DIRECTV Adds Local HDTV

[Gregg Lengling]

DIRECTV yesterday began offering local High-Definition TV channels in Boston, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Dallas & Houston.

Last month, the satcaster launched local HD service in Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco and Atlanta. New York and Los Angeles are expected to get local HD later this month.

This is the first time that a U.S. satellite service has provided local channels in high-def. Cable TV operators have offered the service for a few years.

DIRECTV says it will offer local HD to dozens of more markets in 2006.

To receive the local HD channels, subscribers must get the new DIRECTV H-20 MPEG4 receiver and the new five LNB dish. There have been conflicting reports on how much DIRECTV is charging for the new equipment. Some customers have reported getting the dish and receiver for free while others say they have been charged $49 or $99.

[Tom Snyder]

Has anyone seen one the 5 lnb dishes? Is the dish itself still the same size as the triple?

[Den Mayer]

Is the satellite local HD to be provided thru:

     the satellite down link    OR

    via attaching a local OTA antenna to your chimney??

[Bebop]

http://www.solidsignal.com/satellite/at9_install_videos.asp

[kevbeck122]

[gparris]

Is the satellite local HD to be provided thru:

     the satellite down link    OR

    via attaching a local OTA antenna to your chimney??

Directv has a new receiver (not HD DVR, yet) for signal delivery without an OTA antenna required.
All local HD channels are provided with this new box/dish combo and various threads at satelliteguys (see our forum link).

My understanding is first the 12 cities get it (like through this month) then the next 12 get their HD channels.
At this time,  the first 12 get the balance of PBS HD, WB HD and UPN HD locals (Sinclair HD stations too), meaning the first time you get locals in HD you get the basic four networks locally.

This means, since Directv is planning on delivering 36 cities and Milwaukee is #33.
by the end of 2006 if not sooner, all 7 HD locals will be by dish (hopefully HD DVR)  which will really be cool. :cool:

[Steve Mann]

This means, since Directv is planning on delivering 36 cities and Milwaukee is #33.
by the end of 2006 if not sooner, all 7 HD locals will be by dish (hopefully HD DVR)  which will really be cool. :cool:

I get all HD locals now and record them nightly.  Thanks TiVo!  ;-)

I'll be staying with OTA HD even after D* starts beaming HD locals to us. I get all the locals now and why should I suffer with any compression that D* may add to the stream?

[Mark Strube]

I'd be interested how CBS-HD would look, if it's from a market that has no multicast on that station... with DirecTV converting it to MPEG4.

[gparris]

I get all HD locals now and record them nightly.  Thanks TiVo!  ;-)

I'll be staying with OTA HD even after D* starts beaming HD locals to us. I get all the locals now and why should I suffer with any compression that D* may add to the stream?

Steve Mann:
Good for you that you get your HD locals OTA,
but that is not always practical (or possible) for some of us, okay?

As for compression artifacts on Directv HD locals, that is only an assumption,
like everyone getting OTA HD as easy as you do.

Personally, if Directv (or Dishnetwork) offer a single, simple one-dish solution for everything including all HD locals (like they are trying to do now), it will more effectively compete with the likes of cable, which is balking at adding any new HD channels lately (think TWC).

Add a HD DVR (MPEG-4) for purchase or rental (to compete with the 8300HD DVR)
 and you will have converts over to satellite in no time (hear that, TWC?)

Just making a couple of points here! :wave:

[Bebop]

I'd be interested how CBS-HD would look, if it's from a market that has no multicast on that station... with DirecTV converting it to MPEG4.

It will be interesting to see if a Mpeg2 signal converted to Mpeg4 will introduce artifacts in the process.

[Steve Mann]

Steve Mann:
Good for you that you get your HD locals OTA,
but that is not always practical (or possible) for some of us, okay?

Nor did I say it was.

As for compression artifacts on Directv HD locals, that is only an assumption,
like everyone getting OTA HD as easy as you do.

Nor did I say this. Or even imply it.

Personally, if Directv (or Dishnetwork) offer a single, simple one-dish solution for everything including all HD locals (like they are trying to do now), it will more effectively compete with the likes of cable, which is balking at adding any new HD channels lately (think TWC).

And I'm all for that as I pretty much despise cable.

... Just making a couple of points here! :wave:

That's fine. Of course, they were points I was well aware of though.