New HD Locals and HD Equipment
Yesterday both Dish Network and DirecTV lit up new HD local channels for their customers.
For DirecTV customers in Philadelphia they gained their local PBS station WHYY in HD. For DirecTV customers in Tucson, AZ customers gained 3 HD stations, KUAT (PBS), KWBA (CW) and KTTU (MNT).
Dish Network customers also expanded its HD locals offerings by adding 5 new HD DMA’s. HD locals were added in Charleston, S.C.; El Paso, Texas; Savannah, Ga.; Tallahassee, Fla.; and Tri-Cities, Tenn. and Va.
I was contacted by a number of Satellite Dish readers who were upset that the Colorado Springs, CO DMA was not launched yesterday as was announced on the February 4th retailer chat. I do not know the reason why this DMA’s HD launch was delayed but I should mention that on the retailer chat Dish Network clearly pointed out that “… dates and markets are subject to change at any time in Dish Network’s sole discretion.” I do hope however the the delayed launch of this DMA is minimal.
This brings the number of HD DMA’s offered by Dish Network to 101 markets that covers 82 percent of the US households.
New Equipment from Dish Network Coming
One of the most widely anticipated satellite receivers (besides the Slingloaded 922) is due to be released by Dish Network this week. The Dish Network VIP 722k receiver has started shipping to retailers across the country.
The 722k is based on Dish Networks multi award winning 622/722 platform but is expanded to offer some new features which many hard core satellite customers have been waiting for, for a long time.
Unlike the standard 722 the 722k does not include a digital off air tuner, instead the 722k allows customers to add on a new dual off air tuner cartridge that can tune into and record from two separate off air channels at the same time! In addition with the new cartridge 722k customers can watch live over the TV via a second TV. The 722k is capable of outputting two separate video outputs to two TV’s at the same time. (1 HD and 1 SD)
The 722k was introduced last May at Dish Network’s Team Summit retailer event, and since the announcement a number of customer have been waiting to get their hands on one as they do a lot of recording to their DVR from off air sources.
I have one 722k with OTA Tuner Cartridge on its way to me and I am looking forward to reviewing it in a future edition of The Satellite Dish.
ron commented:
why isnt wrex tv rocford il in hd all the rest of rocford channels are.
Ross commented:
DirecTV doesn't offer local channels in HD in the Medford/Klamath Falls, OR area. I've talked to every local channel, they tell me they've given DirecTV access to their HD signals, but that DirecTV is refusing to broadcast them to us. It's maddening, watching most cable shows in HD, then flipping over to watch Lost, Survivor or anything else offered by the major networks and seeing it in crappy SD.
ron commented:
when are you going to launch local hd channels in the rockford il area
Dennis commented:
I would really like to see Dish offer Toledo Local Stations in HD. It is a shame that Direct TV offers all of them in HD, but not Dish. Come on Dish, get with it. I really don\’t want to change to Direct TV!!!!!
NelsonS commented:
I echo the call for Dish to offer the MLB channel. Also, I noticed HD for the Tri-Cities of Tenn & Va. I live in the Tri-Cities of Washington State and we don\’t have Dish HD here. When????? Also, we have a Fisher CBS outlet and it\’s getting really annoying that they don\’t make a deal.
Rabbiteer commented:
Yeah, no HD in Roanoke is really annoying — DirecTV doesn\’t carry them either. I\’ve figured at least one of the major Roanoke stations hasn\’t wanted to play ball and wants unreasonably high fees, since even Harrisonburg, VA is getting HD this spring. However, I also read somewhere that people in the Roanoke area are way below average in buying technology like HDTV, so perhaps they don\’t expect there will be enough demand.
New HD Locals and HD Equipment commented:
When will Directv FINALLY provide HD Locals in Bakersfield, Ca?????? (88% of the nation has them!!!!)
stv49 commented:
when is Dish going to add PBS locals in HD? It\’s probably the only major provider in the country without them, or plans to add them. Maddening for PBS fans who don\’t have over the air reception!
BobC469 commented:
I would be glad if they got back the Fisher Stations here in the NW.
Notice Direct now has PBS in HD in some markets, any word from Dish that they might be offering PBS in HD? I have sent EMail to Dish but can\’t get more than a canned reply that doesn\’t really answer the question.
JudyT commented:
When will Huntsville Alabama be added to the local HD channels on DirecTV
rleemann commented:
Local Channels Converts to Dish Network HD
02/18/09, the following local New Orleans market local channels were offered in High-Def from The Dish Network:
New Orleans, LA – WWL-TV CBS Ch.4
New Orleans, LA – WDSU NBC Ch.6
New Orleans, LA – WVUE Fox Ch.8
New Orleans, LA – WGNO ABC Ch.26
Affiliates not converted:
New Orleans, LA – WYES PBS Ch.12
New Orleans, LA – WHNO IND Ch.20
New Orleans, LA – WLAE PBS Ch.32
New Orleans, LA – WNOL WB Ch.38
New Orleans, LA – WPAX PAX Ch.49
New Orleans, LA – WUPN UPN Ch.54
H commented:
Where the h*** are the Roanoke, VA DMA\’s???????? There is a Dish Network call center here for God\’s sake…
Bruce commented:
When will Dish wake-up and add the MLB Channel!!
MikeD-C05 commented:
I got my new 722k at dishdepot.com yesterday for $419.00 and Mark at dishdepot.com allows trade ins towards the price of the new receiver. I have done all of my trade ins there for the last 6 years and Mark is great to do business with. He charges NO TAX if you live outside the state of FLorida. My new 722k is on the way as we speak.