Press Release About DISH's Eastern Arc Service
Bill R
slots and requires a DISH Network 1000.4 or 1000.5 dish and a new
smartcard (purple G3 card) and a MPEG-4 receiver. As the press release
says (right now) it is only available in 21 markets (DMAs).
Source: http://investor.echostar.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=330196
DISH Network(R) First to Offer All Standard and High Definition
Programming in MPEG-4
"ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News
Network/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the third largest
pay-TV provider and the digital television leader, today became the
first in the pay-TV industry to transmit all standard and high
definition programming in the MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding Standard.
This milestone continues DISH Network's series of industry firsts,
including the latest expansion in high definition services, the launch
of TurboHD -- the only 100 percent HD service -- the availability of
movies in Blu-Ray Disc quality 1080p resolution, and the commitment to
offer up to 150 national HD channels by the end of the year.
New customers in 21 designated markets* in the eastern half of the U.S.
who sign up for any DISH Network(R) HD package will be the first in the
nation to receive the industry's most advanced delivery system on all
televisions connected to DISH Network service. This includes all SD and
HD programming broadcast in MPEG-4 via DISH Network's award-winning
MPEG-4 HD and HD DVR receivers -- even further enhancing DISH Network's
already superior picture.
"DISH Network once again leads the pack in providing customers with an
unparalleled entertainment experience. Our complete MPEG-4 solution --
which will offer up to 150 HD channels by the end of the year -- uses
the most advanced technology in the industry to deliver the best quality
picture to any television set in the home, perfect for those who have or
are considering upgrading to high definition," said Jessica Insalaco,
Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network. "We look forward to expanding
this advanced service to more consumers throughout the U.S. in the
coming months."
To maximize the MPEG-4 TV experience, new customers can sign up for DISH
Network's recently-introduced TurboHD, the only packages in the industry
featuring 100 percent HD, MPEG-4 programming, starting at $24.99 per
month. TurboHD is available in three separate tiers and comprises
special "turbo-charged" features and benefits such as DISH Network's
award-winning and industry-leading technology, the highest quality HD
available including 1080p where applicable, and the most-watched HD
channels that may be viewed on any TV -- analog, digital or high definition.
Current DISH Network customers looking to add the industry's best high
definition experience can get a "turbo-charged" HD package for as little
as $10 more per month.
For more information about DISH Network's MPEG-4 service, 1080p
programming, new HD channels, and TurboHD system and packages, visit
http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
* The first wave of the all-MPEG-4 offer will occur in 21 markets,
including: Cleveland; Richmond, Va.; Baltimore.; Columbia, S.C.;
Tampa,Fla; Green Bay, Wis.; Greensboro, N.C.; Providence, R.I.;
Greenville,S.C., Knoxville, Tenn.; Raleigh, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit;
Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Nashville, Tenn.; Minneapolis, Minn.;
Philadelphia.; Washington, D.C.; New York, N.Y.; and Hartford, Conn.
Additional markets will be announced at a later date."
--
Bill R.
Remove nospam_ and x in e-mail address to reply by e-mail
TV slug
news:48b316cf$0$31976$d94e...@news.iglou.com...
Does this mean they are transmitting all the channels in both MPEG2 and
MPEG4 right now, at least for the listed areas? Since they said "first to
offer" I guess they didn't throw a switch to turn off the MPEG2 users.
Anyone know if they are going to aggressively try to switch existing users
over to new receivers?
BobaBird
> "Bill R" <nospam_...@iglou.com> wrote:
>
> > Note: The Eastern Arc service is from the 77, 72.7, and 61.5 satellite
> > slots and requires a DISH Network 1000.4 or 1000.5 dish and a new
> > smartcard (purple G3 card) and a MPEG-4 receiver.
Any details on the Dish 1000.5? The TechPortal has been reduced to
receivers and remotes only. The only thing I've seen is that it is a
bit larger than the 1000.4. I've compiled quite a bit on the Dish
1000.4 at http://www.dishuser.org/easternarc.php .
> Does this mean they are transmitting all the channels in both MPEG2 and
> MPEG4 right now, at least for the listed areas? Since they said "first to
> offer" I guess they didn't throw a switch to turn off the MPEG2 users.
Yes. No. Existing customers will continue to get MPEG2 SD channels
including Dish Latino from 110/119, as well as internationals from
118.75. Those who get the new dish will have all of their AT package,
local, and premium SD and HD channels in MPEG4.
> Anyone know if they are going to aggressively try to switch existing users
> over to new receivers?
Not just to use the new dish, as the PR says it is initially for "New
customers in 21 designated markets." Those are listed at the bottom
of the PR and flagged by (EA) at http://www.dishuser.org/hdlocals.php.
In action not directly related to Eastern Arc, they are currently
pushing to swap out all MPEG2 HD receivers (6000, 811, 921, 942) in
all areas as the last of the MPEG2 HD channels are about to be
converted to MPEG4.
--
Charles
Visit the Echostar Knowledge Base
http://www.dishuser.org
Arnie Goetchius
> Note: The Eastern Arc service is from the 77, 72.7, and 61.5 satellite
> slots and requires a DISH Network 1000.4 or 1000.5 dish and a new
> smartcard (purple G3 card) and a MPEG-4 receiver. As the press release
> says (right now) it is only available in 21 markets (DMAs).
I have a 4900 receiver for the purpose of receiving 4 international
channels on 61.5. I have no interest in other DISH channels or HD or
getting any new equipment to receive my current channels off of 61.5.
How long, would you (anybody) guess, that I'll still be able to use my
current equipment?
Bill R
And just to add to Charles' (BobaBird) post -- so everyone knows what is
going on -- here is some additional information about the Eastern Arc
service: First, as stated, the service is right now only available in
21 DMAs. The EA (eastern arc) is currently providing service from the
61.5 and 72.7 degree slots. The Echostar XI satellite (which was
launched to the 110 slot on 7/16 is now fully tested and ready to
provide service at that slot. Once the service is transferred to that
satellite (transfers start this week from Echostar 8, currently at the
110 slot) the Echostar 8 satellite will be moved to the 77 slot to
provide additional EA capacity (it will also be used to provide new
service to Mexico which will NOT be available to U.S. DISH Network
customer). There will then be 3 satellites at the EA (61.5, 72.7, and
77 degrees). Once the 77 degree satellite is in place DISH will move
additional DMA to the EA. In some cases markets will be duplicated on
both the EA and western arc (WA) at 129, 119, and 110. The WA will be
mixed MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (all HD will be MPEG-4). The EA service will be
all MPEG-4. There will be some exceptions early on as some of the
international channels on 61.5 will be MPEG-2 but, as mention, they are
being moved to 118.75.
For most existing customers customers there won't NEED to be a change
within the next 6 months (or so) unless there is a LOS (lost of signal)
problem with the WA (remember that there is a new satellite being launch
to the 129 slot at the end of the year so that should solve a lot of
problems with low signals from that slot). As additional DMAs (HD
locals) are added to the EA customers will need to have a EA dish
installed to get their HD locals via satellite. DISH has not announced
any time frame for those changes but, stay tuned, there should be some
more announcements next month (September).
Bill R
Arnie,
I have not heard a time frame to move ALL international channels off of
61.5. I do know a few people like you that had only international
channels from 61.5 and months before they were turned off the customer
was contacted and scheduled to have a free dish install for the
channels' new location. DISH installed a dish 1000+ for the 118.75 slot
(where most of the international channel now are) for the people that I
know.
You might want to give DISH a call and see if they have a time frame to
move your channels.
Arnie Goetchius
Bill R wrote:
> Arnie Goetchius wrote:
>> Bill R wrote:
>>
>>> Note: The Eastern Arc service is from the 77, 72.7, and 61.5
>>> satellite slots and requires a DISH Network 1000.4 or 1000.5 dish and
>>> a new smartcard (purple G3 card) and a MPEG-4 receiver. As the press
>>> release says (right now) it is only available in 21 markets (DMAs).
>>
>>
>> I have a 4900 receiver for the purpose of receiving 4 international
>> channels on 61.5. I have no interest in other DISH channels or HD or
>> getting any new equipment to receive my current channels off of 61.5.
>> How long, would you (anybody) guess, that I'll still be able to use my
>> current equipment?
>
> Arnie,
>
> I have not heard a time frame to move ALL international channels off of
> 61.5. I do know a few people like you that had only international
> channels from 61.5 and months before they were turned off the customer
> was contacted and scheduled to have a free dish install for the
> channels' new location. DISH installed a dish 1000+ for the 118.75 slot
> (where most of the international channel now are) for the people that I
> know.
Okay, sounds good as long as it is free.
>
> You might want to give DISH a call and see if they have a time frame to
> move your channels.
I'll do that.
Thanks for your response.
Andy G
I'm in the Baltimore area. I have a 622 with HD. I have a dish pointed at
61.5 and at 110/119. I have no idea what model dish I have, nor do I have
any smartcard. While plugging in a smartcard is no big deal, does what kind
of dish that I have pointed at 61.5 matter? I've had the 61.5 dish for
about 2 years. Thanks.
Andy
On 8/26/08 9:17 AM, in article 48b4025d$0$31909$d94e...@news.iglou.com,
Bill R
> Bill,
>
> I'm in the Baltimore area. I have a 622 with HD. I have a dish pointed at
> 61.5 and at 110/119. I have no idea what model dish I have, nor do I have
> any smartcard. While plugging in a smartcard is no big deal, does what kind
> of dish that I have pointed at 61.5 matter? I've had the 61.5 dish for
> about 2 years. Thanks.
>
> Andy
>
Andy,
You have a dish 500 for 110/119 and either a dish 300 or 500 for the
61.5 slot. It does not matter what type of dish (or LNB, legacy or
DishPro) you have for either slot.
The smart card replacement (or, in your and my case, just a new card)
has just started and it may be a while before you get one. And, in case
anyone asks, the CSR have NO information when each subscriber gets their
card. An indication that you will get one soon is when channel 998
appears in your program guide. Generally 998 will appear a week to 10
days before your new card arrives. Channel 998 is the instruction
channel for the new cards but very clear instruction comes with each
card. The instructions show how to install the card (for 622/722 models
it installs in the front on the left side). Once installed you call a
toll free number to activate the card. The card activation is automated
and MOST customers will never need to talk to a CSR. New cards are
activated within a few minutes of calling the card activation line. Old
cards (for those that have them) will NOT need to be returned to DISH.
Andy G
smart card will come when it comes. I would then have to change my 61.5
dish to a dish 1000 in order to receive the eastern arc service? Thanks.
Andy
On 8/26/08 6:47 PM, in article 48b487fd$0$31954$d94e...@news.iglou.com,
Bill R
> Thank you for the response. Just to be certain that I understand, the new
> smart card will come when it comes. I would then have to change my 61.5
> dish to a dish 1000 in order to receive the eastern arc service? Thanks.
>
> Andy
>
Yes. Specifically, you will need a dish 1000.4 or 1000.5 (for low
signal areas) for the eastern arc. There is no reason to change from
what you have now to the eastern arc unless DISH puts your local HD
channels on one of the EA satellite. The national HD and SD channels
that the EA will have are on the current satellites that you now receive.
Andy G
On 8/26/08 9:36 PM, in article 48b4af87$0$31964$d94e...@news.iglou.com,
FredP
"Andy G" <andygplust...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:C4DA474A.588F%andygplust...@verizon.net...
point for you to change other then to get down to one dish servicing all
three sats. Dish could even state as an existing customer with a mpeg4
receiver already there is no point. The smartcard coming sometime this year
for your 622 is addressing encryption/security(hackers) issues as well as
allowing you to see all the sats in the EA. No point to the upgrade unless
your signal levels are low or Dish pulls something off of 110/119.
Patrick Martin
Patrick
Bill R
> I wonder what will happen to the SD PI stations on the 61.5?
>
> Patrick
>
Very likely no change. DISH (and DirecTV) are required to have a
certain percentage of capacity on EACH slot devoted to PI. My guess is
that the EA (61.5, 72.7 and 77) will have the same PI channels as the WA
(129, 119, and 110).
Mac Cool
> I guess they didn't throw a switch to turn off the MPEG2 users.
Yes they did, cut me off clean.
Patrick Martin
I was (hoping) that those three PI channels I want that are on 129/61.5
would move to the 110/119/ or 148 bird.
I guess when the new bird gets up at the 129, the signal will be better.
Maybe to the point that I can use my old 18 inch Dish 300 Dish to pick
it up. It is too bad I cannot get my old 2800 to work with 4 positions
though. Another option is to move the 148 dish to the 61.5 position, but
I would have to deal with rainfade as it is only 11 degrees above the
horizon here.
If I get the Dish LNBF to work using the BUD, that can be an option.
However, everytime I want to use the LNBF on the BUD, I will be stuck
with a check switch. I could buy another old 2800 and use that receiver
to get the 129, but I would have to pay extra to use both receivers on
one account. I guess in this case, it is hard to have your cake and eat
it too.
Patrick
Bill R
Patrick,
From what I have heard there won't be any movement of the PI channels
but nothing is set in stone.
Quite frankly I would not invest anything in older receivers.
Todd Allcock
> > I guess they didn't throw a switch to turn off the MPEG2 users.
>
> Yes they did, cut me off clean.
He was referring to standard-def channels. DISH recently launched an new
all MPEG-4 version of their service (both SD and HD) in 21 markets.