Confirmed: Sports Packages to MPEG-4 in SD/ MPEG-2 HD Only in Fall '11

[johnnucleo]

I can't believe they are only doing SD channels to MPEG4, and leaving HD channels as MPEG2.....this doesn't make sense?? So they are forcing people who potentially don't have HDTV's to upgrade to HD receivers, while people who have been BEGGING shaw direct to have all HD for Sunday Ticket get the same crap 3-4 extra HD channels. Someone explain the logic to me.

Like, people with 505's and 530's which are HD receivers, have to upgrade just to be able to watch most of the games in SD??? Garbage.

[stephimoe]

I agree .... this is a very LAME idea !

Guess I'm not buying these sports packages (NFL sun tick/NHLCI) this year. I have bought them every year they have been offered, until this year !

Can't see shaw direct satellite not taking a pretty big hit $ wise on this decision. Atleast for the the few enitial years of only doing Mpeg4 SD.

Me personally I HATE being forced into something !!!!

[bigoranget]

My guess is the receivers will be priced as follows (based on 70% discount)

DSR600 $30
DSR605 $60
DSR630 $120

I would assume that you would have to have a DSR530 to get the full discount on a DSR630. I will call later this evening to see what the options are. I am personally going to demand free upgrades. If all the feeds were HD, I might bite and pay but to upgrade and still get SD feeds?....No way!!

[Danny001]

does this mean we need the new LNB to get MPEG 4?? I'm way up north and need 2 dishes and external switch to get HD, and I NEED NFL Sunday ticket! Just for curiosity, what is the advantage of moving anything to mpeg 4? More bandwith?

[bigoranget]

You do not need a new LNB. You just need access to F2.

Yes MPEG-4 saves bandwidth.

[peano]

Originally Posted by bigoranget

It's confirmed. MPEG-4 capible receivers required this year to get NFL and NHL packages this year.

[One big catch though. The HD channels will continue to be MPEG-2 and there will only be 3 feeds like last year. The SD channels will be delivered in MPEG-4.

This can't be true. There must be a mistake. Surely even the marginally skilled execs at SD are not this stupid??

[bigoranget]

They are. Don't ever put it past Shaw Direct to do something stupid.

The SD channels will indeed be MPEG-4 streams. The HD feeds will continue to be MPEG-2 feeds shared with the HD PPV channels.

[987654321]

You have to understand how channels are selected
1) What maximizes profits for Shaw shareholders
2) What Shaw Cable wants
3) What Shaw Media wants
4) What Shaw Broadcast Services wants
5) What Corus Ent wants
6) What the CRTC demands
7) What Shaw Direct customers want

That's the the major drawback to vertically integrated companies in any industry - the customer always comes last.

The only advantage to NFLST on Shaw Sky Cable is that it is the least expensive.

[Jables]

Originally Posted by bigoranget

The HD feeds will continue to be MPEG-2 feeds shared with the HD PPV channels.

And that right there is almost certainly the reason behind this decision - if they flip those transponders to MPEG-4 for NHLCI/NFLST they also make PPV MPEG4, and I am assuming they think that will hurt their bottom line.

It's the only thing that makes a lick of sense.

[GaryE]

The ad says "up to" 70% off so I wouldn't bet the 605 and the 630 will be 70% off... maybe 30%.

[Krydor]

They want to swap out those old doorstops as soon as possible. The best way to do that is to put the most popular channels in MPEG-4. Not everyone has HDTV, but they aren't going to want to miss their sports. Pretty smart move. Everything will be in MPEG-4 in a year or so, and this is just prep work.

[johnnucleo]

got a response from Ask Jim on receiver upgrade pricing if you subscribe to ST or CI:

DSR 600- for $29.99 (you can trade any of your receivers for this receiver)

DSR 605- $49.99 (you need trade in your 505 for this pricing)

HD PVR 630- $49.99 (trade in your HD 530 for this pricing)

They said the prices above include shipping (shipping isn't extra).

I gotta say those are some deep discounts. Still annoyed about not having all HD still. They said with the launch of their new satellite next year they will have the most bandwidth of any CDN provider. If that's true then there should be no excuse next year with ST being in all HD

[TJ77]

I don't think anybody should complain about those upgrade deals. I know the "I paid $700 for the 530, and I'm not paying a cent more" argument, but $50 for MPEG4, more storage, and extended guide is well worth it.

[johnnucleo]

I'm not complaining about the upgrade deal, I agree it is excellent. I'm complaining about the service they are providing in their ST offering. But that's a whole other argument.

[magnet]

This might have been missed but, NBA League pass is back this year for $5/ month (instead of included). It will include the online version as well, which is good considering they rarely show more than 1 game a night.

http://www.shawdirect.ca/promotions/english/nba_lp/

I'll assume the same standard def/ high def new box requirements are in play here as well.