I talked to a CSR today....

about the new HD lineup. They told me that I could not order the platnium package today because it is not officially up and running. He told me to call back on
Feb. 1st and they will activate the new programming. I also asked him about the local channels in the Philly area. He did not know if that area will be the first to have locals in HD.

I will recieve my 211 tomorrow and I am looking forward to it. I just hope that the picture quality will be better than the 811 in SD. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

I would not expect the PQ to be much better. Besides some sublte features, like the addition of HDMI port over the DVI, the main advantage is reception of mpeg4 signals. Hopefully, demons of the past were fixed.
You can often get better SD using the SVideo output, not HDMI or components.
I don't see a big diff between digital out and components anyway on my display. Also, the picture is much better in the 1080i setting than 720p.
Your mileage may vary.

I connected my hdmi cable from my 211 to my HDTV.
The sound on the tv kept making a hissing sound when people talked on the tv.I tried to adjust the speakers sound that are part of the tv...but the hissing continued..so I quickly changed back to the original connection of my component cable-the blue,green,red cables..and connected the red and white cable back for sound...which not only took away the hissing sound ..but gave me amuch sharper looking picture on my tv set.

Dish advance tech person told me on the phone yesterday on January 25th- that Los Angeles-Where I live-will be the First city to have the local HD channels starting February 1st,2006 !
:)

and I hooked it up as soon as it arrived. I actually had DVI going from my 811 to the tv. I bought a DVI to HDMI adapter and I made my connctions the same. In my opinion, the pq is slightly better on the 211. HD is absoutly STUNNING :D I can't wait to see other programming in HD. I am happy with my investment and I will be happier when I send the 811 back to Dish Depot for my credit.

I hope the Dish Network will not screw around with the programmings. It would be an absolute disaster if the new lineup will not start on Feb. 1st. :eek: