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Post by xzi on Mar 15, 2008 23:03:04 GMT -5
Uh-oh. Tough news, DISH Network subscribers. The AMC-14 satellite that lifted off from Kazakhstan just hours ago failed to reach orbit. Reportedly, an "anomaly occurred during the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage," causing it to never reach its final destination. As it stands, a Russian State Commission has begun an investigation to understand what caused the mishap, but unfortunately, we've no idea when a replacement will be ready for liftoff. Here's to hoping the DirecTV 11 has much better luck when it blasts off in just a couple of days. www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/dish-networks-amc-14-fails-to-reach-orbit/
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Post by xzi on Mar 15, 2008 23:01:57 GMT -5
Not like it really needed to be said or anything, but DirecTV's looking to keep NCAA basketball fans glued to their sets once again this year with its exclusive Mega March Madness package. What's notable, however, is that all 37 games included in the package will be aired in high-definition this year with access to scores and statistics via the interactive, on-screen L-wrap, and of course, you'll also have access to a Game Mix channel (four broadcasts shown at once) and an on-screen tournament bracket. Start saving up that $69 now -- the madness starts on March 20th. www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/directvs-mega-march-madness-to-be-entirely-in-hd/
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 14:48:57 GMT -5
For Comparison, Time-Warner's Offerings are as follows:
- Basic Cable ($12/mo.) - 6 HD channels (Clear QAM) - Digital Cable ($59.95/mo.) - 25 HD channels (requires STB) - Digital with HD Tier ($64.95/mo.) - 29 HD channels (requires STB) - Digital with Sports Pak (??/mo.) - 27 HD channels (requires STB) - Digital with Sports and HD Tier (??/mo.) - 31 HD channels (requires STB) - Digital, Sports, HD Tier, all movie channels (??/mo.) - 41 HD channels -- which is exactly what they advertise
Basic Cable 1806 WRGBDT 1808 WXXADT 1810 WTENHD 1811 WMHTHD 1813 WNYTHD 1815 WCWN HD
Digital Cable 1805 TBS HD 1823 The Weather Channel HD 1827 TNT HD 1837 Discovery HD Theater 1838 A&E High Definition 1839 The History Channel HD 1840 Music: High Definition 1841 HGTV HD 1842 Food Network HD 1846 CNN HD 1847 MSG: Madison Square Garden 1851 Fox Business Network 1864 Lifetime Movie Network East 1866 SportsNet NY HD 1867 Yankees Television HD 1869 ESPN-HD 1870 ESPN2 High Definition 1873 Versus/Golf Channel HD 1876 National Geographic HD
HD Premium Tier 1855 MOJO 1857 HD Net 1858 HDNET Movies 1860 Universal HD
Premium Sports Tier 1874 Outdoor Channel HD 1875 NHL HD
Movie Channels 1880 HBO East High Definition 1882 HBO West High Definition 1883 Cinemax HD East 1884 Cinemax HD West 1885 Showtime High Definition 1890 Starz HD East 1891 Starz - West 1892 Starz Comedy HD 1893 Starz Kids and Family HD 1894 Starz Edge HD
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 14:29:54 GMT -5
Since this has come up alot (and just showed up on Engadget HD, too) I figured I'd actually put together a kick-and-count of what I actually get for real, HD channels on DirecTV here in Albany (zip code 12144).
I'll break it down by package, too, and we can count them up at the end and make a real comparison with Time Warner. This means I'll be exclusing anything you don't actually get, PPV, special event channels, etc. Plus, it will make it easier to "leave off" what you don't pay for, like movie channels and out-of-market RSNs. I also left off RSN-alternates like BTNa (Big-Ten network) as they are always dark. I also left HD-PPV out of the count because it varies, but I know they include it in their "90 HD channels" count.
This was done not using marketing materials, but by flipping through channels and knowing what's what so it is a "what we get today" count.
Here are the totals: - Family Package with HD Access, $39.99/mo., 11 HD channels - Choice Package with HD Access, $62.98/mo., 40 HD channels - Choice Xtra or better with HD Access, $67.98/mo., 48 HD channels - Premier with HD Access, $109.98/mo., 60 HD channels (not including the out-of-market RSNs)
Since I have Choice Xtra with HD Acces, and HD Extra Pack (locked in rate of $49.99 + $4.99 HD Extra + $9.99 HD Access -- total of $64.97/mo after my $20/mo off for 12 mos. promo expires) I get a total of 53 usable HD channels.
With premiere, all you can possibly get you're looking at 64 true HD channels 24-hours-a-day maximum. Maybe not 90, as they claim, but pretty good. I'm sure the rest is creative counting.
NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL Center Ice, NBA and MLB packages all include "HD channels" but they don't necessarily add to the overall count since they are all RSNs that DirecTV carries anyway since they are national... with cable they need to carry these seperately in an area so they can call these more channels if they choose.
Local Channels (All packages) 6 WRGB CBS Affiliate MPEG-4 10 WTEN ABC Affiliate MPEG-4 13 WNYT NBC Affiliate MPEG-4 23 WXXA FOX Affiliate MPEG-4
Family with HD Access 101 The 101 DirecTV Exclusive MPEG-4 229-1 HGTVHD NOT a simulcast of SD HGTV MPEG-4 231-1 FOODHD NOT a simulcast of SD FOOD MPEG-4 284 SCIHD The Science Channel MPEG-4 299 NICKHD Nickelodeon HD East MPEG-4 362 TWCHD The Weather Channel MPEG-4 276 NGHD National Georaphic MPEG-4
Choice with HD Access 79 HDNET HDNet was taken off Extra Pack MPEG-2 202 CNNHD MPEG-4 206 ESPNHD MPEG-2 209 ESP2HD MPEG-2 212 NFLHD MPEG-4 215 NHLHD MPEG-4 220 BTNHD Big-Ten Network MPEG-4 242 USAHD MPEG-4 244 SCIFIHD MPEG-4 245 TNTHD MPEG-2 247 TBSHD MPEG-4 248 FXHD MPEG-4 265 A&EHD MPEG-4 269 HISTHD MPEG-4 273 BRAVOHD MPEG-4 278 DISCHD NOT Discovery HD Theater MPEG-4 280 TLCHD MPEG-4 281 HDT Old Discovery HD Theater MPEG-4 282 ANIMHD Animal Planet MPEG-4 296 TOONHD The Cartoon Network MPEG-4 325 SpikeHD MPEG-4 327 CMTHD MPEG-4 331 MTVHD MTV in HD, Not "MHD" MPEG-4 335 VH1HD MPEG-4 355 CNBCHD MPEG-4 621 MSGHD Part of Albany Local RSN MPEG-4 622 YESHD Part of Albany Local RSN MPEG-4 624 FSNYHD Part of Albany Local RSN MPEG-4 625 SNYHD Part of Albany Local RSN MPEG-4
Choice Xtra with HD Access 217 TENNHD The Tennis Channel MPEG-4 266 bioHD MPEG-4 359 FOXBHD FOX Business News MPEG-4 601 NBAHD NBATV HD, not NBA PPV MPEG-4 604 VSGOLFHD VS/Golf HD MPEG-4 607 SPEEDHD MPEG-4 610 CSTVHD MPEG-4 612 FUELHD MPEG-4
HD Extra Pack ($4.99 with any package) 74 UNIHD Universal HD MPEG-2 78 HDNM HDNet Movies MPEG-2 255 MGMHD MPEG-2 267 SMITHD The Smithsonian Channel MPEG-2 332 MHD Music (MTV) HD, not MTV MPEG-2
Premiere (includes all movie channels and RSNs) 501 HBOEHD HBO East MPEG-2 504 HBOHD HBO West MPEG-4 512 MAXEHD Cinemax East MPEG-4 514 MAXWHD Cinemax West MPEG-4 518 STZFHD Starz Kids & Family MPEG-4 519 STZCHD Starz Comedy MPEG-4 520 STZEHD Starz East MPEG-4 521 STZWHD Starz West MPEG-4 522 STZEDHD Starz Edge MPEG-4 537 SHOHD Showtime East MPEG-2 538 SHO2HD Showtime 2 East MPEG-4 540 SHOwHD Showtime West MPEG-4 544 TMCHD The Movie Channel MPEG-4 7xx RSNs Various Out Of Market RSNs MPEG-4
Pay-Per-View/Special Events 94 RSNHD MPEG-2 versions of RSN (YESHD, etc) MPEG-2 98 DTVHD MPEG-2 Special Event PPV MPEG-2 99 DTVHD MPEG-2 Special Event PPV MPEG-2 Various PPV Various HD PPV Movies MPEG-4
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 13:18:09 GMT -5
DirecTV packages 2007 vs. 2008
PREMIER™ $104.99/mo.; (was $99.99) -- 5% PLUS HD DVR™ $72.99/mo.; (was $69.99) -- 4.2% PLUS DVR™ $62.99/mo.; (was $59.99) -- 5% CHOICE XTRA™ $57.99/mo.; (was $54.99) -- 5.1% CHOICE™ $52.99/mo.; (was $49.99) -- 6%
Time Warner Packages 2007 vs. 2008
All The Best $133.90; (was $129.90) -- 3% Standard $52.95; (was $50.90) -- 5.2% Digital $59.95; (was $57.90) -- 3.4%
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 13:02:46 GMT -5
Yup, it is already in effect on the website. That's why I wanted to lock in before February (which I did) as you keep your locked in price for your contract length.
The HD price, however, did not go up. It's still $9.99/mo. They HD Extra Pack, which was free, is now off promo and is either $3 or $5/ mo I don't remember. It's their equivalent of the HD Tier on TW--HD channels with no SD counterpart (MGM HD, HD Net Movies, Smitsonian HD, couple others...)
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 15:41:59 GMT -5
My experience is rain and snow never cause loss of service. Snow piling on the dish or LNB, though, can. You need a really sticky snow, like the one we get last week, before you start to lose service. I've read spraying the dish with PAM cooking spray every fall works all winter. I haven't had the need to care, I have hour and hours of DVR stuff that I never watch anyway
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Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 15:43:39 GMT -5
They are going to get in trouble for this.
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Post by xzi on Feb 20, 2008 16:09:01 GMT -5
DIRECTV to Offer First Interactive, Multi-Screen Coverage of Masters TournamentExpanded Coverage Features Interactive Mix Channel, Three Additional Full-Screen Channels Along With CBS and ESPN Live Coverage – All Broadcast in HD; Enhancements Include Leader Board, Stats and Scores and Video On Demand EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIRECTV will offer its customers an unprecedented level of coverage during the 2008 Masters Golf Tournament through a unique multi-channel broadcast package. The new service will combine live CBS and ESPN coverage of the Tournament with additional views of the legendary Augusta National Golf Club course, access to complete Tournament leader board information, hole-by-hole player statistics, scores, a course tour and on-demand Masters video clips. All Masters channels will be available in both HD and standard-definition to all DIRECTV customers. The 2008 Masters will be contested April 10-13 and the enhanced DIRECTV service will be available during ESPN coverage of the first two rounds and CBS coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday. The centerpiece of DIRECTV’s coverage of the Tournament will be the Masters Mix Channel, offering viewers a unique window on the fabled Augusta course with access to four different views on one screen, including a view dedicated to covering the famed “Amen Corner,” another focusing on critical finishing holes 15 and 16, a continuously updated highlight channel showcasing Tournament leaders and their scores, and the CBS national broadcast. Viewers will also be able to access scores and stats, a top five leader board, Masters trivia and Tournament history by clicking on a small menu icon that appears on each channel. “We are proud to be a part of the Masters tradition and have the opportunity to offer our customers expanded and enhanced coverage of what is already a special viewing experience for golf fans,” said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. “The magnitude of this coverage and the unprecedented production effort put forth by CBS and DIRECTV for this broadcast certainly befits the stature and tradition of the Masters Tournament, and we thank Chairman Payne for his support and interest in providing this extraordinary experience for our viewers.” The Masters Mix Channel will be available on DIRECTV channels 701 (standard-definition) and 706 (high-definition) and will offer the following views within a single screen, including: View One – CBS and ESPN’s live coverage of the Tournament. View Two – “Today’s Highlights” offers a continuously updating loop of the best shots from the day’s play with voice-over providing context and commentary. View Three – “Amen Corner” provides complete coverage of the most famous stretch – holes 11, 12 and 13 – of Augusta National Golf Club. The channel will provide a continuous view of play as the field challenges this most treacherous part of the course. View Four – Holes 15 (the par 5 Firethorn) and 16 (the par 3 Redbud) spotlights this especially difficult part of the course, which can make or break a golfer’s round. Each of the additional three Masters channels is a fully-produced channel with its own production crew, additional cameras and announcers – provided by CBS Sports and DIRECTV. Customers with interactive receivers can highlight any of the four views on the Mix screen to hear live audio on each and expand them to full screen by pressing the select button on their remote. To round out what is the most Tournament coverage available from any provider, DIRECTV will offer an on-demand capability to all its DVR customers featuring a preview of the 2008 Tournament, a recap of the 2007 Masters and round-by-round highlights. A special Masters show and recap will also air on The 101, DIRECTV’s original entertainment channel following the Tournament. The Masters service joins DIRECTV’s industry-leading line-up of innovative interactive sports services that include NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ SuperFan®, NASCAR HOTPASS™, MEGA MARCH MADNESS™, U.S. Open Tennis, U.S. Open Golf and YES Interactive. www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080220006180&newsLang=en
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Post by xzi on Jan 14, 2008 16:12:17 GMT -5
Pretty early on (about October or so) they changed their marketing to "up to 100 HD channels" so they knew it was coming.
I sure don't feel slighted considering the value of DirecTV over TW for HD right now anyway--even with their silly "Free HD" commercials Time-Warner is pumping out, then charging $8 a pop for the box and another $10 if you want DVR and $4 HD Tier. Suddenly DirecTV's $5/box charge and $10 HD fee isn't so bad and is basically a wash with triple the HD channels. Time Warner charges their non-HD customers for HD channels they don't get and advertises it as an advantage. Priceless...
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Post by xzi on Feb 19, 2008 18:34:49 GMT -5
No, they are SD. But they are MPEG-4
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Post by xzi on Jan 3, 2008 17:34:00 GMT -5
Yup, verified... for those with DirecTV that use the "favorites" feature, you'll have to manually go in and add them--they don't appear automatically (I figured they would)--this is why I missed them this morning.
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Post by xzi on Dec 6, 2007 10:37:35 GMT -5
It's FINALLY officially in print! Finally... phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1084510DIRECTV to Deliver Local HD Programming In 76 Markets by Mid-2008 Eleven Additional Local HD Markets Named; More than 75 Percent of U.S. Television Homes Will have Access to Local HD Channels from DIRECTV EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2007--Continuing its momentum for delivering the best quality HD programming available, DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) will offer local HD broadcast networks in 76 markets, representing more than 75 percent of U.S. TV households, when it rolls out 11 additional local HD markets by mid-2008. DIRECTV began the rollout with the launch of HD local channels in the Flint, Mich. and Waco, Texas designated market areas last week. DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from each of the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC - where available, to customers who subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package that offers local channels. DIRECTV HD customers will continue to pay only a $9.99 access fee, allowing them to receive DIRECTV's premier HD technology and all channels broadcast in HD that are tied to their particular base programming package. The 11 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTV include: -- Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. -- Paducah, Ky. -- Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa -- Tucson, Ariz. -- Flint/Saginaw/Bay City, Mich. -- Waco/Temple/Bryan, Texas -- Lincoln/Hastings, Neb. -- Wichita/Hutchinson, Kan. -- Louisville, Ky. -- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. -- Omaha, Neb. "While offering the most quality national HD channels is important, we believe that it is equally important to deliver popular local HD programming that will give our customers the most comprehensive HD experience available," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "Delivering local channels in HD to 76 markets will solidify our position as a leader in HD and enables us to compete even more aggressively with cable providers across the country." Information regarding the full DIRECTV HD programming lineup, which includes 87 national HD channels, and details on receiving equipment needed for the new DIRECTV HD services, are available by calling 1-800-DIRECTV or visiting directv.com. About DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to 16.6 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution by offering more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com. CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc. Jade Ekstedt, (310) 964-3429 jlekstedt@directv.com SOURCE: DIRECTV
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Post by xzi on Apr 1, 2008 9:08:38 GMT -5
The free preview is also on DirecTV as well it turns out for the few of ya on here using D* (And there are 49 non-duplicate HD games this week! 65 including the dual-feeds! Amazing job this year by DirecTV with EI...) www.tvpredictions.com/directvfree033108.htm
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Post by xzi on Apr 3, 2008 12:29:01 GMT -5
I am so sick of TW's statement of "Free HD" and now it gets worse... "Free with Digital Teir" and "Free with Sports Package" and "Free With Premium Teir"
That's NOT a real thing, sorry. That's like AOL's "50 Free Hours" when you pay $20/mo.
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