Echostar’s DISH Network claimed earlier this month that its “full HD” MPEG4 VOD service, launched on August 1, supplied video that was the “same as Blu-ray quality” to subscribers. “Wait a minute,” yells the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) in objection, as well they might.
The Dish service pushes 1080p/24Hz (or frames per second) content
overnight to user’s hard drives which they can then view at will.
DirecTV is also promising a similar service soon. (“DirecTV will begin
offering movies in 1080p, the highest resolution format available for
HD video enthusiasts and the same format used by Blu-Ray HD DVDs,” says
the DirecTV blurb).
These are terrific services, except they are both wrong in their claim
to match Blu-ray discs. Indeed, a BDA statement, delivered to David
Mercer of Connected TV, describes these claims as “irresponsible and
misleading”.
“A number of companies have recently launched advertising campaigns
claiming their products deliver high definition picture and sound
‘equal’ to that delivered by Blu-ray Disc. These comparisons are
irresponsible and are misleading to consumers. Up conversion and
satellite broadcast cannot provide a true Blu-ray high definition
experience, as neither is technically capable of producing the quality
delivered by Blu-ray players and Blu-ray discs. To that end, the
Blu-ray Disc Association is exploring these claims further and will
take appropriate action, as necessary, to prevent consumers seeking the
ultimate in high-definition home entertainment from being misled.”
There are two industry events where these claims and counter-claims can
be examined and tested – and where experts from the satellite industry
will be just a few feet away from the Sony exhibits: IFA in Berlin, and
IBC at Amsterdam. We’ll report back on our findings.
