New HD channel!

PolkThug

Yay! Watching Lakers v. Timberwolves on TNT HD channel, via Time Warner. Good picture, great sound. Everytime the ball ricochets off the rim it sounds like Darla tapping on the glass.

Cons:TNT logo in bottom right corner is not transparent, this is a huge no-no for big screens.

Well, looks like its beer thirty, later.

PolkThug

nebborjk

I heard that this station was arriving soon. Glad to hear that you like it. Do they broadcast in DD5.1? Hopefully DirecTV will add this to their HD line-up.

johnny_utah

You guys should look at Voom. It is great! A ton of HD (37 channels currently with more to come). I have had it for 4 months and it keeps getting better. They have a $0 down, $9.50 per month equipment lease deal, and the packages start as low as $39. It expires 5/31, so you need to look into it now.

If you have any questions about Voom just ask.

nebborjk

I’m still under contract with DirecTV until November. Supposedly DirecTV is going to increase their HD offerings later this year. I’ll waiting and see. Voom appears to have rabid fans over at avsforum.com. Maybe I’ll check them out in a couple of months.

PolkThug

Originally posted by nebborjk
I heard that this station was arriving soon. Glad to hear that you like it. Do they broadcast in DD5.1? Hopefully DirecTV will add this to their HD line-up.

Yeah, it was in DD5.1. Made for some cool effects sometimes.

PolkThug

Originally posted by johnny_utah
You guys should look at Voom. It is great! A ton of HD (37 channels currently with more to come). I have had it for 4 months and it keeps getting better. They have a $0 down, $9.50 per month equipment lease deal, and the packages start as low as $39. It expires 5/31, so you need to look into it now.

If you have any questions about Voom just ask.

How many of the channels are "legit" HD, and not just 480 expanded or zoomed. Some of the FOX stuff on TimeWarner I consider "fake HD", it looks like 480 in 16x9 format.

Is Voom an OTA service like DirectTV?

Regards,
PolkThug

HBombToo

Originally posted by PolkThug
How many of the channels are "legit" HD, and not just 480 expanded or zoomed. Some of the FOX stuff on TimeWarner I consider "fake HD", it looks like 480 in 16x9 format.

Is Voom an OTA service like DirectTV?

Regards,
PolkThug

I'm pretty sure Fox is 480p. I really do hate Fox. They need to spend more money on infrastructure.

HBomb

johnny_utah

Originally posted by PolkThug
How many of the channels are "legit" HD, and not just 480 expanded or zoomed. Some of the FOX stuff on TimeWarner I consider "fake HD", it looks like 480 in 16x9 format.

Is Voom an OTA service like DirectTV?

Regards,
PolkThug

Voom has 21 original channels that are in HD. 10 of them are movie channels that are about DVD quality with a DD5.1 soundtrack. the other 11 are all 1080i HD with DD5.1 soundtrack they all look amazing. In addition they have DiscoverHD, BravoHD, TNTHD and ESPNHD. Of these some content is upconverted, but as much as possible programming is in true HD. You would have to look at these channels individually. On top of that they offer 2 HBOHD channels, 2 ShowtimeHD, 2CinemaxHD, 2StarzHD, and 1 EncoreHD, and a PlayboyHD channel. All of these are either recorded in HD or converted to HD, movie transfers usually look really good, like DVD quality and have DD5.1 soundtrack. There are more to come. Some rumors are INHD 1 & 2 will be next.

Voom is a satellite service like DirectTV. Stand installation comes with an OTA for reception of local channels. So you will get all the HD that they send out as well.

I was under contract with DishNetwork but paid to get out of it and am glad I did. You get to keep your DirectTv equipment to sell or for future use.

After 5/31 installation will cost $199. You will still be able to rent the equipment for $9.50 a month. The base package will cost $49. If you sign up before 5/31, you don't have to pay $199, and the base package is $39 until next year. To get all the premium channels in HD, Voom offers the VaVaVoom pack for $79 or you can get them individually for like $14 a month.

One thing to think about - until 5/31 you can sign up for Voom try it for a month or 2 for no additional cost other than the programming - $39 a month. If you don't like it they will come unistall it.

wlrandall

"I'm pretty sure Fox is 480p. I really do hate Fox. They need to spend more money on infrastructure.

HBomb"


I hear ya...I despise Fox. I sent them an email asking how they could call 480p HD and all I got was this runaround about how it is HD and it was their "preferred format". Cheap-asses!

AsSiMiLaTeD

I checked out Voom a couple months ago and they were running the same promotion...couple of things...

That $39 a month only gets you a few more HD channels...realy only a couple more than I get now...

They told me that I'd only be paying $39 a month for the next eayr, but I couldn't get them to put it in writing...and it wasn't on the contract they sent me...

Not saying they aren't good, just a couple of things I noticed. My reason for not switching is the $240 cancellation fee I'd hyave to pay...that combined with the fact they everything is going to start going HD pretty soon anyway just ruled them out as an option...

johnny_utah

Originally posted by Polkmaniac

That $39 a month only gets you a few more HD channels...realy only a couple more than I get now...

In most cases Voom has about twice as much programming in HD than anyone else for $39. Three times more than anyone for $79

Not saying they aren't good, just a couple of things I noticed. My reason for not switching is the $240 cancellation fee I'd hyave to pay...that combined with the fact they everything is going to start going HD pretty soon anyway just ruled them out as an option...

Other cable providers have done nothing / announced nothing to counter the HD Voom is offering. You shouldn't rule them out yet, everything is going HD but slowly. The FCC wants everything to be digital by Dec 31, 2006. Thats a little ways off. I understand about the cancelation thing though!

PolkThug

Originally posted by wlrandall
sent them an email asking how they could call 480p HD and all I got was this runaround about how it is HD and it was their "preferred format". Cheap-asses!

You have inspired me. I will do the same and make sure to explain to them that "why would I watch FOX when the sitcoms on the other channels are in real HD?"

Regards,
PolkThug

nebborjk

Fox is supposed to have they're entire fall line-up in true HD, 720P, by September. They're also planning on doing some NFL games in HD. Not that this is any excuse for sucking **** all this time.

-10 HD channels and counting.
Kevin

PhantomOG

which way does the dish point for VOOM?

just curious. i live on the ground floor in an apartment so i highly doubt it is a possibility for me.

johnny_utah

Originally posted by PhantomOG
which way does the dish point for VOOM?

just curious. i live on the ground floor in an apartment so i highly doubt it is a possibility for me.

It points to 61.5 degrees. It is pretty low to the horizon, sort of southeastern direction.

edit: unless you have a building right in front of you, I would think you would be able to get it. Do you have Dish or DirectTV?

AsSiMiLaTeD

What is the contract period with Voom?

goingganzo

i think it has no contract i am realey thinking of upgradeinf cabble charges you for the hi def boz and a extra fee for the other 1/2 i of the channels even with paying a extra 10 a month to get the high speed cable it is still cheaper if i put up the cash for the systen and avout the same with renting.

PhantomOG

if i get VOOM what happens to my non-HD tv's? no programming???

fireshoes

It will down-rez the HD channels on SD tv's.

Rumor has it that their no contract and free install promotion will end May 31st. Supposedly install will be $199 then and they will require a 2 year commitment. I can't see them getting many subscriptions like that though, so I don't entirely believe the rumors.

PhantomOG

do i need a box in each room?

dumb question here, but I've never used Dish cable before...

does a satillite provider like VOOM use the existing coax running through my walls? (apartment) or do they have to rewire and stuff?

goingganzo

for every tv you need a box unless you want to watch the same program on all tv. and yes it can use the cable unstalled allready but you need a direct run from the dish to each box

johnny_utah

like goingganzo and fireshoes said, there is currently no contract, and this offer expires on 5/31. The installation will then cost $199, and a 2 year contract will be required. How long this will last is unknown, but it has been confirmed by the CSR's and is not a rumor.

You will need a box in each room. Voom only has 1 box right now and it leases for $9.50 a month (purchase is like $499). So if you want to hook up 4 TV's it's not a good idea to go with Voom; however, this fall they will be releasing an HD-DVR, that can record up to 4 different shows at the same time and that can be networked to 4 different TVs. Cost is unknown, but this box will be awesome.

johnny_utah

Gonzo - I like your world! Posters are a nice touch.

Pablo

I looked into VOOM last year, and turned it down because you couldn't watch different shows on different TVs at the same time (you would needed multiple dishes). I know they were looking into that, so I don't know what is possible now. But cablevision finially came through while I was doing the research so I went with that (who happens to own voom). It was also a lot of money ($700 or $800 I think), but you owned the equipment and no monthly charge until march (I was looking last Sept)

FYI, Fox doesn't call itself HD, they call it "widescreen digital" (ooooh, ahhhhhh). It's a 480p picture. I heard they were supposed to have 50% of all thier programming in HD by the fall (720p I believe). And the only reason to watch is 24.

goingganzo

thanks i have more but havent bult the fraims for them and also running out of basement walls to put them on. just ordered it and if we dont like it there is no cost.