DISH and HD

[fox]

Does anyone know if the HD channels that DISH offers in 1080p really will be broadcast in the same PQ as a 1080p picture coming from a Blu Ray film? It had been my belief that the signal will be compressed and therefore not the same resolution as a BR? The answer could help me decide if or not to purchase a new 1080p HDTV. My current HDTV outputs to 1080i max. Thanks.

 

[OttoMatic]

I believe they will be compressed.

 

[fox]

In just the last little while, I was told the same. The HD signal will be more compressed than BR. Good to know.

 

[Phil Taylor]

The signal is compressed with MPEG4 technology. Very efficient and it looks GREAT! MPEG4 is a better algo than 2 - watching Rolex 24hrs of Daytona on FOX HD rite now and see no macroblocking issues on race cars (nor the rapidly moving background) going upwards of 200mph and that's not even the 1080p Dish ON DEMAND Turbo HD PPV movies <-- which is what they offer in 1080p.

 

[allargon]

Does anyone know if the HD channels that DISH offers in 1080p really will be broadcast in the same PQ as a 1080p picture coming from a Blu Ray film? It had been my belief that the signal will be compressed and therefore not the same resolution as a BR? The answer could help me decide if or not to purchase a new 1080p HDTV. My current HDTV outputs to 1080i max. Thanks.

Dish's HD channels are broadcast in 720p and 1080i (really 1440x1080i HD-lite but that's another matter). Only their VOD is 1080p24. The bitrates of Dish's 1080p offerings aren't nearly as high as the typical AVC Blu-Ray. The audio doesn't even trump the typical DTS DVD.

Blu-Ray is compressed as well. However, Blu-Ray is not as compressed as Dish's 1080p or other HD offerings. The only way to get uncompressed HD audio is to make it yourself. No one has the bandwidth to broadcast or transport uncompressed HD cost effectively to the masses.

 

[fox]

I think I will be keeping things as is for awhile. 1080i may not be the best, but it is still good. I find myself watching much more DISH programming then BR films as it is. Perhaps someday, a change will seem to be in order. But for now, it can stay as is. Again, thank you for the responses.

 

[treejohnny]

I just got Directv hooked up to my 47" 1080P LCD tv, but the HD signal from Directv is only coming in at 1080i. I called them up to find out what is going on, since their web site talks of 1080p being delivered to my tv. They say not everyone everwhere will get 1080p right now, they are working on it....pretty depressing

 

[allargon]

I just got Directv hooked up to my 47" 1080P LCD tv, but the HD signal from Directv is only coming in at 1080i. I called them up to find out what is going on, since their web site talks of 1080p being delivered to my tv. They say not everyone everwhere will get 1080p right now, they are working on it....pretty depressing

Only VERY limited content will be 1080p. 1080i is the highest broadcast around.

BTW, 1080i=1080p on modern sets. It's the same resolution. Don't let anyone tell you differently.