More HD Sometime

[steve51wv]

Well, here we are still without ESPN2 HD. I saw a post on this site earlier about D* still needing to assign a channel and launch date. Let's see, channels 90 - 99 are now available as the NFL Sunday Ticket is over, maybe they could think about using some of those for things like ESPN2HD, TNT HD, STARX HD, TMC HD, CINEMAX HD, and the list goes on and on. I have a funny feeling the HD we receive now will be known as the "Basic" HD and when they start adding more channels, we again will have to cough up more money to get them. They really have us over a barrel as Dish Network isn't much better as far as HD content goes and VOOM seems to be doomed or sold sometime in the near future. I've heard different stories about the new MPEG4 delivery for HD. Some say you will need new receivers, others say our current receivers will be upgradeable from the satellite. Of course there are no CSR's at D* that can answer that question or why we can't get all the National HD feeds. I guess we just sit back and are at the mercy of when D* will start offering more HD channels.....

[rbinck]

There are still many unanswered questions concerning the new HD capability. Right now it looks like you will have to spend more money to be able to keep D* HD service. The new satellite service will be in the Ka band and the rumor is that many current receivers will not be compatable even if the software can be downloaded. I am interested in the Zenith SAT-520 as I have sold several of these and I'm gonna have to have an answer. Since I can't sell them a new receiver (D* has dropped all of the 3rd party licenses) I need to know where to send them, probably a lot will go to cable, if available.

Here is a reply D* is sending out for inquires about the mpeg4 service rendering current receivers obsolete:

Dear xxxxx,

Thanks for writing. I can assure you that DIRECTV has a strong relationship with
TiVo and we have not ended our relationship with them, no matter what you may have
heard or read. DIRECTV held a small equity stake in TiVo which we sold, but this
transaction will have no impact on customers who have (or are thinking about
getting) our DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service.

We continue to offer the DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service, and DIRECTV DVR with TiVo
receivers will still be available for purchase in standard or high definition
format.

Our plans to utilize the MPEG-4 compression format are in the earliest stages of
development, and will take place over a period of several years. Please be assured
that your current equipment is sufficient to receive our HD programming for the
foreseeable future. Ultimately, the implementation of this technology will allow us
to offer a lot more HD programming without constantly expanding satellite capacity.
In the past, technological developments like this have sometimes warranted the need
for equipment upgrades, and DIRECTV makes every effort to provide those upgrades at
a minimal cost (and in many cases free) to our customers.

Thanks again for writing and stay tuned to DIRECTV.com -> About Us -> Headlines for
the latest news and information about our service.

Sincerely,

Alan
DIRECTV Customer Service

Sounds like the typical D* hedge. Wonder if they will do what E* has done and come right out and say wheather the existing receivers are going to work with mpeg4 or not. Of course if they did, it might have some bearing on their receiver sales in the near term.

Wonder what they consider the forseeable future?

[SHOSHOSHO]

Originally Posted by steve51wv

They really have us over a barrel as Dish Network isn't much better as far as HD content goes and VOOM seems to be doomed or sold sometime in the near future.

So what if Voom is sold, I seriously doubt they will just shut off all the HD programming. It would be a great high end service for Directv or Dish. GO with VOOM even 1 month would be worth all the great HD!!!!!!! SD even looks better on VOOM! (Seriously, they use less compression than Directv)

[rbinck]

SD even looks better on VOOM! (Seriously, they use less compression than Directv)

I agree with that SHOSHOSHO. But you will get others that will argue the point.

[calicogang]

rbinck: Any idea if the The Hd-DVR from Hughes will be able to view the MPEG4? I have heard different stories that it may or may not work. Mark

[rbinck]

I don't know. The rumor is that the existing receivers will not be compatable with the Ka band that D* is going to use for the new mpeg4 formats. The current HD Tivo I have seen both said that it is and it will not be. D* is not talking yet.


It may be they will leave the current HD channels mpeg2, so as to not totally obsolete current receivers.

[calicogang]

Thanks for the info. We will have to wait and see.

[rbinck]

According to a press release posted here: DTV Announces 1st 12 Markets to Get Local Channels In HD D* has said this:

Initially DIRECTV will carry each of the primary broadcast networks that offer an HD feed in the market and customers who subscribe to a local channel package will receive both the standard and HD signal. HD local programming will be received via a single dish -- slightly larger than the current standard dish -- and customers will require new HD set top boxes due to new compression technology.

So not only will receivers have to be replaced, a new dish installed as well.