HD Programming

[angus]

Is HD programming going to stay stagnant where it is right now?
With out having the HR20 & mPeg 4, are you stuck with what is available from Direct TV now. I choose to retain my HD10-250. Any programing going to upgrade to HD or new programing that Direct TV will offer with out having to go with Murduch's DVR's.

[litzdog911]

Huh? Actually the only limitation now is satellite bandwidth. When the new Ka-band (MPEG4) satellites go active in 2007, DirecTV will have LOTS of capacity for new HD channels. In the mean time they're concentrating on local HDTV channels using the current spot beam Ka-band satellites for major cities.

[Sir_winealot]

How 'bout them HD ppv's.


;)

[TyroneShoes]

Huh? Actually the only limitation now is satellite bandwidth...
That is one of the chief technical limitations, but there isn't really much content or product out there to place on those channels yet. I would have to say that until USA, SCIFI, FX, and the other big sat channels launch versions that can carry HD (and until they ramp up with lots of HD content) that angus's term "stagnant" is pretty much the definition that fits. Even when there is more capability, such as there is on DISH, the offerings are pretty meager, and pricey. Having capacity for 1500 locals and 150 conus HD channels will not in any way open the floodgates, because the reservoir is pretty dry.

[jeffshoaf]

Well, Starz-HD and Cinemax HD would be nice...

[mitchrc]

Food Network HD....HGTV HD....Versus....A&E HD....

[kf4wvk]

Is HD programming going to stay stagnant where it is right now?
With the HR20 & mPeg 4, are you stuck with what is available from Direct TV now.

I just spoke with someone from the Equipments Department (which apparently is in someone's home with people and dogs ;) ) and she said that the 5 LNB dish will enable access to two new satellites that were just recently put into orbit. The three existing birds are 101, 110 and 119. The new ones are 99 and 103. They will have capacity for 150 HD channels when they go online next year.

The only deal offered was the HR20 (which is backordered) for $299 + $20 delivery fee, which includes the new dish and full installation.

[jeffshoaf]

I just spoke with someone from the Equipments Department (which apparently is in someone's home with people and dogs ;) ) and she said that the 5 LNB dish will enable access to two new satellites that were just recently put into orbit. The three existing birds are 101, 110 and 119. The new ones are 99 and 103. They will have capacity for 150 HD channels when they go online next year.

The only deal offered was the HR20 (which is backordered) for $299 + $20 delivery fee, which includes the new dish and full installation.

Well, besides being off-topic here, the HR20 doesn't get OTA yet (or does it - rumors abound about them being turned on today) so until they have more HD content available, I'm sticking with the HR10.

[angus]

I just edited my original question. I to am sticking with HD10-250. Any new HD programing to look forward to, or are we stuck with what we got now from Direct TV.