Legacy HD channels at least through 2008

[incog-neato]

From DirecTV
LEGACY NATIONAL HD CHANNELS

Some of you have asked about the migration of the other HD channels that HD customers receive today, specifically these HD channels: Universal HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, Discovery, ESPN, ESPN2, Showtime HD, HBO HD and TNT HD. At this time there are no plans to migrate these channels to a KA frequency that will require MFH technology in 2008. However; you should be mindful that there are plans to migrate them in the future. As those plans are developed, we will keep you updated and will provide as much notice as possible.

Note: This was NOT sent to customers. So don't ask for a link as it cannot be provided. This obviously does NOT apply to LA locals as they are being converted 3/31

[shibby191]

Assuming true it sounds about right. I think most were expecting by end of 2008 or so. A lot depends on how soon they have to get the locals off 72.5

[TyroneShoes]

Sounds like it must be from an internal memo then. Interesting that the question came up; maybe those guys have been reading the speculation on these forums.

Anyone know what "MHF" refers to?:confused:

[ebonovic]

Sounds like it must be from an internal memo then. Interesting that the question came up; maybe those guys have been reading the speculation on these forums.

Anyone know what "MHF" refers to?:confused:

You mean MFH?

MFH-2 and MFH-3 (and MFH-1)

Are the technologies used to distribute the SAT signal in MDU's... Multiple Dwelling Units (such as Condos, Apartments, TownHomes, ect...)

MFH-1: Uses stacking and elaborate stacking at that to support up the the 3LNB

MFH-2: Is based on SWM, it is nothing more then a elaborate array of SWM-8 modules, in housings that double as splitters, power, and holders for the SWM-8 modules.

MFH-3: Is IP based.. and will distribute the SAT signal via an IP type network.

One of many sites that explain (in more depth) the MFH technology:

http://www.multicominc.com/active/information/technical_data/MFH2/mfh2_info_and_toc.html

[incog-neato]

Just to add to Ebonovic's explanation, mdu's also run combinations of MFH1 & 2 depending on the number of "homerun" lines to each floors distribution closet (and if it's a new buildout or existing). MFH1 also comes in 3 different "varieties" some requiring additional equiment as well which is why the vast majority of mdu customers in "large" buildings can't install their own equipment (among other reasons).

MFH2 systems can only use HR2x, H2x, R16 and D12 receivers. Legacy receivers are not compatible. MFH3 systems are ethernet based distribution of DirecTV and only special versions of the above equipment can be used (and they cannot be purchase at retail). Hr20i, R16i for example.




You mean MFH?

MFH-2 and MFH-3 (and MFH-1)

Are the technologies used to distribute the SAT signal in MDU's... Multiple Dwelling Units (such as Condos, Apartments, TownHomes, ect...)

MFH-1: Uses stacking and elaborate stacking at that to support up the the 3LNB

MFH-2: Is based on SWM, it is nothing more then a elaborate array of SWM-8 modules, in housings that double as splitters, power, and holders for the SWM-8 modules.

MFH-3: Is IP based.. and will distribute the SAT signal via an IP type network.

One of many sites that explain (in more depth) the MFH technology:

http://www.multicominc.com/active/information/technical_data/MFH2/mfh2_info_and_toc.html

[incog-neato]

Not an internal memo but a "bulletin" to specific providers.Sounds like it must be from an internal memo then. Interesting that the question came up; maybe those guys have been reading the speculation on these forums.

Anyone know what "MHF" refers to?:confused:

[RBerryman]

I have never subscribed to the HD package on my HR10-250 but I do get HBO and Showtime and was getting their HD feeds until I had a problem with one of my SD DirecTV TiVo's. After much back and forth with a CSR and finally getting my "DVR service is not activated" problem resolved I discovered that my HD HBO & Showtime have been cut off. Finally had the time to call and deal with it earlier today and was told by a CSR that I was not eligable for them because I don't suscribe to an HD package. Is this just a case of an uninformed CSR and I just need to keep calling or is this the new way to make me pay for an HD package I don't need? If I do get the HD package what channels would a HR10-250 receive?

[JimSpence]

It may very well be what they changed recently with HD. However, you were grandfathered in with the previous package. When they messed up you lost the grandfathered status. I'd call again and ask for a supervisor to reinstate your status.

[funinthesun]

What are the terms / rules of being grandfathered specifically and what should be be getting at no extra cost?

[TyroneShoes]

What are the terms / rules of being grandfathered specifically and what should be be getting at no extra cost?

What most folks refer to as "grandfathering" is probably not that at all. It is more likely bookkeeping lethargy by the DBS vendors regarding the nuts and bolts of having to actually do the work to change to the new policy. There is rampant non-compliance to a lot of things that allows folks to continue to get channels that they were allowed before, but are not technically allowed now. Some HR10-only owners never lost 74 and 78, for instance. They should have, but someone has to actually get off their butt and reprogram their service to make that happen, and DTV CSRs are notoriously sloppy and/or lazy about that.

Folks hear about a new policy but still get the channels that policy newly restricts, and then assume they are somehow "grandfathered", but that is a false sense of security. For instance there has been no grandfathering for NDS SD channels since about 2000, but lots of folks swear they still get them because they believe that "grandfathering" is protecting them. In reality, a Florida circuit court dissolved all existing grandfathering of NDS many years ago, and all rules governing that revert to red/white zip codes or waivers.

You can play Russian roulette by changing your service and hope that they don't pick up on an irregularity, and quite often they will not, but every time you change your service you run the risk of them figuring this out and cutting off channels that you get, but are actually getting by mistake.

There is no zip/waiver system for HD, but some CSRs are confused enough to apply those same rules to HD DNS applicants, ironically enough, so some NDS might be sneaking through. HD NDS is actually based on whether you have a nework O&O in your market. For instance, FOX owns KSAZ in Phoenix, so Phoenix subs get KTTV-11 from LA, but no others because ABC, CBS, and NBC do not own stations in that market. Yet if that were a hard and fast rule, they would also get KCOP, the MyTV affil from LA and also owned by FOX (and carried now in HD LIL) since FOX also owns KUTP, the MyTV station in Phoenix.

But you might have to actually ask to get those channels added, as again, CSRs are both confused and poorly trained (if you think about it, if they were much brighter than they are, they would graduate from being CSRs pretty quickly). At one time, folks would get both E and W HD NDS stations, but they cut that out about 2005 for whatever reason.