Posted on 07/19/2008 5:48:31 AM PDT by Las Vegas Dave
DIRECTV's advertising campaigns often mock cable TV's claim that it has more 'HD choices" than satellite because of cable's Video on Demand service.
The DIRECTV campaign is justified in pointing out that the satcaster actually has far more HD channels than cable -- and that most consumers are not excited about watching high-def programs on demand; they want real channels, not choices.
So I would be remiss if I didn't point out that DIRECTV is now trying to play the same 'fool the consumer' game.
DIRECTV this month officially launched a Broadband-enabled Video on Demand service, which has more than 4,000 titles including about 150 in high-def.
In a recent article in Multichannel News, DIRECTV executive vice president Eric Shanks is quoted as saying that cable now no longer has an advantage when it comes to VOD.
“With our launch of our on-demand service, not only is cable playing catch-up in the (HD channel) world, they don’t have the differentiator of on demand any more,” said Shanks. "I'm not quote sure where they will head" now with their marketing efforts."
Well, let me help Mr. Shanks out.
All cable needs to do is explain to consumers how difficult -- how cumbersome -- how inconvenient -- it is to install DIRECTV's new Video on Demand service.
Don't believe me. Just read this little instructional paragraph from DIRECTV's own web site:
"To begin receiving the DIRECTV on Demand service, customers can choose professional installation or request a self-installation kit. Customers will need broadband high-speed internet access, a router or Internet gateway with an available Ethernet port, and equipment to network the HD DVR or R22 DVR. Options to connect the receiver to the internet include: Internet Connection Kit (HomePlug® networking device), Ethernet cable or wireless (requires external adapter)."
Does that sound easy to you? Convenient? Enticing?
Not to me.
Cable's On Demand service can be easily accessed by clicking on the On Demand channel and then scrolling through the menus until you find a show you want to watch. No special equipment is needed.
But DIRECTV's On Demand service requires a Broadband connection, a router or Internet gateway with an Ethernet port -- and God knows what else -- to just get started.
For most DIRECTV customers, that's a non-starter. You already have nearly 100 HD channels to watch so why on Earth would you go through a Mr. Science experiment just to get access to 150 additional high-def titles?
Answer; You wouldn't.
For marketing purposes, DIRECTV will continue to say that its new Video on Demand service is just as good as cable's, if not better.
But I say it's significant -- very significant -- that Shanks refused to tell Multichannel News how many customers are downloading shows via the On Demand service.
When a company is doing well, it releases the numbers. When it's not, it doesn't.
I have another site but i can’t freep mail at this time ;)
That ultra viewsat looks nice....much more powerful than my old pansat....are people still using pansats?
it came through, thanks
oh ok...i can’t read freepmail then.
The viewsat has an USB port for use with a flash drive for easier programing from the PC.
I gotcha...yeah...the old rs22...think that was what it’s called...old stuff compared to now.
Yeah, I got three dishes up on the back porch now, LOL. Fixin to buy the property just to the east and west of me, they are full of trees right now, but, once I get it cleared, who knows how many I might have, he he!
I used to have 2 dishes...couldn’t ever get my diseq switch to work right...my fault i’m sure...i’d be a little lost with 3 dishes...i was all self taught...i needed a mentor! hehe
To me, it's very convenient. I stopped going to the video store altogether. No crowds, no driving, no titles out of stock, no ate fees. I can watch most movies for $1.99, which I think is a good deal.
This is the future. Even Netflix is going to get rid of its DVD mail service and go with a box that has all the movie titles stored on a hard drive or through broadband internet.
Not sure about your question so I don’t know.
Comcast still sucks compared to Satellite. If only the almighty FCC, the Grand Arbiter of who can and cannot receive locals, would let me at least receive some sort of network feed for the big 4 over satellite, I’d no longer be a cable prisoner. Follow the money....
Tell us more...
just google FTA and Satellite, you will find all you need to know.
Er...no. But then, it doesn't exactly sound like rocket surgery either.
Hooked mine up months ago on Beta, just poppoed a wireless router on the back and it can right up. Cool thing is I also networked with a server to load up my music and videoes stored on the computer. I can now connect to my server from the receiver and play all of my music through my 3-2-1 system. Cool stuff.
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