ESPN HD & STAR CRICKET HD 24 hrs Coming SOON

[sanjay0864]

From personal experience and keeping in mind all the various factors, I strongly feel that TataSky HD is the best DTH option in India today. They are not perfect, not by a long shot, but they are the "andhon mein kaana raja".

 

[umeshdhingra]

I hv tried all the DTH providers except Sun,and , I now hv two Tata Sky plus connections at my place,excellent CC,only negative being that ESPN HD is not there

 

[rana_kirti]

@rana kirti
1 If you want the best PQ reliance is the way to go,about the customer service i have both airtel and reliance dth and both are pretty much the same.

2 Dish tv has the highest number of transponders 13 but they use lesser efficient Mpeg2 for SD channels and Mpeg4 for HD.

Airtel has the second highest number of transponders 12 and they are also using a more efficient mpeg4 compression.So they have the potential to give the highest number of channels hd or sd.

Tata Sky cannot add any more HD channels since they have a capacity crunch,they have 12 transponders but other then HD channels all SD channels use MPEG2.

Reliance has 9 transponders (unconfirmed reports say that they have 2 to 3 more transponders in contract)they also use Mpeg4 ,but they have the best picture quality of all DTH.

Videocon has the least amount of transponders 6 ,so there picture quality isn't good with multiple reports of pixelation.

So as of now airtel future looks good,but they don't have the best picture quality.

From personal experience and keeping in mind all the various factors, I strongly feel that TataSky HD is the best DTH option in India today. They are not perfect, not by a long shot, but they are the "andhon mein kaana raja".

I hv tried all the DTH providers except Sun,and , I now hv two Tata Sky plus connections at my place,excellent CC,only negative being that ESPN HD is not there

Thanks guys,

So it seems that Tata Sky has the Best HD Picture Quality and Customer Service but Reliance has the best SD Picture quality along with excellent HD Picture quality.

It also seems that Reliance is now testing/starting ESPN HD which is currently lacking in Tatasky.

So i guess i have 2 options...

1. Re-new my TataSky Subscription and wait for them to start ESPN HD. ( which i believe they'll start sooner or later ) Since i have one HD box already i'll only have to buy 2 more HD boxes for my other rooms.

2. Buy Reliance Big TV. I'll need 3 HD boxes so extra cost of about Rs 2600.

What say guys ?

Regards,

Rana

 

[adder]

Do you think tata sky will drop star cricket HD for ESPN HD,our country is cricket crazy.

 

[garfield]

I have the Sun, Airtel and Videocon HD boxes. My Videocon is the HD DVR. The customer service of Sun and Dish (of which I owned the SD box) is the worst. Videocon seems to be slightly better than Airtel, but I have had it for a very short time. The HD quality in Sun and Videocon is far better than Airtel. The Videocon HDD size is 160 GB. I believe the TS is 500 GB. I will probably stay with Videocon because they have ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD and Ten Cricket HD for India games. That should do it for me. Now if the MLB games are shown on ESPN HD, I am all set!

 

[prankey]

Well i have seen all dth out there except videocon.I can safely say the dish tv is the last when it comes to PQ and the vast majority in DTH forums concur.

Could you share some info or source on those high bandwitdth tps and has to how they are faster etc

I wouldn't entirely agree with you. I have done side by side comparison and below is my observation:

1. All the DD Direct+ channels look much better on Dish TV and are essentially free when most of the other operators don't have them all and operators like TS do not give ANY for free and that too at much reduced quality.

2. Several GEC channels look and sound better on Dish TV

3. Upscaling on Dish HD box is much better then likes of TS+HD I am currently using. As Dish HD do not use deblocking, it actually enhance the resolution of SD channels while TS blurs blocky images and hence degrades the resolution atleast on those areas - makes the picture look more like out of focus images! I used to have tough time focusing the images when I got it initially. Might be bad for your eyes!

4. Audio is usually okay on Dish TV especially when I took the optical output as otherwise on TS+HD its HEAVILY DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSED making it very synthetic, lifeless and sometimes inaudible voices, background sound or music.

5. Audio on HD channels on Dish HD still seems to be Stereo, however as there is no DRC, it usually sound better than what TS does on Star Cricket, Discovery and Nat Geo. For me, audio on these channels is VERY DISTURBING as TS is butchering it heavily without any purpose when they should only pass original audio.

6. TS keeps playing with Interlacing flag previously on Max HD and now on Star Cricket HD - Infact, they have SCREWED the flag since past several days and have gone to sleep!!! Absolutely unacceptable. On the contrary, HD channels look much better consistently on Dish HD without such issues.

I have referred TS for comparison as most of us think its the best and also as I am currently on TS+HD hoping for it to improve through regular escalations. Nevertheless, now I have decided to take them to the consumer court for not resolving the straight forward issues I have reported to their CEO and COO. They have chosen to play deaf and dumb instead of disabling all sorts of audio processing and fixing video issues like on Star Cricket HD since past almost a week now which is only a SINGLE SETTING to fix. If they just read these lines, and have the minimal understanding of interlacing flags on their MPEG4 encoders, they can fix it within seconds! I am not putting any complaint which they could not resolve in seconds! I am neither asking them to improve quality or add channels, just asking them to disable audio processing and fix intermittent settings related issues if they come like now.

Check LyngSat for TP SR which is proportionate to their bandwidth.

 

[rana_kirti]

Do you think tata sky will drop star cricket HD for ESPN HD,our country is cricket crazy.

i dont think they'll drop star cricket HD. But i'm assuming that they will add ESPN HD sooner or later. ofcourse no one knows the time period and when. but i do see that there must be tremendous demand from people for ESPN HD and Tata sky should be doing something about it soon.

I have the Sun, Airtel and Videocon HD boxes. My Videocon is the HD DVR. The customer service of Sun and Dish (of which I owned the SD box) is the worst. Videocon seems to be slightly better than Airtel, but I have had it for a very short time. The HD quality in Sun and Videocon is far better than Airtel. The Videocon HDD size is 160 GB. I believe the TS is 500 GB. I will probably stay with Videocon because they have ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD and Ten Cricket HD for India games. That should do it for me. Now if the MLB games are shown on ESPN HD, I am all set!

Thanks for the feedback on comparisons.

I wouldn't entirely agree with you. I have done side by side comparison and below is my observation:

1. All the DD Direct+ channels look much better on Dish TV and are essentially free when most of the other operators don't have them all and operators like TS do not give ANY for free and that too at much reduced quality.

2. Several GEC channels look and sound better on Dish TV

3. Upscaling on Dish HD box is much better then likes of TS+HD I am currently using. As Dish HD do not use deblocking, it actually enhance the resolution of SD channels while TS blurs blocky images and hence degrades the resolution atleast on those areas - makes the picture look more like out of focus images! I used to have tough time focusing the images when I got it initially. Might be bad for your eyes!

4. Audio is usually okay on Dish TV especially when I took the optical output as otherwise on TS+HD its HEAVILY DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSED making it very synthetic, lifeless and sometimes inaudible voices, background sound or music.

5. Audio on HD channels on Dish HD still seems to be Stereo, however as there is no DRC, it usually sound better than what TS does on Star Cricket, Discovery and Nat Geo. For me, audio on these channels is VERY DISTURBING as TS is butchering it heavily without any purpose when they should only pass original audio.

6. TS keeps playing with Interlacing flag previously on Max HD and now on Star Cricket HD - Infact, they have SCREWED the flag since past several days and have gone to sleep!!! Absolutely unacceptable. On the contrary, HD channels look much better consistently on Dish HD without such issues.

I have referred TS for comparison as most of us think its the best and also as I am currently on TS+HD hoping for it to improve through regular escalations. Nevertheless, now I have decided to take them to the consumer court for not resolving the straight forward issues I have reported to their CEO and COO. They have chosen to play deaf and dumb instead of disabling all sorts of audio processing and fixing video issues like on Star Cricket HD since past almost a week now which is only a SINGLE SETTING to fix. If they just read these lines, and have the minimal understanding of interlacing flags on their MPEG4 encoders, they can fix it within seconds! I am not putting any complaint which they could not resolve in seconds! I am neither asking them to improve quality or add channels, just asking them to disable audio processing and fix intermittent settings related issues if they come like now.

Check LyngSat for TP SR which is proportionate to their bandwidth.

So i do realize that you guys are trying to help me with your experiences with different HD boxes, but to be honest i'm still more confused than a high school girl as to which option should i take ? :lol:

1. Remain with TS and renew my annual subscription once it''s over in 2 months.

2. Go new HD connection with Videocon D2H.

3. Go new HD connection with Reliance big tv.

4. Go with DISH as prankey says they have the best sound and best picture.

kindly show me the path which leads to light....

thanks,

Rana

 

[adder]

I wouldn't entirely agree with you. I have done side by side comparison and below is my observation:

1. All the DD Direct+ channels look much better on Dish TV and are essentially free when most of the other operators don't have them all and operators like TS do not give ANY for free and that too at much reduced quality.

2. Several GEC channels look and sound better on Dish TV

3. Upscaling on Dish HD box is much better then likes of TS+HD I am currently using. As Dish HD do not use deblocking, it actually enhance the resolution of SD channels while TS blurs blocky images and hence degrades the resolution atleast on those areas - makes the picture look more like out of focus images! I used to have tough time focusing the images when I got it initially. Might be bad for your eyes!

4. Audio is usually okay on Dish TV especially when I took the optical output as otherwise on TS+HD its HEAVILY DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSED making it very synthetic, lifeless and sometimes inaudible voices, background sound or music.

5. Audio on HD channels on Dish HD still seems to be Stereo, however as there is no DRC, it usually sound better than what TS does on Star Cricket, Discovery and Nat Geo. For me, audio on these channels is VERY DISTURBING as TS is butchering it heavily without any purpose when they should only pass original audio.

6. TS keeps playing with Interlacing flag previously on Max HD and now on Star Cricket HD - Infact, they have SCREWED the flag since past several days and have gone to sleep!!! Absolutely unacceptable. On the contrary, HD channels look much better consistently on Dish HD without such issues.

I have referred TS for comparison as most of us think its the best and also as I am currently on TS+HD hoping for it to improve through regular escalations. Nevertheless, now I have decided to take them to the consumer court for not resolving the straight forward issues I have reported to their CEO and COO. They have chosen to play deaf and dumb instead of disabling all sorts of audio processing and fixing video issues like on Star Cricket HD since past almost a week now which is only a SINGLE SETTING to fix. If they just read these lines, and have the minimal understanding of interlacing flags on their MPEG4 encoders, they can fix it within seconds! I am not putting any complaint which they could not resolve in seconds! I am neither asking them to improve quality or add channels, just asking them to disable audio processing and fix intermittent settings related issues if they come like now.

Check LyngSat for TP SR which is proportionate to their bandwidth.

Well i respect your views.

But i stand by my views after comparison,i repeat again the majority of the people in dedicated DTH forums concur.

Although my criteria is only video and not much of audio.

Now regarding the bandwidth you do note that Dish tv is using MPEG-2 for its SD channels they require more bandwidth then airtel or reliance.

@rana_kirti
Do visit dedicated DTH forums like SaveOnDish.com: Videocon D2H, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel/Reliance Digital, Sun DTH, DD Direct Plus help and discussion forums

 

[prankey]

i dont think they'll drop star cricket HD. But i'm assuming that they will add ESPN HD sooner or later. ofcourse no one knows the time period and when. but i do see that there must be tremendous demand from people for ESPN HD and Tata sky should be doing something about it soon.



Thanks for the feedback on comparisons.



So i do realize that you guys are trying to help me with your experiences with different HD boxes, but to be honest i'm still more confused than a high school girl as to which option should i take ? :lol:

1. Remain with TS and renew my annual subscription once it''s over in 2 months.

2. Go new HD connection with Videocon D2H.

3. Go new HD connection with Reliance big tv.

4. Go with DISH as prankey says they have the best sound and best picture.

kindly show me the path which leads to light....

thanks,

Rana

I suggest you stay with TS HD if you currently have it. Probably in another 8 months time they will resolve their TP issues. Though I doubt they will disable Audio Processing as its unrelated to TP crunch and as most of us here are not bothered about Audio, probably you could be happy seeing 5.1 audio through coax output on your otherwise excellent AVR

 

[Bluu]

8 months?! Jeez! I was hoping to watch United win their 20th title in HD.

 

[garfield]

[/QUOTE]1. Remain with TS and renew my annual subscription once it''s over in 2 months.

2. Go new HD connection with Videocon D2H.

3. Go new HD connection with Reliance big tv.

4. Go with DISH as prankey says they have the best sound and best picture.

kindly show me the path which leads to light....

thanks,

Rana[/QUOTE]

1) I think Dish is out if you use an AVR because they do not have 5.1 sound.
2) Videocon is the only one with ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD. If that is important for you. It was for me.
3) Tata Sky has the largest HDD size if the DVR functions are important to you.
4)The Airtel HD DVR is useless as it does not transmit HD video only SD.
5) Sun has excellent video and audio quality as long as you don't mind not having any customer service at all and occasionally paying ludicrous amounts for certain events (they were charging Rs 13,500 for the WC Cricket in HD ... that is when I bought the Airtel)
6) I have had no experience with Reliance HD, but enough experience with Reliance Communications (same ownership) to know that dealing with them is not going to be healthy for my bank balance.

Hope this clears things up.

 

[Prashant_Jindal]

4)The Airtel HD DVR is useless as it does not transmit HD video only SD.

I think you are mistaken here. Airtel HD recorder does have HD Video. Output is 1080i and also Airtel now has seven true HD Channels. or are you talking about upscaling?

 

[rana_kirti]

Can the owners of Videocon D2H tell us what kind of Sports and other Content is being showed on EPSN HD ?

Is it mostly Live events or also recorded events ?

Thanks,

Rana

 

[askii2]

2) Videocon is the only one with ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD. If that is important for you. It was for me.

Videocon D2h doesn't have dolby digital sound.

 

[prankey]

1) I think Dish is out if you use an AVR because they do not have 5.1 sound.
4)The Airtel HD DVR is useless as it does not transmit HD video only SD
Hope this clears things up.

1 - Audio is usually crisper without the CURSE of DRC which TS is putting on all SD channels with all sort of clicks, pops, drops, jitters. They don't spare HD channels as well. Especially 3 HD channels like Discovery, Nat Geo and Star Cricket. So unless you are one of those who attain nirvana by seeing Dolby 5.1 on your AVR, you may want to prefer proper stereo Audio on Dish TV which is usually better than TS.

4 - You are completely mistaken! Airtel SD DVR did not have HD transmission thru HDMI. Newer HD DVR does. However there are reports of it getting over heated and getting burned, so I would certainly stay away from it. So, for a DVR I would still vouch for TS+HD solely for more HDD, better looks and customer care, 4 Star Asli HD channels with proper 5.1 audio (depending on original transmission) and 3 more HD channels with BUTCHERED AUDIO. However, as far as video and audio quality goes and especially if you have a good an AVR, you would regret getting a TS connection if you value quality!

Disclaimer: My observations are based on first hand experience and side by side comparison on the same test AV rig and NOT based out of "perception".

 

[sudhishkv]

Cricket is so damn boring now.... I wish ESPN HD was 24x7 instead of Star Cricket HD

 

[rana_kirti]

Videocon D2h doesn't have dolby digital sound.

are you saying they don't have 5.1 sound ? If i connect D2H to my AVR what will happen and what kind of sound will i get ? Is the D2H sound in "Stereo" mode and will i have to use the Dolby Prologic IIx option in the AVR to make it 5.1 ?

1) I think Dish is out if you use an AVR because they do not have 5.1 sound.
4)The Airtel HD DVR is useless as it does not transmit HD video only SD
Hope this clears things up.

1 - Audio is usually crisper without the CURSE of DRC which TS is putting on all SD channels with all sort of clicks, pops, drops, jitters. They don't spare HD channels as well. Especially 3 HD channels like Discovery, Nat Geo and Star Cricket. So unless you are one of those who attain nirvana by seeing Dolby 5.1 on your AVR, you may want to prefer proper stereo Audio on Dish TV which is usually better than TS.

4 - You are completely mistaken! Airtel SD DVR did not have HD transmission thru HDMI. Newer HD DVR does. However there are reports of it getting over heated and getting burned, so I would certainly stay away from it. So, for a DVR I would still vouch for TS+HD solely for more HDD, better looks and customer care, 4 Star Asli HD channels with proper 5.1 audio (depending on original transmission) and 3 more HD channels with BUTCHERED AUDIO. However, as far as video and audio quality goes and especially if you have a good an AVR, you would regret getting a TS connection if you value quality!

Disclaimer: My observations are based on first hand experience and side by side comparison on the same test AV rig and NOT based out of "perception".[/QUOTE]

Same question for Tatasky. I believe 4 Star Asli HD channels have proper 5.1 audio.

But what about the 3 more HD channels with BUTCHERED AUDIO ? What kind of sound will i get if i connect it to my AVR and is it in Stereo and subsequently will i have to use Dolby Prologic IIx option in the AVR to make it 5.1 ?

My annual subscription with TS is ending in a month and i need to decide whether to move to D2H or re-new with TS.

Any help on this will be appreciated.

Regards,

Rana

 

[CountRock]

4 - You are completely mistaken! Airtel SD DVR did not have HD transmission thru HDMI. Newer HD DVR does. However there are reports of it getting over heated and getting burned, so I would certainly stay away from it.

I don't think this is the case, I have left the DVR on for 2 months in a closed house without a fan! no problems so far. All DVRs get a little warm. Not sure about the HD Audio, will be getting my AVR sometime in the next week or so. Will keep you updated.

 

[prankey]

Cricket is so damn boring now.... I wish ESPN HD was 24x7 instead of Star Cricket HD

+1 I always knew that it will be saturating as for me cricket is more or less the same - cricket ESPN HD should be more fun to watch, though many of us may disagree

are you saying they don't have 5.1 sound ? If i connect D2H to my AVR what will happen and what kind of sound will i get ? Is the D2H sound in "Stereo" mode and will i have to use the Dolby Prologic IIx option in the AVR to make it 5.1 ?

As indicated, you will get 5.1 audio coming to your AVR. Audio is butchered on those 3 HD channels and all SD channels through DRC, AVL and PSEUDO 5.1 processing (on HD channels). Sometimes this is a 3.1 MONO audio or terribly DRC audio with no life as all high intensity sounds get completely muffled due to DRC. Hence, I prefer stereo audio without such processing as I get full dynamic range through my AVR and can use PLII or DTS Neo to enjoy multichannel audio without compromising the quality like on TS.

 

[rana_kirti]

pardon me but i didn't quite get it... are you saying the audio is bad or good on the TS ?

Or simpler query would be, which would work better with an AVR, TS or D2H ?