DirecTV vs. Tivo: Who should I choose?

[Early Adopter]

I started to drop $499 on the DirecTV/Tivo, dual tuner, HDTV DVR when the Circuit City sales person said it won't work with local broadcasts and I should wait for the new model due out this summer. Huh? I immediately called DirecTV and they confirmed this to be true, but couldn't explain why. So, I left the store without spending $3,000 on a new HDTV-capable TV, nor the DirecTV Tivo HD DVR. Long story short, and much appreciated information by Feldon in this forum, the parting of ways between DirecTV and Tivo boils down to support for mpeg4, which is the format DirecTV is using for local broadcasts and soon all channels. I confirmed this with the folks at DirecTV. I also asked them how, in good faith, could they allow the sale of the current model knowing full well it's HD features will be rendered useless within a year. The person with whom I spoke said they would take care of their customer through upgrades or such programs to keep the customer whole. Hmmm. And, they are coming out "soon" with their own HD DVR, but not with Tivo as their partner.

I understand Tivo is also coming out with an HD capable model "soon". Should I assume they have a captured audience in the DirecTV base to make sure the new model supports mpeg4? Is mpeg4 the "compression method of the future" ? DirecTV has some great packages I don't want to lose, and Tivo's features speak for themselves: I definitely don't want to lose these. But the two of them are forcing my hand. Has anyone else faced this? Am I mis-uinderstanding this whole thing?

[JimSpence]

It is true that the HR10-250 can't receive the MPEG4 locals. But, I believe that DirecTV will swap out incompatible receivers for ones that are compatible. I think this is even more true now that DirecTV has gone to the leasing form of "ownership". (Stupid IMHO)

In my case, my HD locals, such as they are, are a long way off. So my HR10-250 will do quite well for me for HD DNS and OTA HD.

[Stanley Kritzik]

This is definitely a transition year for DirecTV. It's not just the locals in HD, but lots more HD programming coming that the present HR 10-250 won't receive (all the new encoding). So, if you trust D* to make you whole in the future, with a new box swap and even a dish swap, go to it.

I do trust them, since if they didn't, they'd p*** off the best part of their subscriber base. The future belongs to HD programming, and for D* to stay in business, they have to have lots and lots of HD channels, including the rebroadcast of the locals. Those new satellites up there at $100 million or so each are for that very purpose, and they'll be useless without us, the subscribers.

A year from now, a lot of boxes and dishes will have been changed over. Your choice: go ahead now with a tiny bit of risk, or play it ultra-safe and wait a year. Can D* out-Tivo Tivo (without Tivo)? Time will tell, but they've got Murdoch's zillions behind this venture. My money's on D*, but you get to make up your mind!

SK

[Early Adopter]

Well said Stanley. It's always a gamble: Guys like Murdock can throw lots of money at a problem, but he eventually gets it back. At whose expense? So you're willing to give up the Tivo look and feel when DirecTV produces it's own box?

EA

[Runch Machine]

HD Tivo Does receive local channels from a TV antenna. IF you can get them that way, there is no reason to wait. Yes, they will eventually add more national HD channels, but who knows when?

[newsposter]

keep in mind any new HD nationals like Natl Geo etc, will be mpeg2 (receivable by HDtivo) until mpeg2 is turned off.

[joetoronto]

keep in mind any new HD nationals like Natl Geo etc, will be mpeg2 (receivable by HDtivo) until mpeg2 is turned off.

exactly, everybody's freakin out for no reason.

i say buy the friggin Hr10 now and in a few years, when they finally shut off MPEG2, take whatever directv will give you for your HR10.

[Sirshagg]

I don't think there is any question that D* will swap out the HD tivo units with their own HD DVR's. They might require you commit to another 2 years when they do though.

Yuo will be able to record HD OTA with the HD tivo only if you have a current D* account.

Personally, my feeling is that if you have never had a Tivo you will probably not have a problem with anyone elses DVR. However if you have had a tivo you will most likely find anything else currently available sorely lacking.

[chris_h]

keep in mind any new HD nationals like Natl Geo etc, will be mpeg2 (receivable by HDtivo) until mpeg2 is turned off.

How do you know that? In other words, is it not possible that they will add some national HD channels in mpeg4 only?

[DeWitt]

Anything is possible, but before the complete swap out of equipment, putting a new national channel on mpeg4 would mean only those in the new converted markets would see it. An unlikely decision.

[Guindalf]

How do you know that? In other words, is it not possible that they will add some national HD channels in mpeg4 only?

As I understand it, the plan is not to go MPEG-4 with the national channels just yet, just the locals. They will use the locals as leverage to get people who are out of OTA range (like me) to upgrade. Once they have milked that avenue of revenue, then some speciality channels may go MPEG-4 only, forcing people to reconsider.

I don't see that happening before the new HD-DVR is readily available though. Demand would be too high for them to cope, especially if it's a free or very cheap upgrade. I'll guarantee it'll be linked to a new two year contract, though. In other words, "if we don't get it right straight away, we'll force you to stick with it for at least two years!"

[kkluba]

Correct me if I'm wrong but there is nothing to gain right now by going to the mpeg4 dish and reciever, no?

I've got two hr10-250's and plan on waiting until there is an equal or better HD DVR from D*. If that happens (big maybe) I'll then look at what Comacast and AT&T (IPTV) are offering locally here in the SF Bay Area and the best DVR with the best picture quality, features and the best price will be my choice.

3 or 4 years ago I'd never have considered a move from Directv. With quality suffering from Directv and getting better from competition they will have to pony up some excellent offerings to keep me as a customer.

I would estimate 1 year before I make any move...

[newsposter]

at this exact minute, if you need HD recording you dont even have an option of giving up your HDtivo. so that answers your question very likely and you must stay where you are :)

Only thing I know mpeg4 gets you that HDtivo wont is HD locals on the satellite. There may be other features of the HR20 I dont know about though. sorry