What Are Erie’s Current HD Alternatives?

While Erie doesn’t currently have network high definition alternatives except for PBS, it does has access to other cable and satellite networks in HD. Both Time Warner and Adelphia (Soon to be something else) have high definition packages they offer. The selection is rather limited do to the capacity their lines can carry. That capacity limitation will present a challenge as more and more networks offer high definition versions of their existing standard definition channels.

For those who subscribe to satellite, the selection is a bit broader. Both DIRECT-TV and DISH not only offer some cable channels in HD, but DIRECT-TV is able to offer all 4 major networks in HD. All a customer needs is a waiver from the local affiliate which I understand is not very forthcoming or easy in Erie. (I can’t speak authoritatively about the DIRECT-TV process as I subscribe to DISH.)

DISH currently offers the largest selection of HD, nearly 35 channels and more on the way. DISH has been able to pull ahead of DIRECT-TV in HD offerings because of its greater satellite capacity. HBO, Showtime, and STARZ are the pay channels available with HD. Some of the other channels include DISCOVERY HD, Home and Garden, TNT, HDNET, ESPNHD, ESPN2HD and HDNET movies. The National Geographic Channel in HD has just been added. The Food Network in HD is expected to go up shortly. In addition, DISH is currently the exclusive carrier of 15 VOOM channels in HD which include everything from sports, music, movies and even video game competitions.

Unlike DIRECT-TV, DISH is only able to offer one of the national networks in HD, CBS. (Forget it in Erie as the local CBS affiliate won’t grant waivers for CBS HD within their service area.) DISH does offer local network channels in most markets (including Erie) and is currently expanding the locals to include their HD offerings.

True high definition enthusiasts will tell you that the best HD still comes from over-the-air through your household antenna. That is because both cable and satellite still further compress the signals to make room within their limited bandwidth capability. That is another argument some call HDLITE which we will ignore for now. (See http://www.stophdlite.com/)

That limitation soon could end as both Verizon and AT&T are challenging the traditional television distribution methods. Verizon is methodically converting its markets to fiber optic carriers it calls FIOS. FIOS will have virtually unlimited bandwidth to carry hundreds of channels of full HD as well as broadband internet. Currently only a few markets are up and running. Erie has not been listed on any schedule I have seen for FIOS availability.

To see really stunning HD locally, just turn to WQLN DT 50 with a HD set with digital tuning capability. PBS doesn’t have a lot to offer in true HD, but what it does have is truly eye popping in 1080I. For almost a year, WQLN was using DT 50 to carry the PBSHD channel. It was 24/7 of the best past and current programs from the PBS library. That was until PBS asked for a fee from each of its affiliates. Several stations in the PBS network, such as WQLN, dropped the HD feed and only carry the current offerings when they are broadcast in high definition. That was a loss to be sure, but the fee they were asking was significant.

To be sure, we need the commercial networks in HD and I believe that the first commercial station to broadcast their network in high definition will gain a significant short term public relations advantage over its competition. Even Consumer Reports has said that if you are considering replacing your current receiver, you should consider one of the new HD sets. Like the advent of color, prices continue to trend downward and capability and technological enhancement continues to go up.

My parents purchased our first color set in 1958 at a cost of $1200. (I wonder what that would be equal to in today’s dollar.) The first color program we saw was Bonanza. How times have changed.