"But are they Blu-ray quality?," the New York Times asked of the Dish movies in an article last August. "Resolution is not the only factor that determines picture quality. Another is bit rate, the number of bits per second that are being transmitted down the pipe to consumers...Bit rate is a subject that the cable and satellite providers never discuss, but anyone who watches the various services can see that some channels are considerably softer looking than others."
The Times quoted well-known TV engineer Pete Putman as saying that CBS now offers the high bit rate over the air with 17 megabits per second for its high-def programs; and that's for 1080i, not 1080p. But Putman says he believes Dish transmits high-def programming at around 6-8 megabits per seconds.
Consequently, Putnam is dubious that the satcasters have the bandwidth to increase their bit rate to offer true 1080p video.
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Washington, D.C. (December 31, 2008) --
Dish Network announced today that it has added The Dark Knight to its selection of Pay-Per-View movies available in 1080p video.
The satcaster said the 1080p version of the film will be available for $6.99 per viewing.
Dish Network last August began offering PPV movies in 1080p high-def video -- the same resolution it says is found on the Blu-ray high-def disc. Dish premiered the format with the showing of I Am Legend on HD PPV.
Is he in 1080p on Dish?
However, some high-def experts have disputed whether the video is truly 1080p.
The satcaster said the 1080p version of the film will be available for $6.99 per viewing.
Dish Network last August began offering PPV movies in 1080p high-def video -- the same resolution it says is found on the Blu-ray high-def disc. Dish premiered the format with the showing of I Am Legend on HD PPV.
Is he in 1080p on Dish?
However, some high-def experts have disputed whether the video is truly 1080p.
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