DirecTV HDTV DVR questions

[CFster]

I looked at the FAQ at the beginning of this section, but it looks like it was authored in 2004 so I'm not sure how much of it is up to date?

I'm thinking of upgrading to a Sharp LC46D64U 46" 1080p LCD. I currently have two SD tube sets with R10s plugged into both of them.

I have a few questions:

1. They installed an oval dish on my roof a few years ago with what looks like three LNBs in it (I'm not 100% sure and I'm not going up there to look - I'm a big guy, and you know what they say, "the bigger they are..."). There are two double cables coming down into a switch in my garage and four cables come out of that into my two DVRs. Will I need to change any of that to run one HD DVR and keep the other SD Tivo in the other room?

2. What is the recommended DirecTivo HD DVR to use?

3. I read something about new MPEG4 channels coming out soon? Will this change my DVR choice? How does this impact my viewing experience? This is 1080p?

4. Are there any Tivo HD DVRs that work with DirecTV?

5. What's the difference between the HR20 and HR21?

6. Is any HD local programming available in my area (Hartford) over the dish (as I'm receiving SD local programing now), or will I need to buy an OTA antenna?

7. If purchasing from DirecTV, is the unit "leased"?. Do I ever actually own it?

Thanks,
-Colin

[litzdog911]

1. You'll need a new 5-LNB dish to receive the new HD channels, incluing your HD locals if beamed by DirecTV. DirecTV will provide this dish with free installation when you add a new HD DVR to your account. They'll also replace/upgrade your current multiswitch to the required Zinwell WB68 model.

2. There's only one choice if you want the new HD channels .... HR21.

3. The new DirecTV HD Receivers and DVRs already receive the new HD channels using MPEG4 compression, instead of the older MPEG2. And this has nothing to do with the broadcast's native resolution. SD channels are still provided as 480i, while HD channels are either 720p or 1080i, depending on what the broadcaster provides. Nobody is broadcasting 1080p, but the HR21 will be software upgradable for 1080p PPV or Video on Demand programs in the future.

4. Not if you wan the new channels. The HR10-250 HD Tivo still works, and a few of the original HD channels can still be received for a few more months. But after this year it will only receive the SD channels and local HD channels using an off-air antenna.

5. The HR20 is the original HD DVR. It has built-in OTA tuners for use with an off-air antenna to receive your local HD channels (which might be important if DirecTV doesn't yet provide your local HD channels via the new satellites). The HR21 is essentially similar, but uses the USB-connected AM21 OTA Tuner accessory to receive local HD channels (costs ~$50).

6. Check DirecTV's web site to see if your local HD channels are provided yet.

7. Leased. You can purchase the HR21 Pro model for ~$600 if leasing is against your religion.

[newsposter]

1. if you are just going to have a new HD dvr and another plain receiver you can hook them up directly do the new slimline dish you must get to get all the new mpeg4 HD stations. If you plan on having more than 2 dvrs at all, you will need a new multiswitch in place of the one you have now.

2. no new tivos are made that can see the mpeg4 new HD stuff. You must use directvs brand

3. many mpeg4 national channels are out now. I dont know about locals in your area..check directvs website and enter your area.

4. no

5 hr 21 doesnt have OTA, you need AM21 box on top if it to get OTA

7 yes all new stuff is leased since approximately march 2006. Unless you get something off ebay. But commitments for HD dvrs are 24 months no matter where you get it. 18 months for 'standard' equipment.

[CFster]

Ok thanks for the replies!

Another question. If I get a HR21 before I get an HD set I can still use it in SD resolution with my old set correct? Even if I've ordered the HD service? There may be a couple week wait on the LCD.

Also, I found out that local channels except for PBS are offered in HD on DTV in my area. I've never had HD - do all your old SD stations still appear in the line-up, and also the HD versions but at different channel numbers?

[litzdog911]

Yes, the HD equipment provides SD outputs (composite and SVideo). And yes, you still get both the old SD channels plus the new HD channels. They'll be labeled differently so you know they're the HD channels.

[TonyD79]

I clarification. The HD channels are the same numbers as the SD channels except for part time sports channels, where the HD channels are appended with "-1" to differentiate them from the SD channels.

Full time HD channels that have an SD equivalent have the same number (like ESPNews which is 207 for both SD and HD). As litzdog said, most of them are labelled differently. You have the ability to tune to either one unless you choose to hide SD duplicates by configuration. If you express tune by entering a number (like 207), it will tune to the HD channel. To get to the SD channel from there you have to push channel up if you do not have SD duplicated hid. (Or you can get to them via the guide.)

[newsposter]

i cannot verify this as true, but werent some posters here told without an actual HDtv that some installers wouldnt install the HD dvrs? I know it's stupid but i'm pretty sure i read that on here but maybe that changed since then