[pudge44]

I've done some searching, but haven't found the exact answer I'm looking for, and frankly I don't completely trust what the D* CSR's tell me.

Here's my situation -- I'm a 6-year + D* subscriber who won't leave because of Sunday Ticket, no matter what cable offers me. I'm going to be an HD set sometime this year.

Since I'm completely addicted to TiVo, I'd always been planning on buying an HR10-250. Because I'm in the New York area, it's my understanding I can get my locals (well at least ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) over satellite, as long as I have a triple-LNB dish, and that's unlikely to be affected by the MPEG-4 upgrade.

My question is this -- D* CSRs tell me they'll be adding lots more HD programming in the future. But won't all those new national networks be in MPEG-4? If so, it seems silly to buy an HR10-250 now. Should I wait until the D* HD PVR comes out at some point this year?

Your input is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[HogarthNH]

My question is this -- D* CSRs tell me they'll be adding lots more HD programming in the future. But won't all those new national networks be in MPEG-4? If so, it seems silly to buy an HR10-250 now. Should I wait until the D* HD PVR comes out at some point this year?

Yup and maybe, respectively.

We have no idea of the quality level of the HR20-250 (the new MPEG4 DVR).
We have no idea of the exact date of it's release, but we hear fairly well that it's due to be late Q2. Considering the R15 was released ~6 months behind schedule, I would not be surprised if we did not see the HR20 until fall.

Some people wouldn't want to wait. If you think upgrading now is silly, then you're not the aforementioned.

H

 

[pudge44]

Yup and maybe, respectively.

We have no idea of the quality level of the HR20-250 (the new MPEG4 DVR).
We have no idea of the exact date of it's release, but we hear fairly well that it's due to be late Q2. Considering the R15 was released ~6 months behind schedule, I would not be surprised if we did not see the HR20 until fall.

Some people wouldn't want to wait. If you think upgrading now is silly, then you're not the aforementioned.

H

Does anyone know of the timetable for releasing new national networks? I would assume D* has to get all the HD locals up first, before tackling any nationals.

 

[disco]

Does anyone know of the timetable for releasing new national networks? I would assume D* has to get all the HD locals up first, before tackling any nationals.

There is no known public timetable. Speculation ranges from 3-6 months, to 12-24 months before new national HD channels.

 

[pudge44]

There is no known public timetable. Speculation ranges from 3-6 months, to 12-24 months before new national HD channels.

But any new national channels would probably be in MPEG-4, correct?

 

[HogarthNH]

But any new national channels would probably be in MPEG-4, correct?

Correct. They have limited MPEG2 bandwidth available, and the appeal of new nationals on MPEG4 only is more likely to migrate customers to the new technology, locking them in more.

There's no reason strategically for D* to launch MPEG2 national HDs.
(It would be a good idea to placate customers, but they don't give two #*(&$! about customers, programming-wise, in my opinion.)

 

[Tracy RainH2o]

You can get the HR10-250 really cheap right now. I suspect that there is a definite limit on the "freebie" or cheap stuff they will give you. It is my fear that if I were to get a HR10-250 right now that would not be so nice when the new MPEG4 DVR comes out. As always, it's a wait and see situation with DTV as to what they will do and when.

Right now I get HD via an antenna. The OTA has been reported as being superior to DTV's current signal anyway.

 

[HogarthNH]

Right now I get HD via an antenna. The OTA has been reported as being superior to DTV's current signal anyway.

It's not just a report -- it is, and will always be, a fact.

Satellite transmission is inherently always a battle of bandwidth. Compression is inevitable.

Digital OTA spectrum, on the other hand, while not free, does not cost billions of dollars. It takes up less room than analog, even.

D*'s own MPEG4 Locals use the same programming stream that you'd get OTA -- and then they recompress for transmission through the satellite.

So the bandwidth of OTA will always be equal to or higher than what D* has to offer. Always.

Does that mean a better picture? That's subjective. But the bandwidth and bitrates themselves are fact.

H

 

[felickz]

I have some info that might me of importance to you.......


A DTV source implied to me SEVERAL TIMES, that if you purchase the HD TIVO now for the 399 Price that in the future when the new DVR is released for 1000$+ you can upgrade for "free" by argueing, and only pay 99$ for each additional HD TIVO you upgrade to the MPEG4 ....



So I would say just get it now, Cheaper, and I am sure they will let you "upgrade"

 

[codespy]

I can confirm that. Just had my 10-250 installed this last week. CSR said Milwaukee locals mpeg4 start March on 2006. HR20-250's available mid-summer. Not very good timing. Receiver was $399, less $200 inst credit=$199 plus 14.95 s/h, plus tax, install was free, OTA antennae free, 6months HD Programming free, and I complained about mpeg2 10-250's and she included $100 credit towards mpeg4 ird when its available. I'm feeling a little joy anyway.

By the way, great site, been reading for about 6 months now just signed on. Thanks for all the info.

 

[probepro]

I have some info that might me of importance to you.......

A DTV source implied to me SEVERAL TIMES, that if you purchase the HD TIVO now for the 399 Price that in the future when the new DVR is released for 1000$+ you can upgrade for "free" by argueing, and only pay 99$ for each additional HD TIVO you upgrade to the MPEG4 ....

So I would say just get it now, Cheaper, and I am sure they will let you "upgrade"

Won't the new lease program apply to HD DVRs? I'd rather lease than own.

 

[beanpoppa]

Why? You still have to pay an upfront fee, which appears to be the same Cash-Rebate scheme that they have today. The only difference is that you don't ever own your equipment. If it were like the cable model, where you pay $0 up front, then I could understand your point. (not agree, but understand). There is zero benefit to the consumer for D*'s new 'lease' plan.

Won't the new lease program apply to HD DVRs? I'd rather lease than own.

 

[probepro]

Why? You still have to pay an upfront fee, which appears to be the same Cash-Rebate scheme that they have today. The only difference is that you don't ever own your equipment. If it were like the cable model, where you pay $0 up front, then I could understand your point. (not agree, but understand). There is zero benefit to the consumer for D*'s new 'lease' plan.

D*'s decision to lease their equipment is intended to increase subscribership and revenues. To do that, they will have to be competitive on price and features compared to cable and everyone else who wants to deliver video to the home. This is D*'s answer to the one-stop shopping HD service (which includes a DVR) offered by cable companies, which is pretty commonplace these days. D*Tivo is the best gadget I own, but it's really just a STB. It's part of the D*TV infrastructure/service, and becomes obsolete long before it wears out. D* could mess this up, but leasing should be a win-win for everyone. It will simpler for D* and us. Glad I waited on HD to take advantage if this. No more chasing the best deals on DVRs and bartering with D*, etc. Just charge me a flat rate that's completive with cable.