I haven't posted for nearly a month but I still read the forum daily. Just wanted to let all those that are interested (since DBSTalk has been down) that there are currently *80* HD channels in testing on D10 (in engineering mode as it's called).
I'll consider it when I actually see Dallas Stars games in HD on FSSW-HD.
Honestly, I just detest the path that DirecTV is going down. I'm sure there are some (well, maybe; I could be completely wrong) channels that they get a direct SDI or other uncompressed feed of that's then converted to MPEG-4. The vast majority, though, are going to be MPEG-2 that's compressed again in MPEG-4. There is literally no technological way that this can be better, and it's yet to be seen if it's "as good" or even worse, than the MPEG-2 that's at the heart of ATSC.
Nice List.....but I wonder how many of those channels are just placeholders for upcoming
activation since several have not even announced their H/D plans yet??
I'll consider it when I actually see Dallas Stars games in HD on FSSW-HD.
Honestly, I just detest the path that DirecTV is going down. I'm sure there are some (well, maybe; I could be completely wrong) channels that they get a direct SDI or other uncompressed feed of that's then converted to MPEG-4. The vast majority, though, are going to be MPEG-2 that's compressed again in MPEG-4. There is literally no technological way that this can be better, and it's yet to be seen if it's "as good" or even worse, than the MPEG-2 that's at the heart of ATSC.
Shrug, my local channels look awesome in MPeg-4 HD. I can't tell the difference between them and the OTA versions. Also the Giants games on FSNBA look great as well. I can't wait for more HD channels.
You should not take this list to mean that you will see all channels soon.
Some of the channels on that list don't launch until 1Q 2008.
DirecTV puts the channels on its system before it even has permission to distribute them. In some cases, as with RSNs, channels are on the system for many months before they get offered.
I didn't think the MPeg-4 channels were affected by "HD lite." I thought that was just the Mpeg-2 HD channels that broadcast in 1080i. I am not sure though.
Recently DirecTV changed how they offered their packages and part of that was in order to receive any HD channels via Sat you had to pay the $10 HD access fee. In the past you could get local channels in HD and/or HBO, SHO in HD without the HD pack but that is no longer the case. If you pay HD access you will get any HD channels available in the tier you are paying for. In other words if you get the SD version you will also get the HD version but if you don't get the SD version you won't get the HD version. Also if you activate a new HD receiver I believe you are forced to pay the HD access fee.
No one yet knows if DirecTV will down-res the new MPEG-4 channels to HD-Lite as they do the current MPEG-2 HD channels. We _do_ know that DirecTV now has plenty of bandwidth with their new bird to where they shouldn't have to down-res the channels. DirecTV _had_ to down-res the channels in order to squeeze the current HD channels in the bandwidth they have available.
The question remains - will DirecTV do the right thing, or will they still down-res? Let's hope the answer is the former!
No one yet knows if DirecTV will down-res the new MPEG-4 channels to HD-Lite as they do the current MPEG-2 HD channels. We _do_ know that DirecTV now has plenty of bandwidth with their new bird to where they shouldn't have to down-res the channels. DirecTV _had_ to down-res the channels in order to squeeze the current HD channels in the bandwidth they have available.
The question remains - will DirecTV do the right thing, or will they still down-res? Let's hope the answer is the former!
But we should know what they are currently doing with the Mpeg-4 HD local channels and I didn't think they were downrezzing them. At least I believe that is the case. I would think what they are doing now with HD locals in Mpeg-4 wold be a good indicator but not a guarantee of what they will do with new HD channels that are Mpeg-4.
If you pay HD access you will get any HD channels available in the tier you are paying for. In other words if you get the SD version you will also get the HD version
Except of course, the premium sports packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket, where you must buy the Superfan tier + HD Access to receive the HD versions. :down:
I haven't posted for nearly a month but I still read the forum daily. Just wanted to let all those that are interested (since DBSTalk has been down) that there are currently *80* HD channels in testing on D10 (in engineering mode as it's called).
Hi Scott, it's good that you were able to post and give us poor Tivo folks an update - even if it was because DBSTalk is down. But, you forgot to tell us how you only have to press the R button once to record. Are you forgetting your lines? If so, we'll help you get back in the swing - after all, it's been a month.
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