Ch. 215)
-- USA HD (Ch. 105)
-- CNBC HD (Ch. 208) -- Weather Channel HD (Ch. 214)
-- CNN HD (Ch. 200) -- World Fishing Network HD (Ch. 396)

*Launch Wednesday, May 14

ADVERTISEMENT
``We are excited to extend our competitiveness in HD by enhancing our already comprehensive HD lineup with these 22 channels, bringing our total HD lineup to over 95 channels,'' said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. ``These launches, along with other recent additions such as the New England Sports Network (NESN) HD, reinforce our commitment to offer the best in entertainment.''

 

[Mr Zulu]

LOL... If there was an "unstretch" feature on most TVs, I wouldn't care so much. But since there isn't (and for TNT/TBS) there can't be... Stretch-o-vision must die!!!

I couldn't agree more. But when I come home from a business trip and see the state of our audio/video equipments (to include things as simple as the aspect ratio) I can understand why they do it.

 

[tawhite]

is that the world fart network?

Yeah, it comes with smell-o-vision!

 

[TalonDancer]

Did Hans cause this?

Oh good. I was getting tired of averting my eyes from the banned list 16 times

Talon Dancer

 

[parm32]

Rfd Tv Hd

I want my RFDTV HD so I can see Imus in HD

 

[tawhite]

I want my RFDTV HD so I can see Imus in HD

Not good, looking at Imus is like looking directly at the sun, your eyes will never be the same.

 

[digiblur]

129 TP 3 is now active.

 

[tigerfan33]

129 TP 3 is now active.

All systems go.

 

[DWS44]

Oh good. I was getting tired of averting my eyes from the banned list 16 times

LOL

On a different note, Didn't they already do press releases when CNN-HD and later SciFi and USA HD were turned on? Interesting they include them again in this list of channels turned on today.