DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR "vs" MPEG-4?

[TheEleeT]

First off, love the forum. Haven't visited it for years but will never forget it.

I am currently on the waiting list to receive a "DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR" as they are sold out in all stores in San Diego, CA and DirecTV is backordered. I read the FAQ here that stated the "DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR" will NOT be capable of the new MPEG-4 stream. I currently have a round dish using a "Samsung SIR-S4120R DirecTV / TiVo DTV Receiver" (which I adore) and a round single LNB dish. I was planning on buying a phase III dish from online and then I would be set when my number gets called for the "DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR", however I am concerned about the more-to-come HD channels. When I spoke to DirecTV on the phone they said "we currently have 29 HD channels but we will have over 150 soon!". I read that the local networks will be rolling out over MPEG-4 which doesn't bother me because I can get them "Off-Air", but my conern is whether or not the rest of the new HD channels will be MPEG-4. I don't want to get the new MPEG-4 capable DirecTV DVR's because I am loyal to Tivo. So?

1. Will new HD channels (150+) be MPEG-4 or will they be able to be received on the "DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR"?
2. Will the new HD channels (150+) be able to be received on the Phase III dish.
3. Does the "DirecTV HR10-250 HD DVR" seamlessly integrate "Off-Air" HDTV with DirecTV so that I will be able to record from both?

Thanks in advance.

[Fahtrim]

I can answer your questions.

1. The new channels will be MPEG-4 and will not be able to be received with the HR10-250.
2. No, the new channels will not be able to be received with the Phase III (3lnb) dish.
3. Yes, the integration is seamless after setup is complete with OTA & sat channels.

[TheEleeT]

Thanks for the very speedy response.

I have heard that the new non-Tivo DirecTV DVR's are no good and it leaves you longing for the Tivo experience.

1. Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? (Tivo and new HD channels).
2. Is there a list of what networks will be included in the new HD MPEG-4?

[bonscott87]

Thanks for the very speedy response.

I have heard that the new non-Tivo DirecTV DVR's are no good and it leaves you longing for the Tivo experience.

1. Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? (Tivo and new HD channels).
2. Is there a list of what networks will be included in the new HD MPEG-4?

1. No.
2. All of them. Any new HD channels will be in MPEG4 and all current HD channels will be moved to MPEG4 in a couple years or sooner.

At some point the HR10 will no longer be able to record HD from DirecTV, you'll need an HR20 to do that.

And just an aside, the HR10 hasn't been made for over a year now so I'm not sure where this store is going to get one on back order. About the only place to get one now is eBay or other online place unless you can find a closeout unit somewhere.

As for longing for Tivo, it just all depends on the person. Stop by DBSTalk to find many, many threads on the new DVR. But probably the only way you'll know for yourself is to actually try it for a couple weeks.

[mgoddard1]

1) You could go tivo series 3 and get cablecards from your cable provider. This depends on the HD content that your local cable provider has.
2) Most if not all of the mpeg4 content is HD local channels right now. There is speculation that will start adding new national HD channels on mpeg4. Eventually they will probably switch completely to mpeg4 for everything but that is years away.

[HiDefGator]

1. Only by switching to cable and buying the S3.
2. Eventually (and no one knows when) all of DirecTV's HD channels will be in mpeg4 and thus not available on the HR10. I would also venture to say that today no one knows what new HD channels may be coming. All we know today is that new HD channel capacity will be coming later next year.
3. While the HR20 does not use the Tivo interface it probably is not as bad as you may have read\heard. It was only released a few months ago and DTV has been making great progress at fixing the bugs and adding new features. If you intend to stay with DTV then it eventually will be your only choice for HD.

[TheEleeT]

Seems to me now what I must do. I'm not happy with it, but the better/only move for the long run. I have read that the new MPEG-4 capable dish is more difficult to setup do to how precise it must be pointed or it can cause the 2 signals to interfere. I have always setup old dishes very quickly using the old farmer pan and scan method by hand.

1. Is the new MPEG-4 dish difficult to set up? Could I do it without using fancy tools or receiving a mathmatical achievement award?

2. Anyone recommend the best place/way to purchase a H20?

[HiDefGator]

The new dish is bigger, heavier and much more diffiult to aim correctly. It has to hit like 5-7 satelites now.

If you use a multiswitch you'll need a new one of those too.

Why not call DTV and let them pay for the dish and installation? They may even give you a break on the HR20 if that is the way your going. I'd sure ask them first. maybe they are feeling that holiday spirit.

[TheEleeT]

I have multiple households that I travel between, so having the new dish installed would result in consequences to my account type and would not be worth the hassle.

I have always loved my DirecTivo but I may decide to go with cable because I fear that DirecTV will not expand HD soon enough and far enough to make it cost efficient for the current time being and near future.

Any thoughts? How is Series 3 Tivo?

[Fahtrim]

Not sure where you're located, but you can pay someone cash on the side to install the 5LNB dish on your 'secondary' house.

You can still have DirecTV do the install and all that on your primary house, if you're going to have an HR20 and a 5LNB there as well.

[sciberpunkt]

Is this MPEG-4 thing really a big deal? To be honest, the extra $10 a month for the HD package has some nice channels, but nothing I cannot live without. I don't like sports enough to pay for one of the absurdly priced season passes in HD.

It's the OTA local networks I'm interested in and the HR10-250 will pick those up for years to come. By the time DTV starts pushing MPEG-4 for their main channel lineup, the HR10-250 will be woefully outdated anyway. Even if HD via-satellite is important to you, only go with the HR20 until the last possible moment. DTV will make it worth your while equipment-wise in the end. No need to cut the Tivo experience shorter than necessary either.

[dcherryhum]

"I have heard that the new non-Tivo DirecTV DVR's are no good and it leaves you longing for the Tivo experience.

1. Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? (Tivo and new HD channels).
2. Is there a list of what networks will be included in the new HD MPEG-4?"




In regards to #1 -

Let's say I want the HD programming, but am ok with watching recorded shows in SD (SD Tivo). Can I still record with SD TIVO and watch in SD after getting a new HD tuner?

[bonscott87]

"I have heard that the new non-Tivo DirecTV DVR's are no good and it leaves you longing for the Tivo experience.

1. Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? (Tivo and new HD channels).
2. Is there a list of what networks will be included in the new HD MPEG-4?"




In regards to #1 -

Let's say I want the HD programming, but am ok with watching recorded shows in SD (SD Tivo). Can I still record with SD TIVO and watch in SD after getting a new HD tuner?

You can have as many receivers as you want.
I personally have an HR20 and an old Hughes E-86 for HD along with a DirecTivo for SD all on my main TV plus another DirecTivo on a secondary TV.

If that was your question.