additional HDNet channels most likely not on DirecTV

[uplinkguy]

I'm currently in Denver, technical home of HDNet.  News from a "friend of an informed friend."  A very reliable source, but must remain anonymous.....

DirecTV will probably not carry the 3 new channels of HDNet when they are expected to role out in December.  DirecTV is trying to save the bandwidth and has even recently compressed HDNet down to about 15mbs from 19mbs.

But the good news....HDNet has been negotiating with several cable systems including Time-Warner and Charter.  Expectations are that for about $12.95 a month an HD package will be formed with 4 HDNet channels with HBO-HD and Showtime-HD.  

So, I guess it might be time to bend over and hope you are in a service area with 21st century technology and is actually using it.
For Charter cable, the price after all the upgraded services just to add the package will probably be about $92 a month.

And in case you where wondering.... Dish Network still has no intentions of adding HDNet.

sorry for the bad news

[gparris]

While DIRECTV and Dish can merge all they want,satellites will NEVER, in ONE SOURCE like cable, ever give us all the HD we can ask for. 1600 local stations -all in HD when the final date is made and "all is digital",and the carry one, carry all takes effect, will kill them off in their carriage abilities. DIRECTV is already "damning" itself by lowering its bitrates and resolutions. I find artifacts on my WEGA 32"set on the premium channels already. The quantity vs. quality thing is already hitting the DIRECTV system, just like cable.
Only the locals off of DIRECTV are still a lot clearer, due to their digital nature, than TWC's.
If a package for HDTV was given just for us with HDTV sets (3+million sold) even if it was more expensive, I believe that it would sell. You buy the set, you want the programming, including progressive scan on you DVD player!
 On another note, "BigBand Networks,Inc." has a system that Cox cable is using in their Las Vegas and Phoenix locations to introduce HDTV rollouts. BigBand uses bitrate-adaption algorithms to multiplex digital feeds, a process that can boost channel capacity 50% WITHOUT losing picture quality. The advantage is that cable operators can do more HD programming per quadrature amplitude modulation stream(QAM). The rate adaption rids the cable system of the "null packets" (no data) thereby freeing up the bandwidth for extra HD and SD programs to be inserted into the single QAM. Most digital cable systems will use standard digital formats but the addition for HD will not be a major additional hardware expense-something cable systems loathe. The "MBR ports" that handle the digital feeds can be configured for SD or HD  signal feeds so "upgrades can be a simple as activating an unused port on the chassis and buying the HD rate-shaping software". "If all ports are in use, the operator can add a new port via card installation". BigBand gear is used for more than 1-1/2 million digital subs across several cable operators.
This is an except from TVINSITE dated 8/26/02 and tells me that in the near future, TWC will give us all the HD we want IF IT WANTS TO. NO more excuses about lack of space,etc. Bandwith is available. All locals will in HD and SD will fit. (Poor, DIRECTV!) Reception will be clear. No dish needed. No antenna needed for anyone. People with apartments,condos,and trees in the backyards or angry spouses can get HD without problems: not just people in our users group.
Joe sixpack will plug in and turn on his set without charts and diagrams.
Thank you BigBand. Now all we need is TWC to wakeup and get a FCC regulation and/or realize that it has a "dish-killer" application that works. Locals in HD (or at least Extended Def):something DIRECTV and CO. will never get to do.
Some TWC locations are already using this system like Cox. The article did not specify. Maybe Milwaukee is next: the wait could be for applying the new system and checking it out for a full rollout as time gets closer to 2006 and any bugs are taken out. Let's be optimistic with this new technology.

[Gregg Lengling]

I've also noticed the degradation on some of the Directv channels.  Most noticeably was a movie on TCM Saturday, I really wanted to see the movie but even when I left it in letterbox on my 61" screen it looked like crap.  The most dissapointing thing about a HDTV set is watching these 480i programs or even worse yet VHS tapes.  My wife bought me the set for Xmas and it was delivered before thanksgiving last year.  I said wow and checked out HDNET and HBO and thought this is great.  Then I threw in Star Wars Episode 1 on tape and very quickly got in the car and picked up a Progressive scan DVD player and some DVD's.  Even though it's only 480p with widescreen capabilities it's still better even than a 480p upconvert on 4 or 58.

Just remember it's got to get a little worse before it gets better, or it's always darkest just before dawn.

Live long and prosper.


------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net

[Matt Heebner]

I figured as much. I know DirecTv has limited bandwidth, and they would never take away from the endless self-promotion info-mercials and shopping channels to give to HD. However I will support whichever medium gives me the most HD. If OTA does it, I will watch them a majority of the time...hell I am already pretty much doing that now. If satellite does it, I will support them. If Time Warner (and people here know how much of a TWC fan I am) decided tommorrow that they were going to carry all of Milwaukee's OTA stations as well as HBO, Showtime, and all the HDNet's, I'd toss my dish away in a heartbeat. Right now OTA and DirecTv seem to give me the most for my money HD wise, but that could change. Whoever decides to "step to the plate" carriage-wise is who I will go with in the long run.

Matt

[This message has been edited by Matt Heebner (edited 09-02-2002).]