Soccer in HD

Bought a system for X-mas for exactly this purpose 56 inch HDTV with 60 hr HD DVR recording capabilities and an HD box... Then tix to 5 games... This summer might just be great...

 

I assume you are now residing in a cardboard box

 

Damn you Americans and Europeans with your inexpensive TVs

Just let us take the Cup and it will all be fair.

 

I have a 48 Inch HD Toshiba...with ALL HD Channels and will watch all 64 games in HD. I also have a Vip622 HD DVR from DISH so I can record all the games in 100% HD.

The 48 inch TV is the same from 2002 WC but back then I had to watch everything in CRAPPY SD....cant wait till JUNE!

 

Count me in as one of the suckers. It is not an inexpensive start-up, and can be somewhat confusing in choosing equipment and providers.

I'm aware there are smarter and cheaper ways of getting wall-to-wall football coverage via internet streaming and the like, but after working all day I just want to turn on the tv and get my programming. If you are like me, maybe my experience in putting together my set-up might prove useful.

I took advantage of available 2006 SuperBowl financing plans to get a 60" Sony SXRD (0% financing until Jan 2009). Not sure if that plan is still available, but ask for it. Maybe the best set I've ever owned. In addition to stellar picture, has 7 component inputs to accomodate all your peripheral devices. At my firm I work with some pretty anal technical people...I took comfort that 5 guys bought the same set independently.

I was already subscribed to DishNetwork with a Top 180 + Latino pack + Globo which gave me all relevant (to me) soccer programming avalaible in USA. This package provides soccer from all the available Spanish language stations, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes (comprehensive UEFA CL), GOL TV (La Liga, Serie A), Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports Espanol (slightly different programming than FSC, including comprehensive Libertadores and live Argentine league), and Globo (Brasileiro). DishNetwork doesn't yet carry Setanta; so if you want Setanta instead of ESPN Deportes you should go with DirectTV.

When I added the HD programming it came along with ESPN2 HD (saw the Villareal x Arsenal on HD) and WorldSport HD (which shows the relevant La Liga games that Gol TV might occasionally miss..between the two can catch probably 90% of Real and Barca La Liga fixtures).

The satellite services charge an additional $5/month fee for local channels, which include regular network programming (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC). I bought an indoor antenna (no climbing roofs for me) for around $70 at Best Buy that captures all of those locals in HD, thus bypassing the Dish fee. Through a simple coaxial connection to the Dish receiver the network channels get integrated into the DVR/TIVO device (though you do lose some functionality on scheduling).

DVR/TIVO has changed the way I view TV. With it, never miss a match that I want to see...ever. The stop action pausing comes in handy as well. Well worth it.

What they say about HD is correct. On that size screen, you can see individual blades of grass on a close up of fallen player or lining-up a freekick. It really is amazing.

Having said that, it was definitely a World Cup related upgrade because HD content still isn't there in my opinion.

If anyone else feels inclined to get DishNetwork HD for WC time, keep in mind that they are scheduling people with 3 week delay. Also, the upfront fee is $299 for the Vip622 HD receiver with DVR controlling two TV sets (I believe it is a more respectable $50 for just the HD receiver controlling one TV set without DVR). I unsuccessfully tried to get them to waive the fee based on my customer history. Though I failed, I'd suggest that you try...it all depends on who you catch, and how patient you are.

If anyone has specific question feel free to PM.

 

if you're buying an HD TV for the World Cup, have a look at this article first

http://editorials.teamxbox.com/xbox/1544/The-Facts-and-Fiction-of-1080p/p1/