The Dish Network User's Resource
The Dish Network User's Resource
Hosts for the August 2008 Tech Forum are Steve Gottsegen and Leslie Harper.
They have a new look and more of a focus on consumer information. There will be a live Tech Chat with Dr Dish after the broadcast but some questions will be answered on the show.
EchoStar XI launched on July 15, they show a video. Cut to Charlie Ergen who says this is their most powerful satellite, should go live by the end of August. This satellite will reach Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico on the main beam, allowing those areas to receive it with a smaller dish.
TurboHD launched August 1. Jessica Insalaco, Chief Marketing Officer, announces the first 1080p Video On Demand in Blu-ray quality. Roll the TurboHD video and small clips from the new channels.
Dish Network is bringing 3600 hours of the Summer Olympics. Roll video of NBC's technical efforts. The Olympics are now on the ch 100 mosaic.
Leslie Harper does a show and tell of electronic gadgets available at Target. None of it is related to Dish Network.
Prize: All the items Leslie just showed (really, a great package)
Question: In what year were the Olympics first televised?
Call 1-888-662-3474
On Feb 17, 2009 television stations will broadcast only in digital. Older television sets that are not hooked up to Dish Network may need a converter box. Kevin Hutchinson, Product Marketing Mgr, suggests getting your friends to sign up for Dish. The DTVpal is the top-rated converter box, featuring analog pass-through (important because many stations won't switch until 2011), and an EPG and menu similar to current Dish receivers. It is eligible for the $40 coupon program. Visit http://www.dtv2009solutions.com for info on the transition, the DTVpal, and how to get the coupons. The DTVpal is available at Sears, Ultimate Electronics, Dish retailers, by calling 1-888-638-9912, or visiting http://www.dtvpal.com. Wilmington, NC is switching to digital early on Sept 8 as a demonstration for the rest of the country.
Questions are no longer taken live, but keep sending e-mails. There will be a live 1-hour chat following the broadcast with Dr Dish at http://www.dishnetwork.com/techchat.
Drew: Several HD programs are on 2 different channels. Is one better?
A: They're the same, just mapped down from the 9000-range to the more familiar numbers.
Kyle: Will you soon have an HD receiver with 2 HD tuners?
A: We already do. The confusing part is that the TV2 output downconverts to SD. With OTA connected, you can even record 3 HD channels at once. (The likely intended question of 2 HD outputs was not addressed.)
Kevin and Donna: Does an analog TV with a Dish Network receiver need a converter box? Do I have to buy an HDTV?
A: No, if you have Dish you are all set.
The show will be getting a new name to go with the new format. E-mail suggestions to techforum@echostar.com. The winner will receive a prize.
After show note: the “live 1-hour chat” turned out to be nothing more than one-on-one tech support. Not bad, but not what was implied and definitely nothing we can all learn from.
The show will be rebroadcast throughout August.
Next Tech Forum: Monday Nov 10, 2008, 9pm ET, channel 101