Echostar shows the way to 1080p
Chris Forrester ©RapidTVNews
| 31-07-2008
US DBS broadcaster Echostar has started HDTV transmissions in 1080p, the first in the industry to offer this high level of definition. It has dubbed its new service TurboHD.
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This new functionality is part of DISH Network's latest and
“unprecedented” expansion in high definition services, which includes
the rollout of TurboHD, claimed as the industry's first 100%, all-HD
suite of programming packages. As previously announced, Dish will also
launch 17 new national HD channels on August 1, surpassing its goal of
reaching 100 national HD channels five months ahead of schedule. Dish
now offers up to 114 national HD channels and plans to expand that
line-up to 150 channels by the end of 2008, “made possible by the
recent launch of Echo XI, the most powerful satellite in the company's
fleet”.
"Over the years, Dish Network has maintained a very competitive high
definition offering in the marketplace,” said a statement, “that no
other pay-TV provider can come close to matching. Our latest system
upgrade coupled with the introduction of TurboHD further strengthens
our position as the leader in digital television and high definition
television," added Charlie Ergen, Chairman, CEO and President of Dish
Network.
Dish says its new HD services are supported by a proprietary system
upgrade that, starting August 1, is being rolled out to all their
MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers. By early August, all Dish customers with
MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers will have the only set-top boxes in the nation
enabled to display 1080p content, “allowing them to maximize the full
potential of their 1080p-compatible HDTV sets”.
The latest national HD channels added to Dish Network's programming
line-up are: ActionMax HD, CBS College Sports HD, Lifetime HD, Lifetime
Movie Network HD, Planet Green HD, Encore HD, HBO 2 HD, HBO Comedy HD,
HBO Family HD, HBO Latino HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO West HD, HBO Zone
HD, Starz Comedy HD, Starz Edge HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, and
Starz West HD.
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