Will The HR10-250 Be Useless for HD When MPEG4 Launches?

[boltjames]

I'm going HD for the first time next week and I have to have an HD Tivo immediately. Can't live without it, can't wait for the non-Tivo version.

Question: When DTV goes MPEG4, will I still be able to use the HR10-250 to receive and record HD and SD broadcasts?

I can live with being behind on a model (I love my three T-60's) but by the same token I don't want to buy something that's going to be a paperweight in a year or two.

TIA

BJ

[dswallow]

You won't be able to use it to record MPEG4 broadcasts of any kind, but it'll always work for over-the-air ATSC broadcasts and all MPEG2 SD/HD via DirecTV. The MPEG2 HD channels aren't going anywhere for awhile, but they probably eventually will disappear once DirecTV gets all subscribers set up with MPEG4 equipment -- years out, no doubt.

If you stay with DirecTV through any conversion, you'll be offered replacement equipment. No need to worry about having total paperweights... and even if you don't they'll still behave like OTA tuners with buffering (though no recording without DirecTV subscription).

[JohnTivo]

You will be able to tune in all channels that are still being transmitted in MPEG2. The only channels you will not be able to recieve are the new MPEG4 local channels and any other national HD channels in MPEG4. For the time being, SD will remain in MPEG2 as well as the current HD Pack lineup. It will be quiet a few years before D* moves to only MPEG4.

If you can get OTA channels, then setting the HR10 to tune your local HD stations will allow you to use the unit well into the future.

[boltjames]

Thank you very much. One more question if you don't mind:

If I purchase the HR10-250 from, say, Best Buy tonight can I just walk out the door with it and then use my neighbor to set up the dish? Just checking that I don't need an authorized DTV satellite guy to come and do it for me for $$$ when I've got a neighbor I can bribe with a case of beer.

Thanks!

BJ

[newsposter]

Bolt if you get OTA in well enough, 5 bucks a month even for ONLY an OTA tivo is a great deal if you ask me. I dont even get the HD package and sometimes have quadruple conflicts OTA and am even thinking about a 2nd HDtivo I like it so much. Way too much to watch as it is.

Someone just pointed to a newegg 398 price if you are interested. I've been told by directv and others on here

now if they start adding new stuff next year like sci fi etc...we will still be OK until they shut off mpeg2 as all the nationals will continue to be mpeg 2 until then

[newsposter]

I think best buy does leasing (not sure if you cared about lease vs own).

otherwise i dont see why you can't buy everything you need there but realize it will cost you more for the dish and multiswitch, if you need it.

DTV would toss all that in for free if you go through them

[Crash_Corrigan]

Bolt if you get OTA in well enough, 5 bucks a month even for ONLY an OTA tivo is a great deal if you ask me. I dont even get the HD package and sometimes have quadruple conflicts OTA and am even thinking about a 2nd HDtivo I like it so much. Way too much to watch as it is.

Someone just pointed to a newegg 398 price if you are interested. I've been told by directv and others on here

now if they start adding new stuff next year like sci fi etc...we will still be OK until they shut off mpeg2 as all the nationals will continue to be mpeg 2 until then

Just keep in mind that the monthly cost is actually Directv's minimum subscription (TC) + the $5 DVR fee to be able to use the DVR features of the HD Tivo. You can't just pay $5/month and use it as an OTA DVR.

[boltjames]

Just keep in mind that the monthly cost is actually Directv's minimum subscription (TC) + the $5 DVR fee to be able to use the DVR features of the HD Tivo. You can't just pay $5/month and use it as an OTA DVR.

Hmm.....when I signed up 8 years ago for DTV's Platinum Package, I got Tivo for free. I pay the mirroring charge for the other boxes of course, but Tivo is not billed to me. Are you saying that when I activate the HD on the new box that they'll start charging me $5 a month?

BJ

[Guindalf]

Hmm.....when I signed up 8 years ago for DTV's Platinum Package, I got Tivo for free. I pay the mirroring charge for the other boxes of course, but Tivo is not billed to me. Are you saying that when I activate the HD on the new box that they'll start charging me $5 a month?

BJ

No, it's included in the Platinum package (oh, and it's $5.99 now, BTW). The only other extra will be the $9.99/Mo for the HD package, but I think you can get three months for free if you ask.

[boltjames]

No, it's included in the Platinum package (oh, and it's $5.99 now, BTW). The only other extra will be the $9.99/Mo for the HD package, but I think you can get three months for free if you ask.

Thanks! Great info everyone.....really appreciate the sense of community and helping others.....have a good weekend.

BJ

[huntster72]

so when will the hd mpeg4 pvr be available?

[Sirshagg]

The better question is, do you even want one when it comes out. The response the the SD version has not been good.

[newsposter]

Just keep in mind that the monthly cost is actually Directv's minimum subscription (TC) + the $5 DVR fee to be able to use the DVR features of the HD Tivo. You can't just pay $5/month and use it as an OTA DVR.

I assumed that some other dvr would be used and that even when mpeg2 turns off, the HDtivo wouldnt' be useless. Indeed if the HDtivo is the sole unit in the house and only mpeg4 is available for nationals, then it's a pretty expensive OTA box.

[Guindalf]

so when will the hd mpeg4 pvr be available?

The latest from a seemingly intelligent CSR I spoke to last night is June, but she was told not to promise and to be a vague as possible!

[Runch Machine]

I don't think low def MPEG2 will ever be turned off, at least not until all channels are available in HD and everyone has converted. That could take 10 years of more