VOD, How does it work?
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It downloads to the rec. either over night via sat. Now close to real time would have to come down via a fast broadband connection. Can't answer the last part of question.
It downloads to the rec. either over night via sat. Now close to real time would have to come down via a fast broadband connection. Can't answer the last part of question.
So each night all the VOD programs are downloaded?
Are they stored on the Hard Drive?
- I tried the VOD for the first time and was amazed. I just went to the movie, purchased it and it started playing right away. I thought it either had to be on the Hard Drive or it was being beamed live. But I was confused at how it could be beamed live, especially if other people ordered the same show at different times.
Are they stored on the Hard Drive?
- I tried the VOD for the first time and was amazed. I just went to the movie, purchased it and it started playing right away. I thought it either had to be on the Hard Drive or it was being beamed live. But I was confused at how it could be beamed live, especially if other people ordered the same show at different times.
No, you order the VOD movie(s) of your choice, those are then downloaded over night. You do need a Vip dvr receiver for it to work as well as a dsl connection via eithernet.
Not sure what you are saying. - I ordered a VOD movie and was able to watch at that very moment. I did not have to wait for it to download.
I did some searching, and apparently a connection is made to a server that directly links up and beams the broadcast to you, essentially creating your own channel.
Not sure what the max capacity is for simultaneous VOD. I am sure it is big, but not that big. If all Dish subscribers tried to order a VOD all at the same time, it would probably crash the system.
There are two "types" of VOD. The first, which is the one you have experienced, is the kind where you go to the "Movies and More" section of the VOD menu. On my receiver, I am seeing three currently. Those are downloaded to your receiver on an area of the hard drive that is reserved for this stuff.
Then there is the "DishOnline" section of the VOD menu. That shows you this massive, unpleasant, and un-navigable menu of mostly garbage movies and shows that are available to download. You buy one, then it starts downloading, and at some point you can begin watching (when you have enough of a buffer). Maybe the selection is better since the last time I was there, but Dish probably has the absolute worst OnDemand content of *any* provider; cable, fiber or satellite.
Then there is the "DishOnline" section of the VOD menu. That shows you this massive, unpleasant, and un-navigable menu of mostly garbage movies and shows that are available to download. You buy one, then it starts downloading, and at some point you can begin watching (when you have enough of a buffer). Maybe the selection is better since the last time I was there, but Dish probably has the absolute worst OnDemand content of *any* provider; cable, fiber or satellite.
So are they downloaded ahead of time and just stored monthly or something, or does it download or stream it right as you order it?
Can you order multiple VOD at the same time?
The instant VOD experience that you watched was downloaded, faster than real time I believe--like a file download, overnight "ahead of time" (much faster than broadband internet DishONLine) and won't show for rental until it has completely downloaded onto your hard drive. Also, the same VOD movies available at the "Movies & More" menu selection are also available at the channel 501 designation. In fact, you will see several channels marked 501. This is the same data (movies/files) that you see with "Movies & More".
Yes, you can order as many VOD's as you like "at the same time". In fact, Dish would love you to do that: more $$$ for them. However, the clock starts ticking when you begin to view the VOD movie.
Now, as a previous poster said, there is DishONLine that provides a different VOD experience. With DishONLine, you select what you want, then the download begins immediately, but you will not be able to watch that VOD event until enough of the content has downloaded. In other words, you can view the event while it is still downloading from your broadband internet connection. However, if you try to watch the event too soon, you will get a message telling you that not enough of the content has downloaded to watch.
In my experience, I have found that it takes less than 5 minutes into the download to watch an SD event. On the other hand, I have found that it can take as long as 10 minutes before you can watch an HD event. You can experiment with the free downloads. You can order as many events as there is room for on your hard drive. The system sets up a queue for multiple downloads and when one finishes, it downloads the next request, finishes that one, then downloads the next request automatically. If you don't have enough room on your HDD for anymore downloads, after several already on the queue, you will see a message informing you so. I have found that there is room for several SD events, but only a few HD events of significant length because HD does take up much more room on the HDD.
I do like DishONLine, and have enjoyed great HD quality downloads, but it is organized very poorly. Everything is organized by title rather than by service. In other words, I would prefers the portal to show all the HGTV On Demand in its own section, and all the MTV content in its own sectiion, all the Food Network shows in its own sections, etc., just like cable does. I often know what I'm looking for by the channel service NOT by the title of the show, necessarily. Someone posted that they had a hard time finding any of the Here! content on DishONLine. That is because all their content is mixed in with all the other junk, and unless you know the EXACT, proper, official title of ALL their shows, you won't find it. So, having a Here! portal would have led that user right to the content he wanted.
Yes, you can order as many VOD's as you like "at the same time". In fact, Dish would love you to do that: more $$$ for them. However, the clock starts ticking when you begin to view the VOD movie.
Now, as a previous poster said, there is DishONLine that provides a different VOD experience. With DishONLine, you select what you want, then the download begins immediately, but you will not be able to watch that VOD event until enough of the content has downloaded. In other words, you can view the event while it is still downloading from your broadband internet connection. However, if you try to watch the event too soon, you will get a message telling you that not enough of the content has downloaded to watch.
In my experience, I have found that it takes less than 5 minutes into the download to watch an SD event. On the other hand, I have found that it can take as long as 10 minutes before you can watch an HD event. You can experiment with the free downloads. You can order as many events as there is room for on your hard drive. The system sets up a queue for multiple downloads and when one finishes, it downloads the next request, finishes that one, then downloads the next request automatically. If you don't have enough room on your HDD for anymore downloads, after several already on the queue, you will see a message informing you so. I have found that there is room for several SD events, but only a few HD events of significant length because HD does take up much more room on the HDD.
I do like DishONLine, and have enjoyed great HD quality downloads, but it is organized very poorly. Everything is organized by title rather than by service. In other words, I would prefers the portal to show all the HGTV On Demand in its own section, and all the MTV content in its own sectiion, all the Food Network shows in its own sections, etc., just like cable does. I often know what I'm looking for by the channel service NOT by the title of the show, necessarily. Someone posted that they had a hard time finding any of the Here! content on DishONLine. That is because all their content is mixed in with all the other junk, and unless you know the EXACT, proper, official title of ALL their shows, you won't find it. So, having a Here! portal would have led that user right to the content he wanted.
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Actually, the pre-downloaded VOD is exactly the same movies that are on the dedicated PPV channels, it just records them for you overnight and stores them in the VOD area.
BTW, Blockbuster is currently having a deal where you pay them ten bucks, and you can watch as many movies as you care to, one at a time, for a week. Much better deal.
BTW, Blockbuster is currently having a deal where you pay them ten bucks, and you can watch as many movies as you care to, one at a time, for a week. Much better deal.
Comedy Central HD programing that aired before Dish lit up the channel is available for free download if you have you receiver hooked up to the Internet. There are 4 or 5 South Parks in HD that we missed. Plus Reno 911!, Krud Mandrown (spelling?) and a few stand ups. It really is worth hooking your receiver up to a network for the free VOD content, alone.
Yes, good point and deal for those who want to leave their house. Most of the subs I know don't want to have to leave the house and go to the brick and mortar store. Sure they will pay for the convenience of PPV and VOD, but they are very busy and tired and want the movie NOW. VOD and PPV is a more elegant solution and something people do seem to prefer. I know of subs who are dying for even more enhanced VOD services from Dish. Yes, they are willing to pay more for the convenience. I don't like the additional cost of valet parking, but the wife demands it. Just factor that into the cost of going and living life.
Hey, as long as we're on this, and I apologize if this is already posted elsewhere, but I've always been hesitant about one thing. Dish says that their HD Video on Demand is 1080p, and I've seen some reviews that say that it really works well and is a very nice product.
But when I go to the guide and navigate to Channel 501 to see what's available I typically see only one channel that explicitly says it is 1080p HD VOD. Then I see some other channels that list movie titles, but they don't say whether they are SD, HD 720p, HD 1080 or anything. So what's the story?
Is there only one HD 1080p VOD channel and the rest are SD or something else? Or are they all HD 1080p VOD channels and they only mention it one time?
Some clarification would be appreciated. Thanks!
But when I go to the guide and navigate to Channel 501 to see what's available I typically see only one channel that explicitly says it is 1080p HD VOD. Then I see some other channels that list movie titles, but they don't say whether they are SD, HD 720p, HD 1080 or anything. So what's the story?
Is there only one HD 1080p VOD channel and the rest are SD or something else? Or are they all HD 1080p VOD channels and they only mention it one time?
Some clarification would be appreciated. Thanks!
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I'm finding the content marked HD does not download in HD, its not even 16:9. Examples include South Park and Reno 911. In the past when 1080p content was added I was able to download it in HD but was prompted to download a compatible format because my tv doesn't do 1080p.
