Looking at my first HD display...some DirecTV ?'s

[aktick]

So I'm finally thinking of getting my first HD-capable display - an Infocus 4805 projector. (FWIW, I will be keeping my 32" non-HD TV in the room)

I currently have a D*Tivo in the room, and get my locals through it as well. I'm trying to figure out if I can get OTA HD channels - if I can, how does that work with an HD-D*Tivo? Can you record OTA HD on it? And are the OTA HD channels "included" on the same input (i.e., will I have to switch inputs to watch locals like I had to with my D*Tivo before locals were available here?)?

Do non-HD channels on the HD-D*Tivo look the same as on a non-HD Tivo? Recording of these non-HD channels works just the same?

If I can't get HD channels OTA, could I "move" to Chicago (I live south of Madison, WI, a couple hours W/NW of Chicago) to get their locals in HD - they do have locals available in HD their, don't they? Or are the satellites used different for HD channels?

I'm sure more questions will come up, but thanks for any help.

[flmgrip]

So I'm finally thinking of getting my first HD-capable display - an Infocus 4805 projector. (FWIW, I will be keeping my 32" non-HD TV in the room)

I currently have a D*Tivo in the room, and get my locals through it as well. I'm trying to figure out if I can get OTA HD channels - if I can, how does that work with an HD-D*Tivo? Can you record OTA HD on it? And are the OTA HD channels "included" on the same input (i.e., will I have to switch inputs to watch locals like I had to with my D*Tivo before locals were available here?)?

Do non-HD channels on the HD-D*Tivo look the same as on a non-HD Tivo? Recording of these non-HD channels works just the same?

If I can't get HD channels OTA, could I "move" to Chicago (I live south of Madison, WI, a couple hours W/NW of Chicago) to get their locals in HD - they do have locals available in HD their, don't they? Or are the satellites used different for HD channels?

I'm sure more questions will come up, but thanks for any help.

a little search will give you more in depth answers but here real quick:

I currently have a D*Tivo in the room, and get my locals through it as well. I'm trying to figure out if I can get OTA HD channels - if I can, how does that work with an HD-D*Tivo? Can you record OTA HD on it? And are the OTA HD channels "included" on the same input (i.e., will I have to switch inputs to watch locals like I had to with my D*Tivo before locals were available here?)?
.

it works seamless, OTA or if you'd be lucky the locals tru D* channels 81-89, but either way recording HD, local and anything else is a one stop shopping...


Do non-HD channels on the HD-D*Tivo look the same as on a non-HD Tivo? Recording of these non-HD channels works just the same?
.

yes and yes



If I can't get HD channels OTA, could I "move" to Chicago (I live south of Madison, WI, a couple hours W/NW of Chicago) to get their locals in HD - they do have locals available in HD their, don't they? Or are the satellites used different for HD channels?

.

someone else has to answers that or do a search on "chicago HD" or someting like that :)

[stevel]

Chicago HD locals from DirecTV are on the new MPEG4 satellites which the HD DTiVo cannot see.

[aktick]

Chicago HD locals from DirecTV are on the new MPEG4 satellites which the HD DTiVo cannot see.
Aaaah, I see, thanks. So the H20 (that's the new model, right?) is the only receiver that can pick up MPEG4?

I hate to ask before I look, but when are the new HD-DVRs supposed to be out?

[litzdog911]

Aaaah, I see, thanks. So the H20 (that's the new model, right?) is the only receiver that can pick up MPEG4?

I hate to ask before I look, but when are the new HD-DVRs supposed to be out?

1. Yes
2. We don't really know. Probably mid 2006 or so.

[aktick]

Soooo....IF I can get an OTA HD signal, I could get the Tivo-based unit now and not have to worry about MPEG4 for a while? How are they handling the non-locals? I'm assuming they will still be MPEG2 for a while?

Thanks again for the help.

[tbeckner]

I'm assuming they will still be MPEG2 for a while?Yes, for at least a couple of years or longer, which puts them out until 2008 or later.

[aktick]

Is D* giving any deals in addition to the $200 MiR if you call and are a long time customer? I've had D* for I think 12 years now, hoping I can get something extra off.

[tbb1226]

Yes, for at least a couple of years or longer, which puts them out until 2008 or later.Beware of forum users posting pure conjecture as if it were established fact Nobody here really knows how long it will be before DirecTV adds national MPEG4 HD to their channel lineup.

I happen to believe it will start much sooner than CY2008 - maybe before the end of 2006. Yes, this is absolutely a guess, but it's based on what seems to me to be a business necessity. If they can't add several new national HD channels this year, they risk missing out on a lot of business. I think that, once they have the top 15 or 20 DMA's set with LiL HD, they will need to start adding national HD to stay close to even with the major cablecos. Given the Ku bandwidth crunch they're experiencing now, I should think they would need to put new HD channels on Ka, which requires the new dish and receiver hardware.