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DirecTV Launches New Bird
Good for HD fans, bad for Direcway customers
Last May, the Wall Street Journal hinted that DirecTV would be using their new Ka-band satellites for HDTV and not broadband. DirecTV issued a defensive press release decrying the claims as inaccurate, and insisted broadband was important. A year later finds DirecTV's latest satellite fired into space, to be solely used for HDTV. The good news is many DirecTV customers will now be offered MPEG4 compression and local HD channels.
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DirtyMic
join:2003-11-19
Pompano Beach, FL

1 recommendation

DirtyMic

Member

Yaaaay

screw cable, go DirecTV.

rawgerz
The hell was that?
Premium Member
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA

1 recommendation

rawgerz

Premium Member

Re: Yaaaay

now if they could only get rid of the 3 minute long CS computer telling me how to reset my receiver! "If your remote has stopped working, it may just need new batteries." my god! Who's stupid enough to call in for that?!

Wildcards2000
@muba.balt.washdctt.d

Wildcards2000

Anon

Re: Yaaaay

The same people that think mouse pads are for catching mice. Rocks are smarter then some of the people I've had to deal with.

zoom3148
Superman
Premium Member
join:2001-04-30
Yermo, CA

zoom3148

Premium Member

Re: Yaaaay

said by Wildcards2000:

The same people that think mouse pads are for catching mice. Rocks are smarter then some of the people I've had to deal with.
I would have to agree on this. Of course I don't have or use DirecTV, I have Dish Network for TV as that is what I like and am used to. Besides I only spend $43.38 per month for what Dish Network calls It Top 120 package and I pay the bill online too.:D
MartyParty
join:2001-01-03
Dallas, TX

MartyParty to rawgerz

Member

to rawgerz
well unfortunately i work in the industry and alot of people call in about that. i think you and i are actually a minority in having some common sense.

Ant718
join:2002-01-30
Bronx, NY

Ant718 to DirtyMic

Member

to DirtyMic
said by DirtyMic:

screw cable, go DirecTV.
Agree!

F cable!
SAT is for me!

NeedHD
@205.169.x.x

NeedHD to DirtyMic

Anon

to DirtyMic
About freak'n time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whoopdyfriigendoo
@optonline.net

whoopdyfriigendoo to DirtyMic

Anon

to DirtyMic
Who spends $400+ for a HDTV thinks they reall get that much better of a TV experience? The only thing HDTV does-- bring the analog schmo's KICKING AND SCREAMING into the digital era by means of coersion-- such as phasing out analog equipment totally from manufacture, so that digial right management can finally have come baby teeth...
Thanks all.
On another note:
As I look into my crystal ball: Launch away, the pirate satellite cards for mpeg 4 aren't far behind...

DrTCP
Yours truly

join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX

DrTCP

Obviously more money in Video/TV

If you were the CEO what would you do? Use your resources in a service that makes more money.

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

Re: Obviously more money in Video/TV

said by DrTCP:

If you were the CEO what would you do? Use your resources in a service that makes more money.
True. He just shouldn't have spread "manure" in response to the Wall Street Journal article in the hopes that something nice would grow. Obviously the anonymous sources at Spaceway, who talked with the WSJ, knew what they were talking about and the CEO was trying spin the story the other way by attacking the WSJ. The WSJ is due an apology since they did get it right.

brooklynman4
join:2004-09-07
Brewster, NY

brooklynman4 to DrTCP

Member

to DrTCP
The ceo already has billions which owns all fox channels and news corp also owns ny post and rules in australia. what more can he ask for ??

DrTCP
Yours truly

join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX

DrTCP

Re: Obviously more money in Video/TV

said by brooklynman4:

The ceo already has billions which owns all fox channels and news corp also owns ny post and rules in australia. what more can he ask for ??
Just a little more The Investors are asking more and more.... Growth is all that matters for stock market. Your valuation may suddenlty go down if your growth is stagnant.

Minister
join:2002-01-02
Fleeting

1 recommendation

Minister

Member

Re: Obviously more money in Video/TV

One of the critical flaws of capitalism, IMO. It drives growth for the sake of growth, and this is where the sacrificing of things like customer service creeps in....
chesney09
Premium Member
join:2004-07-26
Howell, MI

chesney09

Premium Member

Re: Obviously more money in Video/TV

I couldn't agree more. We are in a world that constantly expects more and more profit no matter what. A company is not successful in the eyes of wallstreet any other way.

ColdFiltered
join:2005-01-25
Atlanta, GA

ColdFiltered

Member

Not good for 100% all HD fans.

While the numbers are very small even within the HDTV fans arena, some of us are using displays that only accomodate RGBHV, much like an analog computer monitor. Even the recent MPEG-2 based HD-STB's from DirecTV do not support RGBHV.

What this means is that if DirecTV moves to a forced-migration from old STB to new STB those individuals in the same boat as I am in are screwed.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

said by ColdFiltered:

While the numbers are very small even within the HDTV fans arena, some of us are using displays that only accomodate RGBHV, much like an analog computer monitor. Even the recent MPEG-2 based HD-STB's from DirecTV do not support RGBHV.

What this means is that if DirecTV moves to a forced-migration from old STB to new STB those individuals in the same boat as I am in are screwed.
The purchase the STB model stinks. This is one area where cable has had it all over satellite. Rented STB's in a business where technology is constantly changing makes more sense than the satellite company's purchase method.
mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA

mglunt

Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.


Owning things like DVR boxes are better. Ask Comcast if it would be OK if you opened up their DVR box to add more capacity.

Someone I know has a HD DVR from Adelphia. He pays something like $10 a month. Software sucks, and they put a tiny 40GB hard drive in a box to record HD... what's that 8-10 hours worth?

imrf
Premium Member
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI

imrf

Premium Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

said by mglunt:

Someone I know has a HD DVR from Adelphia. He pays something like $10 a month. Software sucks, and they put a tiny 40GB hard drive in a box to record HD... what's that 8-10 hours worth?
The smallest HDD inside the cable DVRs is 80GB, some have a 160GB such as the Scientific Atlanta boxes.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode to ColdFiltered

News Guy

to ColdFiltered
If I'm understanding this right, won't some people who paid $1,000 for their HD-DVR possibly be forced to buy new ones?

odog
Minister of internet doohickies
Premium Member
join:2001-08-05
Atlanta, GA

1 edit

odog

Premium Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

DING DING DING we have a winner!

MPEG-4 compression is a forklift upgrade. The 25 Million D* and Dish customers will need to swap out ~50-60 million receivers

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

Glad I'm waiting for set-prices to drop before going HD then.

Amr3
Pointing out the obvious
Premium Member
join:2001-12-03
San Antonio, TX

Amr3

Premium Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

said by Karl Bode:

Glad I'm waiting for set-prices to drop before going HD then.
Same, and at that point I'll subscribe to DTV.
orangelemon
join:2003-01-29
Woodinville, WA

orangelemon to Karl Bode

Member

to Karl Bode
Ummm... The receiver is the only thing that needs to be upgraded. Not the set.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru to odog

MVM

to odog
Except that MPEG4 is only planned for HD content at the moment (although that obviously could change). There aren't 25m HD customers between the two providers so the existing MEG2 STB will still happily chug along for several more years to come. Those customers that do have HD boxes will eventually need to upgrade them to take full advantage of the new opportunities MPEG4 presents.

drmorley
MVM
join:2000-12-20
Three Lakes, WI

drmorley to Karl Bode

MVM

to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode:

If I'm understanding this right, won't some people who paid $1,000 for their HD-DVR possibly be forced to buy new ones?
Rumour has it that DTV will allow people to swap out their existing hardware for the new DVR that can handle the new compression format.

TBD...

ToxicDrew
Premium Member
join:2001-09-24

ToxicDrew to Karl Bode

Premium Member

to Karl Bode
Hey they need to pay for the new "Bird" lol

roamer1
sticking it out at you
join:2001-03-24
Atlanta, GA

roamer1 to Karl Bode

Member

to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode:

If I'm understanding this right, won't some people who paid $1,000 for their HD-DVR possibly be forced to buy new ones?
I'm one of those people. AIUI, DirecTV will be offering free upgrades to the new NDS boxes for those with HD DVRs (aka "HD DirecTiVos")...since after all, DirecTV is changing their technology.

-SC

jakedi6
Ironhorse From Chickasaw And Chirachau
join:2000-11-11
Barrington, IL

jakedi6 to Karl Bode

Member

to Karl Bode
I'd like to know too if I will need to get a new STB.

I just had the HD DVR installed YESTERDAY!!!
Am I out $950 ???????????/

imrf
Premium Member
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI

imrf to ColdFiltered

Premium Member

to ColdFiltered
said by ColdFiltered:

I am in are screwed.
No you aren't. Get a RGBHV to Component transcoder, »www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/ ··· der.html. You can use the component out of the new DTV HD boxes to the RGBHV inputs of your tv.

ColdFiltered
join:2005-01-25
Atlanta, GA

ColdFiltered

Member

AFAIK from the grapevine the HD-STB's are suppose to be swapped. This means if you own a regular non-DVR HD-STB you hand it over for the new one. Those with HD DVRs (a la HD TiVos) are SOL.

But I do not own an HD DVR as they are way too much more than I am willing to pay. But, my HD STB that I do have offers me a feature that I am 99.9% sure will not be included in the replacement unit and as a result I cannot use it (doesn't offer RGBHV video output).

Most people with plasmas, direct-view, and rear-projection and even most digital projectors will be catered to, but those of us with analog projectors that originally listed for $17-28K) are going to be more SOL than catered to.

And what is worse is that while the technology exists to go from DVI-D (or HDMI) to RGBHV, it will violate the DMCA. Can you imagine little ole me going to a federal pen for circumventing the HDCP to watch content I'd already be paying for!?!

imrf
Premium Member
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI

imrf

Premium Member

Re: Not good for 100% all HD fans.

said by ColdFiltered:

And what is worse is that while the technology exists to go from DVI-D (or HDMI) to RGBHV, it will violate the DMCA. Can you imagine little ole me going to a federal pen for circumventing the HDCP to watch content I'd already be paying for!?!
Who says you have to break the law? You can legally convert the component out of the new HD boxes to your RGBHV, without any legal recourse.

You can blame the broadcasters for wiping out analog connections, it's not DirecTVs fault. The broadcasters want a secure digital connection and to dump the analog RGBHV and component outputs on these devices to avoid copy protection. This is the price you pay to jump on the technology bandwagon and to be the first with an HD set. Sure it sucks, but its life.

••••••

djrobx
Premium Member
join:2000-05-31
Reno, NV

djrobx to ColdFiltered

Premium Member

to ColdFiltered
Buy a component to RGBHV converter. That's what I did to get my Mitsubishi 50803 connected to Comcast HD.

It's not DirecTV's fault you're using a nonstandard or pre-standard display.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Space based broadband is a loser; good move DTV

DirecTV has made the best choice here. Profits and further growth of their main business made this choice for them. Space based broadband is a losing proposition all around. It is a very poor product for most users(round trip delay times) and a very poor money maker for vendors.

•••

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH

Premium Member

WOW....

"Thirty minutes after liftoff, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 21,200 miles (34,128 km) above the equator. "

Anyone ever stop to take pause about the world of technology we live in? Private companies can launch a satellite from a ship on the equator to 21,100 miles up and most people just shrug.

As soon as HD on direct TV is available here (Philly area) I will give them a serious look. Comcast is burying me...

Extortion
@alestra.net.mx

-1 recommendation

Extortion

Anon

Stay as far away from DTV as possable!

»www.forbes.com/markets/2 ··· n15.html
»chart.finance.yahoo.com/ ··· /dtv.gif
»www.google.com/search?hl ··· en&q=DTV
»reports.finance.yahoo.co ··· 610997:1
»finance.yahoo.com/q/ao?s=DTV
»auditintegrity.com/ranki ··· cker=dtv

Besides the fact the company is on shaky ground to begin with, you also run the risk of getting sued!
deadzoned
Premium Member
join:2005-04-13
Cypress, TX

deadzoned

Premium Member

SO....

Darn!! So all the DTV stock I recently purchased is not good?! O wait... I just use them to watch tv, I forgot.

How is this directly related to the conversation at hand anyway? Just asking.

Extortion
@alestra.net.mx

Extortion

Anon

Re: SO....

Hmm Maybe when there stocks are not worth the paper they are printed on you would be more concerned?

If they are not making enough money in the stocks, guess who's sat bill is going to keep going up and up and up to compensate?

Yours and everyone else stuck in a contract!
mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA

mglunt

Member

Re: SO....


LMAO

...and Cable companies don't know anything about price increases. Increases for Sat TV have not even been close to increases handed out by cable companies.

...and its pretty easy to get out of a DTV contract. Say a tree grew into your LOS, etc. Even then, it is not that high of a charge to break the contract, and the charge is pro-rated for the number of months you have left.

...small price to pay to get a Tivo for $50, which I own, and which I can upgrade as I see fit.

antdude
Matrix Ant
Premium Member
join:2001-03-25
US

antdude

Premium Member

I wonder if there are plans to improve Internet?

I wonder if there are any plans to improve DirecPC/DirecWay for those who cannot get cable and DSL Internet services?

•••••
retsam6
join:2004-09-02
Red Bank, NJ

retsam6

Member

1080P ?

whats the breakdown of channel resolution... how many are gonna be broadcast in 1080p, 1080i and 720P... has there been any word on this yet

gjrhine
join:2001-12-12
Pawleys Island, SC

1 edit

gjrhine

Member

HDTV Lite

Direct TV HD will still be known as HDTV Lite because they compress the signal much more than cable TV. See the AVS forums.