DirecTV Response regarding local HD channels

[Skywalker]

I emailed DirecTV inquiring about the availability of local HD channels in the Milwaukee area.  Here is the response:


"Thanks for asking about HD equipment. We've got good news! We've begun to roll out local HD programming. We're already serving select cities and anticipate to add the Milwaukee area by May 2006. We will be adding more cities soon after these and gradually expanding our coverage over the next two years, as we deploy new satellites that use state-of-the-art MPEG-4 technology. The local channels we offer will carry a mix of digital standard-definition and HD programming.

Customers who have DIRECTV HD equipment and want to receive local HD programming from DIRECTV will be eligible for an MPEG-4-capable receiver replacement after we launch local HD programming in your city. (If you want to replace your HD DVR, you will need to wait a bit longer. Our new MPEG-4-capable DIRECTV HD DVR is expected to be available sometime in 2006, after we roll out our local HD programming to our first group of cities.)

More details will be available when we launch the local HD service in your area, so watch your local TV, radio or mailbox for upcoming announcements or visit DIRECTV.com/HD

Thanks again for writing and stay tuned to DIRECTV.com for the latest news and information about HD programming

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P
DIRECTV Customer Service"

[gparris]

Welcome to the forum, Skywalker! :wave:

Thanks for the Directv reply about Milwaukee...but I wonder when all the HD locals will appear like WB HD, PBS HD and soon (when available) UPN HD.
I know the carriage aggreements with the Sinclair Broadcast Group and Directv were signed and these automatically included both SD and HD (unlike TWC).

My understanding is Milwaukeeland gets the first 4 HD locals like the first 12 have already got theirs, then, as Directv gets out the next 12 cities for HD locals, the first get the balance of the HD locals.
NY, Chicago, etc get their balance as Milwaukeeland and the other 11 cities get their basic four...this is my understanding.
Assuming  this to be true, any, the question is:
It is going to be MAY of this year for our first 4, or for the balance of the HD locals?
 
Maybe there is a plan in place as WB HD and UPN HD (soon) are not available to TWC HD subs and that could be the sort of thing that will lose TWC customers by this occurring, including the rental HD DVR they so cherish from TWC (like me).  

[chadl11]

Maybe I'm missing something, but is the big deal about this really important only for those who can't pick up the local HD channels via OTA?  I'm getting the local HD's over the air and wouldn't consider purchasing them from DirecTV.  However, the more I think about this, there are probably more people who can't get OTA HD locals than people like me who can.  Those are the people who are going to be happy.

[Stanley Kritzik]

With the HR10-250 and D*'s present local line-up, there's an advantage to getting both; namely channels 10 and 36.  For some warped reason, 36-1, for example, is time-shifted three hours later than old analog (and the D* re-transmission).  So, if, for example, one wants to watch the Jim Leher news hour at 6:30 PM, D*'s local is the answer.  Otherwise, it is delayed three hours on 36-1.

Right now, that's the best reason for D*'s Milwaukee locals.  Now, as the new HD locals start up, getting them via D* will be fine, but until they are all there, those of us within range of the antennas will probably continue to be better served by having options.

[gparris]

Despite the fact that there are no "known" HD national channel additions by Directv this year, the two things cable had over them was local HD channel availablity and HD DVR rentals.

Soon, both will be a non-issue and the only way to compete with Directv will be by adding more HD national channels to HD subscribers.

[vegasvic]

I also receive all the local HD signals just fine OTA so I have no need for the new receiver.  However, isn't the new receiver going to be required when DTV adds additional non local HD channels to their lineup?

I also thought I had heard we would need a new dish with MPEG-4 but it sounds as if we do not.

[Skywalker]

If DIRECTV offers locals in HD in your market you will need a H20 model DIRECTV HD Receiver that is MPEG - 4 capable and 5 LNB satellite dish that is ka/ku compatible.

Currently, DirecTV is offering rebates on their new HD equipment to current and existing customers.

[gparris]

I am monitoring this closely as close friends of mine have a 65" Mits.
With Directv, they have been in SD mode, no upgrades, so now they are waiting for the least expensive install with the local HD channels coming on line and maybe a special on the HD package, just to get them going.

4-7 HD locals plus the HD package of what, 6 more (or maybe more?) should do it for them considering that is much better than playing DVDs on it and watching Directv SD programming like now.

[Scott]

I don't really care about HD locals anymore, since my OTA is fine once Fox six upgraded.....

I'm more frustrated with the fact we have no TNT-HD nor FoxSportsNorth-HD, nor many other HD channels....it's been pitiful the last 18-months.

[Matt Heebner]

I agree with that. I know that LIL HD via D* is going to be great for those who can't pick up their locals OTA, but there are quite a few people who can pick them up  and would rather have more "national" HD channels.

In my opinion, the local HD roll-out by D* is a huge yawn. When D* announced the major HD news about this a while back...I was really hoping there would be alot more to it.

Matt

[bradsmainsite]

Seems like that good old antenna is still about the best way to get all your local channels in HD (and FREE) especially if you fall between DMA markets.

I know this doesn't help apartment dwellers and the like, but hang  in there maybe something new will come in antenna design with the new technoligies
available.  I quess we will have to wait and see.