CableLabs/OTA HD TiVo -- Fall 2006 release
At the CES 2006 show, TiVo announced a standalone
HD TiVo prototype with two CableCard tuners and Over-the-Air (OTA 8VSB) ATSC tuners. The unit was capable of receiving, recording, and performing all TiVo functions on local analog Cable and digital Cable and digital HDTV Cable broadcasts as well as digital HDTV over-the-air broadcasts.
More information on this Series 3 TiVo, which will be released in mid-to-late 2006, will be made available in a companion FAQ.
In 2003, TiVo demoed a standalone
HD TiVo prototype with two
Over-the-Air (OTA 8VSB) ATSC tuners. The unit was capable of receiving, recording and performing all TiVo functions on local digital/HDTV broadcasts received through an antenna. Lack of market interest stalled further development.
DirecTV HD TiVo -- April 21st, 2004
Back of HDTiVo
In April 2004, DirecTV launched the
DirecTV HR10-250 DirecTV with TiVo with 250GB capacity offering ~30 hours of high definition, ~200 hours of standard definition recording, or any combination of the two. *Actual recording time will vary depending on the type of programming being recorded.
[Press Release...]
[ Specifications Front ] [ Specifications Back ]
DirecTV HD TiVos contain 2
DirecTV SD/HD/OTA tuners (a total of 3 coax inputs) which can receive/record standard definition and high definition programming from DirecTV as well as local digital/HDTV broadcasts brought in by an antenna. 2 tuners means 2 different shows can be recorded simultaneously.
DirecTV HD TiVos were introduced with an MSRP of $999 but can now be found for $400 or less.
What is the future of the DirecTV HD TiVo?
After the acquisition of DirecTV by Rupert Murdoch, DirecTV announced the dissolution of their partnership with TiVo and introduced their own competing DVRs developed by Murdoch's partner company NDS. The NDS-designed standard definition DirecTV DVR was released in October 2005 and the High Definition NDS DVR is slated for a mid-2006 release. In light of this news, TiVo has introduced a standalone OTA/CableCard TiVo and is also developing a DVR with Comcast.
DirecTV TiVos and DirecTV HD TiVos will continue to function for an indefinite period but DirecTV HD TiVos will not be able to receive the HDTV programming DirecTV intends to roll out through 2006 and 2007, specifically local channels over satellite. This is because this new programming is in MPEG-4 and will be broadcast from different satellite orbital locations, neither of which the TiVo models recognize.
What ports and cables does the DirecTV HD TiVo include?
DirecTV HD TiVo ports include two USB2.0 ports (reserved for future use), 1 Component (RGB) video output, 1 HDMI output, 1 S-Video output, 1 Composite video output, 1 Stereo audio output, 1 SPD/IF Optical output, and 1 Modem jack.
DirecTV HD TiVos ship with these cables: Coax F-type (for satellite), RCA (Yellow/red/white), S-Video, Component (red-green-blue cable which is PbPrY standard), HDMI-DVI adapter, HDMI-HDMI cable, Optical (Dolby Digital), Power.
The
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is the only digital video output on the HD TiVo. Component video is high definition but not actually digital. An HDMI cable is included, as is a DVI-to-HDMI adapter.
NOTE: HDTVs with HDMI or DVI ports that are not running HDCP may not receive a picture through the HDMI port for certain PPV and sports programming at the broadcaster's discretion.
What output formats/resizing does this DirecTV HD TiVo support?
The DirecTV HD TiVo always displays programming at the selected output resolution. If the TiVo is set to output 1080i, then 720p shows (from ABC or ESPN) will be converted to 1080i prior to display. If you wish, and your HDTV does a better job natively displaying 720p, then you may change the output resolution to 720p when watching 720p material (there is, unfortunately, no on-screen indication of the source material's format).
NOTE: There is no "native" mode where the output format is automatically switched to match the source material.
You can change the output format the TiVo is using through a Setup menu or by simply pressing the UP arrow on the remote while watching a program. The output resolutions the TiVo will toggle between are 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.
NOTE: DirecTV HD TiVos WILL NOT output a composite (S-Video/yellow RCA) signal simultaneously with an HD signal (Downconversion). Don't throw away that standard DirecTV TiVo just yet!
DirecTV HDTiVos can only display a standard definition picture (over S-Video or Composite video outputs) if the TiVo is set to 480i display.
DirecTV HDTiVos have
Stretch Modes allowing you to display 16:9 or 4:3 material stretched to fit 16:9 Widescreen HDTVs or 4:3 digital TVs. There are no zoom/crop/justify (aka "coke bottle") modes but these may be added later in software upgrades.
Will the DirecTV HD TiVos support Home Media Option and Networking?
DirecTV HD TiVos run a variant of the same 3.1 software seen on the current DirecTV TiVos.
Neither version 4.0 of the software nor Home Media Option networked media features are expected.
Where can I see a demo of the DirecTV HR10-250 with TiVo?
http://zdnet.com.com/1601-2-5141247.html
What hardware do I need from DirecTV?
Most DirecTV customers have a round dish with a single dual LNBF 'head'. This enables them to receive programming from DirecTV's main satellite positioned at the 101 degrees.
HDTV, Spanish, and Chinese programming all require an elliptical (oval) dish with 2 or 3 LNBF 'heads'. This adds the ability to receive programming from DirecTV's three MPEG-2 satellites at 101, 110, and 119 degrees. Older DirecTV elliptical dishes come with 2 LNBFs 'heads' (101 and 119) and a space in between. A 'Sat C Kit' will give your older dish the ability to see 110.
Phase III DirecTV elliptical dishes have the circuitry necessary to receive all 3 satellites sealed inside the 'arm' of the dish. DirecTV enthusiasts have also been known to use 3 separate round dishes, each pointed at 101, 110, and 119 degree positions!
You can also use the new 5LNB Ka/Ku 'superdish' from DirecTV with the HR10-250 HD TiVo, but you will not be able to record any high definition channels which are in MPEG-4 format (specifically local channels and eventually the entire lineup of HDTV channels on DirecTV).
DirecTV HDTV programming at 110:
ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD, HDNet Movies, Showtime HD
DirecTV HDTV programming at 119:
HDNet, HBO HD, HD Pay-per-view
All elliptical dishes either have a 4x4 multiswitch bolted onto the back of the dish (101/119), or integrated into the arm of the dish (Phase III).
The FOUR wires that come out of the dish are all "switched" outputs which means that any of the 4 wires can see either side of any of the 3 satellites.
This is why you cannot use a splitter, because signal tones and voltages are sent up the wire FROM the DirecTV receiver TO the dish (or multiswitch) asking for the satellite feed they need to display the requested channel.
To take full advantage of a DirecTV with TiVo or DirecTV HD TiVo receiver/recorder, you must have TWO wires from the dish/multiswitch connected to them. Ordinary DirecTV receivers each require ONE wire from the dish/multiswitch.
1 room wired for HD (less trouble, more economical)
Using a 2xX multiswitch to provide the 101 satellite to certain receivers and still having 2 outputs which can see all 3 satellites (101/110/119).
All rooms wired for HD (future proof)
Using a cascading 4x8 multiswitch to provide 8 outputs which can see all 3 satellites (101/110/119).
A DirecTV with TiVo HDTV receiver and the appropriate dish are the only equipment you need to receive and record the HDTV programming offered by DirecTV.
What DirecTV HDTV packages are available?
plus
ESPN 2!
DirecTV customers with the HBO and Showtime packages can (with an HDTV receiver and the right dish) also receive the corresponding
HBO HD and/or
Showtime HD channel.
DirecTV also offers a premium package of HDTV channels for $9.99. This presently includes
HDNet, HDNet Movies, Discovery HD, ESPN HD, and
ESPN 2 HD. Subscribers to
NFL Sunday Ticket and/or
NBA HDTV will get to see selected games in HD on those channels but may need to purchase the exhorbitant
NFL Sunday Ticket SUPERFAN add-on package. And finally,
Spice TV now presents selected adult video entertainment in High Definition on DirecTV's PPV channel.
DirecTV offers
local networks in High Definition using the new MPEG-4 format which cannot be viewed or recorded on any TiVo device.
DirecTV offers
CBS HD New York and
Los Angeles to certain customers who qualify. If you currently receive CBS as a 'Distant Local' from New York or Los Angeles, then you qualify for
CBS-HD NY/LA from DirecTV.
Also, if you live in one of the following markets, you may also qualify for
CBS-HD NY/LA from DirecTV: Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Marquette, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Green Bay.
Also, if you live in one of the following markets, you may also qualify for
Fox-ED NY/LA from DirecTV: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington DC.
[ More Info... ]
