Will all HD channels eventually be MPEG 4?

[DustyB]

I know all the local HD channels are being rolled out market to market in MPEG 4, but when the rollout is complete and all markets have locals in MPEG 4, will the national channels like ESPN, ESPN 2, etc. also be switched to MPEG 4?

In essence, will the HD Tivo's be obsolete for anything but OTA channels 12-18 months from now?

Also, is there a schedule anywhere for the MPEG rollouts? I got the upgrade deal yesterday and the rep gave me a D*TV HD DVR (not TiVo) and said Cincinnati would be getting the HD locals in the fall. I find that hard to believe since I believe Cincy is only about the 30th largest media market.

Thanks - I hope these aren't too much of newbie questions

[rifleman69]

I know all the local HD channels are being rolled out market to market in MPEG 4, but when the rollout is complete and all markets have locals in MPEG 4, will the national channels like ESPN, ESPN 2, etc. also be switched to MPEG 4?

In essence, will the HD Tivo's be obsolete for anything but OTA channels 12-18 months from now?

Also, is there a schedule anywhere for the MPEG rollouts? I got the upgrade deal yesterday and the rep gave me a D*TV HD DVR (not TiVo) and said Cincinnati would be getting the HD locals in the fall. I find that hard to believe since I believe Cincy is only about the 30th largest media market.

Thanks - I hope these aren't too much of newbie questions


It'll take quite awhile for everything to switch to mpeg4...and I mean awhile. 12-18 months is highly unlikely, I'd say minimum 36 months. There's quite a few people out there in the U.S. with no HD at all...

[TyroneShoes]

My guess would be the switch will be close to the analog shutoff for OTA, which is about 29-30 months away.

[vstone]

Some, like myself, believe that eventually D* will shift even SD programming to mpeg4. Others say no.

If they never shift SD to mpeg4, the HD10-250 will continue to record D* SD and OTA HD. The shift of D* SD to mpeg4, if it happens, is not likely to occur for several years, but with poor job that the FCC and Congress have done in shepherding the transition to digital television, who knows what will happen.

[ebonovic]

All indications is that they are going to be very aggressive is swapping out the MPEG-2 HD equipment in 2007. Don't be too surprised if it is not in late 2007.

There are two or maybe three MPEG-2 HD networks on the 101 SAT.
If those are shut off (or moved), that frees up space for 12-18 more SD networks

Put me in the camp that MPEG-2 SD is here for a VERY VERY long time...

[aaronwt]

The way DirecTV is headed, they are forcing me to consider going back to Comcast. Even though it will cost me more than the $110 I'm paying DirecTV, I won't have a choice if they keep going the direction they've been headed.

[harley3k]

All indications is that they are going to be very aggressive is swapping out the MPEG-2 HD equipment in 2007. Don't be too surprised if it is not in late 2007.

There are two or maybe three MPEG-2 HD networks on the 101 SAT.
If those are shut off (or moved), that frees up space for 12-18 more SD networks

Put me in the camp that MPEG-2 SD is here for a VERY VERY long time...

This makes perfect sense for them... With the nationwide release of the HR20, there will be no reason for them to have any new MPEG2-only receivers/dvrs installed. HD use is still a relatively small subset of their subscriber base, so replacing them sooner rather than later is in their interest.

But if they really want to "push aggresively" to phase them out, they're going to have to start Openly Giving Away HR20s :D for anyone that already has an HR10, and H20s to anyone with an MPeg2 HD Reciever, along with AT9 or Slimline dish installs.

Oh and let HR10 users keep their boxes anyway, as an extra OTA-HD and SD DVR (hopefully with a 6.3 update)...

Of course I'll be on Fios with my Series3s by then anyway, but it will still be interesting to watch what they do to you guys.

-h

[ayrton911]

Yeah. I want them to let me keep my HR10, as a big SD TiVo for my bedroom, plus OTA HD. Then give me a HR20, for my main room. :) That would make me happy.

[harley3k]

Yeah. I want them to let me keep my HR10, as a big SD TiVo for my bedroom, plus OTA HD. Then give me a HR20, for my main room. :) That would make me happy.

Makes sense to me... Definately don't go paying $399 or even $299 to be an early adopter, when the HR20 effectively doesn't add any new features or content.......just locals for now.

Definately hold out...I would.

-h

[JimSpence]

Hopefully, they don't switch SD to MPEG4, or thay will have to swap out ALL subscriber's receivers (DVRs and non-DVRs).

[ayrton911]

Hopefully, they don't switch SD to MPEG4, or thay will have to swap out ALL subscriber's receivers (DVRs and non-DVRs).

I think someday this might happen though.

At some point, the regular receivers and DVRs they sell could support standard-def MPEG4 (just to have them out there and ready). Combine that with more and more people slowly getting HD boxes which are now just about all MPEG4 (besides a few HD TiVos left), and you could have some of the conversion done for you. Then they could swap the rest.

Still, I agree, I think the next five years at least will remain SD in MPEG2.

[newsposter]

Hopefully, they don't switch SD to MPEG4, or thay will have to swap out ALL subscriber's receivers (DVRs and non-DVRs).

this point needs to be 'thirded'

As long as dtv supports it HDtivo will always be able to do OTA.... and until SD is Mpeg4, you have one HECK of a lot of SD storage space also. How many of us 'can't' use another 2 tuners just for OTA or even SD? Probably a lot of us can.

Us old timers may realize this but newbies may think their 400 dollar unit may be a doorstop and in some cases it may be....but not all.

Just want to ensure people understand that every one of the millions of SD receivers would have to be swapped out. Even assuming 10 bucks a head...that's a lotta dough people.

HDtivo is safe ...for now

[jeff125va]

Most of this discussion has focused on channels currently offered being transitioned to mpeg-4, and I think the consensus that such a thing is a long way off makes sense and is likely the case. But I'm thinking about channels that they might add in the next say, 6-12 months - how likely is it that there will be channels that I want in HD that are only available in mpeg-4 with the 5-LNB dish? I'm not concerned about HD locals via sat at all, since mine come in great via OTA. I'm about ready to get a new HD-DVR and am still undecided between the HR10 and HR20, and it's pretty much down to just this issue.

[Adam1115]

I know all the local HD channels are being rolled out market to market in MPEG 4, but when the rollout is complete and all markets have locals in MPEG 4, will the national channels like ESPN, ESPN 2, etc. also be switched to MPEG 4?

Will they move their what, 4 channels to MPEG4? As you point out, espn is the only one worth anything, and not worth $10/mo to me...

[ebonovic]

Most of this discussion has focused on channels currently offered being transitioned to mpeg-4, and I think the consensus that such a thing is a long way off makes sense and is likely the case. But I'm thinking about channels that they might add in the next say, 6-12 months - how likely is it that there will be channels that I want in HD that are only available in mpeg-4 with the 5-LNB dish? I'm not concerned about HD locals via sat at all, since mine come in great via OTA. I'm about ready to get a new HD-DVR and am still undecided between the HR10 and HR20, and it's pretty much down to just this issue.

Very high chance....
Again, all indications are that any NEW HD channels will be MPEG-4

So basically... what you see today in the HD package, and the two movie channels. That is basically going to be it for MPEG-2 HD via SAT

[harley3k]

Just want to ensure people understand that every one of the millions of SD receivers would have to be swapped out. Even assuming 10 bucks a head...that's a lotta dough people.

HDtivo is safe ...for now

I agree... They would only do it if they needed the bandwidth.

-h

[drew2k]

Very high chance....
Again, all indications are that any NEW HD channels will be MPEG-4Exactly. Many of the new HD regional sports networks are only available on the MPEG-4 receivers.

[mr.unnatural]

All new HD channels will be in mpeg4, and you can take that to the bank. The current SD channels will remain in mpeg2 until the mpeg2 sats start falling from the sky. DTV will keep the existing sats active until they see a return in their investment on the hardware, if they haven't already seen it. If they have, then whatever revenue they're getting from SD broadcasts is money in the bank. When the mpeg2 sats are up for replacement you will probably see the channels they carry go to mpeg4, but I doubt you'll see it any sooner than that.

[jeff125va]

Very high chance....
Again, all indications are that any NEW HD channels will be MPEG-4

So basically... what you see today in the HD package, and the two movie channels. That is basically going to be it for MPEG-2 HD via SAT
OK, so is there any indication of when and what those will be?

[newsposter]

OK, so is there any indication of when and what those will be?

if you mean new HD on mpeg4...next year at earliest....there are threads about when the new 2 satellites become live...from memory i think one early in the year and one toward the end...expect a correction soon if i'm wrong :)

their official literature brags about capacity of 150 but there aren't even that many in existence now