Post by dkennedy on Apr 25, 2005 5:20:30 GMT -5
Should You Get HDTV From DIRECTV?
April 24, 2005
By Phillip Swann
President, OnHD.TV
If you do, you'll likely need to replace your dish and receiver.
DIRECTV this summer plans to add local channels in high-def for the first time. The launch will begin with 12 markets and slowly expand to other cities. In addition, thanks to four new satellites that will be launched over the next two years, DIRECTV will carry up to 150 national HDTV channels by 2007.
However, there is a catch. When DIRECTV begins offering local HD, it will only be available on new MPEG-4 receivers and dishes, which have yet to go on sale. Yes, that means that any HDTV dish or receiver you buy from DIRECTV today -- or currently own -- will eventually be obsolete. The satcaster says that the new MPEG-4 receivers and dishes will be needed for the local HD signals, and eventually, all HDTV programming.
DIRECTV has hinted strongly that it will offer either a discount or some incentive for current dish owners to upgrade to the new MPEG-4 system when it becomes available. Consequently, many people have asked me whether they should buy a current DIRECTV dish and receiver to get high-def today.
My answer: No.
I believe that DIRECTV will offer current customers a deal on the new equipment. However, until the satellite service confirms that, today's buyer runs the risk of being left empty-handed. He or she might have to pay for an entire new system to get local HD signals in just a few months. Under that possible scenario, I can't possibly recommend buying a current DIRECTV dish and receiver to get HDTV.
So, buyer beware. DIRECTV's future HDTV offering is exciting indeed. But I have to recommend that you wait until the satellite TV service offers a better explanation of what the future truly holds.
April 24, 2005
By Phillip Swann
President, OnHD.TV
If you do, you'll likely need to replace your dish and receiver.
DIRECTV this summer plans to add local channels in high-def for the first time. The launch will begin with 12 markets and slowly expand to other cities. In addition, thanks to four new satellites that will be launched over the next two years, DIRECTV will carry up to 150 national HDTV channels by 2007.
However, there is a catch. When DIRECTV begins offering local HD, it will only be available on new MPEG-4 receivers and dishes, which have yet to go on sale. Yes, that means that any HDTV dish or receiver you buy from DIRECTV today -- or currently own -- will eventually be obsolete. The satcaster says that the new MPEG-4 receivers and dishes will be needed for the local HD signals, and eventually, all HDTV programming.
DIRECTV has hinted strongly that it will offer either a discount or some incentive for current dish owners to upgrade to the new MPEG-4 system when it becomes available. Consequently, many people have asked me whether they should buy a current DIRECTV dish and receiver to get high-def today.
My answer: No.
I believe that DIRECTV will offer current customers a deal on the new equipment. However, until the satellite service confirms that, today's buyer runs the risk of being left empty-handed. He or she might have to pay for an entire new system to get local HD signals in just a few months. Under that possible scenario, I can't possibly recommend buying a current DIRECTV dish and receiver to get HDTV.
So, buyer beware. DIRECTV's future HDTV offering is exciting indeed. But I have to recommend that you wait until the satellite TV service offers a better explanation of what the future truly holds.