Perhaps the most controversial decision in the early days of HDTV standards was the use of interlacing at the highest resolution (1080i). The introduction of Blu-ray and HD DVD also brought the standardization of progressive content (1080p) which has been responsible for the introduction of many more HDTVs capable of displaying these signals. Now Dish Network has brought 1080p to their online Video On Demand (VOD) service.
Dish Network’s IP-VOD service is similar to offerings from cable companies, but due to the lack of interactivity inherent in satellite communication it requires a DVR and broadband internet connection. Subscribers with a MPEG-4 HD DVR will now be able to get A&E’s new series The Beast in 1080p.
“We are thrilled to work with A&E in pioneering these efforts by taking television to the next level using 1080p format,” said Jessica Insalaco, DISH Network’s Chief Marketing Officer. “As the first pay-TV provider to first offer VOD movies and now offer a TV series in 1080p, DISH Network continues to lead the industry when it comes to delivering the best quality programming options, DVR technology and overall value for our customers.”
Although the satellite VOD offerings from Dish Network and DirecTV aren’t capable of precisely emulating the experience of their cable counterparts, using receivers designed specifically for their services does give them an advantage when it comes to non-standard features like 1080p.
Result for: 1080i
Imagine you’ve gone to see a major musical act live and somehow managed to record several concerts with your HDV camcorder. Hoping to share your footage with other fans you make it available via BitTorrent, but how can you let people know how to get it. If the band happens to be Nine Inch Nails you might contact Trent Reznor and let him publicize it for you.
In fact that’s exactly what happened, And keeping with his recent history of innovative promotions he passed the news on to NIN fans via the band’s website.
The footage comes from shows in Victoria, British Columbia, Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento, California. Being high definition (1080i) MPEG-2 video they total more than 400GB between them. If you’d like to download them for yourself you can use the links below.
In addition to a lot of free hard drive space, you’ll need a BitTorrent client to download and some skill at working with high definition MPEG-2 files. Unless you have a Mac you’ll also need to learn how to demux HDV2 files to a standard elementary MPEG-2 video stream.
If you’re wondering why Trent Reznor is promoting what amounts to bootleg video that he can’t sell and won’t profit from, think about this. It gives him free publicity in many places (like Afterdawn) where he wouldn’t normally get mentioned.
Result for: 1080i
Vivitar has announced the upcoming launch of the DVR565HD High Definition Camcorder which should hit retailers by the end of April.
The company did not give all that much information on the upcoming camcorder but did say it will “record in H.264/MPEG4 high definition at 720p with a Frame rate of 30 frames per second, plays back at 1080i and comes complete with HDMI cable for playback on HD Ready TVs.”
The device will be available in two colors, silver and black and will be “compact in shape and size”. The camcorder will have a 3-inch flip out color display, “a rechargeable lithium ion battery and will support SD cards up to 4GB.”
More information when it becomes available.
