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story category Can DirecTV Hit 100 HD Channels?
Time is running out...
(old news - 01:46PM Tuesday Dec 18 2007)
tags: Video · business · HDTV · DIRECTV
It's December 18, and DirecTV has yet to reach their promise of offering 100 HD channels by the end of the year, notes TV Predictions. DirecTV by far already offers the most HD channels in the industry with 85, thanks largely to a 2004 decision to use future bandwidth for HD instead of broadband service. Still a promise is a promise says the report, and DirecTV is running out of time to hit the 100 mark.
At its web site, DIRECTV lists seven HD channels that are coming soon, but at least a few of them are not expected to be launched until next year. So to reach its goal of 100 HDTV channels by year's end, it would appear that DIRECTV would either have to launch some channels previously unannounced and/or pad its lineup with Pay Per View channels and more regional sports networks.
Given how loosely providers have defined what constitutes an HD channel, that's possible. However, note that DirecTV does use the "up to" qualifier (which broadband users should be used to) before every mention of 100HD channels -- so thanks to careful wording, DirecTV probably won't have to live up to their end of the bargain. Hopefully customers won't decide to pay "up to" the amount owed on their bills.

Related:
  1. DirecTV Launches 21 HD channels
  2. DirecTV Launches 11 More HD Channels
  3. TelcoTV Not Keeping Up With HD?
  4. DirecTV On Demand: Q2
  5. Troubled Satellite Launch Impacts Dish Network HD Plans
  6. Comcast HD Image Quality Vs. FiOS
  7. Comcast Defends Low Quality HD Signal
  8. All Markets Will See U-Verse Dual HD Streams By Q3
Forums » Can DirecTV Hit 100 HD Channels?
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JokerCPoC

join:2005-11-21
Yermo, CA

Tick, Tock.....

The mouse ran down the clock...

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA

Re: Tick, Tock.....

Actually I'd consider 85+7=92 pretty darn close enough to 100 it doesn't matter to me. Sure they've missed 100, but that means they still have 74 more HD channels than Charter does in my area!

rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA

Re: Tick, Tock.....

All the commercials I remember seeing say "..and up to 100 channels by years end"

Where was it promised?
battleop

join:2005-09-28
00000

Re: Tick, Tock.....

So what happens if they don't hit 100? The Consumerist and BBR bashes them?

swhitney2003
abuh.

join:2003-06-13
Weare, NH

content vs channel

I love the comcast commercial boasting how they have 3x's the HD content as DirecTV. It is a little misleading, as it is all on demand. Props to DirecTV for pushing out HD channels
elister

join:2006-07-17
Seattle, WA

Re: content vs channel

DirecTV does the same thing, they count the NFL Sunday Ticket as individual HD channels.

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: content vs channel

said by elister See Profile :

DirecTV does the same thing, they count the NFL Sunday Ticket as individual HD channels.
Yes DirecTV's marketing department throws out the exaggerations and distortions as much as the rest of the industry.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:

Re: content vs channel

Yet we let the whole industry get away with it , so it becomes the norm. Really nice , no accountability.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"

meskinct
This space for rent
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Danbury, CT
clubs:

I agree. Total crap being fed by their marketing department.

Hey Comcast a channel is something that has a numeric assignment. Not an episode or airing!

Per the Wiki - A specific radio frequency, pair or band of frequencies, usually named with a letter, number, or codeword.

--
Rich. My Website including the AT&T/SNET Status Page
LeftOfSanity

join:2005-11-06
Felton, DE

Re: content vs channel

said by meskinct See Profile :

I agree. Total crap being fed by their marketing department.

Hey Comcast a channel is something that has a numeric assignment. Not an episode or airing!

Per the Wiki - A specific radio frequency, pair or band of frequencies, usually named with a letter, number, or codeword.

Uhhh...thats why they say "HD Content" not "HD Channels"

cypherstream
There's no place like 127.0.0.1

join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
·Cingular Wireless

I love the competition

Thanks to DirecTV, they finally have other operators shaking in their boots.

Because DirecTV is the #1 market leader for HDTV they have set the standard that all other companies have to live up to.

This is great for the entire video industry as it's a small incentive push for everyone to try to match or beat each other. Not only that but content providers will feel more obligated to produce more native HD material.

The trees in my area and horrible vantage point currently prevent me from having DirecTV, so I'm forced with substandard HD service known as Comcast. Eventually they will catch up though, they have to if they know what's good for them.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast Formerly ..

Re: I love the competition

said by cypherstream See Profile :

Thanks to DirecTV, they finally have other operators shaking in their boots.

Because DirecTV is the #1 market leader for HDTV they have set the standard that all other companies have to live up to.

This is great for the entire video industry as it's a small incentive push for everyone to try to match or beat each other. Not only that but content providers will feel more obligated to produce more native HD material.

The trees in my area and horrible vantage point currently prevent me from having DirecTV, so I'm forced with substandard HD service known as Comcast. Eventually they will catch up though, they have to if they know what's good for them.
They don't have to. They have people by the nuts. Think of the places where they make thier money.

They are in big cities and apartment complexes. A lot of times those folks can't get dish based programming because of thier view of the sky. So comcast can rest on its laurels.

They also have a huge foot print , the people in this country are to lazy to make a difference in anything , they just take it and go with it. I can't wait for a recession to hit , teach people what life is really like again and humble all these companies who feel it's ok to rape customers for the good of the few who invest.

Not to mention they have a hold on people who don't like change, they are perfectly happy paying 3 x the cost for the same thing as long as its the same.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
MightyPez

join:2002-05-01
Saint Paul, MN

They'll be getting my money

Broken promise aside, their HD lineup is far more impressive than Comcast's for a much better price. I will be calling this week to change my service over.

Camelot One
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Austin, TX
clubs:
·VoicePulse

Re: They'll be getting my money

said by MightyPez See Profile :

Broken promise aside, their HD lineup is far more impressive than Comcast's for a much better price. I will be calling this week to change my service over.
Is their pricing actually better? I haven't checked cable rates lately. I know DirecTV has more HD channels, but I'm also paying (what I feel) is too much for too much crap. I'm at $73 a month, with no premium or sports channels.
--
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MightyPez

join:2002-05-01
Saint Paul, MN

Re: They'll be getting my money

With the HD package (no DVR) the introductory rate is $45/month for 12 months and then goes up to $65/month after.
CopperMux

join:2005-01-18
08727
Hmm, I pay $71 for ALL channels, ALL HD, football package, 2 HD DVR's, one HD box and 2 SD boxes. Not bad for the first year of service.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
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join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
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said by Camelot One See Profile :

said by MightyPez See Profile :

Broken promise aside, their HD lineup is far more impressive than Comcast's for a much better price. I will be calling this week to change my service over.
Is their pricing actually better? I haven't checked cable rates lately. I know DirecTV has more HD channels, but I'm also paying (what I feel) is too much for too much crap. I'm at $73 a month, with no premium or sports channels.
Their pricing is competitive and is a little better than Comcast. When it comes to HD though, I highly recommend Directv. I signed a new 2 year contract with them just on the fact that they have the most HD and seem committed to be the HD leader. We will see if they are still the leader 2 years from now.

Camelot One
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Austin, TX
clubs:
·VoicePulse

Re: They'll be getting my money

Oh I'm still a fan of their service. Just not so much the price. This latest $5.99 "extra" package I now have to subscribe to in order to continue receiving the same channels really ticked me off. I know it's just $6, this is a case of pure principle for me.
--
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Nightfall
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Grand Rapids, MI
clubs:
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Re: They'll be getting my money

said by Camelot One See Profile :

Oh I'm still a fan of their service. Just not so much the price. This latest $5.99 "extra" package I now have to subscribe to in order to continue receiving the same channels really ticked me off. I know it's just $6, this is a case of pure principle for me.
Yea, I am not the biggest fan of that either. However, I subscribed to it after I saw how much Comcast was charging for their "HD" package.

I wonder if they are trying to match what Dish network is charging. Their HD package was $20 a month a couple months ago.

maartena
Super Grover

join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA

I have not bought an HDTV yet, but I plan to do so over the course of 2008 (saving up for a good one), and when I do, I will most definitly re-evealuate my current Time Warner subscription, which as of now has something like 20 HDTV channels, IF you count the premium channels of which I would only get HBOHD, AND the HD package with 4 HD channels....
--
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father.

kba4

join:2001-10-23
Akron, OH
·RoadRunner Cable

i hope they do pad

... if only out of spite towards a that one lawsuit-happy customer just itching to file over this 'promise'. 85 is a LOT of channels, and I think most subscribers are impressed and happy with their product(s).

I hope they do pad the lineup just to hit the 100+ mark, and when the networks decide to go full scale HD we all know DTV will be ready. My TW Cable's HD lineup is still highly pathetic compared to the 85 channels from DTV, though since I have a good rate on TW's services (RR-Turbo, Phone, Video with HBO and Starz for under $125/mo) I'm kinda stuck here.
--
illegal wars, prisoners with no trials, and state controlled media. welcome to the land of the free!
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast Formerly ..

Re: i hope they do pad

Have you looked at the content map for directv ? do they carry the old voom channels ?

Might be a good way for directv to get over the 100 channel hump quickly.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"

Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH

What's an HD channel ?

Given how loosely providers have defined what constitutes an HD channel, you can probably expect the latter.
Nowadays, if Lifetime Movie Network wants an HD channel, all they have to do is create a copy of their current broadcast, re-label it "Lifetime Movie Network HD" and it's done. They can show 4:3 programming stretched to 16:9 or show 4:3 programming with black bars on the side, but it's still called "HD". There are no rules or definitions, so they can do whatever they want. Consequently, D* or E* can add this channel and change their marketing info to claim another HD channel added to their lineup.

Heterman
Premium
join:2004-02-28
Fayetteville, AR

Re: What's an HD channel ?

said by Hall See Profile :

They can show 4:3 programming stretched to 16:9 or show 4:3 programming with black bars on the side, but it's still called "HD". Consequently, D* or E* can add this channel and change their marketing info to claim another HD channel added to their lineup.
Which channels are they doing this stretching now?

Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH

Re: What's an HD channel ?

Based on comments of people at other websites, other than major league baseball playoffs a couple of months ago, TBS-HD has probably shown NO high-definition programming. It's all 4:3 stretched or with black bars. On Discovery Network channels, i.e. Discovery, TLC, and so on, older shows are stretched. In their defense, most of their newer stuff is filmed in 16:9 HD.

Watch ESPN-HD. By no means is everything on there in HD.

jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA

Re: What's an HD channel ?

This is exactly why I am much more interested in HD "Content" and not HD "Channels". I can't stand the stretched "Family Guy" episodes they run on the TBS-HD channel. I prefer to watch 4:3 programming in its native format.

Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH

Re: What's an HD channel ?

I agree. I'll watch the stretched stuff if it's the only option but try not to. After almost two years, my wife has finally started to notice and comment that things look 'wrong' and has even asked "is that picture stretched ?".

On TNT-HD, they ran the Lord of the Rings trilogy and having watched it on DVD too many times, in 2.35:1 ratio, it's really odd seeing it stretched and zoomed to fill the screen. Most times we start to watch a movie on a channel like this, at the first commercial I always say "let's put in the DVD".

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

said by Hall See Profile :

Based on comments of people at other websites, other than major league baseball playoffs a couple of months ago, TBS-HD has probably shown NO high-definition programming. It's all 4:3 stretched or with black bars. On Discovery Network channels, i.e. Discovery, TLC, and so on, older shows are stretched. In their defense, most of their newer stuff is filmed in 16:9 HD.

Watch ESPN-HD. By no means is everything on there in HD.
A&E HD is also stretch - o - vision.
just because you can fill a 16:9 hdtv screen doesn't make you a HDTV channel!
--
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth

Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH

Re: What's an HD channel ?

I agree but the networks and providers (cable and satellite) disagree.
andyross

join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL

Of all the recent HD additions (I have Comcast cable), History HD is the biggest disappointment. Given how many programs are letterboxed, I assumed many would be in HD. In fact, my program guide lists many as HD. Despite that, they seem to be inconsistent with the same program from week to week. For the past 2 weeks, 'The Universe' was in HD. Last night, it was Stretch-O-Vision SD, including the letterboxing!!! I ended up watching the SD version as I can ZOOM it on my TV as I cannot alter HD aspect ratios on my TV.

Even if it's not available in true HD, you'd think they could at least ZOOM up letterboxed shows.

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA
·Charter Pipeline

Of course a show can only be displayed in HD if the original source of the show was recorded in HD. Otherwise some kind of comprimise has to be made.

A lot of source content is still 4:3. I'd say about 80% of the time the stations I watch get it right - with bars on the side or some kind of intelligent "zoom" which only has smaller bars on the side but may cut a little off the bottom/top. Sometimes they skew the aspect ratio and stretch it all yucky. Fortunatly my TV has some good zoom modes to correct this, but even back to back shows can sometimes be different (ie A&E "The First 48" watched one show just fine, next show was all messed up, third show was HD native and of course looked great... go fig!)

I'd say though from what I can tell, it's the actual stations doing the messed up stretches and what not. DTV just simply broadcasts whatever signal they are given, for better or worse.
majortom1029

join:2006-10-19
Lindenhurst, NY

channels local

How many of these channels are local versions of of the main channels. IF Direct tv is counting say every version of abc in this number ,Then I would say that is not right.

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
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join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
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edit:
December 18th, @01:52PM

Re: channels local

said by majortom1029 See Profile :

How many of these channels are local versions of of the main channels. IF Direct tv is counting say every version of abc in this number ,Then I would say that is not right.
The 85 is national channels, and not regional local broadcast channels. But like a previous poster pointed out, they count every national Sunday NFL game as a separate channel, which is an obvious distortion because they aren't true channels but PPV broadcasts.
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BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:

Re: channels local

Yeah it's all spin.

Even comcast uses their VOD like it's a "channel" in their ads too.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Navarre, FL
·Mediacom

Re: channels local

But beyond this "promise", does it really matter how many channels of HD a provider has? Shouldn't it really be about how much HD content a provider is capable of providing? You can have 100 HD channels, but have minimal HD content, or you can have 10 HD channels and have a ton of HD content. If I cared, I'd prefer the latter.
seano

join:2006-12-19

been down all day

It seems it maybe happening as we speak because my serive has been down all day.

Its not an out age if thats what you may be thinking.

pipdipchip
8 Megabits A Second
Premium
join:2003-12-04
Hanover, MN

Still Leaps and Bounds Better Comcast

I had Comcast's HD service for a couple years and just switched to DIRECTV last month. To be honest, it surprises Comcast is still considered to be competing with DIRECTV in the HD market. With Comcast, HD channels were a novelty. I watched channels because they were HD. With DIRECTV, there are so many HD channels it's starting to become just a normal channel with a good picture which is what is should be.

If you have Comcast or any I guess any other cable provider, for the love of your HD television set, convert to DIRECTV.
--
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Jwobot

join:2002-08-14
Utica, MI
·WOW Internet and C..


edit:
December 18th, @02:05PM

HD channels

I went to their site and added the channels below that is at least more realistic of being on a cable line up with the saying of more HD channels than cable.

This is the highest package it would allow me to select.
Channels available in HD with this package when you add HD Access are highlighted in blue below:

1. The 101
2. A&E
3. ABC Family
4. The Big Ten Network
5. The Biography Channel
6. Bravo
7. Cartoon Network
8. CNBC
9. CNN
10. Country Music Television
11. Discovery Channel
12. ESPN
13. ESPN2
14. ESPNEWS
15. Food Network
16. Fox Business Network
17. Fuel TV
18. FX
19. The Golf Channel
20. HD Theater
21. HBO
22. Starz
23. The Movie Channel
24. SHOWTIME
25. SHOWTIME TOO
26. Cinemax
27. HGTV
28. TLC
29. MTV
30. National Geographic Channel
31. NFL Network
32. Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite
33. The Science Channel
34. SCI FI Channel
35. Speed Channel
36. Spike TV
37. TBS
38. The Tennis Channel
39. TNT
40. Toon Disney
41. USA Network
42. Versus
43. VH1
44. The Weather Channel
45. Local Sports channel

ieolus
Support The Clecs

join:2001-06-19
Duluth, GA

Re: HD channels

That isn't a complete list.. where is HDNET?
--
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dbmaven
There's no shortage
Premium,Mod
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Re: HD channels

The complete list:
»www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre···t=914047

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA
·Charter Pipeline

Re: HD channels

70 - HBO HD East
71 - Showtime HD East
72 - ESPN2 HD
73 - ESPN HD
74 - Universal HD
75 - TNT HD
76 - HD Theater
78 - HDNet Movies
79 - HDNet
80 - CBS East - WCBS New York, NY
81 - CBS West - KCBS Los Angeles, CA
82 - NBC East - WNBC New York, NY
83 - NBC West - KNBC Los Angeles, CA
86 - ABC East - WABC New York, NY
87 - ABC West - KABC Los Angeles, CA
88 - FOX East - WNYW New York, NY
89 - FOX West - KTTV Los Angeles, CA
95 - Miscellaneous HD Events Channel
98 - PPV Events
99 - PPV Movies
101 - CD USA
135 - PPV Movies
136 - PPV Movies
137 - PPV Movies
138 - PPV Movies
145 - PPV Movies
146 - PPV Movies
147 - PPV Movies
202 - CNN HD
206 - ESPN HD
209 - ESPN2 HD
212 - NFL Network HD
215 - NHL Network HD
218-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
219-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
220 - Big Ten Network HD
229-1 - HGTV HD
231-1 - FOOD HD
242 - USA Network HD
244 - Sci Fi HD
245 - TNT HD
247 - TBS HD
248 - FX HD
255 - MGM HD
265 - A&E HD
266 - Biography HD
267 - Smithsonian HD
269 - History Channel HD
273 - Bravo HD
276 - National Geographic HD
278 - Discovery HD
280 - TLC HD
282 - Animal Planet HD
284 - Science Channel HD
296 - The Cartoon Network HD
299 - Nickelodeon HD East
325 - Spike HD
327 - CMT HD
331 - MTV HD
332 - MHD
335 - VH1 HD
355 - CNBC HD+
359 - FOX Business HD
362 - Weather Channel HD
501 - HBO HD East
504 - HBO HD West
509 - HBO HD East
512 - Cinemax HD East
514 - Cinemax HD West
518 - Starz Kids and Family HD
519 - Starz Comedy HD
520 - Starz HD East
521 - Starz HD West
522 - Starz Edge HD
537 - Showtime HD East
538 - SHO TOO HD East
540 - Showtime HD West
543 - Showtime HD East
544 - The Movie Channel HD East
601 - NBA HD
604 - Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
607 - SPEED HD
612 - FUEL HD
620-1 - Comcast SportsNet New England
621 - MSG
622 - YES
623 - New England Sports Network
624 - FSN New York
625 - SportsNet New York
628-1 - FSN Pittsburgh
629 - Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
630-1 - FSN South
631-1 - SportSouth
632-1 - Sunshine Sports
634-1 - FSN Florida
635-1 - FSN Florida/Sunshine Sports Alternate
636 - FSN Detroit
637-1 - FSN Ohio
638-1 - FSN Cincinnati
639-1 - FSN Houston Alternate
639-1 - FSN Southwest Alternate
640 - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
641-1 - FSN North
642-1 - FSN Wisconsin Alternate
643 - FSN Southwest
644-1 - Altitude
645-1 - FSN Rocky Mountain
646-1 - FSN Utah
647-1 - FSN Midwest
648-1 - FSN Midwest Alternate
649-1 - FSN Arizona
651-1 - FSN Northwest
652 - FSN West
653 - FSN Prime Ticket
654-1 - FSN Bay Area
669-1 - FSN Detroit Alternate
maxpower

join:2006-10-09
Providence, RI

Re: HD channels

quote:
501 - HBO HD East
504 - HBO HD West
509 - HBO HD East
Does HBO HD East count as 2 channels?

Jwobot

join:2002-08-14
Utica, MI
They should update their website.
neufuse

join:2006-12-06
Indiana, PA

Bandwidth

Exactly how much bandwidth can those new sat's transmit anyways? Wouldn't they reach some kinda capacity limit eventually like cable does?

See 6 replies to this post

DotMac
Shill H8r
Premium
join:2007-10-26
Huntington Beach, CA

I'm personally offering up to 1000 HD channels right now

Up to doesn't mean crap whether it's up to X channels for up to X Mb/s.

I wish the FTC would crack down on this misleading method of advertising.
--
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Team Discovery

dbmaven
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edit:
December 18th, @02:31PM

The only people complaining

...are those who can't get DirecTV, and who want to see it fail. DirecTV customers, for the most part, are enjoying the hell out of having more HD than anyone else (except for Dish, which is actually pretty close in channel count).

Calling a comment at a conference an "announcement" is Swanni-spin, something he's known for. Any official discussion on HD rollouts from DirecTV said "up to".

Why?

Because they don't control the content - only the delivery. A year ago it seemed likely that there would be something like 100 national HD 'channels' that could be broadcast by 12/31/2007 - dependent on the providers actually getting their act together and building HD studios and providing distribution services to the end-user providers. In some cases that didn't happen. (e.g. Disney and some of the other "coming soon" channels). Not DirecTV's fault - pretty much if it's available TODAY in HD, it's available in HD on DirecTV TODAY.

--
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Living in "an optimized state of temporary chaos"

Hookem99
Deep In The Heart

join:2007-07-18
Pflugerville, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
·Suddenlink
·ViaTalk
·AT&T Southwest
·DIRECTV

DTV Nickel and Dimes you to death to get HD!

My problem with DTV, is that a good portion of the things you WANT to watch in HD, are blacked out or require another package. I get MLB extra innings every year, and the HD package. But if I want to watch a game in HD, that requires yet another $99 package. Unless you are Donald Trump, you would go broke buying all the packages to actually get all the HD channels. Oh,they also charge more for the PPV's in HD. DTV, the home of nickle and dime.

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA
·Charter Pipeline

Re: DTV Nickel and Dimes you to death to get HD!

Sure but with DTV you only pay $5.99 for a "DVR" package that covers all your receivers. All additional receivers after the first are $5 extrea each (regardless of HD or not, DVR or not, etc)...

Try that with cable and its $15.99 PER DVR.

I have 3 DVRs (two HD-DVRs HR20s and an old SD DTV Tivo) and I pay $15.99 total for all of those! (over whatever my package price is) ($5.99 + $5 + $5).

With Cable that same setup would be $15.99+$15.99+$15.99 = $47.97!

dbmaven
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Question:
Is MLB Extra Innings with HD different on Cable? or Dish?
(I really don't know..)

When you add it all up, for comparable services, DirecTV/DISH/your local cable company are often pretty close in terms of total price. Each one "nickels and dimes" you in different ways - but the cost ends up being about the same.

Nightfall
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said by Hookem99 See Profile :

My problem with DTV, is that a good portion of the things you WANT to watch in HD, are blacked out or require another package. I get MLB extra innings every year, and the HD package. But if I want to watch a game in HD, that requires yet another $99 package. Unless you are Donald Trump, you would go broke buying all the packages to actually get all the HD channels. Oh,they also charge more for the PPV's in HD. DTV, the home of nickle and dime.
I get the NHL Center Ice package and that is about $150 for the season I believe (can't remember the exact amount). I see the games in HD with just the basic HD package of $10 a month. Oh, and by the way, its worth it. So I don't know if its Directv's fault or if its the MLBs fault in that situation.

Greg in Tucson

@qwest.net

Misleading Statements?

1) They have been advertising "up to" since day 1
2) The broadcasters stretch the content, not DirecTV
3) The Super Fan package is $39, not $99 (for baseball)

TBS-HD is, by far, the worst! Even "Frank-TV" which says it is in "HD" is not true HD. They stretch the sides to fill the screen and it looks horrible.

I don't understand why A&E and TBS can't broadcast syndicated shows in HD. 24, King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond were all broadcast in HD, yet the repeats on these channels is 4:3 on A&E and stretched 4:3 on TBS.

partysource

join:2000-11-25
Phoenix, AZ
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Direct TV Is HD-KING

I have Direct TV HD and is far superior to any cable HD.

I have the HD DVR and it's the bomb. No problems at all with Direct TV. I pay around 80.00 a month for premium with NFL Sunday Ticket.

Dish network can't even compare with the HD channels they got. How many do they got?..Like 10 channels now LOL
DemonicLlama

join:2007-11-19
Potomac, MD

Re: Direct TV Is HD-KING

I have DTV also. I dont have the HD package but anytime I go over to a friends house who has comcast, I really notice the quality difference in the picture on the non-HD services. I really enjoy my DTV on my 32" sony bravia.

lopinboy
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Huntersville, NC

Love and hate

I love having all the new channels and even more would be nice, but right now, I'm hating the audio issues that plague a few channels here and there. Lots of hiccups and occasionally the channel starts to pixelate into gray. The gray is easy to fix, but the audio starts to get annoying. It doesn't happen on most HD channels, just a handful.
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edit:
December 18th, @06:57PM

Re: Love and hate

This problem is often seen when the new slimlines get out of line with the sats All signals on the 103b should be above 90% the 101 sat should be from 95-100%. A common issue to look for is if the even and odd transponders show a pattern of high and lows, which means the dish is just slightly out of line. The alignment procedure of the new slimline is much easier than the old dishes, the slimline has a fine adjustment mechanism. This will fix the pixelation issues, but the audio sync is another issue.
whatthe

join:2003-05-13
Urbandale, IA

edit:
December 18th, @04:14PM

Up To

deleted wrong post

Grizzle

@teksavvy.com

Re: Up To

100 channels, eh? Who is going to need that many channels for entertainment?

When I cancelled my cable subscription, I was down to watching two shows on the scifi channel and occasional looks at cnn and the local news channel.

Now I download torrents of the shows I used to watch on scifi, along with every movie that shows up on dvd, and have numerous news sites to look at if I want.

I would much rather pay money to have a fast internet connection. 100 channels of tv is 97 channels of junk.

Richard50
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