kelley Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Like many of you I love watching HDTV and frankly can't stand watching TV when its not in HD, HD truly has changed my viewing habits. Well DirecTV has been running annoying ads for several months now targeted to people like you and me, claiming that soon they'll have more HD then cable or any other satellite provider. Well they've finally decided to let us know what these channels are and when they'll launch. Coming this September we have HD simulcast of The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and The Discovery Science Channel. Also in September Starz! will launch HD versions of Starz Edge, Starz Comedy, and Starz Kids & Family along with a East and West coast feed of Starz! HD. A&E HD is coming in September and DirecTV will be the first provider to get The History Channel HD(editor note: I want that!). DirecTV will also be the only place to see High School Musical 2 in HD. DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year. "Earlier this year we called 2007 the 'Year of HD' and we're going to deliver on our commitment to offer more HD channels than any other multichannel provider," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "In addition to the networks we've signed to date, we will continue to add more HD programming to our launch list between now and year-end. Demand for HD continues to grow, and with the dramatic expansion of our capacity this summer and the nationwide reach of our service, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industry in the carriage and delivery of HD programming." Under the agreement with Discovery Communications, DIRECTV will launch four simulcasts - Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel - and two other channels to be named and launched by Discovery at a later date. The HD feeds of the four existing networks will launch in September. DIRECTV also has an agreement in place with Starz to launch three new HD movie channels: Starz Edge, Starz Comedy and Starz Kids & Family, as well as Starz's East and West coast HD feeds. The new Starz HD channels, featuring first-run hit movies, and the Starz East and West HD channels, will also launch in September. The History Channel and DIRECTV recently announced that DIRECTV will be the first to launch The History Channel HD, a new 24-hour HD network, and A&E HD in September. As it continues to beef up its HD channel lineup, DIRECTV has also become the platform of choice for the debut of exclusive HD programming. Disney Channel is providing DIRECTV the exclusive rights to broadcast the premiere HD version of High School Musical 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the global sensation for kids and families. DIRECTV will air the movie in HD a few days after its standard-definition premiere Friday, August 17 on Disney Channel. In addition to the networks listed below, DIRECTV also plans to offer the HD feeds of regional sports networks on a nationwide basis this fall, and has commitments from a number of other networks to launch their HD simulcasts. They will be added to the lineup for launch by year-end and will be announced at a later date. To date, DIRECTV has signed agreements or agreements in principle, to launch the following networks. -- A&E -- National Geographic -- Bravo -- NFL Network -- Cartoon Network -- SciFi Channel -- CNN -- Speed -- Food Network -- TBS -- Big Ten Network -- The History Channel -- HGTV -- The Weather Channel -- MTV -- USA Network -- Disney Channel -- Versus HD -- Toon Disney -- TLC -- ABC Family -- Animal Planet -- ESPNNEWS HD -- The Science Channel -- Starz E/W feeds -- Discovery Channel -- Starz Edge -- The Tennis Channel -- Starz Comedy -- Showtime West -- Starz Kids & Family -- The Movie Channel -- CNBC -- Chiller HD networks currently offered by DIRECTV include ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT in HD, Universal HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, an HD pay per view/special events channel and HD feeds from NY- and LA-based broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX (for eligible customers). DIRECTV also offers local HD broadcast channels in 60 cities, representing more than 70 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV's industry leading lineup of HD sports programming includes up to 10 MLB games a week in HD, and DIRECTV plans to offer all MLB games produced in HD beginning with the 2008 season. DIRECTV also offers NBA and NHL games in HD, and through its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET Superfan subscription, DIRECTV customers have access to more than 150 NFL games in HD. In total DIRECTV offered more than 200 HD games last season, nearly twice as many as cable. DIRECTV announced earlier this year that it will have the capacity to launch up to 100 national HD channels by the end of 2007, and offer local HD channels in up to 75 markets, following the launch of its D10 satellite this summer. The satellite will be operational and new HD services will begin rolling out in Q3. The DIRECTV 11 satellite will be launched early next year to support further HD expansion. With the two satellites, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels, in addition to new advanced programming services for customers. Now if DirecTV would do something about HD-Lite and improve their HD-DVR's software I would think about going back. Also they really need the satellite they are launching on June 20th not to blow up this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Thats cool stuff but its media overload already in my house. I took the dish off the roof a few weeks ago and I think its going to stay off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PewterPirate Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I would love to have History Channel HD....Mail Call in HD....Ooh-rah!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BdoUK Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 The History Channel has been filming their content in HD for a few years now so they should have a good library of material to chose from. My parents have DirectTV so I hope they add the Louisville, KY area to the local HD broadcast plans. I'm somewhat surprised they haven't yet as I believe the Louisville metro area is considered the 16th largest "city" in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Directv's HD isn't HD so we should change the thread title You should say 'Directv is dropping the HD lite hammer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BdoUK Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I, like many others, am holding out hope that HD Lite will go out the window once they fully implement MPEG-4. Aren't there a few lawsuits working their way through the legal system at the moment trying to address this issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Zot Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Well, I'm excited. Since we need to move to a new house anyway and we are no longer under contract, I'm hoping to score a free 20-700 and 5 LNB from DTV during the move. Considering the new HDtivo boxes are only "rented" from DTV, no way am I looking forward to paying them for the box that allows me to pay them for service I would like to think MPEG-4 will give us true HD, but I know in my heart we'll end up with the same quality but with QVC 2, QVC 3, QVC Spanish, and QVC HD added to the channel list. Hehe, ever forward DTV, ever forward... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Mmmmm. History Channel in HD. Oh my, the Weather Channel in HD? Don't tell my wife. We've got another year or so on the Dish contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyN Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I'm sure those channels will make there way onto cable systems eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Directv's HD isn't HD so we should change the thread title You should say 'Directv is dropping the HD lite hammer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Now if DirecTV would do something about HD-Lite and improve their HD-DVR's software I would think about going back. There was a software update on their HD-DVR over a month ago. Almost all my complaints were addressed. There are a couple UI issues with the device but all the serious problems (not recording scheduled programs, stopping playback 1/2 way through a program, etc.) are 100% gone. It's a very nice DVR now. This is pretty good news. They don't mention pricing though. I think the HD package is currently $10. I hope it doesn't go up but I know I'll pay it if it does. I was hoping (rather, expecting) all subscription channels to go HD though. It just makes sense, paying for SD HBO or Showtime kind of sucks. Having only one HD HBO channel is not cool. Now I'd like to see the networks deliver on their end. I don't watch TNT much but EVERYTHING they show on their HD channel appears to be stretched. It looks horrible. And ESPN-HD is a joke. 90% of their content is SD. I don't care if they have to run old games this channel should be a showcase of what HD can do for sports. I don't want to see 640x480 poker with vertical gray ESPN-HD logos on the sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted May 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 There was a software update on their HD-DVR over a month ago. Almost all my complaints were addressed. There are a couple UI issues with the device but all the serious problems (not recording scheduled programs, stopping playback 1/2 way through a program, etc.) are 100% gone. It's a very nice DVR now. Thats great news, I know when I was over at your house in November you were pretty unhappy with the HR20 just as I was with the R15 which uses the same software as the HR20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan B. Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I replaced my dead HR10-250 with the HR20-700 a few months back & aside from a few usability issues, I prefer it overall to the HR10. I might be in the minority, though. It's been very solid so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Now I'd like to see the networks deliver on their end. I don't watch TNT much but EVERYTHING they show on their HD channel appears to be stretched. It looks horrible. And ESPN-HD is a joke. 90% of their content is SD. I don't care if they have to run old games this channel should be a showcase of what HD can do for sports. I don't want to see 640x480 poker with vertical gray ESPN-HD logos on the sides. I've got the Dish VIP622 HD-DVR which has been great. They recently updated firmware which just made it better (putting the HD channels next to their SD counterparts, along with some other stuff). I agree TNT HD is a joke. They run 4:3 Angel stretched even though later seasons were produced in widescreen. They crop 2.35:1 movies to 16:9. Ugh. I don't mind 480p in an HD channel sometimes as long as it's not stretched. It's like watching DVD quality SDTV which I'm OK with. I'm taping Northern Exposure on Universal HD. It looks way better than the fuzzy SD channels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I'm waiting for Comedy Central to go HD! :tu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I agree TNT HD is a joke. They run 4:3 Angel stretched even though later seasons were produced in widescreen. They crop 2.35:1 movies to 16:9. Ugh Titanic was shown in OAR on TNT a few months ago. There is a glimmer of hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted May 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I'm taping Northern Exposure on Universal HD. My favorite thing about UHD is the HD airs of NE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I've been hooked on watching HDNet Movies. Im always checking the schedule online and on the DVR looking for stuff to record. Watched A Dog Day Afternoon yesterday for the first time and it looked awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave C Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 DirecTV will also be the only place to see High School Musical 2 in HD. SOLD!!! When directv supplies all the hardware maybe I'll consider switching back to satellite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted May 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I've been hooked on watching HDNet Movies. Im always checking the schedule online and on the DVR looking for stuff to record. Watched A Dog Day Afternoon yesterday for the first time and it looked awesome. LOVE HDnet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 :wub HDNET and HDNET movies I swear they're the only HD channels I watch at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Lately Nat Geo HD has been the HD channel of choice for myself. It looks fantastic here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimness Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Can somebody explain what exaclty HD-Lite means? I was trying to follow this thread, and I'm a little confused by the comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan B. Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Lite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimness Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Thanks.....crab man. BTW, where did you get that? i thought those things were cute in Half Life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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