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Post by xzi on Oct 31, 2008 12:38:14 GMT -5
That's fair considering DIRECTV and Dish both include their PPV channels and out-of-market fulltime RSNs in their counts.
DIRECTV doesn't (yet) include their HD On-Demand stuff, though, probably because most people can't use it unless they have a DVR AND high-speed internet.
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Post by xzi on Oct 31, 2008 9:25:47 GMT -5
My understanding is it's on the air now, but formally launches Nov 1st. I can't check because I don't have the OTA setup right now (I use Media Center and I'm painting the room the computer was in)
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Post by xzi on Oct 31, 2008 9:24:15 GMT -5
1851 is Fox Business News HD, which is a different channel.
Right now, DIRECTV is the only ones carrying Fox News HD so far, with the exception of this announcement obviously. It launched on DIRECTV on Oct. 17th.
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Post by xzi on Oct 30, 2008 13:44:40 GMT -5
I'm hearing there is a new channel, THIS TV, on 45-2. I have a DirecTV OTA tuner and it doesn't have it listed yet so I can't check it out right now, but heads up I guess if people haven't discovered it yet. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_TV
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Post by xzi on Oct 30, 2008 13:42:03 GMT -5
Looks like Microsoft will beat them to the punch, WITH HD, too... news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10078293-1.htmlWhen Microsoft unveiled the plan for the new Xbox Live experience back at E3 2008, we were thrilled to hear that Netflix instant streaming was among the features announced. That news just got a little sweeter now that Engadget HD is reporting that Xbox 360 owners will also be able to stream selected Netflix titles in HD. While a list of HD-ready movies is not immediately available, some 300 titles will be ready for HD streaming when the service launches--along with the new Xbox Live experience--November 19. Judging from the screen grab, it looks like the Netflix 360 player will gauge your Internet connection and decide whether or not your hookup can handle glorious high-definition content. This is certainly big news for Xbox 360 owners, as no other device has the ability to stream Netflix in HD. Can you hear that? It's the sound of a Roku player crying.
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Post by xzi on Oct 24, 2008 21:05:16 GMT -5
Your TV isn't the only way to watch DIRECTV. Now you can watch your favorite shows on your PC. With your DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR receiver and PC connected to your home network, the DIRECTV2PC application allows you to stream the programs you recorded on your DVR to your PC, where you can watch them in up to full HD resolution. With DIRECTV2PC you can: Stream recorded HD programming in full resolution from your DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR to your PC. Watch shows on your PC while live or recorded programming is being watched on your TV. Enjoy the same DIRECTV screen interface. www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4920044
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Post by xzi on Oct 24, 2008 21:00:17 GMT -5
Users of DIRECTV know what it feels like to go through their 600+ channels and still not find your local feed, "Game Not Available In Your Area" message... well, FINALLY they did something about it:
Sports Blackouts No Longer Keep DIRECTV Viewers in the Dark October 9, 2008
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 21, 2008 - DIRECTV scores another first in sports broadcasting technology with GameSearch™, a new search-engine based technology that illuminates the problem of local sports game blackouts for frustrated fans. When a DIRECTV receiver is tuned-in to a channel with a blacked-out game, GameSearch™ recognizes the blackout and immediately looks to see if the game is on another channel.
Sports blackouts, a long time source of frustration and confusion for sports fans, occur when a sporting event is not televised in a certain market to protect the teams, the sports leagues, and the stations, who are the rights holders to the game broadcast. Regardless of the specific sport or league, the end result is always the same - perplexed fans frustrated at the inability to view their desired game broadcast.
"Blackouts have always been the bane of sports fans and while we can't make them go away, we can be the first to make it easier for fans, who have been left in the dark, to find their game if it's being broadcast on another channel," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of DIRECTV Entertainment. "Like our HD and interactive services, GameSearch is another DIRECTV technological innovation developed in response to what our customers want and what will provide them with the ultimate viewing experience."
GameSearch will automatically recognize when the DIRECTV receiver is tuned-in to a channel with a sports blackout. The search engine will immediately scan the DIRECTV channel lineup to find alternative channels that may be broadcasting the blacked-out game. If a nonblacked out broadcast of the game is found, GameSearch displays an on-screen message giving the viewer the option to tune in to that channel. If a non-blacked out version is not available, an on-screen message will let the viewer know the game is not available. When a game is scheduled to be recorded on a DVR, Game Search will find the game that is not in black-out and automatically record it.
The GameSearch technology is free of charge to DIRECTV customers and is now available to customers with DIRECTV's top-of-the-line HD DVR HR20 and HR21 receivers, as well as the just-released R22 SD DVR. Later this year the service will be rolled out to basic DVRS (R15 and R16) and next year to HD (H20 and H21) receivers.
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Post by xzi on Oct 24, 2008 20:56:34 GMT -5
DIRECTV Customers Count On Mix Channel For Election Night Coverage
October 21, 2008 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – As the drama of the historic 2008 Presidential election unfolds Nov. 4, DIRECTV will offer its customers a new way to get the most out of live election night coverage through an interactive Election Mix Channel. This unique channel will feature eight network feeds on one screen and a real-time election blog that will track the announcements and analysis on each channel as votes are counted, exit polling data is evaluated and electoral count projections roll in.
Compliments of DIRECTV, the Election Mix will include each of the four broadcast networks and other leading news channels — CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and alternating feeds of Comedy Central (when it's doing live election coverage) and BBC America — all on one screen.
Adopting the same award-winning interactive technology that has propelled the popularity of its sports programming, DIRECTV will enable customers with interactive receivers to highlight any one of the eight channels on the screen to listen to the audio on that channel, and then to select any highlighted cell to watch full screen. The Election Mix will replace the News Mix on DIRECTV channels 102 and 352 and will be available in both standard-definition and HD.
At the bottom of the 2008 Election Mix, DIRECTV will show live blog posts updating viewers on the networks' exit polling data, electoral count projections, results from significant Senate races, gubernatorial contests, ballot initiatives, and noteworthy news and quotes from reporters, analysts, and the candidates themselves.
"With record-setting voter turnout expected at the polls and tens of millions of viewers tuning in to watch the results of this historic election, the idea of offering the Election Mix as a service to our customers was a no-brainer," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV, Inc. "The interactive Mix channels have proven value for fans of our sports subscription services, and we believe the Election Mix will serve the same purpose here, helping viewers navigate the mosaic of news coverage, analysis and commentary of the shifting drama. They'll be able to call it a night, knowing they haven't missed a thing - and they saw it in vivid DIRECTV HD."
The 2008 Election Mix service will begin Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and continue until the end of the broadcast day at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. If events warrant, DIRECTV may extend the coverage.
The election blog, offering real-time posts from each network, will begin as polls in the East close and network begin coverage and will continue until the presidential election has been decided.
Visit directv.com/interactive for more information.
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Post by xzi on Oct 24, 2008 20:55:06 GMT -5
DIRECTV and The Weather Channel provide America with new severe weather alerts and localized weather applications
October 14, 2008
ATLANTA – DIRECTV's interactive customers now have multiple methods for receiving vital local weather information from The Weather Channel® (TWC). New services include a severe weather alert product, ZIP code-specific weather information during the popular "Local on the 8s" segments, a "Local on Demand" TV service available while watching TWC and through the newly designed DIRECTV ACTIVE™ portal.
The new interactive local weather services, which launched earlier this month on DIRECTV, include:
Alert Ticker — For certain severe weather conditions, TWC viewers will see the Alert Ticker appear at the bottom of their screen. This ticker will give them information on the current weather alert(s) and provide a link to the "Local On Demand" application to get more information. "Local on the 8s" Application — DIRECTV viewers of The Weather Channel can now view the popular "Local on the 8s" segments for their specific locale. Presented six times each hour at :08, :18, :28, :38, :48 and :58 minutes past the top of the hour on The Weather Channel (not yet available on TWC HD), viewers can see current conditions, radar maps, details for the day's forecast and the seven-day forecast automatically for their local area. This content is presented with the iconic "Local on the 8s" jazz soundtrack. "Local On Demand" Application — While watching TWC, DIRECTV viewers can access a menu of interactive weather features for their ZIP code including current conditions, the five-day forecast, regional radar maps, weather alerts and weather for up to five other cities they can 'save' as favorites - all while continuing to watch live TWC programming on the same screen. Additionally, DIRECTV customers will be able to access localized weather information for more than 40,000 ZIP code locations across the United States. DIRECTV ACTIVE™ Application — The Weather Channel is now the featured provider of weather content on the newly designed DIRECTV ACTIVE portal providing similar weather information detailed in the "Local On Demand" application. Viewers can access this application by pressing the ACTIVE button on the remote.
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Post by xzi on Oct 24, 2008 9:32:04 GMT -5
Someone is looking to compete finally. Can't wait to see what this does to your bill--oh wait, that's right, they are the home of "Free HD" how could I forget.
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Post by xzi on Oct 22, 2008 12:00:10 GMT -5
As of today, DIRECTV added:
360 - Fox News HD (this is in addition to Fox News Business HD) 275 - Crime and Investigation HD (A&E's new network) 306-1 - HDNet Alternate (for sports I guess??)
Coming Soon (rumor is next week) is:
Travel Channel HD WGN HD ESPNU HD Chiller HD
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Post by xzi on Oct 21, 2008 16:24:16 GMT -5
DIRECTV subscribers
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Post by xzi on Sept 13, 2008 20:40:31 GMT -5
As long as you don't mind losing TW3 (Siena games) or MOJO, and don't mind getting CWHD over the air (then MyTV HD OTA in Feb.) then nothing else should keep you from leaving TW in my opinion.
Rain fade definitely still exists, especially since the new Ka stuff is so much less power in the Northeast, but it's still just minutes at a time a few times a year, and with a DVR you'll never care anyway (at lease USUALLY not).
I don't think either company lets you get away without using their equipment anymore. For example if you own your own DIRECTV box, they'll charge you a 4.99 extra receiver fee. If you rent it, they'll wavie that, but charge you a 4.99 mirroring fee. 6 of 1....
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Post by xzi on Sept 11, 2008 21:05:24 GMT -5
This past weekend I switched to Direct TV. The picture in my opinion is 100x better than was Time Warner. I compared the two channels on Thursday night for Football and the difference was DAY and NIGHT. I dont know much about the technology but I do know that DirectTV's HD picture is much crisper and clearer than the best Time Warner I ever had in the past.... The "technology" you are referring to is MPEG-4 and yes, DIRECTVHD looks much better than Time-Warner's because of their switch to MPEG-4 years ago. Enjoy!
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Post by xzi on Aug 18, 2008 23:26:41 GMT -5
Don't get too excited, I've had CSTVHD and then CBSCS-HD for a while now on DIRECTV and unfortunately it's all strech-o-vision ESPNU HD I'm excited for though as well.
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