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Back in 2007, HD was a curiosity. DIRECTV had about six national HD channels and a decent sized (37″) HDTV would run you about $1,500. The world was about to change, though, and The Solid Signal Blog was there. Our Signal Pro Moose gives us a brief article about those days (some links are now dead but are included for your amusement.)

Of course today HD is the norm, not the exception, and the same quality TV in the same size will run you about $400. DIRECTV has well over 150 HD channels and there just aren't that many more to add. On the other hand, Game Lounge turned out to be a bust. But back then, the future was so bright, we had to wear shades. Just take a look. Originally, this article appeared at The Solid Signal Blog's first incarnation, and it had links to shopping pages. I've taken those out because, well, that stuff isn't sold anymore.

Are you making the most of your DIRECTV HD experience?
by Moose
Published on 10-10-2007 02:25 PM

As more and more people invest in HD televisions, the popularity of products such as HD antennas and HD satellite receivers are increasing. In fact, two of Solid Signal's most popular products are the DIRECTV H20 DIRECTV® MPEG-4 High Definition (HD) Receiver (H20) and DIRECTV®s New High Definition MPEG-4 DVR (HR20) HD DVR.

The DIRECTV HD DTV-H20 Receiver ensures DIRECTV subscribers get the latest HD programming up to 1080i.

The DIRECTV(R) Plus HD DVR (HR20) brings together the new DIRECTV Plus DVR and DIRECTV HD Receiver. Viewers are able to record one HD program while watching another and record two different shows at the same time, while watching a pre-recorded program.

Realizing the power and appeal of HD, DIRECTV will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in high-definition to its viewers. In addition, next month, DIRECTV plans to launch a HD DVR that can store up to 100 hours of high-def programming. See a recent article from Multichannel Merchant to learn more. DIRECTV has also recently introduced Game Lounge, where you can play classic games directly your DIRECTV remote control. As Solid Signal continues to see convergence of the Internet, TV, home theater, gaming world, etc, we can bet we'll see more things like this feat

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The legacy of the HR20

DIRECTV's HR20 was its first HD DVR designed and executed in house. Before that, the company had relied on TiVo for its DVRs, and while that was a smart move initially, it didn't give DIRECTV the one thing they really wanted: the ability to place and sell its own ads. It took about four more years before DIRECTV developed the ability to insert custom ads into its own DVRs, but the seeds were laid back in the late 2000s.

If you have an HR20 today, it probably still works. It probably works very slowly, but it probably still works. Its direct successor, the HR24 DVR, is still available. I'd even be willing to bet that the source code for today's top dog, the Genie 2, still has some of the stuff that made the HR20 run.

We know many of our readers are DIRECTV gurus in their own rights. They know the benefits and features of DIRECTV like they know the backs of their hands. But then there are those who don't, or who are thinking about signing up. Solid Signal is happy to help provide the facts about what is right for you. Call us today at 1-888-233-7563 or fill out the form for the kind of tech support you really deserve.


The post THROWBACK THURSDAY: HDTV is coming appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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