False Advertising?
For the past few years there has been an ongoing debate between satellite companies on who has more HD channels. Dish likes counting regional sports networks which are not true 24 hour HD channels, instead Dish only carries select games from these RSN’s in HD. DirecTV on the other hand counts the number of HD pay per view channels they offer. Using creative math both companies can call themselves the HD leaders.
If you are shopping for a satellite provider and HD is an interest to you, be sure to check the HD channel lineup to make sure the HD channels you want are carried by the satellite provider your thinking of going with.
Another thing I have seen both satellite providers advertising a lot lately is 1080p High Definition. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer some PPV and VOD movies in 1080p. But what I saw from Dish Network the other day floored me.
In a commercial where Dish toots its horns for its great technology it mentions that they offer 1080p then show a picture of a screen showing ESPN with a graphic on the screen showing 1080p and 16 x 9 ratio.
(above is a screen shot of the ad in question)
To me this ad needs to be pulled immediately. While Dish does have 1080p content in the form of Pay Per View and VOD, ESPN is not broadcast on Dish Network in 1080p. In fact at last check ESPN only broadcasts in 720p format. The ad makes it seem like ESPN is being broadcast in 1080p when it’s not.
Don’t think that DirecTV is innocent here, a number of ads from DirecTV lately have been declaring its HD is 1080p and again only Pay Per View and VOD offers 1080p not your regular broadcast programming. Take a look at DirecTV’s 1080p website at http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3720002 and look at how there is a side by side of 1080p versus 1080i, the colors and picture looks much better on the 1080p, which should not really be the case since they are both 1080 lines of resolution, the only difference really is 1080p is broadcast progressively and 1080i is broadcasted in interlaced format. The colors should be the same, the only big difference is the 1080p should look smoother especially with motion.
At this time don’t fall for the 1080p hype from either provider unless you love watch PPV or VOD movies, as that’s all you are going to get from them in 1080p. And honestly in a number of tests many people really can’t tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p.
Don’t be fooled by the hype, instead take a look at both providers for yourself and decide which is best for you and your family.
hgNYC commented:
Both satellite carriers are a joke. They show a impossible price and then nickel and dime you when you order. Just stick with cable.
notwhouthink commented:
Scott better watch out or Ergen will terminate his derrier kissing card.LOL
JR commented:
Thanks. You're the man!
nope commented:
It's not true 1080p. It may look slightly better depending on how your TV upconverts it (although in some cases in can look worse), but in the end you're still seeing 720p quality.
JR commented:
So if ESPN only broadcasts in 720p and set tops convert to 1080p, is it a true 1080p picture or not?
itsme commented:
that is not a dish network ad its a telemarketer , it should be pulled
Note from Scott - Its not from a telemarketer, the commercial is airing all the time on Dish Networks on channel 101 which is the Dish Information channel.
ESPN commented:
ESPN broadcasts all of their networks at 720p, if your TV is seeing any other format it is likely being done by a setting in your settop.
JR commented:
To clarify, does ESPN broadcast only broadcast through Dish in 720p? Or does ESPN broadcast in 1080p HD to cable operators?
Cable Man commented:
I get tired of all the comments by all the providers. Who has the best picture quality, more HD, more channels, etc...I have been in the cable TV biz and sold satellites, cable, Uverse door to door for over 20 years. All that does is confuse customers. The real area that every provider should concentrate on is customer service. That is the main reason switch service. Plus the only promotions that anyone offers are to new customers. That is 2nd reason they switch. how about the customers that have been paying you all for years? What do they get? Yes, we all know, an increase to their bill.
david commented:
there is no real standard in what 1080p really is because if it was then every thing that was 1080p would be 1920x1080 or higher meaning that the picture would fill the whole HD TV screen,most blu-ray movies don't even fill the whole screen but no one will say that it is not full 1080p.
riffjim4069 commented:
Heck...I don't fall for the HD argument from either vendor, much less 1080p; 1440x1080i is not HD. Get rid of the gimmick and bring the fans 1920x1080i and not that HD-Lite garbage.
Shield95 commented:
My HDTV upconverts every signal to 1080p.
Dish commented:
Dish Network has a history of this. In their ads promoting Disney Channel HD last year, the screens showed images of Wizards of Waverly Place and Hannah Montana which were NOT produced in HD. And when Dish announced the launch of Nickelodeon HD, they did it with Spongebob and Dora, which of course do NOT air in HD.
dishman99 commented:
forget this, when will dish network offer Tv One?
