Long time D* Upgrade to HDD*tivo?

[keep amonte]

I have been a D* customer for 7-8 years. I get Total Choice plus, directivo, another receiver, Center Ice, HBO, and the protection plan. I realize I have some leverage now. I am about to purchase a 50" plasma and will make the jump to HDTV. I lie in Tulsa, so locals are out for HD but I have an antenna for locals anyway. Cox cable is an alternative, locals are on their dvr as well. My questions are;

will d* give me an HD DVR?
When locals come, will the dvr get them
I have the oval dish with 3LMB on now, any additional installation needed

Appreciate any responses.

[litzdog911]

1. Maybe. You'll need to call and ask. But don't accept the first answer you get. Different CSRs might give you different offers. By the way, you won't be getting a Tivo-based HD DVR anymore (HR10-250). DirecTV now provides its own non-Tivo HD DVR (HR20). You can learn more abou that DVR at the "HR20 HD DVR Q&A Forum" at http://www.dbstalk.com.

2. Yes. Over-the-air, using an antenna. Or satellite dish, provided you upgrade to the new 5-LNB AT9 Ka-band dish (and you're using the HR20 because the HR10-250 cannot receive the new satellite-delivered MPEG4 local HDTV channels).

3. If you get an HR10-250 Tivo-based HD-DVR, you're all set. But you'll have to rely on a OTA antenna for your local HDTV channels. If you get the new non-Tivo HR20 HD DVR, you'll want to upgrade to the new 5-LNB AT9 dish and be ready when DirecTV beams your local HDTV channels from their new satellites. DirecTV will typically provide that dish upgrade for free.

[TonyD79]

If they are available (HR10's) in local shops, you may be able to convince them to give you a credit and you pick it up yourself. I did that a few months ago. Didn't get it free, but got it almost free.

If you go that route, get it cleared by them first.

[cch108]

2. Yes. Over-the-air, using an antenna. Or satellite dish, provided you upgrade to the new 5-LNB AT9 Ka-band dish (and you're using the HR20 because the HR10-250 cannot receive the new satellite-delivered MPEG4 local HDTV channels).

3. If you get an HR10-250 Tivo-based HD-DVR, you're all set. But you'll have to rely on a OTA antenna for your local HDTV channels. If you get the new non-Tivo HR20 HD DVR, you'll want to upgrade to the new 5-LNB AT9 dish and be ready when DirecTV beams your local HDTV channels from their new satellites. DirecTV will typically provide that dish upgrade for free.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure about not being able to receive HD programming on the HR10-250 via satellite? I just called DirecTv and was told this is incorrect. I have a triple-LNB dish and receive HD feeds from all the major networks. I was told I would continue to be able to do so, with no plans to obsolete the unit.

[SpankyInChicago]

Are you sure about not being able to receive HD programming on the HR10-250 via satellite? I just called DirecTv and was told this is incorrect. I have a triple-LNB dish and receive HD feeds from all the major networks. I was told I would continue to be able to do so, with no plans to obsolete the unit.

He was referring to local channels. Other than in LA, NYC, and those with waivers, you can't receive local HD channels with the HR10-250 because the HR10-250 only decodes stations sent down in MPEG2. For all other markets that currently receive HD locals from DirecTV, the stations are sent down in MPEG4. To receive MPEG4 stations you need their new HD receiver or their new HD DVR. The HR10-250 will not work for these.

You can, however, receive the national HD stations that DirecTV broadcasts in MPEG2 with the HR10-250. These are the channels on 70-79 and are HBO, Showtime, ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, TNTHD, Universal HD, HDNET, HDNET Movies, and Discovery HD. There is also an HD PPV channel.

Of course, with the HR10-250, you can very likely get all of your locals OTA using an antenna and have the entire set of local OTA stations seamlessly integrated into the guide and all the other Tivo features.

[sloan]

You're kind of asking between a transition period between the
HR10-250 and the new H20.

HR10-250 allows the use of OTA for locals. As in, if you can get NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, etc via an antenna, the HD10-250 was setup for this.
Antenna setup is sometimes finicky, and nothing guaranteed. However, if you can get it working, its a great thing to have.
The HD10-250 uses a 3LNB sat dish. So in that regards, you're already setup.

H20
Uses a new 5LNB dish, however, using the "2 extra" satellites is not completely worked out/working yet. but the new sats will offer digital/HD locals in most markets.

The H20 is not a "Tivo" like the HR10-250 is. Sometimes this matters, sometimes not.

Here is the new 5LBN dish:
http://www.solidsignal.com/images/products/AT59.gif

will d* give me an HD DVR?
When locals come, will the dvr get them
I have the oval dish with 3LMB on now, any additional installation needed

1. Call them and try. You probably cannot get a HR10-250 now from them (supplies have run out), but if you can find a source for a HR10-250, they might pay for it.
2. Yes. See notes about the HD20 above.
3. If you want the route with no dish changes, then the HD10-250 is your best option. If you don't care (or can talk directv into giving you an AT59), then consider the H20.


I have 2 HR10-250's, but I live inside a good place to get OTA signals.
I'm happy with my setup. And I prefer the "real Tivo"ness of the HR10-250.
If I was doing this fresh, then I still would probably try to find a used HR10-250, but that's my unique situation.

My parents live in the boonies, with ZERO OTA capabilties, and the H20 makes more sense for them, and the promised future when the AT59 picks up and can use all 5 satellites. Plus, they are not tivo devotees like I am.

........

Unfortunately, you're about 3-4 months too late. Last (late) spring and summer, they were pretty much giving away HR10-250's. But that is over.