A&E brings 'The Beast' to DISH Network's 1080p IP-VOD service

DISH Network's 1080p video-on-demand service may be impressive, but up until now, it hasn't been utilized in any fanciful ways to get outsiders to pay attention. Thanks to a new push from A&E Networks, however, that's all about to change. Said channel's new drama, The Beast, is now available to DISH subscribers with an MPEG-4 HD box via the 1080p IP-VOD platform. Users simply plug in their broadband connection, fire up their set-top-box and surf over to the DishONLINE feature within the 'DVR' menu. Episodes will be made available the day after they air live, and the content is said to be "comparable to Blu-ray Disc." We've got to say, we're totally digging this initiative -- now, if only it were simple to get every other network to follow suit with their own hit shows.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 1:53AM]

First users have reported it is taking up 24 hours to download this program and no one has yet reported they have actually been able to view it in 1080p. But reports are that the 1080i quality is better then what is shown on A&E.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 7:17AM]

I went with Dish when we bought our new house because I felt it was the best option for the area and don't get me wrong, I have minimal to complain about yet. However, Dish's VOD service is a joke, it shouldn't even be called VOD. When I think of video on demand, I think of my days with Timer Warner/Comcast, where I picked a show or a movie and it started playing. Not waiting over 8 hours for a 22 minute show in HD to download and that is it claiming I was getting around 800Kbs to 1.1Mbs.

I didn't use VOD when with the cable company and didn't think I would miss it, but I do and I think it has something to do with what Dish claims as VOD, I think I would be better off if they just didn't offer anything at all. I am half tempted to pick up some cheap digital cable service just to get a true full offering of TV service.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 9:35AM]

So how much does this cost? If it's free, I might consider giving it a whirl.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 1:41PM]

....The cure for Cancer !.......... Now !

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 7:08PM]

It's not VOD -- its streaming over the Internet. Unlike decent Netflix-like streaming over the Internet though, the selection sucks.