Epix in Verizon FIOS TV

said by chitchatjf

I would had shown Star Trek :)
[/BQUOTE :

A cropped STAR TREK! Great!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306599 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:15:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306452 anon :

said by nascar

What matters to me the most is that Paramount, Lions Gate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer won't sell or won't sell in a timely manner their content to anyone else like Showtime and HBO.

Frankly, part of me wants Epix to fail.
[/BQUOTE :

Same here. If Sh0wtime were to regain the rights, the films would be presented properly, without any mutilation.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306452 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:53:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306459 chitchatjf : I had also heard that those who had the Triple Play would get it for free.

One thing that would really help them. Lower the window between theatrical release and Epix screening even more.

Tonight the linear channel features rebroadcasts of Benjamin Button and the Madonna concert.

I would had shown Star Trek :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306459 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:30:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306265 nascar : I sincerely have to wonder what the take rate is on Epix. Personally, Verizon has done the worst possible job imaginable in marketing this channel.

I could have sworn in the beginning when it was announced that it was going to be included in the Movie package. Wishful thinking on my part I guess.

What matters to me the most is that Paramount, Lions Gate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer won't sell or won't sell in a timely manner their content to anyone else like Showtime and HBO.

Frankly, part of me wants Epix to fail. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23306265 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:41:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23290702 darcilicious :

said by JoeRu :

Did anyone sign up for this?

Apparently. »Poll: Will you pay $9.99/mo to sign up for EPIX?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23290702 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:36:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23290429 anon : Did anyone sign up for this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23290429 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:03:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23287351 CrobertGauth :

said by HDTVFanAtic

:

Using your logic, you should have never paid the money to invest in an HDTV - its only a few cents per movie, so what do you for that price? You could have accepted SD and been done with it.

Just because you do not see something because of physcial limitation, quoting you:

said by JPL

:

My eyesight's not great

That doesn't mean that we should all come down to the least common denominator - that being your eyesight.

Seems as though this thread has become a discussion about audio and video qualities and less about Epix (just a reason to have the discussion rather than the topic itself. Any other new channel would have served the same purpose)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23287351 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:23:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23287106 HDTVFanAtic : Using your logic, you should have never paid the money to invest in an HDTV - its only a few cents per movie, so what do you for that price? You could have accepted SD and been done with it.

Just because you do not see something because of physcial limitation, quoting you:

said by JPL

:

My eyesight's not great

That doesn't mean that we should all come down to the least common denominator - that being your eyesight.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23287106 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:41:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284589 jimboe :

said by HDTVFanAtic

said by jimboe

said by jasg

:

... Long ago, when I got started with high fidelity audio, a wise friend explained to me that 'audiophiles listen to the distortion in their gear but music lovers hear the music'.

Excellent, truly excellent.

You misunderstand.

I was NOT downplaying the issue(s) Re: 'Poor' picture quality on Epix: I was merely commenting on a clever 'philisophical' expression which can at times, be apropos. Not necessarily here.

In fact, I happen to agree with your criticims w.r.t. to Epix and happen to appreciate your detailed analysis and the discussion which is generated.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23284589 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:13:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23283224 JPL : I wanted to throw one more point out there with regard to music. While I agree that the best way to hear a concert is to actually go to the concert, it's totally asinine to deny yourself the enjoyment of listening to music because the recording isn't providing you the optimal experience. I have a CD of a recording: Levant Plays Gershwin. It easily has the best version of Rhapsody in Blue I've ever heard. But guess what's also on the CD? Hissing... popping... crackling. The source material from which the CD was mastered had deteriorated. I guess I should never listen to that CD again, though, because of that. I should deny myself the enjoyment of that music because it isn't as pristine as hearing the performance at Carnegie Hall...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23283224 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:32:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282998 JPL : That's right - insulting people is EXACTLY the way to convince them of your argument. Let me state why this isn't a big deal for me. First let's keep this in perspective. Is Epix the premium way to watch a movie? No, of course not. Is there macroblocking? Yes there is? Is it noticeable? Not that I've seen - I've seen worse macroblocking on all the other premiums. I really don't care how many bits per frame they use - I really don't. If I can't SEE the macroblocking, why on earth do I care that it's there?

Second, if Epix isn't a premium way to see movies, then why get it? That's an individual choice - but if you're expecting the premium way to see movies for $10/month, you're living on another planet. You're talking, literally about having access to hundreds of movies for $10/month. That works out to pennies per movie... and you're expecting to have the most pristine movie-going experience for that? Last time I checked, people who want premium aren't afraid to PAY premium. I don't go into a gas station expecting to pay the price of regular if I get the premium gas.

It all comes down to what you get and what you pay for. If I'm spending $30 for Blu-Ray movie and it's not in OAR, then I'm very upset. If I'm paying a couple cents to see a movie on a TV channel and it's not in OAR, I shrug.

Please stop with the insults. I'm not some bone-headed bafoon who doesn't understand this stuff. Most people on here understand what you're saying just fine. What I don't get is why you're so stinking upset about it. Again, what exactly are your expectations for a channel where you pay pennies per movie?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282998 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:48:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282818 HDTVFanAtic :

said by jimboe

said by jasg

:

... Long ago, when I got started with high fidelity audio, a wise friend explained to me that 'audiophiles listen to the distortion in their gear but music lovers hear the music'.

Excellent, truly excellent.

Comical.

Audiophiles are the true music lovers who want the music to be sound like it does when it is performed liver - free of distortion.

They want the attack when a drumstick hits the cymbal. A ringing that has a slow decay - just like in real life - Not the sound of a piece of wood against something that does not even sound musical.

Its the non-audiophiles who listen to distortion and think its really music when in fact it is really distortion.

In Video, we want to see what the Director intended for us to see.

Its even more comical you are asking for OAR when you want it distorted OAR.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282818 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:44:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282810 HDTVFanAtic : I'll let other posters who deny gravity exists, the atomsphere exits and macroblocking on Epix exists continue in their denial as science has proven them wrong on all counts.

For those who want the reason why, further examination has shown it is because EPIX is using a very poorly implemented GOP structure.

First, they are putting 2 B frames back to back in between every I Frame or P Frame. This is very poor practice, especially when you only use 1 I Frame per GOP for reasons that are far more technical than those that think the earth is still flat can put their hands around - and outside the topic of this thread. Let's just say that you waste massive amount of bandwidth on B Frames as no other frame can be based on a B Frame, providing you know how Video works with I, B and P frames.

Second, they are leading off the GOP with 2 B Frames which is suicide for PQ, even with the smallest amount of change from the previous GOP.

Third, instead of using scene change detection and variable length GOPs, they are using constant GOP lengths all starting with 2 B Frames instead of an I Frame, which they should do if they wish to destroy the rest of the GOP with back to back B Frames.

Fourth, they are using an Open GOP, which is good in and of itself UNLESS YOU ARE LEADING THE GOP WITH B FRAMES.

Fifth, by not using the telecine flag they are wasting over 20% of their bitrate on repeated frames that the STB could do locally just as well. If they did this, they could move to an I-B-P-B-P-B-P etc pattern for each GOP instead of the current B-B-I-B-B-P-B-B-P pattern that is causing the macroblocking.

Finally, on another Quality Issue, the DialNorm is set to -24db, which means you get 3db more compression than most of the other Premium Channels and in some cases 7db more compression.

Frame 1 of GOP - B Frame showing severe Macroblocking

Frame 2 of GOP - B Frame showing Macroblocking

Frame 3 of GOP - I Frame finally free of Macroblocking

Dial Norm below default -27db setting and at a very low -24db on EPIX.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282810 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:34:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282482 jimboe :

said by jasg

:

... Long ago, when I got started with high fidelity audio, a wise friend explained to me that 'audiophiles listen to the distortion in their gear but music lovers hear the music'.

Excellent, truly excellent.

Thank you (and your friend).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282482 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:19:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282065 aaronwt :

said by jasg

said by aaronwt

:

I don't think it is there I KNOW it is there.
It's good if you don't see the macroblocking since ignorance is bliss when it comes to picture quality. Once you notice the imperfections it's difficult to ignore them.

Yes that is a good philosophy.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23282065 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:40:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23281800 jasg :

said by aaronwt

Perhaps you can train your brain to not notice the defects, I know that I have done that with DLP 'rainbows'.

Long ago, when I got started with high fidelity audio, a wise friend explained to me that 'audiophiles listen to the distortion in their gear but music lovers hear the music'.

I have tried to keep that in mind with my current video hobby.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23281800 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:45:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23281069 aaronwt :

said by justin9876

said by aaronwt

:

There is macroblocking on every broadcast. they were there on IronMan even if you didn't notice them.

I don't think it is there I KNOW it is there.
It's good if you don't see the macroblocking since ignorance is bliss when it comes to picture quality. Once you notice the imperfections it's difficult to ignore them.

I see the problems from every TV I've seen whether analog or digital, and from Comcast, FIOS, DirecTV, DISH and OTA.
I have equipment to minimize it at home, which makes it more tolerable, but without it, sometimes it's too annoying to watch.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23281069 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:23:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278971 justin9876 :

said by aaronwt

:

There is macroblocking on every broadcast. they were there on IronMan even if you didn't notice them.

You know, it really doesn't matter if you think they are there or not, or even if they are really there, if I don't see them, for me they are not there. I really think you are beating the proverbial dead horse to death. If you don't like it, don't watch it, but please quit telling me what I am or should be seeing, it is pointless.

Thank you.
--
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV and Internet
Motorola QIP6416 HD DVR
Sony KDL-V40XBR1]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278971 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:01:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278887 anon :

said by shark2k

It's really anything 2.0:1 and greater that matters if it gets chopped up where you lose a lot of image.

-Shark2k
[/BQUOTE :

Exactly my point. I'm not worried about missing a tiny sliver. But what EPIX does to widescreen films is serious butchering.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278887 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:54:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278833 shark2k :

said by JPL

:

The House of the Devil filled my screen. If there were black bars then I would have seen them. Yes, they would have been small, but I've noticed them with other movies done in 1.85:1. I would have noticed them on this movie too. There were none. My eyesight's not great, and I can see them at 10 - 11' from my TV... I don't need to be inches from the TV to see them.

1.85:1 Movies tend to just fill the screen. The ratio is so close to 1.78:1 that most of the time studios don't bother with that extra little area. 1.66:1 movies also tend to fill the screen (Disney movies mainly are where you see this ratio). But interestingly enough, The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray actually has to small black bars to the left and right of the image which means it is displayed properly. Aladdin on DVD though does fill the screen up entirely if I'm not mistaken and that has a 1.66:1 ratio.

It's really anything 2.0:1 and greater that matters if it gets chopped up where you lose a lot of image.

-Shark2k]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278833 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:43:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278733 JPL :

said by film11 :

said by JPL

said by film11 :

The House of the Devil filled my screen. If there were black bars then I would have seen them. Yes, they would have been small, but I've noticed them with other movies done in 1.85:1. I would have noticed them on this movie too. There were none. My eyesight's not great, and I can see them at 10 - 11' from my TV... I don't need to be inches from the TV to see them.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278733 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278723 anon :

said by JPL

said by film11 :

I have 2 settings on my monitor: 16:9 and Screen Fit. Using screen fit, there were black bars but they were so small that I had to be inches away from the screen to see them. It's one thing to lose a tiny sliver of picture...but it's another thing to lose 25% - 40% of the picture, which is what EPIX does.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278723 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:28:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278618 JPL :

said by film11 :

said by JPL

:

While I agree that Epix should be running all their stuff in OAR, I have to believe over time they will. Heck even channels like HD Net Movies - lauded for their dedication to preserving the vision of the artists who made the movie - crop movies from time to time. I love HD Net and HD Net Movies, so this is far from a criticism. I love horror movies, and around Halloween I go trolling the listings for stuff that I want to record. HD Net Movies had one (very crappy movie) called House of the Devil. Yeah, I watched it all the way through. And last night, as I watched the end, it hit me - the movie is 16:9. I hit the info button to make sure that it was indeed recorded off of HD Net Movies - it was.

HOUSE OF THE DEVIL was not cropped. It was filmed at 1.85:1, not 2.35:1... so HDNet showed it correctly. I have never found a movie cropped on HDNet Movies.

Maybe I'm doing the math wrong, but 16:9 works out to 1.78:1... not 1.85:1. Meaning that there should have been black bars on the top and bottom - minimal though they would have been. There were none.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278618 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:10:11 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278553 anon :

said by Greg2600

:

I didn't notice macro blocking on Epix. Frankly HBO has some of the worst PQ of any HD channel, on movies. I swear the reason is their stupid crop and zoom.

I agree that this practice also affects PQ...perhaps because they might crop by "zooming in" on the picture. And, while I thought the PQ on EPIX was good, it would have been even sharper if it were shown properly.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278553 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:08:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278537 anon :

said by JPL

HOUSE OF THE DEVIL was not cropped. It was filmed at 1.85:1, not 2.35:1... so HDNet showed it correctly. I have never found a movie cropped on HDNet Movies.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278537 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:07:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278372 Greg2600 : I didn't notice macro blocking on Epix. Frankly HBO has some of the worst PQ of any HD channel, on movies. I swear the reason is their stupid crop and zoom.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278372 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:27:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278311 JPL :

said by aaronwt

:

There is macroblocking on every broadcast. they were there on IronMan even if you didn't notice them.

Please look at the context of what I wrote initially. I was responding to HDFanatic's comment that Epix was so blocky that it was like watching something off his PC via the web. I understand that there's macroblocking on every feed - I do get that. But if there was any there on Iron Man I didn't see it. THAT was my point. Whereas on other channels the macroblocking can be very noticeable, I didn't see any on Epix when I was watching it. In my mind, in terms of PQ, if you can watch a movie like Iron Man with no real noticeable macroblocking, then that tells me that the PQ for that channel is pretty darn nice. I see more macroblocking on HD Net when watching concert footage.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278311 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:12:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278307 Lee GWB : If it ain't free ... It ain't for me :) I am dumping Phone this week and going with OOma as soon as I get an answer from Billing on ETF.
Lee]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278307 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:11:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278180 aaronwt :

said by film11 :

Jeez! Now EPIX has cropped the first 3 INDIANA JONES films as well. Where do I sign up?!?!?!

I've had the first Inidana Jones films in HD since the early 2000's from ABC HD recordings I made back then. Back when they had higher bit rates and less macroblocking, If it wasn't for the commercials, the ABC broadcast would certainly be considered better than EPIX.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278180 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:53:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278159 aaronwt :

said by jaw2012

said by justin9876

said by JPL

:

I'm just saying that even with a movie like Iron Man I saw no macroblocking on Epix at all - not even during the fast action scenes. I never said that fios delivers all their stuff macro-block free.

I agree. I watched the whole movie and not any pixelation or macroblocking that I saw.

I agree too.....no macroblocks were on my set either.

There is macroblocking on every broadcast. they were there on IronMan even if you didn't notice them.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278159 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:50:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278146 aaronwt :

said by JeepMatt

:

Damn,
VZ didn't waste any time turning off this channel!

$10/mo for movies from 1975?? C'mon now..

And for only one channel and for some butchered movies too. Someone at FIOS is smoking something they shouldn't be.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23278146 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:49:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277292 JeepMatt : Damn,
VZ didn't waste any time turning off this channel!

$10/mo for movies from 1975?? C'mon now..
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277292 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:51:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277287 JPL : While I agree that Epix should be running all their stuff in OAR, I have to believe over time they will. Heck even channels like HD Net Movies - lauded for their dedication to preserving the vision of the artists who made the movie - crop movies from time to time. I love HD Net and HD Net Movies, so this is far from a criticism. I love horror movies, and around Halloween I go trolling the listings for stuff that I want to record. HD Net Movies had one (very crappy movie) called House of the Devil. Yeah, I watched it all the way through. And last night, as I watched the end, it hit me - the movie is 16:9. I hit the info button to make sure that it was indeed recorded off of HD Net Movies - it was.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277287 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:46:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277059 anon : Jeez! Now EPIX has cropped the first 3 INDIANA JONES films as well. Where do I sign up?!?!?!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23277059 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:18:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276938 Timothy28 : 895 is still on here in Lewisville Texas.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276938 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:12:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276919 chitchatjf : 895 is off and I put in an order too.

You can't turn it back on from the box.

My online access is still on and the Epix free preview on demand menu is still up ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276919 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:00:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276133 jaw2012 :

said by justin9876

said by JPL

I agree. I watched the whole movie and not any pixelation or macroblocking that I saw.

I agree too.....no macroblocks were on my set either.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276133 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:03:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276115 justin9876 :

said by JPL

I agree. I watched the whole movie and not any pixelation or macroblocking that I saw.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23276115 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:59:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23275879 JPL : I'm just saying that even with a movie like Iron Man I saw no macroblocking on Epix at all - not even during the fast action scenes. I never said that fios delivers all their stuff macro-block free.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23275879 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:50:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23274225 matcarl :

said by lewisc

:

A poster in another forum had an online chat with VZ and was told Epix will be included in the movie package. NO GUARANTEE THAT'S ACCURATE but there is still no way to sign up for Epix on the FiOS website, unless I'm missing something, no pricing or signup information on the Epix channel.

I just signed onto "My Account" and see an option to add Epix for $9.99, which of course I am not]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23274225 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:01:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273903 aaronwt :

said by JPL

:

I think you need to have your setup checked - in all seriousness. I've been watching stuff on Epix all weekend and I've seen absolutely zero macroblocking. I actually expected some on a movie like Iron Man, but saw none. If you're seeing macroblocking everywhere, then I would check your setup. Of all the gripes I've read on here about the channel, your's is the first with this one complaint. Not saying it's not legitimate, but I have to say, the PQ on Epix that I've seen so far has been really nice.

Zero macro blocking does not exist from the cable providers. While it is less from FIOS when compared to other providers, it is still there.

Every channel, escpecially VOD on FIOS, has macroblocking whenever there is fast movement, fast pans, or bright flashes. Even running the picture through thousands of dollars of processing to help eliminate macroblocking can't get rid of it all for me.

I can easily see the macroblocking on a 26" HD set, 32", 37", 40", 65" and 67".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273903 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:25:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273899 aaronwt :

said by Theman2006

:

Cool man, I guess everyone does not watch a movie the same way. Yes information is lost but me personally I get entranced in the movie and would have probably missed that headline on I'am Legend. And as far as macro blocking, it's not worst than any other premium channel I've seen. I watched IronMan last night while sitting next to my pc which is about 3 feet away from my 50 inch plasma and did not notice any macro blocking. I understand some people are videophiles but nothing is every going to be perfect. If you want perfect OAR copies then buy the Blu Ray. Films not being shown in OAR is not a good enough reason too hate on the channel, especially when every other premium channel does it as well and you're paying for those channels.

Yes but for $10 you can get multiple HD channel from other premiums. $10 for one HD channel that also butchers the content is absurd.

And it's pretty obvious right away that the pciture from IronMan did not look right. I don't need a side by side picture to figure that out. Not when people are partially cut off in the picture. That is not normal when filming a movie.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273899 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:23:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273866 JPL : The channel lineup on their website is very out of date too... all that tells me is that they take their time updating their website. I am surprised not to see anything on there about ordering Epix, but not by too much. It wouldn't surprise me if they packaged it with the movie pack, for a couple extra bucks a month. If they did that, I'd sign up for it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273866 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:08:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273854 JPL : I think you need to have your setup checked - in all seriousness. I've been watching stuff on Epix all weekend and I've seen absolutely zero macroblocking. I actually expected some on a movie like Iron Man, but saw none. If you're seeing macroblocking everywhere, then I would check your setup. Of all the gripes I've read on here about the channel, your's is the first with this one complaint. Not saying it's not legitimate, but I have to say, the PQ on Epix that I've seen so far has been really nice.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273854 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:03:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273837 MeatChicken :

said by lewisc

Link please!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273837 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:58:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273777 lewisc : A poster in another forum had an online chat with VZ and was told Epix will be included in the movie package. NO GUARANTEE THAT'S ACCURATE but there is still no way to sign up for Epix on the FiOS website, unless I'm missing something, no pricing or signup information on the Epix channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273777 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:34:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273771 jefe : It seems to me this thread has run its' course. Posters' opinions here notwithstanding, EPIX/Verizon have made a business decision.

Tune back in 6 months from now to see if they get enough subscribers for EPIX to make a profit.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273771 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:32:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273712 anon : So, what some of you are saying: it's quite possible for example HBO, to take half the movies they normally show/premier and create a new premier channel to show them on and charge an additional $9.99. They would also deliver VOD and internet streaming of course. Keep in mind, the production would still orginate from the same HBO studios. So, this would be a huge savings.

This is brilliant!!! Can I work for HBO management and implement this? Obsiouly, people gotta have every channel and are willing to pay $$$$!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273712 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:21:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273484 anon :

said by Theman2006

:

Films not being shown in OAR is not a good enough reason too hate on the channel, especially when every other premium channel does it as well and you're paying for those channels.

Every other premium channel doesn't. (»www.dgaquarterly.org/BACKISSUES/···ult.aspx )

Remember, these films would ordinarily have been on SHOWTIME and they don't crop movies. What EPIX is offering is a downgrade that you're expected to pay more for.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273484 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:55:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273294 Timothy28 : Not that hasn't been mentioned as far as i know.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273294 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:39:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273172 Greg2600 : Read on Verizon forums Time Warner has added or will add Epix, also at $9.99 a month. Was that mentioned here?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273172 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:36:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273116 anon : People don't you see what's going?

movies that would normally be shown on the other movie channels you now have to pay more to Epix. Is that too hard to understand. Let these studios know you won't stand for it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273116 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:18:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273049 Theman2006 :

said by JoeRu :

said by Theman2006

said by RockLad :

Yeah, it does. The difference is often subliminal, based on composition. Also, plot information can be lost. In I AM LEGEND, newspaper headlines that communicated some plot information were lopped off. What cropping does is lose the original intent of how a film works on a viewer. You may not always realize it, but if often makes a difference in how one appreciates a movie after it's over. And yes...so far they are cropping every new movie.

Cool man, I guess everyone does not watch a movie the same way. Yes information is lost but me personally I get entranced in the movie and would have probably missed that headline on I'am Legend. And as far as macro blocking, it's not worst than any other premium channel I've seen. I watched IronMan last night while sitting next to my pc which is about 3 feet away from my 50 inch plasma and did not notice any macro blocking. I understand some people are videophiles but nothing is every going to be perfect. If you want perfect OAR copies then buy the Blu Ray. Films not being shown in OAR is not a good enough reason too hate on the channel, especially when every other premium channel does it as well and you're paying for those channels. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273049 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:44:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273023 anon : after scanning the guide and watching some of the programming I'm not impressed in the least bit. The online movies are hit or miss. most I selected were not availabe. "The french lieutenants wife" doesn't play. Epix is not worth my 10 dollars. I'd rather increase my netflix blurays out a time. This way I get the OAR. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23273023 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:39:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272927 anon :

said by Theman2006

said by RockLad :

said by HDTVFanAtic

:

Combine that with the fact that original bitrate is low to begin with (Star Trek Generations Averaged 12.74 Mbps on HBO and 10.44 Mbps on EPIXHD) and you begin to realize how bad this picture truly is.

After I first purchased my HDTV I realized that not all HD is created equal. The Madonna concert's picture was no better than my Starz or Encore HD.

So far my clearest HD picture comes from my local CBS.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272862 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:48:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272572 jasg : In pre-HD days, I certainly disliked 4x3 pan-and-scan stuff, but with newer 'scope films, they are often filmed with 16x9 formatting in mind.

To quote Wikipedia:

Most 4:3 (1.33:1) and 2.39:1 video is now recorded using a "shoot and protect" technique that keeps the main action within a 16:9 (1.78:1) inner rectangle to facilitate HD broadcast.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_rat···he_SMPTE]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272572 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:32:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272555 HDTVFanAtic : Maybe EPIX is really made for those wanting to watch on their computer, based on the last 2 posts. For those of us who want to watch it on a big screen at a SMPTE or THX recommended viewing distance, Macroblocking is everywhere you look - including the first frame that I pulled up at random just now.

[mod note - blown out margins fixed. /sash]]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272555 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:28:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272496 darcilicious : No macroblocking in my neck of the woods!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272496 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:12:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272450 JPL : Funny I watched Iron Man last night and saw absolutely no macroblocking. I thought the PQ was pretty good, actually.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272450 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:00:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272424 HDTVFanAtic : This channel has some of the worst Macroblocking I have seen in a while.

One reason is they are the only Movie Channel outside of HDNET NOT to telecine their encoding for some strange reason.

As thus, they are throwing away 20% of the bitrate on repeating 6 frames on the feed instead of letting the STB do it.

Combine that with the fact that original bitrate is low to begin with (Star Trek Generations Averaged 12.74 Mbps on HBO and 10.44 Mbps on EPIXHD) and you begin to realize how bad this picture truly is.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272424 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:53:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272196 Theman2006 :

said by RockLad :

said by Timothy28

:

I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so.

Seriously people?? most pr emium channels crop their movies for 16x9 tv's. Yes OAR is great but does not seeing it that way really ruin the movie? I have the blu-ray for ironman and can't tell the difference right away when looking at the movie, Unless I look at both films side by side. And they are not going to crop every movie on the channel. I still feel like 10 bucks is pretty pricey for one channel, but I believe soon they will have a multiplex family of channels. I'am still torn whether or not I will break down and pay for the channel as of yet. But I'am the type of person who hates to flip thru the channels and see the "You are not subscribed to this channel" message. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272196 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:45:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272114 Timothy28 :

said by RockLad :

said by Timothy28

:

I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so.

That would be a great idea. That way everyone could be happy. People who like the whole screen filled could see it that way and those who like OAR push a button.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272114 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:16:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272068 anon :

said by Timothy28

:

I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so.

Exactly. If there was a button people could use to "zoom out" of a cropped movie, I wouldn't care. But there isn't. Presenting the film properly is good for everyone. People who don't like black bars can zoom in and crop the picture themselves! And everyone else can still see the movie as it should be. But cropping, as EPIX does, is a lose/lose situation for all.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272068 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:02:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272009 Timothy28 : I like the whole screen filled but if i want that on a letterboxed movie pushing a button is simple enough to do so.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23272009 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:45:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271992 gsjs316 :

said by Greg2600

:

That of course is idiotic, but the networks have this perception that people don't want letter boxing. Sporting events are filmed as 1.78:1, so they automatically fit the screen. Films, obviously, are shot with a theater in mind.

While that may seem true, a majority of people can't stand having black bars on the left and right side of a 16:9 TV on SD channels, so they stretch it out. Even if they don't want to watch SD channels, they still do that.

Most people just flat-out don't want to see black bars anywhere on their screen. They bought a 16:9 TV, they want the whole screen filled out. I don't feel that way, but most people do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271992 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:41:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271970 anon :

said by aaronwt

said by Jad1325 :

They would have to pay me to have any chance of it being worth it to wacth the butchered content

Same here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271970 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:38:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271650 aaronwt :

said by Jad1325 :

I like what this channel can be and the enormous libraries that it is backed by. However while liking the channel I still am not able to justify spending $10 for one channel. I use VOD a ton but to me that should not factor into the cost just like I do not factor it into HBO or Showtime's cost. I never stream anything online since the quality is usually inferior and real small in size. They need to add the linear feed and the VOD to the ultimate movie package or the showtime/starz package and sell the online streaming separately. I cant justify spending $10 for one network.

Has anyone who has seen the free preview decided to subscribe come monday?

They would have to pay me to have any chance of it being worth it to wacth the butchered content]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271650 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:12:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271584 Greg2600 : OAR - original aspect ratio. Films are usually 2.35:1. Widescreen televisions are not, they are 16:9 or 1.78. Therefore you have two main choices. Either you crop the sides of the video to go from 2.35 to 1.78, or you sort of shrink the whole picture a little, and have a think black bar on the top and bottom. OAR is preferred by film makers, of course, since this is what they put in the theater. Even with the slight letter boxing, every HDTV out there has a zoom feature, usually called HD Zoom, for those who want it to fill the screen.

The irony is that most older films, as The Untouchables prove, not THAT much older, are shown in OAR. That of course is idiotic, but the networks have this perception that people don't want letter boxing. Sporting events are filmed as 1.78:1, so they automatically fit the screen. Films, obviously, are shot with a theater in mind. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271584 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:56:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271554 Tested :

said by millerzone

:

No OAR == no sale.

HDNet Movies and MGM-HD show movies in OAR and uncut, and are included with Extreme HD.

Can someone remind me why I need Epix?

OAR?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271554 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:47:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271277 millerzone : No OAR == no sale.

HDNet Movies and MGM-HD show movies in OAR and uncut, and are included with Extreme HD.

Can someone remind me why I need Epix?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271277 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:27:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271125 anon :

said by appleman102

:

I will be purchasing Epix for 30 cents a day on Monaday. You figure if I watch 10 movies a month I'm only spending 1$ per movie. Good deal IMO. Epix rocks!

But earlier you said "....Im not paying over 2$ for this crap channel". ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271125 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:45:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271083 anon :

said by darcilicious

said by Jad1325 :

I use VOD a ton but to me that should not factor into the cost just like I do not factor it into HBO or Showtime's cost.

If you don't think you're paying for VOD when you subscribe to HBO or Showtime you're wrong.

Cablevision and other services charge extra for HBO VOD. So my point was while it may be included in the package fee its not a separate charge. I know its paid for just that we don't buy it separately like you do with Cablevision. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23271083 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:36:15 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270707 MeatChicken : I also do not see this channel being able to sustain itself with a price of $120/yr.
Forget us knowledgeable 'geeks', the vast majority of Fios subscribers & general public will know little or nothing about this channel .. even a year from now.

When it comes time to pick a movie pkg, they will see a massive multichannel & on Demand package that includes the well known & wanted Stars/Showtime/TMC/Encore, Flix, IFC & Cinemax for about $15,
A big HBO multichannel pkg for about $15, or there's also this single EPIX movie channel they probably never heard of for $10.
There's no perceived value here. It's got to appeal to the masses to become a success, not just the occasional in-the-know movie 'geek', or a few super rich customers that just check "every box" when ordering service ....

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270707 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:46:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270680 appleman102 : I will be purchasing Epix for 30 cents a day on Monaday. You figure if I watch 10 movies a month I'm only spending 1$ per movie. Good deal IMO. Epix rocks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270680 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:40:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270474 darcilicious :

said by Jad1325 :

I use VOD a ton but to me that should not factor into the cost just like I do not factor it into HBO or Showtime's cost.

If you don't think you're paying for VOD when you subscribe to HBO or Showtime you're wrong.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270474 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:48:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270426 anon : I like what this channel can be and the enormous libraries that it is backed by. However while liking the channel I still am not able to justify spending $10 for one channel. I use VOD a ton but to me that should not factor into the cost just like I do not factor it into HBO or Showtime's cost. I never stream anything online since the quality is usually inferior and real small in size. They need to add the linear feed and the VOD to the ultimate movie package or the showtime/starz package and sell the online streaming separately. I cant justify spending $10 for one network.

Has anyone who has seen the free preview decided to subscribe come monday?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270426 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:40:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270159 aaronwt : Epix is an EPIC FAIL.

IronMan was cropped last night. They butchered it by zooming in and cutting off 40% of the picture. For any chance to get some money from me they would need to show the movies without being butchered.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23270159 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:27:58 EDT I like it but to promise a consistant $9.95, better to also.. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269909 techygeek : I like seeing these "my feeling, hardly ever on cable" classics in HD no less and very clear and sharp. Looks like they took the time, in most cases, to get as much detail off the film as possible.

That said, my gosh, im shelling out enough, now another $9.95/mo. Instead, it can be that but they should also sell individually for, say $2.99/Movie for say 24 hrs.

2 ways of selling it will reap better profits, I feel cause I think they have a nice selection of movies. I don't think people feel a few bucks, once in a while as much as they feel $10/mo just to see anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269909 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:57:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269861 anon : "The Untouchables" is in OAR right now. Possibly older films will not be modifed since they already exist as masters.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269861 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:42:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269125 darcilicious : I got an invite to preview the online version so I thought I'd share some screen shots :-) I thought the "watch with friends" bit was interesting.

The "movie details" page is really quite extensive, posted about half of it here...

overview
more stuff
other stuff
partial details (sans

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269125 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:35:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269074 jimboe :

said by appleman102

:

why is the original aspect ratio such a big deal? It seriously looks fine, don't be such a videophile that you can't enjoy anything!

Let me take a swing for the majority here:

Because it's a, quote, un-quote, *premium channel*.

..and the other more salient reasons given with nice links ;) .

Seriously tho, on another note/question:

I see ST:Generations in the guide coming up, which was admittedly played ad-nauseum on SHO (? IIRC ?) over the last upteen months/years.

So, does that mean, that we will no longer EVER see THAT movie (or Iron Man, etc., etc.) on ANY of the other, "normal" premium movie channels?

Cuz I sometimes enjoy watching some things over and over, in the background while working, whatever.

I know, I'm lame..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269074 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:17:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269017 anon : Watching the channel for a few hours this does have the potential to be a great service since the Studio libraries are massive and with some real classics. If they could actually show a wide range of movies and present them in top quality audio and OAR then they could be very competitive with HBO and the rest. Whens the last time HBO or Starz/Showtime with all of their individual channels ever routinely showed classic movies from the past? I think it could be a great channel addition however I dont feel its worth $9. If it was $5 or less and bundled with the total movie package I would have no problem. I dont need online streaming nor do I want it so to pay $9 for one channel and VOD is a bit much. Still this does have the potential and that I give them credit for.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23269017 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:02:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268961 Greg2600 : The "analyst" essentially is saying Verizon is paying $2.7 million a month for Epix, regardless how many subscribe (I guess). It's difficult to imagine Verizon will get 10% of customers to subscribe anytime soon.

As for your second question, really only the new releases (to cable at least) of Paramount movies used to go to Showtime for sure. Old Paramount movies, new Lionsgate and MGM, and old movies both own, were sold all over the place, on cable. Showtime has positioned itself as a series/movie/independent film network.

Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM combine for a massive film library. If you're into the PC watching and VOD, 9.99 is probably a fair price.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268961 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:38:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268932 CrobertGauth : I have a couple of questions:
1) Why would Verizon pay per FIOS TV customer even those that have not signed up? Or is that standard that the service provider pays the content provider for all customers and has to set the fees customers pay to cover based on anticipated sign ups?
2) If Showtime is losing this movie content, doesn't this mean that those of us that get Showtime are now paying the same rate for less content?
(These questions may have been asked and answered before but I wasn't able to discern that. So my apologies if this is redundant)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268932 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:27:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268701 anon : See one film director's view on this issue (and the strings he had to pull just to have his film presented properly on HBO)

»www.dgaquarterly.org/BACKISSUES/···ult.aspx]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268701 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:25:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268598 shark2k : anonanon just explained it nicely with that link. There is huge potential to lose a huge amount of information on a move that is greater that 16:9 (Iron Man 2.35:1). On that link, look at a Fistfull of Dollars and A Few Good Men for good examples of how not having OAR kept loses a lot of information. Now, granted, those are comparing widescreen to 4:3, but you will still lose the effect. In the second A Few Good Men picture, Kevin Bacon and Jack Nicholson's characters would probably be cut in half cropping to a 16:9 ratio, not how the image is supposed to appear.

-Shark2k]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268598 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:57:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268473 anon :

said by chitchatjf

:

The impression I get is that the lack of OAR will eventually change. :)

How so?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268473 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:55:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268474 alan47 : I'm not complaining about EPIX as I have no intention of getting it.

There are occasional films worth seeing on premium (or when I have family and/or guests over as an entertainment option) but my primary point is that the made for premium series are what make the premium price worth it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268474 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:24:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268462 chitchatjf : I sent an email complaint earlier. The impression I get is that the lack of OAR will eventually change. :)

AS for iron Man I HAVE the DVD.

They'll get MY $10 anyways :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268462 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:22:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268433 anon :

said by shark2k

:

Well, Iron Man is in 5.1 but not in OAR. Just like most other movie channels out there.

Another butchered channel - in 2009 no less. They can keep it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268433 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:18:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268434 anon :

said by appleman102

:

why is the original aspect ratio such a big deal? It seriously looks fine, don't be such a videophile that you can't enjoy anything!

So when you go to a movie theater, would you like management to close the curtains over the screen so that 25 - 40% of the picture is blocked-off? No big deal, right? What's sadder is that, before the movie began, they showed clips from the film properly. Then the movie begins and picture info is missing. I'm sure that many will enjoy it regardless...but it tells me that EPIX has little-to-no regard for the filmmakers, the films, or their viewers. To that end, they are not worth an additional $9.99 a month. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268434 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:18:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268427 anon :

said by appleman102

:

why is the original aspect ratio such a big deal? It seriously looks fine, don't be such a videophile that you can't enjoy anything!

»www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/···ma2.html]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268427 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:13:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268406 appleman102 : ugh it has an on-screen bug....Im not paying over 2$ for this crap channel]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268406 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:08:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268392 Timothy28 : Ugh its not commercial free minus points for that. Nevermind it looked like a commercial at first.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268392 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:06:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268386 appleman102 : why is the original aspect ratio such a big deal? It seriously looks fine, don't be such a videophile that you can't enjoy anything!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268386 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:05:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268378 shark2k : Well, Iron Man is in 5.1 but not in OAR. Just like most other movie channels out there.

-Shark2k]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268378 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:02:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268367 Timothy28 : Well here we go. Its in 5.1.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268367 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:59:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268366 appleman102 : EVERYTHINGS ABOUT TO CHANGE........]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268366 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:59:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268291 anon :

said by appleman102

:

omg the channel makes the most ANNOYING sound ever right now.

Yeah, they're really bangin' that countdown clock]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268291 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:51:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268247 appleman102 : omg the channel makes the most ANNOYING sound ever right now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23268247 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:28:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267846 anon :

said by ZaneTodd45

There was a time when AMC (American Movie Classics) was ad-free, correct? And now it's not.

Ads during movies don't really bother me, as long as I am DVR-ing it (like from the FX channel).
[/BQUOTE :

Yes, but now movies on AMC are unwatchable (stretched, cropped, censored, commercials, and ads on the screen DURING the movie). I'm actually going to pay the VOD price for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in HD, even tho AMC is showing it for free. Nothing breaks the mood of a movie like that than a large, color image of Jon Hamm covering the image!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267846 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:23:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267843 blue_trooper :

said by alan47

:

Bottom line is this.

I have all the movie channels. Effective 2 November I will be paying the same price as I have been for less movies.

Interesting math.

said by alan47

:

To tell you the truth, most movies today suck. I subscribe to the premiums for the series anyway. That's where all the talented writers of drama and comedy are and will be headed. Re dramas: let's face it, a multi-part drama series is far superior to a 2 hour movie. Better character and story development. Re comedies: there are more laugh out loud moments on adult-oriented premium comedies than in adolescent movie comedies.

So the real "bottom line" is you're complaining about not getting something that you don't want?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267843 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:57:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267819 anon :

said by alan47

To tell you the truth, most movies today suck. I subscribe to the premiums for the series anyway. That's where all the talented writers of drama and comedy are and will be headed. Re dramas: let's face it, a multi-part drama series is far superior to a 2 hour movie. Better character and story development. Re comedies: there are more laugh out loud moments on adult-oriented premium comedies than in adolescent movie comedies.
[/BQUOTE :

While I somewhat agree, there is no substitute for well-made films, especially genre movies. I remember when FIREFLY was cancelled and Joss Whedon shopped it around...no cable channel wanted to deal with the budget. Comedies/dramas are fairly cheap so that's why they are more prolific on cable. But you still need movies like STAR TREK or IRON MAN for the sheer spectacle. Sadly, EPIX is reducing the "largeness" of such films by cropping them. That's the main reason why I won't be signing up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267819 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:56:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267811 ZaneTodd45 : Since hybrid cars are in vogue these days, here's a crazy suggestion. They should have made Epix a hybrid channel (or semi-premium, if that works better).

Meaning it would be ad-supported, but the movies would not be edited or censored in ANY way. Just insert a few minor ad breaks every 15 or 30 minutes.

There was a time when AMC (American Movie Classics) was ad-free, correct? And now it's not.

Ads during movies don't really bother me, as long as I am DVR-ing it (like from the FX channel).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267811 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:52:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267743 anon : Why would they have VOD at 2.0 and the linear channel in 5.1? Does that make any sense to broadcast it one way and make it available on vod a different way?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267743 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:50:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267747 alan47 : Bottom line is this.

I have all the movie channels. Effective 2 November I will be paying the same price as I have been for less movies. That's not an ethical business move Verizon.

To tell you the truth, most movies today suck. I subscribe to the premiums for the series anyway. That's where all the talented writers of drama and comedy are and will be headed. Re dramas: let's face it, a multi-part drama series is far superior to a 2 hour movie. Better character and story development. Re comedies: there are more laugh out loud moments on adult-oriented premium comedies than in adolescent movie comedies.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23267747 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:40:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266913 HenryFarpolo :

said by aaronwt

said by TheMaestro2 :

I see everybody keeps stating that the channel is broadcasting in stereo, I just went to the count down screen on the HD channel and it shows up as Dolby Digital on my receiver.

Dolby Digital can be anything between 1.0 and 5.1.

Dolby Digital stereo is 2.0

------------

The countdown is 5.1.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266913 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266272 jefe : The schedule is now available on Verizon TV Central.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266272 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:01:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266262 drlovety : Does anyone have the schedule for the freeview this weekend? I’m on TiVO and do not have guide data. Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266262 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266111 keyboards :

said by anono :

said by Greg2600

said by anono :

Do you have the QAM channel info? And do you know if it's in the clear?

Of course not, FIOS only puts local broadcast channels in the clear.

Not always. When extra innings was free preview, it was in the clear (sometimes it's easier to do that then to authorize all boxes).

"Freeviews" are always done in the clear. Too much of a hassle to send authorization and de-authorization to every STB in the system. So for this weekend you should be able to view with a clear QAM tuner. Don't know the QAM channel to answer the original question.
--
REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266111 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:31:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266082 anon :

said by Greg2600

said by anono :

Do you have the QAM channel info? And do you know if it's in the clear?

Of course not, FIOS only puts local broadcast channels in the clear.

Not always. When extra innings was free preview, it was in the clear (sometimes it's easier to do that then to authorize all boxes).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266082 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:26:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266067 Greg2600 :

said by anono :

Do you have the QAM channel info? And do you know if it's in the clear?

Of course not, FIOS only puts local broadcast channels in the clear.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23266067 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:21:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265910 anon : Do you have the QAM channel info? And do you know if it's in the clear?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265910 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:14:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265955 keyboards :

said by TheMaestro

:

FYI regarding Audio, I just went to the HD channel with the countdown screen and it is broadcasting in Dolby Digital.

I only stated that the VOD content was Dolby 2.0, and I won't make any judgment on the linear channel since there is no programming on it yet. HBO and others run 2.0 in between actual movies (for their promos) and only go 5.1 if the movie / series / event is in 5.1. So, it is too early to tell what the channel will have as compared to the already available VOD which has been commented on.
--
REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265955 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265867 rifleman69 :

said by anono :

Anyone with a Tivo/cable card seeing this channel yet?

Yep, doesn't show in the guide besides HD PPV but the channel tunes in.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265867 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:42:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265787 anon : Anyone with a Tivo/cable card seeing this channel yet?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265787 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:31:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265523 aaronwt :

Dolby Digital can be anything between 1.0 and 5.1.

Dolby Digital stereo is 2.0

------------

FIOS is crazy if they think I would spend $10 for just one HD channel. If I was going to spend $10 i would get something like showtime. At least I would have multiple channels and content to choose from at any given time.

I looked at the EPIX programming on their website. there is nothing special that would make it worth $10 a month for only one channel.

One has to wonder what the people at FIOS are smoking.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265523 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:48:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265336 TheMaestro : FYI regarding Audio, I just went to the HD channel with the countdown screen and it is broadcasting in Dolby Digital.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265336 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:15:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265312 anon : I see everybody keeps stating that the channel is broadcasting in stereo, I just went to the count down screen on the HD channel and it shows up as Dolby Digital on my receiver.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265312 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:11:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265190 hdspts :

said by ZaneTodd45

said by matcarl

:

Fios need 270,000 subscribers to Epix to break even!!!!! It ain't happening

...or people who have to have all the channels...

What is interesting to me is that last year, when I first started reading about the Studio3 formation of Epix, the articles were all talking about how the price per subscriber would be kept low and they anticipated Epix being added to "digital basic tiers". The $1 per subscriber price seems to back this up, since it is pretty low for a station offering the original content that Epix is offering. However, to a service provider, putting it on a basic tier would just cost them money. I guess Studio3 thought they had a winner by offering content that would usually be found on a premium network like HBO, and pricing it for digital basic, but unless a channel is established or in demand, there is no up side to a provider taking on an additional station.

A more established or in demand station might set the conditions (what tier, etc.) their station can be put on, witness the fights that Comcast had regarding placement of NFL Network and ESPNU, for example. However, since no one else seems to be running to take Epix, they had no leverage to make their station available only if FIOS put it on the Extreme package or even as part of a premium movie package.

If other service providers had picked up Epix at launch, would that have constrained Verizon from pricing it as they did? A few months ago I would have thought so, but after seeing what happened with NFL Red Zone (where FIOS customers were offered a $49.95 subscription price while Comcast, for example, just added it for digital customers), not necessarily so.

If enough people subscribe (does anyone have the numbers for Red Zone subscriptions?), then this trend will undoubtedly continue as it would be more profitable for the providers. As one who shells out $14.99/mo. for a single station showing soccer and rugby, I do not begrudge those who find the material compelling and want to subscribe. But as for me, these stations that should be, at the very least, a part of a package rather than a a-la-carte premium station, will be ignored by me (except during preview periods).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23265190 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:46:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264807 JPL :

said by jimboe

said by JPL

:

Let me state what I expect will happen. ...

I can see all of your points. The only one which I completely disagreed with was the same-time/2-week thing when it was unclear that you were only referring to a small small amount of movies in the cat.

I tend to agree with most here. Hope it fails so all the studios go back to some of the other premiums and "return" the movie selection which we (all movie premium subs) had "taken" from us due to this situation.

It's tantamount to a price increase to get backwhat we were already paying for.

You're right - I should have been clearer of my expectation with the new release thing. In all fairness, though, I never once implied that it would be a majority of their offerings. In fact several times I mentioned that I expected a mix of old and new movies. I know many only look at the 'new' side of the equation. I don't. Like I've said a few times, one of the things I like about services like Starz is that they offer old movies as well as newer movies. As well as movies I never would have watched otherwise - both crappy movies and good ones that I'd either never heard of (I don't live under a rock, but I'd never even heard of The Bank Job with Jason Statham until I watched it on one of those movie channels - a very good movie, and a very good example of what I'm talking about), and those that I had heard of, but wouldn't actually pay separately to watch (one very recent example - Underworld 3 - I really liked the first movie... fell asleed during the second, so the desire to see #3 wasn't high - I liked it better than I expected, and it's one that I never would have watched otherwise).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264807 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:39:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264030 blue_trooper :

said by Greg2600

:

What was misquoted?

That they're paying $1/mo. for EVERYBODY, not just Epix subscribers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264030 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:33:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264017 Greg2600 : What was misquoted?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23264017 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:31:11 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263851 rlindner : If your going to quote an article, you should quote it correctly. The article states...

"Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield, in a note to clients Thursday, said said he estimates Verizon is paying a $1 monthly fee to Epix for each of 2.7 million FiOS TV subscribers. At that rate, FiOS would need to sign up 270,000 Epix subscribers paying $9.99 per month to break even."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263851 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:58:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263686 Greg2600 : So Verizon is paying Epix $1 a customer and charging $9.99 per, that's a lovely ridiculous 1000% markup. More reason Verizon should have packaged this channel somehow to current customers.

PS: Dish Network it says might add Epix next.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263686 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:16:11 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263511 R e a p e r :

said by anonanon :

They just raised the package from $30 to $35 didn't they?

Do you really think they raised the movie package price to cover the cost of a channel not in the package? Ah, if only we had proof.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263511 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:46:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263402 anon :

quote:
How would they see a profit if they don't change the price of that package?

If they offered the package with EPIX for $40 I'd get it.

They just raised the package from $30 to $35 didn't they?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263402 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:37:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263357 anon :

said by icemannyr1

:

Since someone had brought up HDNet, their VOD channels should be coming to FiOS according to a e-mail response from Mark Cuban.

Q Would you know if Verizon FiOS has any plans to add HDNet On Demand?
A: yep, its on its way

Great news...if it includes their library and not just what they are currently showing that week. HDNet Movies is one of the main reasons I switched to Verizon. And now that I've enjoyed it for some months, I find it to be absolutely indispensible! It's a channel that I wish others would emulate. If EPIX had as much intregrity as HDNet Movies, then I think more folks might be enthusiastic.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263357 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:37:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263257 anon : Not to beat a dead horse, but if they showed the current films properly (OAR and 5.1), I'd pay the $10 bucks just for that alone. But they aren't, so they've lost at least one potential customer. If, when the channel launches, the films are shown as they were meant to be (no cropping!), then I may sign on. But that seems pretty unlikely, from what I've seen so far.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263257 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:06:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263284 icemannyr1 : Since someone had brought up HDNet, their VOD channels should be coming to FiOS according to a e-mail response from Mark Cuban.

Q Would you know if Verizon FiOS has any plans to add HDNet On Demand?
A: yep, its on its way]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23263284 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:04:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262859 Zero : Yes, they would have to charge more for the package to get any profit out of it. I was just stating the current price of the package. What price Verizon would plan to charge is up to them. However, it should also be cheaper on that package than normal "a la carte" price of $9.99 since it's being bundled with all the other movie premiums. As you suggested a price of $40 is very reasonable for that package if Epix were to be added to it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262859 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262819 R e a p e r :

said by Zero

:

Verizon needs to bundle it into their "All-Access" (HBO/Cinemax/Movies) premium package currently @ 35/mo. Then Verizon just might be able to break even or see a profit.

How would they see a profit if they don't change the price of that package?

If they offered the package with EPIX for $40 I'd get it.

If it was a plex service with maybe EPIX East, EPIX West, EPIX Horror and EPIX Action I'd spring for the $9.99.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262819 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:38:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262811 Zero :

said by matcarl

:

Fios need 270,000 subscribers to Epix to break even!!!!!

Wow, there's no way that it's going to survive as a single channel @ 9.99/mo.

Verizon needs to bundle it into their "All-Access" (HBO/Cinemax/Movies) premium package currently @ 35/mo. Then Verizon just might be able to break even or see a profit.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262811 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:36:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262745 ZaneTodd45 :

said by matcarl

:

Fios need 270,000 subscribers to Epix to break even!!!!! It ain't happening

LMAO !! They will be lucky to get 50K subscribers before 2010.

The only ppl I see getting this channel are (A) ppl with NO other premiums, or (B) ppl with no easy access to a Blockbuster or other movie rental service.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262745 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:23:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262692 matcarl : Fios need 270,000 subscribers to Epix to break even!!!!! It ain't happening

»www.multichannel.com/article/366···9_99.php]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262692 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:09:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262576 R e a p e r :

said by icemannyr1

:

I remember paying around $14.95 for Sports Channel NY in the 1990's on TCI.

The problem today is percieved value. The all-inclusive movie package from FiOS has 44 premium movie channels in HD, and 71 SD channels. At $35/month, that's $.30/premium movie channel/month. Even if you only consider the HD channels, it's still only $.80 per movie channel. So relatively speaking, EPIX is priced at about 1250% of the market rate on FiOS.

A different way to look at this is that HBO, Showtime and Starz are over $9.99 each, but these are multiplex services and not single channels.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262576 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:48:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262564 drlovety : Interesting…my EpixHD channel countdown clock went from SD to HD within the past hour.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262564 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:44:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262555 Timothy28 :

said by Greg2600

:

I'd probably pay $5 more a month, I have the $30 movie package now. Although that package has increased to $35 itself for new contracts. Not more than that. Why should I have to pay for VOD/Internet Library if I don't care about it? Epix should be offering a lesser plan just for the channel and a limited VOD, like the other premium channels do.

Exactly. I'm not gonna watch movies on my computer. Why would i do that when i can watch them on my HDTV?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262555 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:43:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262545 Greg2600 : I'd probably pay $5 more a month, I have the $30 movie package now. Although that package has increased to $35 itself for new contracts. Not more than that. Why should I have to pay for VOD/Internet Library if I don't care about it? Epix should be offering a lesser plan just for the channel and a limited VOD, like the other premium channels do. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262545 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:41:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262487 icemannyr1 : I remember paying around $14.95 for Sports Channel NY in the 1990's on TCI.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262487 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:29:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262422 R e a p e r :

said by Pat Bowa

:

I don't understand all the negative chatter. Isn't quality better then quantity?

$10 a month for one channel of quality movies cheaper then taking your family to a movie once a month.

Epix is what HBO used to be in 1981.

What are you basing your opinion on Pat?

I browsed through the guide looking at upcoming movies on EPIX and, other than a few newer movies that have been available via VOD for months like IRON MAN, they are showing the same films that have been running on Showtime for months - and in heavy rotation. So far, I don't see EPIX being any better than any of the competing movie channels.

They're not even showing horror films for Halloween. Lionsgate is a partner. Why not show SAW V? Why not show films from the After Dark Horrorfest? Why not show other films from Lionsgate's deep horror library?

Right now it seems like all sizzle and no steak. Very disappointing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262422 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:16:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262388 Pat Bowa : I don't understand all the negative chatter. Isn't quality better then quantity?

$10 a month for one channel of quality movies cheaper then taking your family to a movie once a month.

Epix is what HBO used to be in 1981.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262388 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262349 ZaneTodd45 :
"It's tantamount to a price increase to get back what we were already paying for."
------------------
I totally agree. I'm already paying for the Starz-Showtime package. Why ding me again?

And I could afford to add the HBO package, but I chose not to. I just don't have the time to watch those extra movies, as I'm still loyal to my favorite prime time network shows.

It's great that VZ has more overall channels than Dish, Direct, or most any local cable carrier. But there's only 24 hours in a day. I'm lucky if I can watch 3 hours in any given day. So in that situation, less is more.

Do I want Epix to fail? At this point, I don't care one way or the other. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262349 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:06:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262244 jimboe :

said by JPL

:

Let me state what I expect will happen. ...

said by Tim213 :

What is the likelihood that anyone at Verizon even knows about this thread or has read any of the posts? That would be interesting to know what the reaction they have been getting, if any, from subscribers about the price.

Verizon has their own blog (where some of the same sentiments have been raised)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262100 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:38:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262098 R e a p e r :

said by JPL

:

Actually, they generally do 2 or three screenings of the movie. Usually back to back on the same night - due to conflicts on my DVR, I generally record the second showing.

You're right JPL, I should have stated 1 night rather than 1 screening.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262098 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:20:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261911 anon : This has got to be a joke or horrible marketing/sales to have an ultimate movie package that does not include the newest subscription. $9 for one channel is insane. Charge extra for online streaming - that I would have no problem with. Epix can fail for all I care. Add it to the movie package and I'll support it. Don't and I'll be counting the days until it goes away. My money is a year or less (a year being generous) before it ends.

What is the likelihood that anyone at Verizon even knows about this thread or has read any of the posts? That would be interesting to know what the reaction they have been getting, if any, from subscribers about the price. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261911 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:11:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262038 Tarheel72 : Sorry but I just don't see it. Ten bucks a month for one channel so I can see a flic that just left the movies? I don't think so. I could care less about a movie on a PC. I watch streaming netflix sometimes via my xbox and it is ok but I don't make a habit out of it. I actually stream netflix more on my acer netbook while lying in bed late at night using the earphones so I don't wake the misses. I think my epic experience ends at midnight on sunday.
--
Go Heels!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23262038 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:11:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261777 jefe : This just came through with "Your Weekly Spotlight...."

FWIW

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261777 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:23:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261691 JPL :

said by R e a p e r

said by jimboe

:

HDNet does it , but only for a very, very minuscule amount of pictures, typically from small studios.

Actually, they generally do 2 or three screenings of the movie. Usually back to back on the same night - due to conflicts on my DVR, I generally record the second showing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261691 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:09:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261674 JPL : Let me state what I expect will happen. I never said that early releases would happen for 95% of movies from these studios... or even for a majority of movies. I fully expect that it will happen, ala HD Net Movies, for a small number of movies - and probably not even their big blockbuster fare. I do expect to see that happen for a handful of movies every year. But even if they just cut the turn-around time for movies making it on tv it would be nice. Look at how long it takes for a movie to make it to Showtime or Starz... it would be nice if that turn-around time were 6 months vs. 1 - 2 years.

Now, does that alone make it worth the $10 price? In my mind - no, it doesn't. However, I also anticipate that they're going to have a heavy push for on-demand fare too. Initially they're offering up 150 movies per month on demand. I fully expect that to grow over time. It's also clear that they're going to push a heavy on-line presence. Now I'm not a big fan of watching stuff on line, but now that I have a laptop with an HD screen, the idea of streaming movies directly to it from their on-line store is something that's appealing to me.

All that being said, it's the on-demand presence that's most appealing to me. I use the VOD for the movie package channels alot. I almost never watch stuff off the linear Starz channels, e.g. I almost always watch them on demand - unless there's a movie I really want to see that they don't offer on demand.

So, IF they got a big on-demand library (say 1,000 movies) then to me it would be worth the $10/month. At that point I would gladly drop the movie pack to pick up Epix. Will that happen? I have no idea. Which is why I'm taking a wait and see approach with the channel.

In terms of releases - I not only expect a mix of old and new movies, I would be disappointed if they didn't have some older movies in there. I stated earlier that one reason I like the premiums is because I get to see old movies that I'd seen many years before but totally forgot about.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261674 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:07:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261670 R e a p e r :

said by jimboe

:

HDNet does it , but only for a very, very minuscule amount of pictures, typically from small studios.

HDNet does it only with Magnolia Pictures films (Mark Cuban co-owns Magnolia, just as he does HDNet), and only 1 screening per movie. It's pretty darn cool to be able to DVR some of those flicks though. Most recently I really enjoyed the horror flick Splinter.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261670 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:06:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261534 R e a p e r :

said by matcarl

:

It's a race now as to who will be dropped first, Epix or the 6 .TV's :p

LOL]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261534 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:44:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261481 jimboe :

said by JPL

said by jimboe

said by JPL

:

... I think you're going to see stuff hit Epix at the same time it hits the theaters... or within, say, 2 weeks of it hitting the theater.

NEVER - GONNA - HAPPEN.

Because that would severely undercut theater ticket sales and DVD sales/rentals (not to mention the PPV ~~ripoff's~~offering's).

HDNet does it , but only for a very, very minuscule amount of pictures, typically from small studios.

Your post indicated (to me anyway) a "wishfullness" that a "large" portion of their offerings would be within a 2-week release window of theater opening. That'd be superb, and I bet at least 95% of us here would jump on that for a measly $10/month. For that reason coupled with the above, it's a total pipe dream.

If that's not what you were postulating, and you were referring to something tiny, more in line with what HDNet now does, I suppose that could happen. But paying $10/mo for something of such small consequence as that certainly is not much to write home about.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261481 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:35:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261443 matcarl : It's a race now as to who will be dropped first, Epix or the 6 .TV's :p]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261443 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:30:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261396 R e a p e r : matcarl: You never know who may be reading this forum. Perhaps if EPIX tanks on FiOS at $10/month Verizon will consider what we state here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261396 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:24:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261297 matcarl : No sense saying what we would have paid. It's $10, that's it. Not too many providers seem to be interested in it, I guess they knew they wouldn't get many takers for a new premium channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261297 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:09:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261271 R e a p e r : Those of you who like me don't think that EPIX is worth $9.99/month, how much would you be willing to pay for it?

For my part, I would be willing to pay $3 extra if it was added to the all-inclusive movie package.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23261271 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:06:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23260229 lewisc : The early reports suggested Epix will be offering movies in the "pay TV" window, prior to being available on DVD. There is no evidence to suggest Epix is doing that. I'm not sure if being able to view a movie a month or two before it's available on DVD is worth it.

One channel is a non-issue with so many titles available via VoD.

I agree with PP, channel isn't worth $10/month.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23260229 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:16:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259449 matcarl :

said by jefe

:

Of course, the old adage different strokes for different folks applies, but if I could get a movie in HD quality at the same time it appeared in theaters, I could conceivably never visit a movie theater again. :p

Agreed. I hate going to the movies. Whenever I do go, it's to take my daughter. If it was just for me, I'd never go again!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259449 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:13:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259391 jefe :

said by JPL

:

.....none of that came to pass because there is a unique experience about going to the movies. That's something that just watching a movie on your TV, no matter how recent the release, will be fully replicated at home.

Exactly. Where but a theater can you put your feet on a sticky floor, on a previous patron's Junior Mints? Or sit next to a huge guy who's spilling over in to your seat? Or listen to someone a row behind you jabbering about...whatever?

I much prefer watching a movie on Blu-Ray on our 62" screen with surround 5.1. For me...it's a better "theatrical" experience. (I really think a good sound system is a key part of that experience.)

Of course, the old adage different strokes for different folks applies, but if I could get a movie in HD quality at the same time it appeared in theaters, I could conceivably never visit a movie theater again. :p]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259391 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:03:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259340 JPL :

said by MacGyver973

:

All these 'premium' channels are a waste of money. Period. I had the free 3 months of HBO/Cinemax. I canceled it after only 1 month. How many times can you watch Juno? Seriously, I don't even want these channels for free.

I'll tell you why I like services like Starz and TMC. They offer movies that I never would have seen otherwise. There are movies that, because of whatever reason, aren't something I'd pay to see in the theaters, or even to bother to rent. But they are something that I will sit and watch if one of these channels offers them. Paying a couple bucks a month to be able to watch movies like that is something that can't be replaced by services like Netflix.

Included in that, btw, are some oldies - movies that I'd seen many years ago, but don't think of getting on DVD. Many are really good movies that you just forget about, and it's nice to be able to watch them again. I think there will always be a niche for these channels. Does that mean that Epix will succeed? If they become another Starz/HBO/Showtime type service, then no I don't think they will.

That's the reason I think you're going to see more recent releases on Epix - it's one very powerful thing that they have that will set them apart from those other services.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259340 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:55:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259302 JPL :

said by Greg2600

:

JPL, if you think EPix is going to compete against theaters, you're dreaming. Let's not forget Sony owns one of the major theater chains, and a major studio.

Where did I say that they would compete against the theaters? I didn't say that at all. I'm saying that they can be more timely in the release of new movies onto their channel - which is something that services like Starz CAN'T do.

This is an old argument, btw. I remember, way back when, HBO was seen as the thing that was going to kill the movie theaters... then when that didn't happen, it was the advent of home theaters... with large screen HD TVs, with HD players, and kick-butt surround sound... none of that came to pass because there is a unique experience about going to the movies. That's something that just watching a movie on your TV, no matter how recent the release, will be fully replicated at home.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259302 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:50:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259217 MacGyver973 : All these 'premium' channels are a waste of money. Period. I had the free 3 months of HBO/Cinemax. I canceled it after only 1 month. How many times can you watch Juno? Seriously, I don't even want these channels for free. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259217 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:35:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259106 MeatChicken :

said by Pat Bowa

:

What is all the fuss? I think Epix has more to offer then all the movie channels. I mean how many times do I need to see the Perfect Storm or the Ruins or any other movie they seem to replay over and over and over again. It's the same movies all the time on the movie packages.

EPIX won't be any different .. you probably won't need to watch Iron Man, Star Trek Generations, Rocky II & Love Guru over & over either ..... ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259106 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:16:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259097 Onedollar :

said by Greg2600

:

JPL, if you think EPix is going to compete against theaters, you're dreaming. Let's not forget Sony owns one of the major theater chains, and a major studio.

Could be possible, look at HDNET movies, they have some before theater release previews on that channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259097 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:13:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259075 Greg2600 : JPL, if you think EPix is going to compete against theaters, you're dreaming. Let's not forget Sony owns one of the major theater chains, and a major studio.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23259075 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:06:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258858 nascar : Only if you care about being cheap with money and not what you are getting. I'm not convinced the limited amount of on demand Netflix titles are enough and I told you I don't want DVD's in the mail.

Thought I made it quite clear.

Enjoy your Netflix.

said by URFloorMatt

said by nascar

:

I will be getting EpixHD so I can see a bunch of Movies I missed. And I will be saving $5 per month as you say.

Now, I do have an Xbox360 with a Silver account and have considered the Netflix on demand (limited amount of titles) subscription but I am not interested (at the moment) in a annual $50 Gold subscription nor am I interested in getting DVD's in the mail.

Epix, (and I don't know yet) even at $9.99 a month might be my better option.

Epix at 9.99/month equates to $119.88/year. A one-at-a-time subscription to Netflix via XBL ($8.99 x 12 + 50) would run $157.88/year. If you want Blu Ray, make it 181.88/year ($10.99 x 12 + 50). Of course, I assume if you have a Blu Ray player you have a Netflix capable player minus the XBL subscription, which equates to $131.88/year.

Any way you swing it, Netflix is undeniably the better deal for my money.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258858 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:46:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258760 HenryFarpolo : I am recording the countdown clock, so I won't miss a thing. I am also rooting for the Phil's. At least one of these actions makes sense!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258760 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:42:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258752 JPL :

said by jimboe

said by JPL

:

... I think you're going to see stuff hit Epix at the same time it hits the theaters... or within, say, 2 weeks of it hitting the theater.

NEVER - GONNA - HAPPEN.

Why not? I can understand why another premium wouldn't be able to do this, but Epix is a distribution arm of a handful of movie studios. Why wouldn't they be able to do this? HD Net does it now with movies from Magnolia Pictures. It would give the channel a hell of an advantage over other premium services if they did do this. Besides, I seem to remember reading that they planned on making releases to the channel more timely than what you get now with the other premiums. Instead of waiting 1 - 2 years for a movie to make it from theater to premium, there's no reason that wait couldn't be cut to say 2 - 3 weeks. The way movies run these days, by week 3 - 4, most movie runs at the theater are pretty much done anyway.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258752 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:37:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258739 Pat Bowa : What is all the fuss? I think Epix has more to offer then all the movie channels. I mean how many times do I need to see the Perfect Storm or the Ruins or any other movie they seem to replay over and over and over again. It's the same movies all the time on the movie packages.

To me, Epix seems a lot like HBO, Showtime and Prism when cable first started.

I rather have one good channel then 40 bad channels anyday.

Sign me up!

GO PHILLIES ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258739 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:24:11 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258624 JeepMatt : Wait, they changed the Epix website?

Too late - i have it in writing.

I have a friend that's a lawyer - who wants to join my class action? :p
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258624 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:04:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258518 jimboe :

said by JPL

:

... I think you're going to see stuff hit Epix at the same time it hits the theaters... or within, say, 2 weeks of it hitting the theater.

NEVER - GONNA - HAPPEN.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258518 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:25:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258477 icemannyr1 : EPIX should be nominated for the 2009 Darwin Awards.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258477 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:57:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23258458 URFloorMatt :

said by nascar

said by mrmegadeth99 :

there isn't even an EPIX WEST, how can they charge $9.99 for one channel?

They're obviously smoking some good stuff if they think anyone will actually pay for cropped movies in regular stereo.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257717 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:07:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257689 anon : there isn't even an EPIX WEST, how can they charge $9.99 for one channel?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257689 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:04:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257538 Onedollar : EPIX(c) fail]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257538 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:29:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257424 nascar : It was a blunder of EPIX proportion! :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257424 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:08:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257363 anon : Yes, they changed it. I saw it too.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257363 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:04:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257291 matcarl : OMG, so it was a mistake, someone probably saw this thread and notified them. Too late, right Jeep ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257291 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:43:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257290 nascar :

said by MacGyver973

said by nascar

:

Darn, I have the Quald Play! RATS!

Sure, but with Quad Play you are getting a $15/month discount. So even if you subscribed to Epix at $10/month you are still coming out $5 ahead.

It was a bit of dead pan humor. :D But that is correct. I will be getting EpixHD so I can see a bunch of Movies I missed. And I will be saving $5 per month as you say.

Now, I do have an Xbox360 with a Silver account and have considered the Netflix on demand (limited amount of titles) subscription but I am not interested (at the moment) in a annual $50 Gold subscription nor am I interested in getting DVD's in the mail.

Epix, (and I don't know yet) even at $9.99 a month might be my better option.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257290 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:43:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257206 chitchatjf : Never mind:

It now says

Verizon FiOS

EPIX, which includes the channel, the VOD service, and EpixHD.com is priced at $9.99 per month with no minimum term; the monthly charge will be included with your Verizon FiOS TV billing statement for your convenience.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257206 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:26:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257205 jr461 : It has been changed:

How much does it cost?
Epix is currently available from the following television providers:

Verizon FiOS

EPIX, which includes the channel, the VOD service, and EpixHD.com is priced at $9.99 per month with no minimum term; the monthly charge will be included with your Verizon FiOS TV billing statement for your convenience.

For more information or to order, tune to channel 895 or visit FiOS online at »www.verizon.com/newbundles or call 1-888-553-1555 (select option #3 for “new products/services”) for more information. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257205 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:26:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257196 MacGyver973 :

said by nascar

:

Darn, I have the Quald Play! RATS!

Sure, but with Quad Play you are getting a $15/month discount. So even if you subscribed to Epix at $10/month you are still coming out $5 ahead.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257196 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:24:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257089 ggma1126 :

said by rifleman69

said by matcarl

:

Verizon's press release doesn't mention the triple play either

»newscenter.verizon.com/press-rel···zon.html

Yep, that one just says tv and internet (double play), says nothing about a landline phone.

And this one also says 9.99 per month nothing about it being included free whether you have double play or triple play that I could see - from what I read you have to have tv and internet to receive the channel ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257089 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:59:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257044 ggma1126 : what is the channel number for epix I am a triple play customer

update: never mind I found it ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23257044 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:51:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256889 matcarl : LOL, good idea.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256889 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:25:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256873 JeepMatt : I already have it in writing - if its not the case - I have a 12-month $10 discount coming my way.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256873 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:22:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256692 matcarl :

said by Onedollar

:

I bet its an EPIX website error, then the masses are gonna say false advertising, throw the LAWSUIT word out there..

Definitely. I think everyone should copy that website where it says free for triple play in case it is an error.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256692 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:49:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256650 keyboards :

said by bill121 :

Well as a Triple Play bundle member I would like to state that I am very happy to be receiving this new channel and hope that it will succeed for many years to come... that's if they support 5.1 and OAR - and if not then they can go to hell. Hopefully they will premiere movies sooner then Showtime which is the worst at premieres yet best at 5.1 and OAR. For all you Twilight fans Showtime has announced they will premier the first movie at some point in 2010.

Well, for the "free view" on VOD Iron Man was not in OAR and was Dolby 2.0 - disappointed when I watched it is an understatement. We'll see if that is the case once they officially go live.

At least if it really is free tor triple play subscribers it's not as bad as the $9.99 per month. Again, we will see once they officially launch and the preview ends.
--
REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256650 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:39:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256582 Onedollar : I bet its an EPIX website error, then the masses are gonna say false advertising, throw the LAWSUIT word out there..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256582 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:25:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256555 rifleman69 :

said by matcarl

:

Verizon's press release doesn't mention the triple play either

»newscenter.verizon.com/press-rel···zon.html

Yep, that one just says tv and internet (double play), says nothing about a landline phone.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256555 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:21:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256423 matcarl : Verizon's press release doesn't mention the triple play either

»newscenter.verizon.com/press-rel···zon.html]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256423 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:00:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256175 hdspts :

said by nascar

:

»www.studio3partners.com/faq/file···cost.php

Thanks...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256175 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:04:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256156 nascar : »www.studio3partners.com/faq/file···cost.php]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256156 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256124 hdspts :

said by chitchatjf

:

From Epix's website:

For Verizon customers, if you are a "Triple-Play" customer EPIX is included in your package for FREE

I now get a countdown screen :)

Could you please guide me to where the Epix website said this? I haven't been able to find it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256124 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:54:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256050 ZaneTodd45 : I now have the channel in my on-screen guide. And yes, I took a look at the upcoming movies and shook my head in disbelief.

Forget the $9.99; there is no way I would pay even an extra 10 cents for this nonsense. But I am a triple-player, so I expect to get the channel for free if the info stated earlier in the thread is accurate.

And as to what JPL is saying, I do agree with a lot of his points. We've all heard of "caveat emptor", let the buyer beware. If the VOD and other parts of Epix are appealing enough to him, then I'm sure it's worth the 10 bucks.

If indeed, their focus is on VOD, then I doubt we will see an Epix-2 (or Epix Plus) in the near future. After all, it took awhile for the other premiums to increase their feeds.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23256050 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:40:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255915 Max1 : What about Quad Play subscribers? Are we included?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255915 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:17:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255894 blue_trooper : "Everything Changes..."

That's got me a bit nervous.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255894 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:14:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255698 anon : Well as a Triple Play bundle member I would like to state that I am very happy to be receiving this new channel and hope that it will succeed for many years to come... that's if they support 5.1 and OAR - and if not then they can go to hell. Hopefully they will premiere movies sooner then Showtime which is the worst at premieres yet best at 5.1 and OAR. For all you Twilight fans Showtime has announced they will premier the first movie at some point in 2010.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255698 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:10:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255858 JeepMatt : I called Eric out on his blog regarding this "triple-play" for free statement.

We'll see what he comes back with.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255858 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:07:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255850 jr461 :

said by matcarl

:

The website seems to be alternating between 3 days 18 hrs and 2 days 6 hrs :huh:

I think it is highlighting movies that are coming to Epix in 3 days, 17 hrs, etc, and saying Epix launches in 2 days, 4 hrs, etc.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255850 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:07:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255811 darcilicious : Because I like screenshots ;-)

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255811 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255768 Onedollar : This is too good to be true, Ill say its a typo until its officially live. I would assume they would include it in the movies package and not offer it FREE with 3play!

Droid announcement, now this! What is going on?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255768 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:54:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255732 matcarl : The website seems to be alternating between 3 days 18 hrs and 2 days 6 hrs :huh:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255732 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:49:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255723 Timothy28 : Well this is interesting that its free if you have Triple Play. We have Phone/Internet/TV so i should get it at no extra cost. I guess i'll find out for sure Monday.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255723 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:48:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255722 blue_trooper :

said by JPL

:

I have a hard time comparing GI Joe with Mona Lisa.

Well sure, you're talking about one of the best English gangster flicks of all time. Bob Hoskins is great. ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255722 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:48:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255711 Onedollar : Any tripple play?! WHAAAA?!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255711 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255710 matcarl : Why didn't Eric mention that in his blog? Who is supposed to know about all of this? Why do we always have to track down the info? Let's hope it's right. Triple players will find out on Monday.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255710 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255707 jefe : The countdown screen is here in VHO5 too, and the guide is showing programming starting at 8:00 PM Friday with "Iron Man." ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255707 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255676 JeepMatt : It's true - in writing - from www.epixhd.com

How much does it cost?
For Verizon customers, if you are a "Triple-Play" customer EPIX is included in your package for FREE. It's also available on an "ala-carte" basis.

For more information, visit FiOS online at »www.verizon.com/newbundles or call 1-888-553-1555 (select option #3 for “new products/services”) for more information.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255676 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:40:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255667 nascar : Darn, I have the Quald Play! RATS!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255667 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:39:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255662 JeepMatt : Chit-
Yeah, the channel is coming in here now too - with the countdown.

Interesting tidbit about "triple play" customers. We'll see if that comes true.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255662 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:38:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255643 chitchatjf : From Epix's website:

For Verizon customers, if you are a "Triple-Play" customer EPIX is included in your package for FREE

I now get a countdown screen :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255643 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:35:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255561 jasg :
said by JPL :

I guess I just see the potential for a service that provides instant access to hundreds, if not thousands, of movies every month. If they can deliver on that, other studios would jump on, and that library would grow very quickly.

Compared to Netflix, the $10 charge for Epix is not completely out of line. For $9, Netflix provides thousands of VOD titles, constantly increasing and rotating in and out (and DVDs when you want them). I have found more to watch on Netflix streaming than on the Epix VOD previews.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255561 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:20:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255454 JPL :
said by matcarl :

I have a question JPL, since so far it seems like you are the only one in Epix's corner, can they count on you as their only subscriber? :D

In all honesty I'm not in Epix's corner at all. I'm just trying to look at the service objectively, that's all. I'm not going to totally discount possibly subscribing based on the free VOD preview that we've seen so far. I'll admit it - the prospect of that channel looks really appealing to me - IF they can deliver on what they've alluded to with regard to the channel. I'm just not ready to chalk the channel as up for dead before they even officially launch it.

Many on here seem to think that the channel will die just because it's not something that they would subscribe to. I think that's short-sighted - I think there's a real potential for the channel out there... again IF they deliver on what they're alluding to. If they can't, then I agree... the channel will go belly-up. I also contend that a vast majority of consumers simply don't care enough about things like OAR and 5.1 sound for a TV channel feed. They just don't. I know that offends some on here, but it doesn't make it any less valid.

One other point - one that I conceded - that Tivo/Moxi users would be less than enthused about a single linear TV feed because they wouldn't have access to VOD. I contended that the number of such users is in the minority. I believe they are. Again, this is just my pesonal observation. Around here FiOS is by far the most popular TV service of all my family, friends, and co-workers. Everyone around me here at work, e.g. (with the exception of one person) are FiOS subscribers. I know dozens... how many have a third-party DVR? Answer: 0. Also my wife and I have been house shopping for well over a year (looking to upgrade). We've looked at literally dozens of houses. I've done an informal count in my head - FiOS is by far the most popular TV service in the houses we've looked at - easily 70 - 75% of the houses we've looked at use FiOS TV. How many third-party DVRs have I seen in these houses? Answer: 0.

I guess I just see the potential for a service that provides instant access to hundreds, if not thousands, of movies every month. If they can deliver on that, other studios would jump on, and that library would grow very quickly.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255454 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:04:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255371 matcarl : I have a question JPL, since so far it seems like you are the only one in Epix's corner, can they count on you as their only subscriber? :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255371 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:46:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255370 Rattler :
said by h8verizonDSL :

Hello,

Talked to VZ CSR. EPIX will be available for FREE Oct 30-Nov 1. You can order EPIX on Nov 2 for an amazing price of: $9.99. :D

At that price, they can keep it... :p
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255370 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:45:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255321 JPL :
said by shark2k :

said by JPL :

I'm also making the claim that most people simply don't care about OAR when watching a movie on TV.
I gotta say, and I'm not going after you JPL, that that is kind of sad. I realize people might say, it's only a movie and it's not a matter of life and death and whatnot, but a movie is somebody's work of art. Yeah, the way some movies are now-a-days, you wouldn't think so, but still. People wouldn't go cropping the Mona Lisa to fit their TV properly. They would have black bars on the side so the picture is proper. These companies really should respect the director by showing the film the way the director wanted it to be shown.

-Shark2k

Isn't that taking it a bit far? I mean I love movies... and yes I would like OAR when I watch them, but for the most part, when I watch a movie on a TV service, even on a premium channel, chances are pretty good that the movie isn't on my top list of all time gotta-have movies. It's a movie I've wanted to see, but haven't wanted to shell out the money to go see it in the theaters, or even to bother to rent. For movies like that I just want to see the movie.

I'm talking about a vast majority of viewers out there (just based on what I've observed). Most just don't care. The question is - can Epix be successful? I think it can... if they play it right. Not only can it, but I think it can give the existing premiums a real run for their money.

Let me put it this way - when the new Twilight movie comes out, and we had an option to watch it at home, my wife and oldest daughter wouldn't give two rips if the movie was in OAR or not. Now you can say that's sad - I personally think that it's sad that they really want to see that particular movie :) - but in reality, there are lots of times a movie will come on and I'll watch it. It doesn't matter if the movie is cropped, cut, and with commercials, even if I have the DVD, I'll still sit and watch the movie. I'm not always looking for the optimal movie-going experience. Alot of times I'm just looking to be entertained. If I want the optimal movie-going experience... I'll go to the movies... or at the very least I'll buy the movie.

One last point - I could almost agree with your position of maintaining the artistic vision of the directors, but when most of what comes out of Hollywood these days is mindless crap, I don't feel any real compunction to maintain the director's vision.

I have a hard time comparing GI Joe with the Mona Lisa.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255321 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255078 shark2k :
said by JPL :

I'm also making the claim that most people simply don't care about OAR when watching a movie on TV.
I gotta say, and I'm not going after you JPL, that that is kind of sad. I realize people might say, it's only a movie and it's not a matter of life and death and whatnot, but a movie is somebody's work of art. Yeah, the way some movies are now-a-days, you wouldn't think so, but still. People wouldn't go cropping the Mona Lisa to fit their TV properly. They would have black bars on the side so the picture is proper. These companies really should respect the director by showing the film the way the director wanted it to be shown.

-Shark2k]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255078 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:49:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255002 JPL : That's fine - that's your preference. I'm stating MY preference. I'm also making the claim that most people simply don't care about OAR when watching a movie on TV. I'm saying that for me OAR on a movie that I watch live on TV is no big deal... and wouldn't prevent me from subscribing to a channel.

As for whether Epix will be worth it or not... I have no idea. It all depends on their content. My main point was that JUST looking at the linear TV feed is a bit short-sighted, in my opinion. Epix has come out and said they want to revamp the user experience with how you watch movies. Whether they can achieve that or not remains to be seen. But if they live up to what they've been alluding to (large library... lots of behind-the-scenes stuff... timely releases of movies relative to theatrical releases), then I not only think the channel can succeed, but I think it could do serious damage to channels like Starz.

I'm just saying that IF they could achieve all that, then $10/month for such a service would be a bargain, and I think they will be hugely popular. If they fall short of that then it's just another channel that doesn't go anywhere. Time will tell.

One point I'll concede - there are many who have TiVo's or Moxi's on their systems, and not having a linear channel that's in line with their VOD offerings does make it more difficult to convince some of those users to subscribe. I think the number of FiOS subscriber that fit that, though, are in the minority.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23255002 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:35:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254810 anon : JPL said: "Showtime has been on record saying that they're looking to move to more original programming, and de-emphasizing the movie side of things. It's likely that the studios wanted more money for the movies, but Showtime's response was more than just them not liking that price. This move on their part is totally in line with that stated strategy. From my read of it, Showtime wasn't even willing to negotiate on the pricing.

Next, my point about the OAR and 5.1 is on movies that come in via a TV channel. If there's a movie that I care enough about to want to have it in all its pristine glory, then I'll buy the DVD. Besides, if you're that much of a stickler for premium quality on the presentation of a movie, then you really shouldn't be getting them from linear TV channels anyway. The max bit-rate for an HD movie on TV can't compete with what you can get via Blu-Ray. So, really, if you want to put a fine point on it, you should NEVER watch movies that come in via a TV channel feed. It's just not up to snuff.

I agree that movies presented in OAR are preferable to movies that aren't. But if I can get access to a movie that I might want to watch on TV, and it's for a service that costs me a couple bucks a month, not having OAR isn't that big of a deal for me. It's more of a deal when the movie is cropped to 4:3, but 16:9... not so much. If I want the pristine presentation of the movie... I'll buy it."

Yes, I read what SHOWTIME stated about original programming...but that statement did not come out until AFTER the deal went south...so they had to say SOMETHING about their future plans without the movies from those studios.

Also, there are TONS of films that are not out on Blu-Ray, but are available in HD via various channels. (CITY OF EMBER, CHOKE, FLASH OF GENIUS, etc. etc.) But simply, there is NO excuse for not presenting a film in OAR. Composition is lost, sometimes even story information is lost...it just diminishes the viewing experience. (STAR WARS, I AM LEGEND in 16X9...no thank you.) I'm with Soderbertgh 100% on this issue...and I certainly will not pay even $1.00 for another "service" that employs this practice.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254810 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:06:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254702 R e a p e r : I love premium movie channels but $9.99 for a single channel is too, too much. Period.

No sale here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254702 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:49:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254611 anon : We have the channel on in VHO 7 though it says the standard you are not subscribed message. Wouldn't it have made more sense on both Verizon and Epix to leave that channel open and play promotional videos in a loop leading up to the debut? Seems like a bad decision to have the channel locked with no information about what it is or what it will cost. For a new channel debuting there has not be much advertising of it at all besides the VOD free preview. Count me in as refusing to pay $10 for one channel. I have not even watched any of the VOD since none of them are in 5.1 and OAR is lacking. It will be interesting to see what the free preview will be like.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254611 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:39:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254511 JPL :
said by JoeRu :

said by JPL :

I must be in the minority with this, but I really don't understand Showtime's strategy in all this. I don't think most people sign up for a premium channel because of original series. I know that I don't. I sign up for movies. And if you're not going to give me movies, then I move on.

As for 'going back to Showtime'... you're missing the point. The reason Epix was created was because Showtime balked at taking the movies made by these studios. It wasn't a case of these studios wanting to take their stuff and go home... they needed a cable outlet for their movies, and Showtime decided to stop being that outlet. So they created their own - the channel was created out of necessity.

Finally, on things like OAR and 5.1 vs. stereo - I really hate to say this, but a vast majority of people just don't care about that. If I buy a movie on DVD I want it to be in OAR, and I want 5.1. If I watch a movie that's fed to me on TV that I'm paying a flat monthly rate for... not so much. I can definitely live with the cropping for a movie that I get on a TV channel. That doesn't bother me at all... and I figure that most people fall in line with that. Besides, so far all we've seen is what they've rushed into their free VOD preview folder. We have no idea what format the movies will actually be presented in over time. I'm guessing you'll see more and more move to OAR and 5.1 over time.

SHOWTIME didn't "balk" at taking the movies...the studios wanted even more money this time around than SHO was willing to pay. They could have compromised and had that outlet for their movies.

And why wouldn't you want a movie in OAR and 5.1...after all, you're paying for it either way. Sure, most people may not care, but then...most people enjoyed pan-and-scan VHS! OAR makes a difference. Anyone who doesn't like "black bars" can zoom on the picture to eliminate them. But we cannot "zoom out" to restore cropped picture info.
As for the statement that we'll "see more and more move to OAR and 5.1 over time", it is the opposite that has occurred. You can read one director's take on this here:
»www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre···derbergh

Showtime has been on record saying that they're looking to move to more original programming, and de-emphasizing the movie side of things. It's likely that the studios wanted more money for the movies, but Showtime's response was more than just them not liking that price. This move on their part is totally in line with that stated strategy. From my read of it, Showtime wasn't even willing to negotiate on the pricing.

Now, that's their business. Far be it from me to criticize their business model - it's their money... they do with it what they want. The point remains, though - Epix was created because Showtime didn't want to carry the latest fare from these studios. It strikes me that the real beef wasn't the cost of the movies - that almost sounds like an excuse for doing what they want in terms of their long-term strategy. Again, that's their right to do that.

Next, my point about the OAR and 5.1 is on movies that come in via a TV channel. If there's a movie that I care enough about to want to have it in all its pristine glory, then I'll buy the DVD. Besides, if you're that much of a stickler for premium quality on the presentation of a movie, then you really shouldn't be getting them from linear TV channels anyway. The max bit-rate for an HD movie on TV can't compete with what you can get via Blu-Ray. So, really, if you want to put a fine point on it, you should NEVER watch movies that come in via a TV channel feed. It's just not up to snuff.

I agree that movies presented in OAR are preferable to movies that aren't. But if I can get access to a movie that I might want to watch on TV, and it's for a service that costs me a couple bucks a month, not having OAR isn't that big of a deal for me. It's more of a deal when the movie is cropped to 4:3, but 16:9... not so much. If I want the pristine presentation of the movie... I'll buy it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254511 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:22:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254494 JeepMatt : JP-
If they start carrying movies very soon after theaters, then yes - maybe THEN i'd consider this channel.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254494 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:19:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254298 anon :
said by JPL :

I must be in the minority with this, but I really don't understand Showtime's strategy in all this. I don't think most people sign up for a premium channel because of original series. I know that I don't. I sign up for movies. And if you're not going to give me movies, then I move on.

As for 'going back to Showtime'... you're missing the point. The reason Epix was created was because Showtime balked at taking the movies made by these studios. It wasn't a case of these studios wanting to take their stuff and go home... they needed a cable outlet for their movies, and Showtime decided to stop being that outlet. So they created their own - the channel was created out of necessity.

Finally, on things like OAR and 5.1 vs. stereo - I really hate to say this, but a vast majority of people just don't care about that. If I buy a movie on DVD I want it to be in OAR, and I want 5.1. If I watch a movie that's fed to me on TV that I'm paying a flat monthly rate for... not so much. I can definitely live with the cropping for a movie that I get on a TV channel. That doesn't bother me at all... and I figure that most people fall in line with that. Besides, so far all we've seen is what they've rushed into their free VOD preview folder. We have no idea what format the movies will actually be presented in over time. I'm guessing you'll see more and more move to OAR and 5.1 over time.

SHOWTIME didn't "balk" at taking the movies...the studios wanted even more money this time around than SHO was willing to pay. They could have compromised and had that outlet for their movies.

And why wouldn't you want a movie in OAR and 5.1...after all, you're paying for it either way. Sure, most people may not care, but then...most people enjoyed pan-and-scan VHS! OAR makes a difference. Anyone who doesn't like "black bars" can zoom on the picture to eliminate them. But we cannot "zoom out" to restore cropped picture info.
As for the statement that we'll "see more and more move to OAR and 5.1 over time", it is the opposite that has occurred. You can read one director's take on this here:
»www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre···derbergh]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254298 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:08:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254363 Greg2600 : I agree about the paradigm shift. Where I disagree is that On Demand, no matter what the cable system, is a horrible pain in the rear end to scroll through and search out movies. It's a big reason I never use it, whether on Fios now or Comcast before. They could give me 10,000 movies, I don't care. It's not worth it, with Verizon's tortoise-slow remotes and VOD menu. I'm not old, but old-fashioned. I like surfing the channels, finding something, and giving it a watch. That's why I want the linear channel. The STB technology hasn't advanced enough IMO. Epix is giving up tons of subscribers by not having a channel only or channel/VOD option.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23254363 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:01:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253993 JPL :
said by matcarl :

It still doesn't change the fact that many will pay $10 a month to access old movies

I understand... and I agree with you. If all they show are old movies, then there's no point to this channel. A new method of delivering crap still results in you having crap. But it also sounds like they're planning on having more recent stuff, plus alot of stuff you can't get from other services (behind the scenes stuff). If (and this is a big if) they do that, and you have a large library of on-demand stuff, I contend that it won't matter if they have only 1 linear channel showing old stuff. Again, if they gave me access to 3,000 movies on demand, it wouldn't matter at all to me that they only have 1 linear channel - they could show that Madonna thing 24x7 on the linear channel and I wouldn't care... as long as I had immediate access to that library.

Let's see what they do with it. I think you're going to see stuff hit Epix at the same time it hits the theaters... or within, say, 2 weeks of it hitting the theater. If they manage THAT, along with a big library, then $10 will be a bargain.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253993 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:07:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253833 matcarl : It still doesn't change the fact that many will pay $10 a month to access old movies]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253833 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:45:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253792 JeepMatt : JP-
Your "paradigm shift" comment may be spot on. VZ could be seeing this as a trendy way to introduce a new "era" in programming styles.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253792 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:40:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253775 JPL :
said by hdspts :

I was wondering what is behind Comcast, Cablevision, and DirecTV's pronouncements of not wanting to carry the station. Statements like 'already having enough premium movie channels' is a load of !@## . I wonder if there was pressure from the HBOs and Showtimes to not add it, or else they would have problems when it came to renegotiating rates. Or are the cable/sat providers just playing hardball, so that Epix will lower their asking rate.

For what it's worth, there was a 'rumor' floating around on dbstalk about another provider picking up Epix. Basically the company said that another company, apart from Verizon, was getting set to sign on the dotted line. No word on who that company was, but they said that it wasn't a cable company... or a telco... which means that it wasn't, say, Comcast and it wasn't U-Verse. That basically leaves dbs providers. And since DirecTV already said they wouldn't carry the channel (actually they didn't really say that - they said that they see no need to carry the channel at this time, and they had no plans to carry it in the immediate future) that leaves Dish Network... Assuming the rumor has validity. It sounds like it's coming from Epix, so I'm guessing that it does.

As for the stuff on the linear channel, I really think there are many on here missing one critical point, which I've been trying to make. I agree with you that Epix will rise or fall on the content that they carry. I guess I'm curious as to why everyone is so focused on the linear channel? Granted, that's important - that's the entry point, if you will, to the what the channel is showing. But it's not the be-all, end-all. I get the sense that Epix is really meant to represent a paradigm shift to more on-demand fare. Which is why, I think, they're really not focused much on the linear channel, and are instead pushing the on-demand side of things. The fact that they've built up that VOD library so quickly tells me that that's where their focus is. I could be wrong about this, but I really think that just looking at the linear channel is a bit short-sighted with regard to what Epix will offer. I almost get the sense that the linear channel is an after-thought.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253775 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:38:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253681 JeepMatt : Thanks Mat-

I've already let Eric know my disappointment. :mad:

Hell, i'd even accept maybe a $5 bump to the All Access pak - up to $40..but this individual stuff just annoys me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253681 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:20:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253624 matcarl : Here it is from Eric Rabe's blog $9.99 per month

»forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at···-p/98980]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253624 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:11:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253538 hdspts : Earlier, I argued that Epix' content was the important factor in determining whether it is worth the price and not how many channels the content is spread over...

Now that I have had a chance to see what the first week of programming looks like (courtesy of the on-screen guide), I must say that I was underwhelmed...lots of old movies and rerun material. No way would I pay anything extra for this channel..

I was wondering what is behind Comcast, Cablevision, and DirecTV's pronouncements of not wanting to carry the station. Statements like 'already having enough premium movie channels' is a load of !@## . I wonder if there was pressure from the HBOs and Showtimes to not add it, or else they would have problems when it came to renegotiating rates. Or are the cable/sat providers just playing hardball, so that Epix will lower their asking rate. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253538 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253057 JPL :
said by matcarl :

said by JPL :

They're marketing their video library. That's what makes Epix so appealing. Let's just get crazy here - let's say they can create a library of, oh, 3,000 movies per month on demand. Would that be worth $10/month to many subscribers? It would to me. I'd drop the movie package in a heartbeat for something like that.

It's been said before. They should charge separate for internet like Starz Play. This is TV. I don't watch movies on my computer, whoever does should pay extra for it. It should not be all included, or they should have two pricing structures then, $10 all inclusive or $5 for one or the other.

I'm not just talking about movies available on line. I'm talking about movies also available ON DEMAND. That was the main gist of what I'm talking about. If I can hit that VOD button on my remote, and get instant access to several thousand movies for $10/month... it would be hard for me not to opt for that package instead of the movie pack. Granted, initially they're not talking about 3,000 VOD titles. I'm just making that number up. But clearly they see the value of VOD offerings - currently Epix has more than any other premium channel out there, and they haven't even officially launched yet.

The on-line offerings would just be gravy. The on-demand library is what I was really talking about.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253057 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:49:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253036 matcarl :
said by JPL :

They're marketing their video library. That's what makes Epix so appealing. Let's just get crazy here - let's say they can create a library of, oh, 3,000 movies per month on demand. Would that be worth $10/month to many subscribers? It would to me. I'd drop the movie package in a heartbeat for something like that.

It's been said before. They should charge separate for internet like Starz Play. This is TV. I don't watch movies on my computer, whoever does should pay extra for it. It should not be all included, or they should have two pricing structures then, $10 all inclusive or $5 for one or the other.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23253036 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:39:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252987 JPL : I'll throw a countering opinion out there on all this. I think Epix can be very successful, standing on its own. The perception I have is that it's not really meant to be a new channel - they're not really marketing that linear TV channel. They're marketing their video library. That's what makes Epix so appealing. Let's just get crazy here - let's say they can create a library of, oh, 3,000 movies per month on demand. Would that be worth $10/month to many subscribers? It would to me. I'd drop the movie package in a heartbeat for something like that. I don't care if it's one channel or 100 - to me the instant availability of a plethora of movies would be extremely appealing.

Ditto the online streaming - granted that wouldn't be as big of a draw, but instant access to several thousand movies on line, streamed to my lap-top, would be something I'd consider jumping on board with.

I must be in the minority with this, but I really don't understand Showtime's strategy in all this. I don't think most people sign up for a premium channel because of original series. I know that I don't. I sign up for movies. And if you're not going to give me movies, then I move on.

It really all depends on what Epix delivers. If they have a big mix of old and new movies, and if they start delivering movies as they come out in the theaters (or very shortly thereafter), and they have a massive library... I'm having a hard time seeing how services like Starz would be able to compete against that.

As for 'going back to Showtime'... you're missing the point. The reason Epix was created was because Showtime balked at taking the movies made by these studios. It wasn't a case of these studios wanting to take their stuff and go home... they needed a cable outlet for their movies, and Showtime decided to stop being that outlet. So they created their own - the channel was created out of necessity.

Finally, on things like OAR and 5.1 vs. stereo - I really hate to say this, but a vast majority of people just don't care about that. If I buy a movie on DVD I want it to be in OAR, and I want 5.1. If I watch a movie that's fed to me on TV that I'm paying a flat monthly rate for... not so much. I can definitely live with the cropping for a movie that I get on a TV channel. That doesn't bother me at all... and I figure that most people fall in line with that. Besides, so far all we've seen is what they've rushed into their free VOD preview folder. We have no idea what format the movies will actually be presented in over time. I'm guessing you'll see more and more move to OAR and 5.1 over time.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252987 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:21:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252684 anon :
said by jimboe :

said by jammmin :

... If Epix fails, HBO should quickly strike deals with the content providers for Epix(Paramount Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate and Roadside Attraction films) and this would bring HBO over the top as the best cable destination for movies. ...
Geez I hope not HBO, with their crop-o-vision crap.

I second that! If the channel fails, I'd hope they'd go back to SHOWTIME.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252684 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:03:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252858 matcarl :
said by MeatChicken :

There's no originals, like Dexter, Sopranos, Curb Enthusi, True Blood ect, & 95% of the movies are very old (& probably have been on other networks, & seen by the average viewer already) ....

There was an article I read last week that said they do intend to air original programming sometime next year.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252858 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:01:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252552 Mark F : I like older films as much as anyone, but if the $10 price is true, that's a lot for a single channel.

But, since that price has yet to be officially confirmed, we may be putting the ala carte before the horse. We'll probably know when the free preview begins and they scroll the 800 number to order Epix across the screen (assuming they do it that way).

Still, with the Starz/Encore/Showtime/TMC/Flix/ IFC/Sundance package for less than $15, you get around three dozen channels.

So, I think Epix is best suited for inclusion in a movie package, or as a stand-alone offered at a low price to movie package subscribers.
Mark F.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252552 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:29:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252443 URFloorMatt :
said by MeatChicken :

The entire ShowTime/Starz/TMC/Encore set of channels & VOD is about $15, & this 1 single unknown-to-most-subscribers channel is $10 ....
Agreed. But I'd wager if there's no bundle initially, then practically no one will sign up. So they'll either be folding after a year or scrambling to lower the price/bundle it up by January or February.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252443 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:39:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252422 jimboe :
said by jammmin :

... If Epix fails, HBO should quickly strike deals with the content providers for Epix(Paramount Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate and Roadside Attraction films) and this would bring HBO over the top as the best cable destination for movies. ...
Geez I hope not HBO, with their crop-o-vision crap.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252422 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252316 MeatChicken : If Epix is not included in Any movie Pkg, but is $10/mnth only, then VZ &/or Epix are Insane.

There's no originals, like Dexter, Sopranos, Curb Enthusi, True Blood ect, & 95% of the movies are very old (& probably have been on other networks, & seen by the average viewer already) ....
This Network should initially be basic cable for the 1st 2 or 3 months of launch, then moved into a movie pkg for at least the 1st year or 2, before they even think about charging a massive seperate fee per/mnth fee for it ...
The entire ShowTime/Starz/TMC/Encore set of channels & VOD is about $15, & this 1 single unknown-to-most-subscribers channel is $10 ....
If this really is the case, I also predict it will fail as well..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23252316 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:57:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23251786 Greg2600 : You can see what Showtime has contracts with here:
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showtime#C···gramming

I enjoy many of the movies they air from Weinstein/Dimension and the Direct to DVD movies. The irony is, Showtime's offerings have dramatically improved in the last year or so, with much less replay of the same movies over and over. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23251786 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:03:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23251026 jammmin : Don't think Epix will survive for too long.

Directv, Comcast and Cablevision(with a combined TV audience of almost 90 million subscribers have all said that they will not carry the channel.

Epix is only being launched on FIOS as a premium pay channel. FIOS only has 2 million + subscribers and I would be surprised if there is a 5% take rate. $10 a month for only one channel on top of what people already pay for regular cable/other premium channels in a tight economy will be a nonstarter for most consumers.

Similar to how VOOM did not survive because of the lack of carriage, a similar fate awaits Epix. If Epix fails, HBO should quickly strike deals with the content providers for Epix(Paramount Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate and Roadside Attraction films) and this would bring HBO over the top as the best cable destination for movies.

BTW, since Showtime lost contracts with these companies, what other studios is Showtime currently with]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23251026 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:55:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250701 R e a p e r :
said by matcarl :

Maybe they will fail then since no one else seems to be picking them up and how many Verizon customers can keep them in business? Their prices are almost as much as HBO & Cinemax!

These aren't EPIX's prices, their Verizon's. IMO, because it will only be available on FiOS at least initially, Verizon feels they can charge a premium for the service. I think that it's just a money grab by Verizon that will ultimately fail.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250701 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:52:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250603 matcarl : Maybe they will fail then since no one else seems to be picking them up and how many Verizon customers can keep them in business? Their prices are almost as much as HBO & Cinemax!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250603 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:36:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250445 Timothy28 : Well i won't be paying for it and a lot of other people won't either no matter how attractive they try to make it look. $9.99 for cropped movies. No thank you.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250445 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:04:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250430 pvcleave : I just recieved a call back from a CSR whom had been checking on it for me. She confirmed $9.99 as a stand alone channel. However, they are not trying to position it as one channel, but rather a movies service that allows you access to tons of movies with the ability to watch as many as you want at "no additional cost", other than your $9.99 a month.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250430 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:01:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250170 jr461 : What is the current movie package pricing?

I have the full movie package (I think $30) so I have every premium movie channel and not sure what they cost separately (can't find on the Fios site either).

If I wanted to keep only HBO/Cinemax and Starz, would I save anything from the full package? If so I would do it to offset the Epix cost.

EDIT - never mind, i found the pricing. I forgot the movie package has Showtime and Starz together.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23250170 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:06:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249998 R e a p e r :
said by h8verizonDSL :

Talked to VZ CSR. EPIX will be available for FREE Oct 30-Nov 1. You can order EPIX on Nov 2 for an amazing price of: $9.99. :D

$9.99 for a single movie channel? Good luck selling that to my wife...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249998 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:43:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249927 jimbo248 :
said by h8verizonDSL :

Hello,

Talked to VZ CSR. EPIX will be available for FREE Oct 30-Nov 1. You can order EPIX on Nov 2 for an amazing price of: $9.99. :D

I consider that a disgrace. Yeah, they have alot on VOD, but when I actually look at it from the types of movies I enjoy, there isn't much there. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249927 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:31:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249925 JeepMatt : $50 for Red Zone

$10 for Epix

$170 for League Pass

And to think of all the people that are clamoring for "ala carte" pricing.

Hopefully this is not a trend...
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249925 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:31:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249877 Onedollar : Should be shame on EPIX too, the pricing works both ways as Epix gets a large piece of the content revenue pie. Not all 10 bucks a month goes to VZ...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249877 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:23:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249876 h8verizonDSL : Hello,

Yeah, but I am even. I have cellular with vzw and get a bundle discount. No increase in price for me to order EPIX. I made out even. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249876 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:23:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249862 JeepMatt : Shame on you VZ - ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249862 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:19:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249827 h8verizonDSL : Hello,

Talked to VZ CSR. EPIX will be available for FREE Oct 30-Nov 1. You can order EPIX on Nov 2 for an amazing price of: $9.99. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249827 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:12:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249817 JeepMatt : ChitChat-
Yes, i'm pretty much subscribed to everything (other than internationals - and Playboy :p) and am seeing the "Not Subscribed" message.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249817 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:11:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249781 chitchatjf : I plan to get it anyway.

Is there anyone who currently HAS the HBO/cinemax/Movie package getting a not subscribed (or is it because there is no signal yet)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249781 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:03:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249595 anon : IMO, Verizon is withholding pricing info because it will not be part of the movie package. It will probably be a separate charge of about 10 dollars. This way they avoid lots a negative publicity even before the channel day views. If Epix was intened to be part of the movie package, don't you think they would have hyped all about this fact. Just my two cents.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249595 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:34:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249440 Timothy28 : Anyone try calling the phone number that pops up if you click ok to order?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249440 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:04:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249307 matcarl : It is amazing. I was reading a story on Epix just yesterday and it mentioned the only one carrying it so far is Verizon but they didn't know what they would charge for it yet. Talk about last minute :hmm:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249307 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:46:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249274 JeepMatt : Ice-
So far, in every VHO it's on - we're all getting "Not Subscribed".

3 days until the channel launches and VZ still hasn't informed its customers how they'll get the channel. Brilliant.

I have to put this up there with the Top 5 crazy things they've ever done.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249274 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:42:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249037 icemannyr1 : I'm guessing this means Epix will not be a part of the movie package?

Ch 895 is on in Northern NJ with a Not Subscribed screen showing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23249037 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23248556 nascar : »www.epixhd.com/invite/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23248556 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:39:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23247253 chitchatjf : No 895 yet in Boston. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23247253 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:54:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23246995 anon :
said by ZaneTodd45 :

I just get the feeling that Epix has a huge hill to climb before it can compete with the others.

What they ought to do is try and capture some of the cachet that HDNet Movies has...make every effort to present their films in the best way possible. Something special for movie fans. And cropped movies make the films often feel less... epic. EPIX should try and live up to their name.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23246995 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:09:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23245892 Andy from DE :
said by MeatChicken :

said by chitchatjf :

Not necessarily.

Back in 1978 HBO was going for $9.00. ONE channel just primetime mid afternoon starts on weekends NO On Demand NO west coast feeds NO subchannels NO online access

Many folks got it.
Back in 1978 a Mono audio VCR with a wired remote was $699.95 ....

I watched the launch of KTLA-DT for the HD showing of the John Glenn Space Shuttle Launch back on October 29, 1998. The morning show featured a display at Best Buy where a 50" TV cost $5,500 while the STB cost a whopping $1,500! Although the STB was a tuner that did pass on full HD. ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23245892 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:47:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23244723 ZaneTodd45 : Nothing yet in the Los Angeles area (VHO-3, right?). My guide still has IFC, then HBO as the next channel. I know when we get Epix it will go in-between those two.

But I did see that scrolling promo on WeatherScan (and they announced the free preview). After the preview is over (next Monday?), then I will know if I am "subscribed" or not (I have all the premiums except HBO-Max).

However, let's pretend I had just "Essentials". What is so special about Epix that would make me want to sign up for that channel over the other ones which are already well established? As an example, I mentioned this channel to my cousin (who has Direct TV) and he had never even heard of it. And he's online every day.

I realize that Starz! was a newbie back in the late 90's, and now it's a major player in the premium channel world. But I just get the feeling that Epix has a huge hill to climb before it can compete with the others.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23244723 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:04:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23244220 Greg2600 : Well, the video/audio settings have not been confirmed on the actual channel. However, cropping and inferior stereo are inexcusable.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23244220 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:19:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23243701 keyboards : And since (at least so far) none of their VOD is Dolby 5.1 I definitely won't subscribe. I have a 52" flat screen and surround system and it is not a premium channel if they don't support near theater quality audio and additionally crop from OAR.
--
REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23243701 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:40:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23243136 anon : EPIX is going to fail by Mar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23243136 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:19:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242881 anon :
said by Greg2600 :

Verizon NEEDS to offer a discount to people who already subscribe to the Movie package, because we're being asked to pay for movies from studios we already got on Showtime.
Except for the fact that SHOWTIME did not crop newer, current films and EPIX does. Paying more for less is not something I'll be signing on to.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242881 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:22:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242761 nascar : More clues?

Epix CEO Mark Greenberg...

"Greenberg wouldn’t disclose license rates for the network, which officially launches Oct. 30, but says operators will have flexibility in pricing and structuring an output agreement — which could include various levels of packaging the service’s multiplatform offerings."

»www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articl···d=882873]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242761 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:55:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242246 JPL :
said by Greg2600 :

JPL, I hear your point. Mine is that I just want the channel, don't really care about VOD, and absolutely don't care about the Internet site. As Starz! does, they should offer up just the television option. Also, like you said, IF more studios joined in, it could rival Netflix. Well, it doesn't right now.

Verizon NEEDS to offer a discount to people who already subscribe to the Movie package, because we're being asked to pay for movies from studios we already got on Showtime.

I hear you - and I agree, $10 just for the one channel does seem a bit steep to me - I couldn't justify adding this one channel. However, I really like the VOD aspect of it. I use VOD alot with the premium channels. The idea of having immediate access to 400 - 500 movies per month on demand is really appealing to me. If Epix gets to that point I wouldn't hesitate to drop the movie pack in place of Epix. I get the premiums because I like movies. I don't care about the original series/specials.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242246 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:21:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242200 MeatChicken :
said by chitchatjf :

Not necessarily.

Back in 1978 HBO was going for $9.00. ONE channel just primetime mid afternoon starts on weekends NO On Demand NO west coast feeds NO subchannels NO online access

Many folks got it.
Back in 1978 a Mono audio VCR with a wired remote was $699.95 .... ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242200 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:13:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242096 JayMan 007 :
said by VZ Mark :

Can anyone in VHO9/9A confirm Epix SD/HD?

Both channels are in the guide, but when I go to either channel, I get a not subscribed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242096 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:49:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242064 Greg2600 : JPL, I hear your point. Mine is that I just want the channel, don't really care about VOD, and absolutely don't care about the Internet site. As Starz! does, they should offer up just the television option. Also, like you said, IF more studios joined in, it could rival Netflix. Well, it doesn't right now.

Verizon NEEDS to offer a discount to people who already subscribe to the Movie package, because we're being asked to pay for movies from studios we already got on Showtime. I know I sound like a broken record. What's really strange though is Verizon is announcing this channel is coming in a few days, but has given no way of ordering it!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23242064 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:42:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241772 chitchatjf : I currently get the HBO/cinemax/movies package but it is part of my bundle (meaning I can't drop it) :)

I would prefer to get epix as part of the package but would be willing to pay the full $9.99 as even WITH Epix the bundle is STILL $3 LESS then I was paying Comcast THREE YEARS AGO for MUCH less. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241772 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:03:40 EDT Re: Now on in VHO8 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241658 JPL :
said by JeepMatt :

Epix channels are now coming in here in VHO8, but as another poster said - all that comes up is a "Not Subscribed" message.

Either this is an early indication this channel WILL be an extra $9.99 as an ala carte channel (as I subscribe to everything) - or VZ still doesn't know what billing codes to put in the system.

I don't know if it's going to be $9.99, but watching VOD, the barker feed keeps showing an Epix promo, where they mention that all these great movies will be available for one low fixed price. I'm pretty sure that means that it will be a stand-alone premium channel. As for the price, I agree with most on here that it's definitely more than I'm willing to pay.

However, I think everyone needs to look past the fact that it's just 'one channel'. That's really not what they're selling. Look at the VOD library - it's bigger than any other premium library out there, by a good amount (my last count put the number of movies on there at 142 - and that's before the channel actually launches). It wouldn't surprise me if they pushed it to 250 - 300 HD VOD movies within the next couple of months.

Then you add to that their on-line piece. While most people don't care about watching movies on line, offering people 3,000 movies on line on demand (which is what they're pitching) puts them squarely up against services like Netflix. If they get a couple more studios to join in, I think Epix can be really big. To me that linear channel is almost an after-thought.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241658 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:44:05 EDT Now on in VHO8 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241550 JeepMatt : Epix channels are now coming in here in VHO8, but as another poster said - all that comes up is a "Not Subscribed" message.

Either this is an early indication this channel WILL be an extra $9.99 as an ala carte channel (as I subscribe to everything) - or VZ still doesn't know what billing codes to put in the system.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241550 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:03:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241034 Greg2600 : Just saw an Epix commercial a few minutes ago, but I didn't see the price flash anywhere.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23241034 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:46:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23240995 chitchatjf : Nothing up here either :(]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23240995 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:30:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239505 matcarl : I can't believe the Epix website isn't even mentioning the debut date yet. It's been the same dull website for months. Geez]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239505 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:04:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239416 Timothy28 : Nothing here in VHO1 yet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239416 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:38:13 EDT EPIX http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239356 anon : EPIX channel 895 is showing up in VHO4. Although, the only thing displayed is the message "Your Not Subscribed to this Channel". ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23239356 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:29:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23237354 chitchatjf : I'm having a friend over Friday night.

I EXPECT to see a Madonna concert at 10pm on channel 895.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23237354 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:53:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23235931 alan47 : It's unbelievable because they could clearly say that "we are aware of EPIX but no official word has been given vis-a-vis its pricing" or some such other corporate boilerplate.

I've worked in corporations and sat in on marketing meetings and pricing and offering of new products are discussed early on. It's not like there's no roadmap or historical precedence on the introduction of premium channels.

As it is, it sounds that their marketing people, with a week to launch, are either undecided or there's some problem with the EPIX management team. Logically, I really suspect the latter.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23235931 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:53:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23234316 JeepMatt : To add to NYCDave's post...

If any of you are familiar with call centers - you don't give training blitzes to the CSR's until the latest moment on new products, so that the retention of the information by those people is fresh in their mind.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23234316 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:07:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23234210 nycdave :
said by alan47 :

Yesterday I called the Verizon FIOS TV help line. The CSR I spoke to never heard of EPIX. He went to check around and nobody heard of it either.

I responded, isn't that unusual that a movie channel that will commence on 30 October is a mystery to the first line of customer interface. He said he would check one more source. His manager, whom he said just got out of a meeting, handed him a release dated 18 August announcing the channel with the same information that's been circulated in this thread. He, of course, had no information on how the channel will be charged.

He said he would get back to me by phone or email with more information as he would pursue the query.

I'm still waiting 24 hours later as 30 October approaches...

Unbelievable.

Why is this unbelievable? There has been nothing mentioned internally to the majority of CSR's - the 'more information' quote will be hard to follow-up on if there is a lack of internal Verizon information on Epix....

Until an official pricing/ordering announcement is made, the CSR's are in the dark.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23234210 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:02:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233834 Mark F : In 1981, we got Citizen's Cable (now Comcast) when it was first available in our neighborhood, and the price was $14.95 a month for 26 channels, including HBO. But, prices vary from place to place.

Anyway, if it's true that Epix will charge 10 bucks a month, they'll claim that they have content- movies, specials, etc- that no one else has, which makes Epix worth the price.

Well, I was reading that Hulu wants to charge people to watch, making a similar claim, that they have content not found elsewhere- movies, classic TV that is no longer on cable, etc. And, if they can offer things that no one else does, people should pay.

Of course, for this to have a chance, Hulu will have to stop licensing their programs to other websites. Just as movies that would have gone to Showtime in the past now will go to Epix.

Exclusivity can be a big bargaining chip, but how much will people pay, especially if the content isn't worth that much to a lot of folks?

I'll have to know a whole lot more about Epix before I can decide if it's worth it.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233834 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:28:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233607 wmcbrine :
said by chitchatjf :

Back in 1978 HBO was going for $9.00. ONE channel just primetime mid afternoon starts on weekends NO On Demand NO west coast feeds NO subchannels NO online access

Many folks got it.
Yeah, but that was a more primitive era. The problem with offering umpteen movie channels for $30 is, people come to expect it. So now the value of a premium movie channel is only $30/umpteen. "Umpteen" in this case being somewhere around 70... so, about $0.43 per premium channel. (Of course this is valuing the East and West feeds, etc. all the same.)
--
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233607 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:08:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233563 chitchatjf : Not necessarily.

Back in 1978 HBO was going for $9.00. ONE channel just primetime mid afternoon starts on weekends NO On Demand NO west coast feeds NO subchannels NO online access

Many folks got it.

Granted there are a number of other options as well.

I HAVE the HBO/Cinemax/Movie package and will most likely add epix as well EVEN if it is a-la-carte for me as well.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233563 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:55:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233102 Mark F : Maybe we'll have to have the most expensive movie package, with every premium channel there is, as well as pay 10 bucks?

I hope not. Even at just ten dollars, it will be a very tough sell for just one channel.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23233102 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:00:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232596 Timothy28 : I saw a promo for it on demand and it flashed the $9.99 price on the screen.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232596 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:59:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232499 matcarl :
said by ZaneTodd45 :

So that's pretty damn sad that the readers of this forum know more about the channel than someone who actually works for Verizon.

It is sad, but as we all know, it's true. One of the reasons why we are here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232499 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:37:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232135 ZaneTodd45 :
said by alan47 :

"Yesterday I called the Verizon FIOS TV help line. The CSR I spoke to never heard of EPIX. He went to check around and nobody heard of it either."

So that's pretty damn sad that the readers of this forum know more about the channel than someone who actually works for Verizon.

One more reason that I think this channel won't survive. I have yet to see a single promo for it on ANY of my other Verizon channels.

Anyone remember Spotlight? It's sort of before my time, but it was an interesting read on the 'net.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23232135 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:19:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231941 R e a p e r : I had the same experience with the NFL RedZone channel; I called in about a week before it was to go live and the CSR didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231941 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:35:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231867 matcarl : Guess they don't want to make the sale.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231867 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:21:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231819 alan47 : Yesterday I called the Verizon FIOS TV help line. The CSR I spoke to never heard of EPIX. He went to check around and nobody heard of it either.

I responded, isn't that unusual that a movie channel that will commence on 30 October is a mystery to the first line of customer interface. He said he would check one more source. His manager, whom he said just got out of a meeting, handed him a release dated 18 August announcing the channel with the same information that's been circulated in this thread. He, of course, had no information on how the channel will be charged.

He said he would get back to me by phone or email with more information as he would pursue the query.

I'm still waiting 24 hours later as 30 October approaches...

Unbelievable.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231819 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:07:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231456 matcarl : It's not on now, just colored bars he thinks. Someone did mention free preview 10/30-11/1 though]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231456 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:02:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231447 Greg2600 : So I assume it's launching as a free preview? Otherwise none of you guys who be able to see anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231447 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:00:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231371 matcarl :
said by JeepMatt :

It's supposed to launch on Monday here at VHO8 -

I thought NY was always first? Oh well, you can have the colored bars first this time :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231371 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:47:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231283 JeepMatt : It's supposed to launch on Monday here at VHO8 -
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231283 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231191 VZ Mark : That's why I'm asking if there are color bars or some kind of coming soon message. I guess I should have stated that but I also wasn't sure if Epix got their s*!t together and launched early...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231191 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:16:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231161 matcarl :
said by VZ Mark :

Can anyone in VHO9/9A confirm Epix SD/HD?

What would be on the channel? I thought it debuts 10/30]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231161 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:13:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231154 VZ Mark : Can anyone in VHO9/9A confirm Epix SD/HD?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23231154 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:12:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23220379 R e a p e r :
said by Greg2600 :

Reaper's point has been that up until 2008, we received exactly what EPIX will offer bring on Showtime. The fairest move would be for FIOS to prevent customers from being charged double for this.

Thanks but no, my point is simply that $9.99 is too much for a single movie channel. I get that Verizon will try to spin it as this great value with a large VOD library and EpixHD.com but I would not use either of those, so they aren't value adds to me. I just want the linear channel and I want it to be added to the all-inclusive movie package. If the movie package price increased by a couple of bucks that would be understandable because Verizon is incurring new costs to carry EPIX.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23220379 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:43:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23219970 Greg2600 : hdspts, Reaper's point has been that up until 2008, we received exactly what EPIX will offer bring on Showtime. The fairest move would be for FIOS to prevent customers from being charged double for this. This is surely excessive, being double dipped.

Showtime, which aside from its series (which are usually good), has a movie lineup that consists of scraps from Anchor Bay Direct to DVD, Weinstein, Sundance, IFC, Dimension Films, and a couple others. It's a terribly paltry offering. Epix will immediately have a better movie lineup than Showtime, but they have only one channel to air them on.

I don't blame Epix for the fee, the blame falls on Verizon. They set the prices, its their service. We shouldn't be charged $9.99 for content we used to receive already.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23219970 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:33:50 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23219496 hdspts :
said by R e a p e r :

I love movies as much as the next guy, and maybe more, but Epix should be included with the movie package. I wouldn't mind even paying a buck or two more after the addition of Epix. But if the rumors of $9.99 pricing for Epix above and beyond the movie package are true, there is no freaking way that I will get it.

Are you out of your gourd Verizon?

Many bloggers on this thread are genuinely outraged at the alleged proposed price, while others might just want to put a word in Verizon and Epix's ears before they announce it, hoping it will influence their final decision if it has not been made. As for me, I would not be interested in shelling out such a fee, but I also take issue with those who think it has to be excessive. Unless you have access to their programming schedule, you cannot make that judgement yet.

I currently have HBO on a free promo, for example, and while there are many, many channels, the introduction of new material is not much more than one channel can handle. While I enjoy quite a bit of their programming, there is no shortage of repeats of the same shows and movies on the other channels and even on the main channel itself. Other channels consist mostly of old movies and shows from their library (such as 15-20 year old comedy shows).

So the worth of EPIX actually depends on the volume and quality of "new" (to premium cable, anyway) movies and original entertainment exclusive to the channel (concerts, comedy, and original series). Since we don't know more than a few movie titles and a couple of events (Maddonna concert, Tribute to Sam Kinison comedy), it is hard to judge its worth. While I prefer the extra channels today's premium movie channels have, especially for channel surfing, in the end it is what quality of material is provided me, and I can use VOD and a DVR to make up for the lack of channels. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23219496 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:12:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23218285 anon : ZaneTodd45 wrote:

"I was not even aware of Epix's movie aspect ratio issues. I recorded a few movies from their VOD library, but haven't had time yet to view them. I'm still trying to get caught up with network TV."

They are cropping current films (IRON MAN, INDY 4, THE DUCHESS, etc.) The older films are being shown properly because the HD Masters already existed. But no such luck for newer movies.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23218285 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:32:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23217252 Greg2600 :
said by Ndd123 :

For $9 you can get a subscription to Netflix.

Bing Bing Bing Bing! I was waiting for someone to make that point. I have no interest in Starz Play or EPIXHD.COM. Even though I am shortly, finally buying a PC that could play the movies well. I watch movies on a TV, not a PC, like most people. I applaud Verizon's expansion of VOD at all times though. But I agree internet movie services should be a separate fee, like Starz! does. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23217252 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:36:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23216370 ZaneTodd45 :
"I would like to see them add the channel to the movie package and charge extra for the online service."

There you go. That makes the most sense.

To me, this Epix channel has no more value than Flix. I get Flix automatically because of the Showtime package, but I have rarely watched it. When I look for a movie to watch and it has a date earlier than 2005, then my red flag goes up. I don't do PPV, so I am willing to wait until a movie hits the premium channel circuit.

So after a movie has been out for a year (the usual premium channel window) and I haven't paid attn to it, that means I have no interest in seeing it. I'm sure I'm not the only one in that boat.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23216370 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:47:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215937 anon : I would like to see them add the channel to the movie package and charge extra for the online service. No way will I be paying extra for one channel. The movie pack is a great deal and it would make sense adding it to that pack and re-branding it as the ultimate movie pack. I for one have no desire to sit at a 15in screen and watch a movie online when I could watch it in HD and surround instead on TV. They are crazy if they make this a separate subscription. For $9 you can get a subscription to Netflix.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215937 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:29:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215818 dmodert66 : Pretty clear to me. I have the $30 movie package + Stars Online (or whatever it's called). If Epix is not included in my package, I won't be watching it anytime soon...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215818 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:56:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215668 R e a p e r : FiOS won't have the entire EPIX movie library on VOD. Do you know what the hardware costs would be for each VHO? Too much. Reportedly a vast library will be available on EpixHD.com but I don't care about online access; I never watch TV on a computer monitor so why should I pay for it?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215668 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:22:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215517 chitchatjf : Channel 895 with 395 for the SD feed.

The costs includes the linear channel, the VOD (which includes the entire library ALL IN HD) AND access online.

Starz play costs $5.95 a month EXTRA EVEN if you subscribe to Starz TV ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215517 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:53:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215456 matcarl :
said by R e a p e r :

Secondly, why not announce the pricing? The service launches in 10 days! Those of us that would like to have it would like to know what it's going to cost us - and/or how pissed off we should be.

True, they've been carrying the VOD for some time now and should know by now where they are placing the channel. Everything seems to be a last minute secret as usual.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215456 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:42:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215444 JeepMatt : Reaper-
Glad to see my post (PSUMatt) got the ball rolling! :p
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23215444 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:39:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214674 R e a p e r :
said by wmcbrine :

I think you need to work on your reading comprehension. That's nothing like a confirmation. He's simply declining to give any answer as to pricing. If he denied this one, that would be giving information. Then someone else would come in with the next baseless rumor, and so on, until -- without ever saying it -- he'd have given away the real pricing by process of elimination. So there's no sense in him denying rumors if his intent is to avoid revealing the pricing.

First off, there's no need for insults. Admittedly I'm reading a lot into Eric's response, or lack thereof. But my unstated point is that if you think that $9.99 per month is unreasonable for EPIX then posting on Rabe's blog would be the most effective way to express that, and it would probably be a good idea to do so BEFORE the pricing is announced.

Secondly, why not announce the pricing? The service launches in 10 days! Those of us that would like to have it would like to know what it's going to cost us - and/or how pissed off we should be.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214674 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:06:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214436 anon :
said by Jak322 :

$10 for one channel is not happening in my house nor in the houses of anyone I know.

nor mine]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214436 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:19:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214429 wmcbrine :
said by R e a p e r :

said by matcarl :

He doesn't mention price or stand alone service anywhere.

He also doesn't deny it after being asked the question rather pointedly. "We think many movie-lovers will like all the content available with this offer." What offer? The only one mentioned was $9.99 for a standalone EPIX service speculated on in the previous post. To me that reads like confirmation.

I think you need to work on your reading comprehension. That's nothing like a confirmation. He's simply declining to give any answer as to pricing. If he denied this one, that would be giving information. Then someone else would come in with the next baseless rumor, and so on, until -- without ever saying it -- he'd have given away the real pricing by process of elimination. So there's no sense in him denying rumors if his intent is to avoid revealing the pricing.
--
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23214429 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:13:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213951 Greg2600 : There could be standalone option, yes. The question is whether you can get it in combination with another plan? I don't know what the Playboy or WWE VOD numbers are, but my guess is they are fairly low. And for sure way too low for a corp like Viacom.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213951 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:37:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213753 R e a p e r :
said by matcarl :

He doesn't mention price or stand alone service anywhere.

He also doesn't deny it after being asked the question rather pointedly. "We think many movie-lovers will like all the content available with this offer." What offer? The only one mentioned was $9.99 for a standalone EPIX service speculated on in the previous post. To me that reads like confirmation.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213753 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:03:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213746 Rattler : What matcarl said...

His reply falls into the category of "BS Baffles Brains". He made no commitment one way or the other... Basically said, "Wait and see." :p
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213746 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:02:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213721 matcarl : He doesn't mention price or stand alone service anywhere.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213721 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:57:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213695 R e a p e r : Eric Rabe stops short of actually confirming it but it's pretty clear from his blog that EPIX is going to be a standalone service costing $9.99. If this bothers you, make your voice heard on the blog: »forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at···-p/91467]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213695 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:51:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213653 ZaneTodd45 :
As for the pricing, I thought there were two movie packages- Starz/Encore/Showtime/TMC/Flix/IFC/Sundance
and HBO/Cinemax.

I have that first Starz package. I thought about adding HBO but decided that I just didn't have the time to watch all of those movies.

With any "premium" channel, I don't have any "brand" loyalty. Meaning; if I am interested in a certain movie, I could care less which channel it airs on. So if that movie is exclusive to HBO or Max, I'll just get the DVD from another source (local library is always good). Problem solved.

I was not even aware of Epix's movie aspect ratio issues. I recorded a few movies from their VOD library, but haven't had time yet to view them. I'm still trying to get caught up with network TV.

And I agree with everyone else. At launch, Epix will have just ONE feed. How can you compete with the plethora of Encore's and Showtime's out there? On the rare occasions when I do channel surf, it's nice to have 20 or so movies to choose from.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23213653 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:42:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212715 anon :
said by chitchatjf :

There are TWO separe movie packages.

There is the $14.95 showtime/TMC/starz package and the $30/35 Showtime/TMC/starz/HBO/cinemax package

I forsee Epix included with the latter.

I have that package, so if I get it, I'll let you know. A major loss that we won't see the newer films on SHOWTIME, since they would not crop the movies and it appears (so far) that EPIX does. So it had better be free!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212715 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:09:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212711 JayMan 007 :
said by JAH_PGH :

Yes, I was referring to the bookmark feature - I haven't found a limit, but then again, I haven't added 10+ to the queue either...

Cool. looks like you can also set the bookmarks from the web.

I'll have to look and see which STB I can see them from.

--looks like the limit is 10 in the queue.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212711 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:58:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212274 JAH_PGH : Yes, I was referring to the bookmark feature - I haven't found a limit, but then again, I haven't added 10+ to the queue either...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23212274 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:49:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211673 darcilicious :
said by JayMan 007 :

said by JAH_PGH :

Greg2600 ~
I tend to disagree - VOD is a lifesaver with such limited DVR space. I used to record (when I was with DTV) movies all the time and then watch them at my convenience. Now I simply add them to my VOD queue. It saves room to record all the shows that don't have VOD...

Add them to your VOD queue... where do you do that?

At a guess I'd have to say the poster was referring to the Bookmark feature. I like the idea but the last time I used it (many months ago) it was limited to ten items...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211673 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:03:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211638 JayMan 007 :
said by JAH_PGH :

Greg2600 ~
I tend to disagree - VOD is a lifesaver with such limited DVR space. I used to record (when I was with DTV) movies all the time and then watch them at my convenience. Now I simply add them to my VOD queue. It saves room to record all the shows that don't have VOD...

Add them to your VOD queue... where do you do that?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211638 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:55:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211584 Greg2600 : I cannot foresee people signing up for one of the lesser packages AND Epix. Nobody knows what this channel is. That's the real key. A free preview isn't going to convince anyone. $9.99 for ONE channel? "Are you crazy?", that's what they'll think. Now, if the full movie package, which I hear is now $35, includes EPIX, people will of course take that. The lesser packages were 17.99 last I checked? Maybe a 19.99 bump with EPIX? Otherwise who cares? But at 9.99 for one channel only, you're talking WWE or Playboy type subscription numbers.

I hear comparisons to Showtime or Starz, but I don't agree. Not counting West feeds even, Starz/Encore is 15 SD and 5 HD channels and VOD. Showtime is 11 SD, 6 HD, and VOD. This is also ignoring Rainbow's IFC and Sundance. Now HBO/Max, which I believe is overpriced, since their new movies and series have been paltry for years. Still, you get 14 SD, 14 HD, and VOD.

EPIX is 1 SD, 1 HD, and VOD. It takes the place of most of the Showtime library, which we were getting before. Now we have to pay extra? It's outrageous, and yet another Wall Street driven rip-off. Even a $5 increase to the packages, IMO, is high, but another 9.99, no way.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23211584 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:43:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210856 Mark F : A free opening weekend would also give people a chance to see any ceremonial fanfare and opening info about Epix.

I remember when TNT first signed on, there was an introductory program that talked about the channel, what Turner Broadcasting had in mind for it, etc.

As for the pricing, I thought there were two movie packages- Starz/Encore/Showtime/TMC/Flix/IFC/Sundance
and HBO/Cinemax. If we must subscribe to both packages to get Epix, I don't see that many folks doing that. If someone is happy with just the Starz etc. movie package, why make them pay for a package they don't want (HBO/Cinemax) just to get Epix.

They have some good movies, I saw American Hot Wax yesterday and really enjoyed it. But, if the price is too much, or we must get a movie package we might not want, it might not be worth it.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210856 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:30:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210333 anon : I disagree that it will die out quickly without pickup of other carriers because look at Showtime and TMC - what does it have to offer besides the great series it offers and its still around. Those series also being produced from Lionsgate an Epix partner which may add potential to what the network could offer in the future. Showtime never has done weekly movie premiers like Starz and HBO/Cinemax. They also have a ton of channels to fill and very limited resources considering their studio contracts are weak unless you consider the Weinstein Company a big deal. I think Showtime has serious problems and potentially greater compared to Epix. Carriage will be a big issue yes but I expect the channel will be around for some time especially since its backed by 3 studios.
I do agree though that it needs to be part of the bundle for starters until it can establish itself as a competitor to HBO and Showtime. $10 for one channel is not happening in my house nor in the houses of anyone I know.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210333 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:34:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210196 Light Guy :
said by chitchatjf :

There are TWO separe movie packages.

There is the $14.95 showtime/TMC/starz package and the $30/35 Showtime/TMC/starz/HBO/cinemax package

I forsee Epix included with the latter.

Actually there is a newly introduced Showtime A package that includes Showtime and TMC. Not sure if it is available everywhere or just NNJ/NY, or if it is only part of a triple package.

My point is that if VZ`s focus is on new customers, then they might just bundle it into a triple play offer.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23210196 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:04:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23209348 R e a p e r : It's rumored that one of the satellite providers will be carrying Epix at launch. If true, it would most likely be Dish Network.

»www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=166689]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23209348 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:52:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23209094 ZaneTodd45 :
quote:
I'm sure Verizon will try to spin that Epix will include this "large" on demand library.

Epix's VOD library (at least so far) is nothing to write home about. I'd say that at least 50% of the movies are "older movies" (anything from the 90's or early 2000's).

Compare this to Starz VOD, which is almost all recent titles.

There is not a snowball's chance in Death Valley that I'm paying an extra 10 dollars for this lame channel. If it's included in the Starz package, that's fine. If not, I won't lose any sleep.

And I predict this channel will die a slow death if they don't get Direct, Dish, or Comcast on board. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23209094 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:01:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208228 skottey_ :
said by chitchatjf :

There are TWO separe movie packages.

I think that goes without saying. If it is to be included, I think we would all expect it to be in the more expensive one that has all three majors and their sister suites.

Just sayin'.. I don't think anybody expected it to be included in the lesser package with Showtime. That would be defeating the whole purpose of creating a new premium channel, formed by 2/3 of the studios formerly contracted to distribute on Showtime/TMC. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208228 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:13:46 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208193 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

Welcome back Skottey! ;)

Thanks.... but arghhh.... not back yet. Well, not back to FIOS yet.

After making the decision to move, having the availability checker on the FIOS website declare the new address serviceable, signing a lease, and then finding out the site made a mistake and my new address wasn't in fact serviceable (yet), it has been a roller-coaster of emotions. I miss my FIOS TV. 2-3 more months and I should be back up. Meanwhile, Verizon told me to ignore the $3.12 bill I keep getting that says past due because even with all six account numbers on the bill, nobody in any department can find the associated accounts in their computer systems.

I certainly miss the channel lineup, but not customers service.

It is just really frustrating. A stones throw from my yard is an adjacent neighborhood with FIOS. I'll bet I could pick up a 802.11n of an unsecured router of a subscriber if I tried. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208193 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:08:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208163 chitchatjf : There are TWO separe movie packages.

There is the $14.95 showtime/TMC/starz package and the $30/35 Showtime/TMC/starz/HBO/cinemax package

I forsee Epix included with the latter.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208163 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:04:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208023 Timothy28 : If $9.99 is the price just for this channel. Its one channel i'll live without. I find plenty to watch on HBO/Cinemax/Starz/Encore/TMC.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23208023 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:44:56 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207893 R e a p e r : Welcome back Skottey! ;)

If Verizon does ask $9.99 for Epix on top of the movie package, I will be the first to admit that you were right and that this was a bad deal for everyone. :(

Then I'll wait for them to drop the #$%@&%$ price!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207893 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:24:33 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207845 skottey_ :
said by JeepMatt :

Someone over on AVS Forum is reporting that Epix will be an additional $9.99 / month.

I have no idea how real this info is, but if it's true - that's f'ing outrageous.

yup... we have rehashed this before. I stated that one should be careful what they wish for. All Epix is is they distribution rights to the movies by the same studios that Showtime used to have rights to. So, a few years ago a viewer could get all US movies by subscribing to Showtime/TMC, HBO/MAX, and Starz/Encore. Now they have to subscribe to all those PLUS Epix to get the same studios' movies. Great, great... FIOS is carrying Epix, and without any multichannels. Sounds like a poopy deal to me. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207845 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:17:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207300 JAH_PGH : Greg2600 ~
I tend to disagree - VOD is a lifesaver with such limited DVR space. I used to record (when I was with DTV) movies all the time and then watch them at my convenience. Now I simply add them to my VOD queue. It saves room to record all the shows that don't have VOD...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207300 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:48:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207262 Greg2600 : I'm sure Verizon will try to spin that Epix will include this "large" on demand library. But as I've said for a long time, people like having On Demand as a nicety, but outside of catching the latest episode of a TV show you missed, it's not a big selling point.

I found the original AVSForum post here. The poster say an actual commercial for EPIX, I assume on FIOS, and saw the price in the "fine print" at the end of it.

»www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre···17379138]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207262 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:42:47 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207063 R e a p e r : I love movies as much as the next guy, and maybe more, but Epix should be included with the movie package. I wouldn't mind even paying a buck or two more after the addition of Epix. But if the rumors of $9.99 pricing for Epix above and beyond the movie package are true, there is no freaking way that I will get it.

Are you out of your gourd Verizon?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23207063 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:03:58 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206669 Greg2600 : Matt that is outrageous! Good luck with your 200 subscribers Epix. HA HA HA HA HA.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206669 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:44:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206543 JeepMatt : Hd-

Yes, there will be a free preview from 10/30 - 11/1.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206543 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:20:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206452 hdspts :
said by Mark F :

There is no time limit to get Epix.

However, the first day of any new channel may have few viewers, perhaps because it is unavailable to many.

So, if someone wants it the day it is launched, and must pay extra, it would be nice to know before Oct. 30th, when the channel starts.
Mark F

I would think that EPIX would launch as a free preview, at least for the opening weekend and probably longer. With no subscription information from FIOS so close to launch of the channel, that is what is likely to happen IMO. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23206452 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:04:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205793 matcarl :
said by chitchatjf :

That may be the a-la-carte price.

It is also supposed to be included as part of a package.

No one ever said that, we just all assumed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205793 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:01:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205777 chitchatjf : That may be the a-la-carte price.

It is also supposed to be included as part of a package.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205777 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:55:17 EDT Re: $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205749 matcarl : Wow, let's hope he's wrong. The channel will never make it, no one will pay for it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205749 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:37:48 EDT $9.99 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205695 JeepMatt : Someone over on AVS Forum is reporting that Epix will be an additional $9.99 / month.

I have no idea how real this info is, but if it's true - that's f'ing outrageous.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23205695 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:49:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203502 darcilicious :
said by keyboards :

said by chitchatjf :

They MAY decide to include it as part of Extreme HD.

Not likely. Maybe part of the movie package, but no one knows.

Agreed. Previous experience with Vz shows that anything marked "free preview" will eventually cost to subscribe.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203502 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:10:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203480 keyboards :
said by chitchatjf :

They MAY decide to include it as part of Extreme HD.

Not likely. Maybe part of the movie package, but no one knows.
--
REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203480 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:04:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203102 chitchatjf : They MAY decide to include it as part of Extreme HD.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23203102 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:21:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23202022 nascar : There was a commercial during the NASCAR race last night saying it will be available to Verizon FiOS on October 30th.

It looked more like a EPIX commercial but at the end it said the usual "This is FiOS, This is BIG".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23202022 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:14:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23201451 Mark F : There is no time limit to get Epix.

However, the first day of any new channel may have few viewers, perhaps because it is unavailable to many.

So, if someone wants it the day it is launched, and must pay extra, it would be nice to know before Oct. 30th, when the channel starts.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23201451 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:49:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199741 anon : Interesting that just recently on TV I saw a Verizon ad that promoted being the only service with Epix being available. It was a promo for the channel, the VOD service, and the online streaming service. Made it sound interesting and new and not a single mention of subscription price.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199741 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:47:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199249 darcilicious : No to worry, take your time, it's not going anywhere ;-) ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199249 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:14:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199240 Mark F : The launch is in less than two weeks, and we still don't know the pricing of Epix.

But, if the launch is to be a successful one, anyone who wants it will need time to sign up if it costs extra.

If not, there is less urgency, but people who want it, and do not subscribe to any movie package, still will need time to access their options.
Mark F]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199240 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:11:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199190 JeepMatt : Not that we haven't figured this out, but Epix will launch on 10/30 in VHO8.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199190 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:56:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199124 anon : I'm a paid subscriber to HBO and CINEMAX...OAR requests to them carry ZERO weight.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23199124 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:45:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23192214 chitchatjf : Like i said i EXPECT to get it as part of my package. :)

If it is a-la-carte only I will find some way to subscribe and keep my packages. :)

As a PAID subscriber my request for OAR may carry more weight.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23192214 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:11:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23188593 anon :
said by R e a p e r :

said by JDTM121 :

So far this is true of the VOD content but it remains to be seen if this will also be true of the linear feed. Same goes for the OAR issue.

All we've seen so far is a free preview. It's a little early to pass judgement on the linear channel that hasn't even launched yet.

I agree regarding 5.1...but much more doubtful regarding OAR. That they would follow the OnDemand and HBO policy of cropping new movies is pretty likely. If SHOWTIME still had the rights to the films, then the proper presentation would be pretty much assured. IF, when the channel launches, INDY 4 , IRON MAN, and other new films are shown properly, then I would drop HBO and sign on for EPIX. But history shows that these comnpanies have little concern for the films and even less for the subscribers. SHOWTIME was the exception, which is why the fact that they lost the rights is such a major blow for viewers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23188593 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:10:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23184053 R e a p e r :
said by darcilicious :

Agreed though I would say the definition of "only TV" is changing/evolving :)

True but TV will never be the home theater reference standard IMHO. I think that there will always be some kind of digital optical media that is superior (and I hesitate to say that OAR snobs and audiophiles should stick to that, whatever it may be).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23184053 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:26:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23184034 darcilicious : Agreed though I would say the definition of "only TV" is changing/evolving :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23184034 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:23:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183924 R e a p e r : I understand to a certain extent the concerns over OAR and 5.1 surround sound. I do have a nice AV receiver, but it also makes 2.0 channel audio sound pretty good.

At the end of the day for me, this is only TV. If I want the absolute best presentation of a film, both in terms of video and audio, I'll watch the Blu-ray.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183924 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:03:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183839 darcilicious : We-ell, if you go to all the trouble of setting up a 5.1 sound system, you would rather be able to use it... even on VOD, TV, etc. I totally notice the difference between items in 5.1 sound and those that aren't.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183839 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:53:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183790 Greg2600 : I really don't get the obsession with 5.1 sound. The overwhelming majority of people have only a TV, no additional stereo/surround setup. So the cropping to 1.78 from 2.35/2.40 affects the viewing quality of many more people. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183790 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:46:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183720 R e a p e r :
said by JDTM121 :

Not only do the butcher the aspect but they also do not offer 5.1.

So far this is true of the VOD content but it remains to be seen if this will also be true of the linear feed. Same goes for the OAR issue.

All we've seen so far is a free preview. It's a little early to pass judgement on the linear channel that hasn't even launched yet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183720 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:34:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183704 R e a p e r : It has not yet been announced if Epix will be included in the movie package or if there will indeed be a new and seperate charge for the channel. It's all still speculation here folks...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183704 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:32:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183443 anon : I agree. They have a great selection of movies but I pay enough for the movie package as it is. Now if Verizon wants to give me a discount somewhere else and add on the Epix package then we might have a deal. Not only do the butcher the aspect but they also do not offer 5.1. HBO butchers films as well but they got 5.1 and some great series.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183443 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:52:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183189 Timothy28 :
said by cinema13 :

It's my understanding that there will be a charge for EPIX. But, going by the HD previews, they will be cropping 25% - 30% (or more) of the picture on NEW releases. (IRON MAN, INDY 4, THE DUCHESS, are all cropped.) Sorry, but I wouldn't pay a penny for another channel that messes up the movie like that.

If that is true they can keep it. I'll do without it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23183189 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:13:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23182737 anon : It's my understanding that there will be a charge for EPIX. But, going by the HD previews, they will be cropping 25% - 30% (or more) of the picture on NEW releases. (IRON MAN, INDY 4, THE DUCHESS, are all cropped.) Sorry, but I wouldn't pay a penny for another channel that messes up the movie like that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23182737 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:11:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23172440 R e a p e r :
said by cmullen8 :

Here is the complete opening weekend schedule from Engadget HD:

Friday, Oct 30
8:00 pm Iron Man
10:10 pm Madonna Sweet & Sticky
12:05 am Cloverfield
Saturday, Oct 31
8:00 pm Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
10:00 pm Madea Goes to Jail
12:00 am Eddie Izzard: Live from Wembley
Sunday, Nov 1
8:00 pm Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Link...»www.engadgethd.com/2009/10/12/ep···ontinued

How could it be that a new movie channel from a consortium that includes Lionsgate doesn't load up Halloween with horror movies? I mean, they have the SAW franchise and the After Dark Horrorfest, not to mention many, many other horror films...

What a missed opportunity.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23172440 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:41:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23172420 cmullen8 : Here is the complete opening weekend schedule from Engadget HD:

Friday, Oct 30
8:00 pm Iron Man
10:10 pm Madonna Sweet & Sticky
12:05 am Cloverfield
Saturday, Oct 31
8:00 pm Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
10:00 pm Madea Goes to Jail
12:00 am Eddie Izzard: Live from Wembley
Sunday, Nov 1
8:00 pm Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Link...»www.engadgethd.com/2009/10/12/ep···ontinued]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23172420 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:37:15 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171962 chitchatjf : I have the HBO/Cinemax/Movies package and EXPECT to have Epix at NO extra charge.

Like many others i do not care for 16:9 reformatting of scope films,but do like the ALL HD lineup :)

5.1 is not that important to me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171962 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:22:32 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171845 darcilicious :
said by cmullen8 :

said by darcilicious :

I could have sworn that Blade Runner was on MGM HD this weekend in DDS 5.1... but maybe I'm misremembering...

I think Blade Runner has been airing on HDNet Movies recently, which has always has DD 5.1...Is that what you're thinking of?

Oh, you're probably right :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171845 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:04:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171842 cmullen8 :
said by darcilicious :

I could have sworn that Blade Runner was on MGM HD this weekend in DDS 5.1... but maybe I'm misremembering...

I think Blade Runner has been airing on HDNet Movies recently, which has always has DD 5.1...Is that what you're thinking of?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171842 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:03:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171816 darcilicious :
said by Md13 :

MGM HD does not do 5.1

I could have sworn that Blade Runner was on MGM HD this weekend in DDS 5.1... but maybe I'm misremembering...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171816 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:58:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171798 anon : They have some great films on VOD right now, but the audio track sucks. Still have yet to fix the audio. MGM HD does not do 5.1 either and since this is a joint venture with MGM Studios could it be sign that the new HD movie network will be without 5.1 surround? If its in the movie package that'll be great but I am not paying extra for for a separate subscription for this.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171798 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:56:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171680 nascar : "We'll announce soon the date when the EPIX channel will officially launch on FiOS TV. It will be available with a premium subscription that includes SD & HD channels, VOD and eventually online content."

»www.reuters.com/article/pressRel···20091012

»forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at···-p/91467

I hope this is included in the Movie Package but the vagueness keeps me guessing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23171680 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:36:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23100628 JayMan 007 :
said by grydlok :

i don't thank our area has it yet.

It didn't, but it does now...
Not sure when it started.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23100628 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:35:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23071208 anon : will there be Epix West?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23071208 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23064334 VZ Mark : Matt,

Not 100% sure these will be the channel assignments so best not to read too much into that as far as package etc...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23064334 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:10:00 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057496 nascar : JeepMatt,

I hate to assume but from the placement just after IFC and before HBO I would assume it is included in the Premium Movie Package.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057496 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:00:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057472 JeepMatt : Nascar-

There's the answer to Epix's channel placement:

395 (SD) / 895 (HD)
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057472 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:54:02 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057384 nascar : More news...

»digital.venturebeat.com/2009/09/···network/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,23057384 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:38:42 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22965194 anon : Have they fixed the audio yet? Last time I looked at some of the movies none of them were in 5.1. Picture quality seems decent on majority of the ones I've watched for a few minutes]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22965194 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:34:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964890 JeepMatt :
said by Rattler :

Wish V* would clear up the mystery... :uhh:

Within a month from today you'll know the answer. :p
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964890 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:26:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964858 blue_trooper :
said by mrmegadeth99 :

where is indiana jones?

Between Ohio and Illinois.

And stop calling me "Jones".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964858 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:21:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964769 Rattler : Jeez! I just checked and there were 95 HD titles available (could be a slight miscount, with that many)! And, a good number of them are respectable. Hope that this isn't just a tease AND that Epix will be part of some existing package.

Wish V* would clear up the mystery... :uhh:
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22964769 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:02:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22962912 cmullen8 :
said by mrmegadeth99 :

where is indiana jones?

It was there last night along with a LOT of other newly listed titles. Many are older films, but certainly some good stuff in there. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22962912 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:27:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22951101 Greg2600 :
said by mrmegadeth99 :

where is indiana jones?

Just a wild guess on my part, but even though EPIX has the rights to the movie through Paramount, the film is not technically owned by Paramount. Lucas Films does. Perhaps they didn't want it in the preview, or EPIX is holding it for the channel's release?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22951101 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:13:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22951007 Rattler :
said by Onedollar :

Any reports on what package this is included in? Hopefully just the extreme HD tier

Some speculation here...

They'll either include it in one of the premium movie packages or add it as a stand-alone premium (how's that for a blanket, non-committal statement? :p ). I don't think it'll be included in one of the overall packages like Extreme HD (but I could be pleasantly surprised).

As seems to be typical with V*, they ain't sayin' nuttin' until they drop da bomb when it goes live.

I also remember when they first had HD VOD for the premium movie packs that they were listed as "Previews" as well - leading to some guessing that you might have to pay for the HD versions of those VOD offerings, over and above the normal subscription rate for the packages.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22951007 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:55:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22950926 anon : where is indiana jones?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22950926 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:39:29 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22930471 John97 : Just found Epix tonight going through the VOD. Somehow, I missed this thread.

Watching Ironman HD right now. There are a ton of great movies listed.
--
So put me on a highway, and show me a sign.
And take it to the limit one more time...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22930471 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:57:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904720 grydlok : i don't thank our area has it yet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904720 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:39:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904359 MeatChicken :
said by blue_trooper :

said by MeatChicken :

I watched Cloverfield HD last night.
No problems.

No nausea? ;)

I actually FF'd thru large chucks of the movie, or I would have thrown up after getting a headache... :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904359 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:35:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904003 rockotman :
said by JayMan 007 :

I don't see the Epix Free Preview at all.

Did you try....

Video On Demand->Browse All->Premium Subscriptions?

That is where I found it, right below Starz.
--
That's how you be great! That's how you be great! Oh my goodness man, we did it, baby!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22904003 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:25:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903684 darcilicious :
said by JayMan 007 :

I don't see the Epix Free Preview at all.

:( Maybe post a message to »/forum/vzdirect ?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903684 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:29:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903659 JayMan 007 :
said by darcilicious :

said by JayMan 007 :

I did that, Cloverfield is not listed in VOD on my FiOS TV Central.

Also looked in VOD from STB, and don't see it. Maybe it hasn't rolled to our area yet ???

You mean when you look under the Epix Free Preview, you don't see Cloverfield HD or you don't see the Epix Free Preview at all?

I don't see the Epix Free Preview at all.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903659 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:25:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903063 rockotman :
said by blue_trooper :

said by MeatChicken :

I watched Cloverfield HD last night.
No problems.

No nausea? ;)

LOL - I see what you mean... I just started watching it in SD, and couldn't take more than 30 minutes of it. No great loss that I can't get the HD feed. ;)
--
That's how you be great! That's how you be great! Oh my goodness man, we did it, baby!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903063 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:35:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903033 blue_trooper :
said by MeatChicken :

I watched Cloverfield HD last night.
No problems.

No nausea? ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22903033 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:30:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22902927 MeatChicken :
said by rockotman :

Interesting... I tried watching the HD version of Cloverfield on EPIX, and the feed was so pixelated that it was unwatchable. A sampling of other EPIX HD movies indicates that the problem is only with Cloverfield. Anyone else experiencing this?

BTW, the non-HD version seems to come in just fine.

I watched Cloverfield HD last night.
No problems.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22902927 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:11:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22902789 rockotman : Interesting... I tried watching the HD version of Cloverfield on EPIX, and the feed was so pixelated that it was unwatchable. A sampling of other EPIX HD movies indicates that the problem is only with Cloverfield. Anyone else experiencing this?

BTW, the non-HD version seems to come in just fine.
--
That's how you be great! That's how you be great! Oh my goodness man, we did it, baby!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22902789 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:46:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22899459 texastown : Try searching for it with the VOD search function. "EPIX" brought it up for me before I figured out the official way in. Not sure it will work, but it might.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22899459 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:34:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22899404 grydlok : I haven't seen anything yet]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22899404 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:23:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22898949 darcilicious :
said by JayMan 007 :

I did that, Cloverfield is not listed in VOD on my FiOS TV Central.

Also looked in VOD from STB, and don't see it. Maybe it hasn't rolled to our area yet ???

You mean when you look under the Epix Free Preview, you don't see Cloverfield HD or you don't see the Epix Free Preview at all?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22898949 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:09:24 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22897565 JayMan 007 :
said by JPL :

said by JayMan 007 :

said by darcilicious :

There's a separate area for HD movies and I thought I saw Cloverfield in there but I haven't watched to see if it was really HD...

Where are you seeing these Epix movies in VOD?

I didn't see them in VOD from my STB or via FiOS TV Central.

If you go to fiostvcentral, under VOD, and do a search, bring up the movie listing, you'll see the paths that they have for these movies. Looks like they have 3 different paths for the Epix movies.

I did that, Cloverfield is not listed in VOD on my FiOS TV Central.

Also looked in VOD from STB, and don't see it. Maybe it hasn't rolled to our area yet ???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22897565 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:05:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892035 JPL :
said by JayMan 007 :

said by darcilicious :

There's a separate area for HD movies and I thought I saw Cloverfield in there but I haven't watched to see if it was really HD...

Where are you seeing these Epix movies in VOD?

I didn't see them in VOD from my STB or via FiOS TV Central.

If you go to fiostvcentral, under VOD, and do a search, bring up the movie listing, you'll see the paths that they have for these movies. Looks like they have 3 different paths for the Epix movies.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892035 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:49:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892029 JPL : Ok, I feel totally stupid now. I did a search of the movie on fiostvcentral, and sure enough I see both the SD and HD versions of the movies out there under Epix. I guess I need to read better before selecting the movie :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892029 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:48:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892002 JPL :
said by Greg2600 :

Yeah Epix VOD has both HD and SD of nearly every one of their movies I think. Make sure when you select it the listing says, Iron Man HD, for example, not just Iron Man.

That may have been it. I may have selected the SD version of the movie and not realized it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22892002 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:44:38 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891991 Greg2600 : Yeah Epix VOD has both HD and SD of nearly every one of their movies I think. Make sure when you select it the listing says, Iron Man HD, for example, not just Iron Man.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891991 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:41:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891947 darcilicious :
said by JPL :

It was in 4:3 and in SD. Not sure why they would include that in the VOD feeds.

Shows up in HD fine for me...
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891947 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:35:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891636 darcilicious : Or check this picture, I guess you can find it under HDTV under VOD as well: »Re: Epix]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891636 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:51:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891626 darcilicious : From the STB: VOD -> Premium Subscriptions -> Epix Free Preview I believe. I can't check just now...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891626 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:50:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891602 JayMan 007 :
said by darcilicious :

There's a separate area for HD movies and I thought I saw Cloverfield in there but I haven't watched to see if it was really HD...

Where are you seeing these Epix movies in VOD?

I didn't see them in VOD from my STB or via FiOS TV Central.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891602 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:45:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891069 darcilicious : There's a separate area for HD movies and I thought I saw Cloverfield in there but I haven't watched to see if it was really HD... Are all Epix offerings HD and they just threw in the HD section to entice folks?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891069 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:14:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891054 JPL : I saw one that was disappointing - we started watching Cloverfield last night. It was in 4:3 and in SD. Not sure why they would include that in the VOD feeds.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891054 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:11:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891007 JeepMatt : CMullen-

I did the same as you last night - the PQ was great - but yes, the audio was not in 5.1 :(
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22891007 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:04:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22890808 VZ Mark : Sometimes as part of the contract, VZ is required to carry these channels day 1. This helps the channel with marketing hype etc. Not sure if that's the case with Epix, but it would be nice to have Epix on the launch date! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22890808 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:25:49 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22890795 cmullen8 : I checked it out a little further last night. Tried two newer titles, Iron Man and one other one I can't remember at the moment, but I think i was it was from 2008, and there is no 5.1 audio. I hope this is because it is a Beta-ish offering and does not turn out to be a long term thing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22890795 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:20:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22885673 R e a p e r :
said by chitchatjf :

The questions are still:

a)What linear channel will Epix be on?

b)What programming tier will it be on? Will it be a-la-carte only? I currently get hD Extreme with the Movies/HBO/Max package and i EXPECT to get EPIX as well withOUT an increase in my bill.

And the answer to both is still: "We don't know."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22885673 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:54:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22885490 chitchatjf : The questions are still:

a)What linear channel will Epix be on?

b)What programming tier will it be on? Will it be a-la-carte only? I currently get hD Extreme with the Movies/HBO/Max package and i EXPECT to get EPIX as well withOUT an increase in my bill.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22885490 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:21:43 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884678 matcarl : Not only that, but Epix isn't even available yet. I think October 1st is the launch date. VOD was sooner to get people's attention to the new channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884678 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:36:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884632 RBost : I just checked and we do not have it here in Richmond. Anyone have any idea when it will be available here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884632 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:06:04 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884592 JeepMatt : Jdon-

It's actually a huge process to add channels. I'm really simplifying it - but...

Equipment needs to be set up at the 2 SHE's - then, the channels must be groomed to all 15 VHO's (with equipment set up there as well). Then, the channels must be sent to all of the "X" number of VSO's that each VHO serves. Occasionally, infrastructure work (things we'd never know about) must be performed to do this.

VZ does sometime add channels the day they launch (ESPNU HD) - however it's much better to plan them out and bulk them together the way they do now. Believe me - I'm sure the Marketing and Content groups wish the engineers could work much faster. ;)
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884592 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:32:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884206 anon : Why does it take so long for them to add additional channels? Once an agreement is signed - why is the waiting period so long and no firm dates are ever given until the day or week before? In my opinion it seems like Direct TV and other Cable providers add new channels to their lineups the day they become available to providers. I don't know whats involved in the addition of channels but just seems odd compared to the abilities of other providers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884206 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:39:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884112 URFloorMatt :
said by appleman102 :

well this is a very nice surprise.....any inside info as to how the pricing of this will work? I already subscribe to the 30$ movie pack...will I get this? What are we thinking?

Almost certainly yes.

Hopefully Verizon will light up Epix, NBATV, and the Rainbow Media channels all together by mid-October.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22884112 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:34:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883951 chitchatjf : That might be what Epix is shooting for.

I have tyhe current movies with HBO and Cinemax package and I EXPECT to get it AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883951 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:40:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883490 Greg2600 : Just watched Iron Man HD!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883490 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:52:23 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883313 darcilicious : Since the Preview is under Premiums, I'm think it will need to be in pay-for package; which one, I have no clue and doesn't really matter since I don't watch enough movies regularly to pay for a movie package...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22883313 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:08:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882967 appleman102 : well this is a very nice surprise.....any inside info as to how the pricing of this will work? I already subscribe to the 30$ movie pack...will I get this? What are we thinking?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882967 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:52:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882734 anon : How does the quality of HD Ondemand compare to when its broadcast on the networks? In my opinion it looks decent but for some reason not as good as when broadcast on tv. It may just be my setup though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882734 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:11:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882285 JeepMatt : And there it is - quite a few movies too! NICE!
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882285 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:27:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882250 darcilicious :
said by R e a p e r :

I wonder if they'll have it up as a free preview until the channel becomes available in October. That would be cool.

That would be seriously cool :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882250 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:18:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882233 R e a p e r :
said by darcilicious :

Right. But my point was it's a PREVIEW. If you have to PAY for a subscription, it's hardly FREE ;-)

Well, included in the subscription at least. :)

But seriously, your point is well taken.

I wonder if they'll have it up as a free preview until the channel becomes available in October. That would be cool.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882233 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:14:09 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882199 darcilicious :
said by R e a p e r :

said by darcilicious :

In the VOD Menu, it's listed as "Epix Free Preview" so don't count on it being "free" forever... :(

Well, it'll be "free" as long as you're subscribed to Epix. Of course, we don't know the details of the subscription costs yet...

Right. But my point was it's a PREVIEW. If you have to PAY for a subscription, it's hardly FREE ;-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882199 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:05:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882186 R e a p e r :
said by darcilicious :

In the VOD Menu, it's listed as "Epix Free Preview" so don't count on it being "free" forever... :(

Well, it'll be "free" as long as you're subscribed to Epix. Of course, we don't know the details of the subscription costs yet...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882186 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:01:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882050 darcilicious :
said by ransaldi :

Not sure if it has been posted yet but Epix HD is now listed in on-demand under the HDTV section. Has about 50 free movies including Cloverfield, Iron Man, Godfather 1-3, and other various new and old movies.

In the VOD Menu, it's listed as "Epix Free Preview" so don't count on it being "free" forever... :(]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882050 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:33:48 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882014 Onedollar : Any reports on what package this is included in? Hopefully just the extreme HD tier]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882014 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:26:21 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882005 R e a p e r :
said by ransaldi :

Not sure if it has been posted yet but Epix HD is now listed in on-demand under the HDTV section. Has about 50 free movies including Cloverfield, Iron Man, Godfather 1-3, and other various new and old movies.

Excellent! Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22882005 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:24:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22881820 cmullen8 : First I have heard of it. Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22881820 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:55:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22881375 anon : Not sure if it has been posted yet but Epix HD is now listed in on-demand under the HDTV section. Has about 50 free movies including Cloverfield, Iron Man, Godfather 1-3, and other various new and old movies.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22881375 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:52:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22844231 R e a p e r :
said by VZ Mark :

I wonder if this is just posturing or if none of them will carry Epix?
If it's successful, or if they begin to lose customers over the lack of carriage, they'll probably add it sooner or later.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22844231 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:52:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843292 VZ Mark : I wonder if this is just posturing or if none of them will carry Epix?

From the article:

Executives at Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp., the largest U.S. cable-TV provider, and New York-based Cablevision Systems Corp. said in July they aren’t interested in carrying Epix because consumers have enough choices among pay-TV channels.

DirecTV Group Inc., the biggest U.S. satellite-TV service, also isn’t interested in Epix, Larry Hunter, interim chief executive officer, and Patrick Doyle, chief financial officer, said on a Aug. 6 conference call. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843292 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:23:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843281 Greg2600 :
The channel will let customers invite as many as four others to watch movies in online screening rooms, including non- subscribers, and allow participants to chat during the program, Rensing said. Epix hasn’t decided whether to offer the site to people who don’t buy the channel on TV, he said.
That's interesting. Also seems Comcast, Cablevision, and DirecTV are balking at adding the channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843281 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:22:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843102 blue_trooper :
said by Baff :

said by cmullen8 :

I hope he is playing the father role in this one...

Because people can't love each other unless they are the same age? Don't be such a bigot.

I assumed he was making a statement about ageism/sexism in Hollywood. It seems as though the movie studios can accept leading men who are pushing 70 but have trouble marketing leading ladies who are old enough to rent a car.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22843102 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:51:52 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22842974 pvcleave : Here is another article on Epix.

»www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=···wNSELoes]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22842974 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:26:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22826145 cmullen8 : Just a joke, I didn't think anyone would be offended. I'll just stay on topic next time.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22826145 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:22:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825949 Baff :
said by cmullen8 :

I hope he is playing the father role in this one...

Because people can't love each other unless they are the same age? Don't be such a bigot.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825949 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:51:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825788 R e a p e r :
said by matcarl :

Comcast, Cablevision and Direct TV are passing on carrying EPIX

»www.multichannel.com/article/326···Epix.php

DirecTV isn't big on movie channels (sports is definitely their thing) so this didn't surprise me too much. Dish Network on the other hand carries quite a bit more movie channels than DirecTV (especially in HD) so it'll be interesting to see what they do about Epix.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825788 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:22:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825732 matcarl : Comcast, Cablevision and Direct TV are passing on carrying EPIX

»www.multichannel.com/article/326···Epix.php]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22825732 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:14:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22823625 cmullen8 : One film slated to be part of the package is "The Yellow Handkerchief," a love story starring William Hurt and "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart.

I hope he is playing the father role in this one...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22823625 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:32:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22823339 oldeguy : Some newer EPIX info:
»news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090806/ap_···pay_tv_3]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22823339 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:49:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22794479 R e a p e r :
said by Mark F :

We "Frontier-bound" subscribers are still with FIOS, so we should get everything other FIOS TV subscribers do.

But, after reading this thread twice, I'm a bit confused. Will Epix be included in the discounted movie package we now have, or will it cost extra, maybe as much as we now pay for the other movie channels?

The movies on Showtime have gotten worse in quality, so, to get the type of good films we once got with Showtime, why should we should pay more.
Mark F.

The answer Mark is that we do not know. We will have to wait to see what package Verizon includes this channel with.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22794479 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:32:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22793804 matcarl :
said by chitchatjf :

My question is What channel will the linear channel be on?

Depends on if it's in the movie package or not.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22793804 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:21:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22793790 chitchatjf : My question is What channel will the linear channel be on?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22793790 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:19:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22792718 Mark F : We "Frontier-bound" subscribers are still with FIOS, so we should get everything other FIOS TV subscribers do.

But, after reading this thread twice, I'm a bit confused. Will Epix be included in the discounted movie package we now have, or will it cost extra, maybe as much as we now pay for the other movie channels?

The movies on Showtime have gotten worse in quality, so, to get the type of good films we once got with Showtime, why should we should pay more.
Mark F.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22792718 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:49:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790788 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

said by skottey_ :

Prediction: part of the $30/$35 movie package with a price increase

or

a la carte with a price of $7.99-$12.99 /month

It won't be in HD Extreme or just simply free with any premium because it is airing new movies. IFC may air fairly new movies, but they are low budget indie flicks, not high budget blockbusters.

Counter-prediciton: part of the $30/35 movie package with no price increase.

I hope you are right. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790788 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:17:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790647 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

Prediction: part of the $30/$35 movie package with a price increase

or

a la carte with a price of $7.99-$12.99 /month

It won't be in HD Extreme or just simply free with any premium because it is airing new movies. IFC may air fairly new movies, but they are low budget indie flicks, not high budget blockbusters.

Counter-prediciton: part of the $30/35 movie package with no price increase.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790647 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:50:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790639 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

You're still totally missing the point.

No, I'm not missing your point - I just don't agree with it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790639 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:49:35 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790575 skottey_ :
said by chitchatjf :

Prediction -Extreme HD or like IFC free with any premium channel.

Prediction: part of the $30/$35 movie package with a price increase

or

a la carte with a price of $7.99-$12.99 /month

It won't be in HD Extreme or just simply free with any premium because it is airing new movies. IFC may air fairly new movies, but they are low budget indie flicks, not high budget blockbusters. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790575 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:34:22 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790556 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

said by skottey_ :

I am rallying against paying more, yes. I think most Americans, given the facts, would take my side in this argument.

Then if it costs more don't buy it. Simple.

You're still totally missing the point.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790556 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:30:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790538 chitchatjf : Prediction -Extreme HD or like IFC free with any premium channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22790538 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:27:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789881 R e a p e r :
said by Greg2600 :

I think I'll stop posting here until we get an official package/price from Verizon, because all of this wordplay is bonkers.

Ha! Finally, the voice of sanity!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789881 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:25:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789869 Greg2600 : I think I'll stop posting here until we get an official package/price from Verizon, because all of this wordplay is bonkers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789869 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:24:14 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789849 matcarl :
said by Greg2600 :

said by VZ Mark :

I would think 'additional charge' might mean a la carte as is the case with Setanta Sports which I pay $14.99/month for. A premium package would not be an additional charge and would also only apply to a 'portion' of VZ's customers as stated in an earlier post in this thread.

Mark, again, that's not what the EPIX people I guess told USA Today. Their goal is to have it included in current packages, with no extra charge to the customer. I'm not paying extra for this channel, and neither will 95% of the subscribers. Bad enough we're being charged 7.99 for sports channels in NNJ/NYC when other regions get them included.

"Current packages with no extra charge." The movie package is a current package, but no price increase.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789849 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:20:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789830 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

I am rallying against paying more, yes. I think most Americans, given the facts, would take my side in this argument.

Then if it costs more don't buy it. Simple.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789830 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:18:58 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789821 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

said by skottey_ :

I KNOW they were taken away from Showtime. Again... we used to get all Hollywood movies spread out between HBO, Max, Showtime, TMC, Starz, Encore, Flix... etc... one of those channels would eventually have every Hollywood movie

It used to be that the premiums were all a al carte, with the occasional bundle, but some other providers and FIOS are now offering all of them like the $30 movie package. That is a good deal. If Epix is included in that, good deal. If it isn't, bad deal.

My point is that we once were able to get all the Hollywood movies for $30 and that may change.

You point out that I don't yet know how it will be charged in this thread, but let me point out that we don't know yet how it will be charged (same thing, I know). So why the cheering section?

It makes no sense.

If they come out and say that Epix is going to be part of the movie package bundle with no price increase, I am on board. I'll be annoyed with it only being one channel, but I'll be on board. If they say that the movie package is now $40 due to the addition of Epix, I will be displeased. Displeased because they are taking movies from Showtime and putting them on a new channel and adding to the cost. Same content, new channel, new cost.

Why the cheering section? Because FiOS is going to carry this channel, insuring that those of us who love HD movies will continue to have maximum choice.

What makes no sense to me is someone railing against something that is inevitable (that's actually already done).

I am rallying against paying more, yes. I think most Americans, given the facts, would take my side in this argument. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789821 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:17:56 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789811 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

said by skottey_ :

I'm not contradicting myself. I'm saying I don't care how much they save. But as a business owner, I am pointing out that it would be stupid FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE for them to do something that would lower their earnings. There is no contradiction there. stop looking for things.

Get over it PERIOD? Can't have a civil debate about something? You need to rudely tell me to "get over it."

You just don't get it do you? We are going to end up paying more for the SAME content that once was on Showtime on a newly formed channel and there is a cheering section on this website. More isn't always better. Not when it is spread out over another channel and you pay more for the same thing.

This is the equivalent of you paying $30 to have your lawn cut front and back and then the landscapers stop doing your front yard, doing only the back, but still charging you $30. You then pay $10 for the front yard for a total of $40 for the same thing. We aren't getting anything new. Same job done, different channels (landscapers), higher price.

Why the cheering section over such a thing? Makes no sense to me.

At the heart of your argument is the idea that we'll be paying more, and that is an assumption on your part, and a signifigant one at that. From any of the press that has been released, how do you support this claim?

Go back to the early part of this thread. Twice you arrogantly implied that I did not know what I was talking about by telling me to do my research. Don't act so wounded by my telling you to get over something that is inevitable.

Look, historically you could subscribe to all premium channels and get all Hollywood movies at some point. Adding in another premium channel just spreads out those Hollywood movies over more channels. I am very concerned that if a person, say a year from now, wants to watch any given Hollywood movie, they will be forced to include Epix to achieve that. We all know this to be true. But I am saying that whether they go a la carte or part of the movie package, we are going to end up paying more for the same thing.

If anything, a consolidation of premium channels is in order. Not reducing the number of channels, but reducing the number of brands. Instead of HBO and Max, just group all 26 HBO/MAX channels into HBO. Group the TMCs into Showtime, Group the Encores into Starz. They are all the same companies anyway. Why add yet another franchise? I honestly believe consumers wallets lose in this.

At best it is included in the movie package and we get the same movies for the same price, just with an additional channel. We still aren't getting anything new.

At worst, we pay more with an increase in the $30 movie pack (which oddly some markets are already paying $35 for) or Epix costs a la carte.

That is all... it is nothing to get excited about. It isn't new content. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789811 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:16:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789799 R e a p e r :
said by VZ Mark :

I am with you on your desire to see this added to all sub's but if that's the case how would you explain the term 'premium service'? When Eric Rabe says that, I see $$$ signs. Did Epix make this statement to USA Today before the VZ announcement/deal was made? It all depends on the contract...

This could just mean that he intends to make it part of the movie package.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789799 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:14:47 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789787 Greg2600 : Well, Mark, then I'm against it, and with skottey on this. The movie package is a lot of money as it is, and ALL of the channels recycle a shrinking catalog of films. They get fewer and fewer new releases. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789787 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:13:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789766 VZ Mark : I am with you on your desire to see this added to all sub's but if that's the case how would you explain the term 'premium service'? When Eric Rabe says that, I see $$$ signs. Did Epix make this statement to USA Today before the VZ announcement/deal was made? It all depends on the contract...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789766 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:09:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789765 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

I KNOW they were taken away from Showtime. Again... we used to get all Hollywood movies spread out between HBO, Max, Showtime, TMC, Starz, Encore, Flix... etc... one of those channels would eventually have every Hollywood movie

It used to be that the premiums were all a al carte, with the occasional bundle, but some other providers and FIOS are now offering all of them like the $30 movie package. That is a good deal. If Epix is included in that, good deal. If it isn't, bad deal.

My point is that we once were able to get all the Hollywood movies for $30 and that may change.

You point out that I don't yet know how it will be charged in this thread, but let me point out that we don't know yet how it will be charged (same thing, I know). So why the cheering section?

It makes no sense.

If they come out and say that Epix is going to be part of the movie package bundle with no price increase, I am on board. I'll be annoyed with it only being one channel, but I'll be on board. If they say that the movie package is now $40 due to the addition of Epix, I will be displeased. Displeased because they are taking movies from Showtime and putting them on a new channel and adding to the cost. Same content, new channel, new cost.

Why the cheering section? Because FiOS is going to carry this channel, insuring that those of us who love HD movies will continue to have maximum choice.

What makes no sense to me is someone railing against something that is inevitable (that's actually already done).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789765 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:09:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789741 skottey_ :
said by Greg2600 :

skottey, the EPIX movies are not on any other channel, as they've taken them from Showtime. If it's no extra charge, who cares?

I KNOW they were taken away from Showtime. Again... we used to get all Hollywood movies spread out between HBO, Max, Showtime, TMC, Starz, Encore, Flix... etc... one of those channels would eventually have every Hollywood movie

It used to be that the premiums were all a al carte, with the occasional bundle, but some other providers and FIOS are now offering all of them like the $30 movie package. That is a good deal. If Epix is included in that, good deal. If it isn't, bad deal.

My point is that we once were able to get all the Hollywood movies for $30 and that may change.

You point out that I don't yet know how it will be charged in this thread, but let me point out that we don't know yet how it will be charged (same thing, I know). So why the cheering section?

It makes no sense.

If they come out and say that Epix is going to be part of the movie package bundle with no price increase, I am on board. I'll be annoyed with it only being one channel, but I'll be on board. If they say that the movie package is now $40 due to the addition of Epix, I will be displeased. Displeased because they are taking movies from Showtime and putting them on a new channel and adding to the cost. Same content, new channel, new cost. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789741 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:05:45 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789739 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

I'm not contradicting myself. I'm saying I don't care how much they save. But as a business owner, I am pointing out that it would be stupid FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE for them to do something that would lower their earnings. There is no contradiction there. stop looking for things.

Get over it PERIOD? Can't have a civil debate about something? You need to rudely tell me to "get over it."

You just don't get it do you? We are going to end up paying more for the SAME content that once was on Showtime on a newly formed channel and there is a cheering section on this website. More isn't always better. Not when it is spread out over another channel and you pay more for the same thing.

This is the equivalent of you paying $30 to have your lawn cut front and back and then the landscapers stop doing your front yard, doing only the back, but still charging you $30. You then pay $10 for the front yard for a total of $40 for the same thing. We aren't getting anything new. Same job done, different channels (landscapers), higher price.

Why the cheering section over such a thing? Makes no sense to me.

At the heart of your argument is the idea that we'll be paying more, and that is an assumption on your part, and a signifigant one at that. From any of the press that has been released, how do you support this claim?

Go back to the early part of this thread. Twice you arrogantly implied that I did not know what I was talking about by telling me to do my research. Don't act so wounded by my telling you to get over something that is inevitable.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789739 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:05:25 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789724 Greg2600 :
said by VZ Mark :

I would think 'additional charge' might mean a la carte as is the case with Setanta Sports which I pay $14.99/month for. A premium package would not be an additional charge and would also only apply to a 'portion' of VZ's customers as stated in an earlier post in this thread.

Mark, again, that's not what the EPIX people I guess told USA Today. Their goal is to have it included in current packages, with no extra charge to the customer. I'm not paying extra for this channel, and neither will 95% of the subscribers. Bad enough we're being charged 7.99 for sports channels in NNJ/NYC when other regions get them included.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789724 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:03:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789693 VZ Mark : I would think 'additional charge' might mean a la carte as is the case with Setanta Sports which I pay $14.99/month for. A premium package would not be an additional charge and would also only apply to a 'portion' of VZ's customers as stated in an earlier post in this thread. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789693 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:59:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789689 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

said by skottey_ :

If you are making $x by delivering your movies by Showtime, why would you deliver your movies by Epix and make a lesser amount of money? You are leaving money on the table doing this. You being the movie companies of course.
said by skottey_ :

I don't care what is a better deal for the studios.
You're contradicting yourself.

said by skottey_ :

The point is, do we need yet another movie channel? Another channel to pay for with the existing content delivered on another channel?

And why do I care who carries the content as long as I can get it (as we can with FiOS)? (Not to mention that the channel will offer movies that have never aired on Showtime.)

The content is leaving Showtime PERIOD. Get over it.

I'm not contradicting myself. I'm saying I don't care how much they save. But as a business owner, I am pointing out that it would be stupid FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE for them to do something that would lower their earnings. There is no contradiction there. stop looking for things.

Get over it PERIOD? Can't have a civil debate about something? You need to rudely tell me to "get over it."

You just don't get it do you? We are going to end up paying more for the SAME content that once was on Showtime on a newly formed channel and there is a cheering section on this website. More isn't always better. Not when it is spread out over another channel and you pay more for the same thing.

This is the equivalent of you paying $30 to have your lawn cut front and back and then the landscapers stop doing your front yard, doing only the back, but still charging you $30. You then pay $10 for the front yard for a total of $40 for the same thing. We aren't getting anything new. Same job done, different channels (landscapers), higher price.

Why the cheering section over such a thing? Makes no sense to me.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789689 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:58:08 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789621 VZ Mark : Skottey,

Sling boxes aren't always reliable. And as for the handsets, maybe manufacturers will make them with bigger screens if content takes off? Interesting changes indeed, we shall see...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789621 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:46:15 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789618 Greg2600 :
said by VZ Mark :

Greg,

My take is that if you get the service it will be available through all mediums. That's what Eric's statement would lead me to believe.

Woah, that's contrary to the articles from arstechnica and usa today, which said EPIX will not be an additional charge. If it is, then that backs up skottey's argument that we'll be charged more for something we were already getting 9 months ago. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789618 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:45:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789606 VZ Mark : Greg,

My take is that if you get the service it will be available through all mediums. That's what Eric's statement would lead me to believe. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789606 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:43:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789600 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

If you are making $x by delivering your movies by Showtime, why would you deliver your movies by Epix and make a lesser amount of money? You are leaving money on the table doing this. You being the movie companies of course.
said by skottey_ :

I don't care what is a better deal for the studios.
You're contradicting yourself.

said by skottey_ :

The point is, do we need yet another movie channel? Another channel to pay for with the existing content delivered on another channel?

And why do I care what channel has the content as long as I can get it (as we can with FiOS)? (Not to mention that the channel will offer movies that have never aired on Showtime.)

The content is leaving Showtime PERIOD. Get over it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789600 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:43:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789577 Greg2600 : skottey, the EPIX movies are not on any other channel, as they've taken them from Showtime. If it's no extra charge, who cares?

VZMark, to clarify, you're saying epix.com and cellphone delivery may be premium, but the channel and VOD would be included in present movie or extreme package?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789577 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:40:05 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789554 skottey_ :
said by VZ Mark :

Premium to me means we will have to pay extra for sure. Eric Rabe is the VP for Public Affairs, Policy and Communications and if he says premium it will not be free. Especially since it will be available through several delivery methods. Not so sure how much I would watch on a handset, but laptops would be very cool!

Get a slingbox and all channels are available on your laptop. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789554 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:36:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789547 skottey_ : I don't care what is a better deal for the studios. I only care about my own cost. I am not cheap. In fact, I thank I can safely say that I probably pay more for services than most on here, subscribing to FIOS TV and Internet, RR with static IP for biz, and DirecTV. So it isn't like I am not willing to spend money on entertainment. I am The point is we already have several branded premium channels. HBO/MAX, Showtime/TMC, Starz/Encore, IFC, Flix, and of course others like HDNET movies and MGM.

The point is, do we need yet another movie channel? Another channel to pay for with the existing content delivered on another channel? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789547 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:35:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789533 VZ Mark : Premium to me means we will have to pay extra for sure. Eric Rabe is the VP for Public Affairs, Policy and Communications and if he says premium it will not be free. Especially since it will be available through several delivery methods. Not so sure how much I would watch on a handset, but laptops would be very cool! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789533 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:32:18 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789418 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

If you are making $x by delivering your movies by Showtime, why would you deliver your movies by Epix and make a lesser amount of money? You are leaving money on the table doing this. You being the movie companies of course.

Yes, the movie studios were getting money from Showtime (I presume that you don't know how much, and neither do I). They will now be getting money directly from carriers based on their carriage agreements (again assuming that we don't know how much).

These studios made a business decision. The revenue may or may not be the same, but owning the channel will give them all manner of marketing potential that they didn't have before. They'll be able to show trailers as much as they want, they'll be able to do sneak previews to generate interest, etc. After all, they make their big money at the box office and through DVD/Blu-ray sales.

My point being that you don't know that this won't be a better deal for the studios in the mid to long term.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789418 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:11:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789304 skottey_ :
said by VZ Mark :

Looks like multiple delivery methods:

Epix, the joint venture movie service from Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate, has snagged its first affiliate pact, landing a multiplatform rollout with Verizon's FiOS TV.
The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, will place Epix on FiOS's TV lineup as both a standard- and high-definition channel, via FiOS Internet, as well as through delivery on wireless devices and on the telco's on-demand platform.

For entire article...

»www.multichannel.com/article/316···FiOS.php

Yeah, I think we are all aware of that, but thanks for the response. The question isn't how they will deliver Epix, the question is what package it will be in. I am saying I don't want to pay extra for the $30 ($35 in some markets) movie package because of the addition of Epix. It is a new channel, not new content.

If the price of the movie package stays the same and we get Epix included, and Epix adds more HD linear channels, I'm all for it. But if is one channel, that is a bummer because those are the same movies we had on Showtime and all its multichannels previously. The only thing it offers is different is that you can watch it on your Verizon phone. I wouldn't do that. First off, I don't have Verizon for cell service. Secondly, I can watch any channel via Slingbox already on my phone. It is a novelty though. I would never sit and watch a whole move on my Pocket PC or an Iphone. I mainly use it for my security cameras.

Admittedly, Epix could turn out OK. I just want people to realize they really aren't getting anything new and it may come at an added cost.

The guy above said it is a premium so therefore it will be in the movie package. That is not necessarily true at all. There are other premiums that are not included in the movie package. That gay channel Here for one. The Jewish Channel for another. Too Hot For TV (or whatever it is called) for another. I think there is a wrestling channel too and of course adult movie channels. So it may or may not be included in the movie package.

I am just saying I will not pay extra for it as a stand alone premium and be bummed that the movie distribution of me getting those films on Showtime now means I am missing movies I would have got for the $30 package in the past.

Again..... we'll see how it turns out. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789304 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:54:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789178 VZ Mark : Looks like multiple delivery methods:

Epix, the joint venture movie service from Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate, has snagged its first affiliate pact, landing a multiplatform rollout with Verizon's FiOS TV.
The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, will place Epix on FiOS's TV lineup as both a standard- and high-definition channel, via FiOS Internet, as well as through delivery on wireless devices and on the telco's on-demand platform.

For entire article...

»www.multichannel.com/article/316···FiOS.php]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789178 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:32:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789164 nascar : »forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at···903#C115

"By Eric_Rabe

...EPIX is a premium channel – customers who subscribe will get all of the content available with the channel, plus everything on demand. Also, customers will be able to access some content via FiOS Internet and Verizon Wireless mobile devices.

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any further questions and of course, thanks for reading the Verizon at Home blog.

-- Eric"

So I guess this means it is part of the Movie Package.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22789164 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:57 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22788293 skottey_ :
said by chitchatjf :

Showtime has given an 18 month window between theratical release and Showtime premirere on movies.

starz and HBO is generally a year.

Epix promises 9 months.

The whole distribution chain needs revised-

movie release at cinema
1 month after it stops airing on its last cinema screen, bluray release, DVD release, and PPV release
3 months after it is released on media and its PPV run of a month, it hits the premium channels for three months
4 months after the last airing on the premium channels it hits basic cables, chopped and diced with commercials

So within a year the cycle of cinema, PPV, dics, Premium channels, and basic cable should all be hit.... this 18 month business is ridiculous.

As I have said my concern with Epix is if they make it an additional fee premium channel since it is really nothing new that we don't get with Showtime (albeit faster delivery) and the fact that it is going to have one channel of HD, not the multichannels we are used to for our premiums.

The best case scenerio would be Epix HD on five or more channels at no additional cost to the movie package.

A worst case scenario would be 1 lonely channel of Epix at an additional cost with all the good movies Showtime once had or a free but commercialized channel of Epix.

Guys... I am hoping for the best, just saying it isn't clearly all roses. I am by no means stuck on old ways and stuck on the status quo. That isn't my mentality at all. I love change, change for the BETTER. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22788293 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:49:13 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787155 chitchatjf : Showtime has given an 18 month window between theratical release and Showtime premirere on movies.

starz and HBO is generally a year.

Epix promises 9 months.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787155 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:01 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787134 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

I think I was pretty clear Skottey. What are you confused by?

You are saying " want the status quo unchanged." It isn't about that at all. I'm just stating reality. If you are making $x by delivering your movies by Showtime, why would you deliver your movies by Epix and make a lesser amount of money? You are leaving money on the table doing this. You being the movie companies of course.

I don't understand why everyone is getting excited over Epix. It is yet another channel that will either need to be another premium channel, which they stated (either a higher cost of the movie package or a la carte pricing) for the same stuff you got previously when the films were on Showtime. Or, it is distributed as an ad based channel. Additionally, it is ONE channel, not multichannels.

This is the equivalent of having a paid membership to a wholesale club like Sams or Costco. Let's say you pay $50 a year to get in the door and buy everything like you do now. But the distributor of the food for Costco decides they are going to split off from Costco and open their own wholesale food store. Suddenly, you would have to pay two $50 annual fees for access to the food in one store and dry goods in the other. You are getting NOTHING new or NOTHING more. You are just paying more for the same thing. That is the exact same thing as we are seeing here with Epix. They will not make as much money distributing these films in this fashion and have to make up for it in another way... ads. And we are not talking ads before and after a movie. That is stupid. Nobody cares or watches ads before and after a movie. They make their money slicing and dicing movies and selling ads during movies.

Let's just see how it goes. I have a feeling I will sadly be saying, "I told you so."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787134 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:53:10 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22785752 R e a p e r : I think I was pretty clear Skottey. What are you confused by?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22785752 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:53:07 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22785286 skottey_ : "It’s obvious that you want the status quo to remain unchanged, but sorry, that’s not going to happen. And I for one am excited by the new possibilities."

WTF?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22785286 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:10:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22784002 R e a p e r :
said by skottey_ :

Please just go Google the history of how Epix came to be and where the movies are coming from. What I am saying is that if they are another premium channel, which they said they were, that they will either be in the movie package or a stand alone fee as a premium channel. Anything less, like being part of the HD Extreme, will mean the channel will have to be ad supported. The reason I say this is because they are running first run movies in the premium channel chain of things. It costs more to own HBO and put a movie on in that phase than it does when it trickles down to being on Spike with commercials. I am saying, how can they fit in a category with HDNET and MGM who don't have commercials but are included in a lesser than premium package? The cost doesn't make sense. They are taking all that money off the table they used to get from Showtime and giving those movies to us on a FREE commercial free channel out of the kindness of their heart? There must be a catch. Either it is stand alone premium, part of the $30 (or $35 in your market) movie package, or part of HD Extreme but ad supported.

The best we could cope for is it being in the movie package WITHOUT them charging more. Because we are getting nothing new. Just the same content shifted over from Showtime.

Skottey: I have followed the developments of Epix from the beginning so kindly stop assuming that I do not know the situation.

It has been reported that Showtime wanted to give these studios less money for their movies so that they could spend more on original series, so the studios decided to start their own premium movie channel. When that was greeted with cool response by carriers, the group changed their strategy and pricing model so that carriers would have the flexibility to offer the channel with their premium movie offerings OR in a lower tier package. (Like wmcbrine, I read that their new price point would be comparable to ESPN’s rather than HBO’s.)

If Epix is successful, I would not be surprised to see them create multiplex channels over time. And Epix does not have to be successful right out of the gate; their business plan should contain provisions for initial losses and for not realizing a profit for a reasonable amount of time, perhaps five years. It is not as if this is a startup company, it’s only a startup venture. The combined studios have a LOT of capital.

As you and I have discussed previously on this forum, I believe that Showtime will find new sources of movies, even if they are all from independent studios.

I would not mind if Epix is ad supported, provided that they run the commercials in between movies only. I watch most movies via my DVR anyway. But as many others have pointed out, because the studios already own these movies, the cost of delivering the service will not be as high as the premium movie channels.

And we will be getting something new, all of the recent movies that they’ve been holding back from Showtime. I’ve also read that they intend to start running movies sooner after their theatrical release than any other premium movie channel. And perhaps they’ll run more of their back catalog than Showtime ever did.

It’s obvious that you want the status quo to remain unchanged, but sorry, that’s not going to happen. And I for one am excited by the new possibilities.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22784002 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:07:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22783127 Greg2600 : JPL you make excellent points. Since EPIX owns the movies, they cut out that distribution fee. But as skottey says, at some point, their business model will have to change. They'll have to expand the number of channels, and I suppose take more from Showtime.

I'm very interested in what they offer on demand. Perhaps it will be a service similar to the wealth of movies on Movieplex VOD. It's great news though that Verizon is adding the channel at no extra cost (for now!).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22783127 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:42:39 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782849 JPL :
said by chitchatjf :

EVEN HDNet Movies has started airing commericals I saw one ofr six flags earlier this week -although in BETWEEN features.

Although many of those "show films before they hit theatres" films are pretty good.

a)They all come from JUST Magnolia,a studio Mark Cuban OWNS!

b)Theatrical release is quite limited generally restricted to Landmark theatres

Correct - the movies that they air prior to hitting the theaters are from Magnolia, which is partly owned by Cuban. But doesn't that further support my point? Cuban is part owner of the film company, and is the owner of the distribution company. And he airs his movies for free prior to distribution to the theaters.

Epix is a creation of various studios. Isn't this an analogous situation? The studios create the movies... and now they're creating a direct-to-cable distribution arm. I'm not saying that they'll air movies prior to theatrical release, but if HD Net is a model, then it stands to reason to believe that Epix will show these movies uncut and uninterrupted.

As for ads BETWEEN showings... those I could care less about. Really the issue is - will they interrupt movies that they're showing? That's what I think the issue is.

Point is - we don't know the terms of the deal. We don't know much about what the channel will be airing, or how. But to get some inkling it's more valid, in my opinion, to look at HD Net over, say, AMC.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782849 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:45:17 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782828 chitchatjf : EVEN HDNet Movies has started airing commericals I saw one ofr six flags earlier this week -although in BETWEEN features.

Although many of those "show films before they hit theatres" films are pretty good.

a)They all come from JUST Magnolia,a studio Mark Cuban OWNS!

b)Theatrical release is quite limited generally restricted to Landmark theatres ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782828 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:39:27 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782800 JPL :
said by skottey_ :

said by JPL :

Absolutely - look we don't know the terms of the deal, but to believe that every channel that's included in a basic tier HAS to have commercials is wrong. Look at HDNet Movies, for crying out loud. It's included in the base package, and provides movies uncut and uninterrupted.

HDNet does NOT have distribution for first run of movies between PPV and basic cable. They are the basic cable equivalent. They air movies that have previously premiered on cable on HBO/SHO/Starz after leaving PPV.
That's not totally true. They just aired Answer Man - before it got to the theaters. They did the same with Surveillance... Finding Amanda... Flawless... and a number of other movies. All were shown on demand at the same time - for a nominal fee. But all were aired for free on HD Net Movies, uncut and uninterrupted.

Edit - One other point with this. Epix is a creation of these studios. That can't be said of channels like Showtime, which has to license the movies they show from the studios. When the studio becomes the distribution channel for the movie, they don't have to license anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782800 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:31:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782663 skottey_ :
said by JPL :

Absolutely - look we don't know the terms of the deal, but to believe that every channel that's included in a basic tier HAS to have commercials is wrong. Look at HDNet Movies, for crying out loud. It's included in the base package, and provides movies uncut and uninterrupted.

HDNet does NOT have distribution for first run of movies between PPV and basic cable. They are the basic cable equivalent. They air movies that have previously premiered on cable on HBO/SHO/Starz after leaving PPV. That is a huge difference. It costs a lot more to be the early distributor. While I appreciate HDNET, I cannot see how Epix could show first run movies AND be in the HD Extreme package, without commercials.

Somebody said that cable companies started slipping ads in because they could, not because they had to. Well sure they had to. There are hundreds of channels nobody watches. This programming needs to be paid for somehow. Don't you think AMC heard an uproar when they went ad supported? They made a statement that they had to in order to buy newer, fresher movies, and that was the trade off.

There is always a trade off. Somebody, somehow, will put the same amount or more in the pockets of the owners of Epix than they were getting from distributing to Showtime. This could come in the form of another channel in our $30/$35 movie package, a stand alone premium, or gasp, ad supported on the HD Extreme level. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782663 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:56:37 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782634 skottey_ :
said by wmcbrine :

said by skottey_ :

This current business model idea is going to REQUIRE commercials.
Nonsense. I'm old enough to remember when lots of "basic cable" channels were ad-free, and there are still a few of those. Ads crept in over time because the providers could get away with it, not necessarily because they needed the revenue to keep operating.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, that HBO gets $10 per customer, and that 1/10th* of cable subscribers pick it up. Now suppose that Epix charges only $1 -- but gets that from every cable subscriber, because it's in the basic package. Their costs don't increase as the number of subscribers increases, so they make as much money as HBO. $1 is very low for a premium, high for "basic cable" -- but still less than ESPN.

* Wikipedia suggests that it's actually more like 1/3rd. But anyway...

The problem is that only Verizon has picked it up so far. My biggest beef with this is that all they did is not renew distribution deals with Showtime and form their own channel. This sounds good on the face but keep in mind there is an established chain of distribution through Showtime with multichannels, some of which that are in HD. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782634 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:46:26 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782618 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

Skottey: So now that it seems pretty clear that there won't be an extra cost to customers for Epix, you swing to the extreme of the channel interupting movies with adds. This is pure speculation on your part.

Please just go Google the history of how Epix came to be and where the movies are coming from. What I am saying is that if they are another premium channel, which they said they were, that they will either be in the movie package or a stand alone fee as a premium channel. Anything less, like being part of the HD Extreme, will mean the channel will have to be ad supported. The reason I say this is because they are running first run movies in the premium channel chain of things. It costs more to own HBO and put a movie on in that phase than it does when it trickles down to being on Spike with commercials. I am saying, how can they fit in a category with HDNET and MGM who don't have commercials but are included in a lesser than premium package? The cost doesn't make sense. They are taking all that money off the table they used to get from Showtime and giving those movies to us on a FREE commercial free channel out of the kindness of their heart? There must be a catch. Either it is stand alone premium, part of the $30 (or $35 in your market) movie package, or part of HD Extreme but ad supported.

The best we could cope for is it being in the movie package WITHOUT them charging more. Because we are getting nothing new. Just the same content shifted over from Showtime.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782618 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:42:06 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782434 JPL :
said by wmcbrine :

said by skottey_ :

This current business model idea is going to REQUIRE commercials.
Nonsense. I'm old enough to remember when lots of "basic cable" channels were ad-free, and there are still a few of those. Ads crept in over time because the providers could get away with it, not necessarily because they needed the revenue to keep operating.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, that HBO gets $10 per customer, and that 1/10th* of cable subscribers pick it up. Now suppose that Epix charges only $1 -- but gets that from every cable subscriber, because it's in the basic package. Their costs don't increase as the number of subscribers increases, so they make as much money as HBO. $1 is very low for a premium, high for "basic cable" -- but still less than ESPN.

* Wikipedia suggests that it's actually more like 1/3rd. But anyway...

Absolutely - look we don't know the terms of the deal, but to believe that every channel that's included in a basic tier HAS to have commercials is wrong. Look at HDNet Movies, for crying out loud. It's included in the base package, and provides movies uncut and uninterrupted.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782434 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:15:53 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782059 chitchatjf : Do not rule out the possibility of having it on Extreme HD.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22782059 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:51:41 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781845 wmcbrine :
said by skottey_ :

This current business model idea is going to REQUIRE commercials.
Nonsense. I'm old enough to remember when lots of "basic cable" channels were ad-free, and there are still a few of those. Ads crept in over time because the providers could get away with it, not necessarily because they needed the revenue to keep operating.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, that HBO gets $10 per customer, and that 1/10th* of cable subscribers pick it up. Now suppose that Epix charges only $1 -- but gets that from every cable subscriber, because it's in the basic package. Their costs don't increase as the number of subscribers increases, so they make as much money as HBO. $1 is very low for a premium, high for "basic cable" -- but still less than ESPN.

* Wikipedia suggests that it's actually more like 1/3rd. But anyway...
--
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781845 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:18:36 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781837 R e a p e r : Skottey: So now that it seems pretty clear that there won't be an extra cost to customers for Epix, you swing to the extreme of the channel interupting movies with adds. This is pure speculation on your part.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781837 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:16:44 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781472 skottey_ :
said by nascar :

Not sure if this will apply in October but this is what has been said...

»arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/···epix.ars

"That doesn't sound so new, but Epix will be bundled directly into cable packages; under the current business model, it will never appear as a separate charge on the bill and will never have to be added to a package. If Epix can convince enough cable operators to sign on (it isn't yet announcing partners), the service will have an immediate competitive advantage over pay-TV channels with an additional monthly fee."

»www.usatoday.com/money/media/200···el_N.htm

"Greenberg wants operators to include Epix in their packages of digital, movie or HD channels — it wouldn't appear as a separate charge on customers' bills the way premium services usually do. He'll sweeten the deal by making the channel's movies and shows available to their video-on-demand services."

Oh my gosh... it sounds even worse than previously discussed. This current business model idea is going to REQUIRE commercials. Cinema->DVD->PPV->premium channels->basic cable channels with commercials has been the traditional business model. Premium channels are by their very nature an extra charge, whether bundled together or a la carte. If they end up in a basic, non movie package, they will need to be ad supported. What channels do we get without an extra fee of some sort that don't have ads? Flix and Encore. Those two channels play movies after the big players have aired them. Encore, owned by Starz, airs the movies AFTER they have been run on Starz.

Something does need to give, as stated.

I do not watch edited, commercial laced movies. That would be a shame if what once ran on Showtime commercial free for a fee is no included in a basic package, WITH COMMERCIALS!

I just get a negative vibe about Epix. But we shall see. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781472 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:44:34 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781450 Greg2600 : Ah well that sounds much better. Thanks for all your research nascar.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781450 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:40:33 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781046 nascar : Not sure if this will apply in October but this is what has been said...

»arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/···epix.ars

"That doesn't sound so new, but Epix will be bundled directly into cable packages; under the current business model, it will never appear as a separate charge on the bill and will never have to be added to a package. If Epix can convince enough cable operators to sign on (it isn't yet announcing partners), the service will have an immediate competitive advantage over pay-TV channels with an additional monthly fee."

»www.usatoday.com/money/media/200···el_N.htm

"Greenberg wants operators to include Epix in their packages of digital, movie or HD channels — it wouldn't appear as a separate charge on customers' bills the way premium services usually do. He'll sweeten the deal by making the channel's movies and shows available to their video-on-demand services."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22781046 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:14:20 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780848 JPL :
said by wmcbrine :

To everyone referring to "the $30 movie package" -- you realize it's already gone up to $35, right? Or at least it will when your contract ends. Hopefully that covers the cost of Epix, but I don't know.

Yes, it's now $35, but no, his price won't (shouldn't?) increase when his contract expires. I have their movie pack and I'm still paying $13/month, even though it's now, IIRC, $14 - $15/month. They tend to grandfather you into these prices.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780848 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:30:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780776 Greg2600 : skottey, again I think something will have to give, in terms of Showtime. How can they continue to exist without movies to show? Well, I guess they could just do what Starz does, and show the same 5 movies 24/7. No fault of FIOS, but the movie package stinks, and its the studio/network fault. There are thousands of movies from the 60's through the 90's, but very few of them ever get airtime on the movie package channels. I can only assume its the studios not wanting to pay out residuals.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780776 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:15:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780676 skottey_ :
said by wmcbrine :

To everyone referring to "the $30 movie package" -- you realize it's already gone up to $35, right? Or at least it will when your contract ends. Hopefully that covers the cost of Epix, but I don't know.

Interesting, I JUST saw an ad for the $30 movie package being advertised as $30. Perhaps it goes by market.

I don't mind paying $35, as it is still a good deal. But would you rather have the SAME movies spread out over multiple Showtime channels at various times or all crammed onto one channel of Epix with even more repeats on Showtime? They should have left well enough alone.

As far as contracts, in the Florida Gulf Coast market I am not on a contract for TV, only the Internet portion, and my movie package is still $30. Not sure about your market.

Edit: Let me correct what may appear as a contradiction to myself. Taking Epix out of the equation, I don't mind paying $35 instead of $30 for the movie package we get. What I am saying is that I don't want to see it raise specifically because of Epix, when all Epix is is the movies that were previously distributed to Showtime. It isn't new content, only a new home for existing movie studios. I would expect the $30 package to go up eventually, as it is the best deal for all premiums I have ever had, given the fact so many are in HD. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780676 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:57:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780648 skottey_ :
said by R e a p e r :

Skottey: where is it indicated in any of the articles that this channel will NOT be included in the $30 movie package, or even in a lower tier package? The only thing that I read about price was a Verizon official saying that they got a good deal.

Don't be so pessimistic. Let's wait and see.

Do you know the history of how Epix came about?

It doesn't say for sure that Epix will not be part of the $30 movie package. I am saying that if it is a stand alone premium channel I have no use for it. It is supposed to be a stand alone premium. That isn't to say that FIOS won't put it into the movie package (and probably raise the rate). But it goes way beyond them just adding another premium. Showtime is losing/lost 2/3 of their major Hollywood studios in the forming of Epix. Epix is one channel. Showtime has dozens. It is basically the same selection of movies that once was on Showtime, crammed into one channel and intended to charge independent as a premium. They (owners of Epix) want us to buy another premium service, as if HBO/MAX/SHO/TMC/ENC/STARZ aren't enough. It may make it to that movie package but it will not be in a lesser package. Let's just see. I personally won't buy it as a stand alone premium and will nto be happy if the $30 package increases to say $35. It isn't as if we are getting new content. Same content, different channel. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780648 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:51:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780628 wmcbrine : To everyone referring to "the $30 movie package" -- you realize it's already gone up to $35, right? Or at least it will when your contract ends. Hopefully that covers the cost of Epix, but I don't know.
--
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780628 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:48:28 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780371 Greg2600 : I'm willing to wait and see, Reaper. I think they're nuts not to offer it in the bundles with the other stuff, or include it for those who have the bundles. The real fight will come a year or so from now, or whenever Showtime and others' contracts end for the old movies EPIX will likely take back control of in the future. Regardless, the biggest rip-off in cable TV will continue to be HBO/Max, whose movie selection and original series aren't much better than the rest, and yet they cost twice as much.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780371 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:03:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780257 R e a p e r : Skottey: where is it indicated in any of the articles that this channel will NOT be included in the $30 movie package, or even in a lower tier package? The only thing that I read about price was a Verizon official saying that they got a good deal.

Don't be so pessimistic. Let's wait and see.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22780257 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:45:51 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779728 skottey_ : This is worthless to me if they don't add it to the $30 movie package. I'm not paying for another premium channel.

You people need to realize that the Hollywood film companies distributing movies to Epix were previously distributing films to Showtime/TMC. So if it is not included in the movie package, you are going to have to pay more to get a new premium channel that basically covers the same Hollywood movies that you got up until a short time ago on Showtime. You are paying more for the same thing. That is nothing to get excited about and refer to as "good news."

Are they going to have multichannels? It doesn't look like it. So, we have all those HD Showtime channels with nothing to air and one channel of Epix HD that you possibly have to pay extra for.

Sounds like a horrible thing to me. Be careful what you wish for people. It ain't all roses.

I for one will not pay extra for yet another premium channel. If it is included in the $30 movie package, fine, but even then we won't have all the multichannels. It appears to be one linear channel. But no way will most people pay for another premium that adds just about nothing new. Same movies, new channel... some original series.. but will they be second rate like the original series offerings of Starz (oooh, wow... Crash.. WTF?)or will they be good series, comedy, and concerts like Showtime and HBO has historically had?

We'll see.

I'm always up for new channels but I'd have liked to have seen those movie distribution deals remain with Showtime who has an established set of HD multichannels with more on the way as opposed to ONE new channel that may cost extra. Just my opinion. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779728 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:07:55 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779385 Greg2600 : Additional points from those links....

1. EPIX original series won't start until 2010, but live events will air this fall (music and comedy).

2. Verizon will give FiOS TV customers access to a preview of Epix on-demand and epixhd.com in the coming weeks.

3. EPIX itself launches in October, though Eric Rabe didn't specify whether Verizon would have it right away.

My and most of your question is, how much extra will this cost? I already have a bundle, and frankly I don't know if I want to pay for this channel. I feel they should just add it to the $30 full movie bundle I already have! Especially since the movie assortment on HBO, Max, Showtime, TMC, Starz, and Encore combined isn't anything to write home about anymore.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779385 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:13:46 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779183 Rattler : Seems like it might be logical for the lower 800's. All the SD sports stuff in the low 300's that would have the ir HD counterparts there is down in the upper 500's. They basically have 40 open HD channels to choose from. And, that puts it up with the movie genre. Where to put the SD might be a little more "interesting".
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22779183 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:43:50 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778862 chitchatjf : Now the question is what channel/channels will the linear service be on?

perhaps somewhere in the lower 800s. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778862 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:59:12 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778851 R e a p e r : Cool beans! FiOS TV continues to be a leader in HD premium movie content.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778851 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:57:16 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778738 nascar : »forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at···0160#A96]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22778738 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:37:40 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777675 Earleyp : Verizon will offer Epix a la carte and in bundles

»www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/con···c39f37c9]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777675 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:35:19 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777539 cdru :
said by JeepMatt :

Or, it could mean it will be part of a "premium" package.
said by KenAF :

Remember, not every FiOS customer has HD Extreme. Some still have or Essentials or Premiere.
That could be. It's just worded strangely though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777539 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:16:03 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777522 KenAF :
said by cdru :

Other then being oddly worded, the "a portion" part is interesting. I wonder if some areas (e.g Frontier-bound areas) won't be getting it.

Remember, not every FiOS customer has HD Extreme. Some still have or Essentials or Premiere.

When Verizon says it "reaches" 2.5 million households, that is a reference to its 2.5 million TV subscribers. Verizon reaches far more households than that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777522 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:12:30 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777424 JeepMatt : Cdru-
Or, it could mean it will be part of a "premium" package.

Nonetheless, excellent news! But yes, bad grammar. :p]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777424 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:55:31 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777180 cdru : There isn't too much more in the article.

quote:
Viacom's Epix Channel Has First Deal With Verizon >VIA

By Nat Worden
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Philippe Dauman, chief executive with Viacom Inc. (VIA), said Tuesday that the company's upstart movie channel, Epix, has signed its first distribution deal with Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ).

The deal, announced on a conference call following Viacom's second-quarter earnings release, will allow Epix to be carried on Verizon's Fios TV service, reaching a portion of its portion of the 2.5 million households it reaches.

The deal marks the first bit of traction for the 15-month-old venture, owned by Viacom, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Media competitors have voiced doubts about the network's prospects for winning paying subscribers, as many consumers already pay for Time Warner Inc.'s (TWX) HBO and CBS Corp.'s (CBS) Showtime.

-By Nat Worden, Dow Jones Newswires; (212) 416-2472; nat.worden@dowjones.com

Other then being oddly worded, the "a portion" part is interesting. I wonder if some areas (e.g Frontier-bound areas) won't be getting it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777180 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:14:54 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777112 nascar : I don't subscribe either. But you can get more here if you'd like...

»news.google.com/news?um=1&ned=us···coring=n]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777112 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:01:59 EDT Re: Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777065 matcarl : Can you copy and paste the entire article? It says you have to subscribe to read it. Good find, thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777065 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:53:24 EDT Epix http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777057 nascar : Looks like Verizon is getting Epix

»online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-200···247.html

»www.epixhd.com/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22777057 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:51:20 EDT