HD on Directv - future

[Naples1381]

Hello from Sunny - cold Massachusetts,

I have read a mountain of good information on D*, HDTV etc. I have Sony HD 42 LCD, SD Tivo from D*, H10/3LNB dish, OTA in the attic for the Boston channels (13 miles away on a 90Deg heading). Also have two other SD's boxes for SD TV's and
Comcast Basic cable ( least cost they offer).

The question I have is when to buy an HD DVR - D* or non D* ?
When should I upgrade to the 5LNB dish ? (considering the history of D* installers who don't like ladders and the 32LB weight of the dish).

When does the 3LNB dish go away (mpeg2 to mpeg4) ?
What is known of the D* Plans to deliver HD only - is that a plan or never (SD does not show that nice on an HDTV).

Trying to get a good picture of the future as all this junk costs money.

Thanks..

 

[tibber]

Welcome to the forums, Naples1381.

The question I have is when to buy an HD DVR - D* or non D* ?
When should I upgrade to the 5LNB dish ? (considering the history of D* installers who don't like ladders and the 32LB weight of the dish).
When does the 3LNB dish go away (mpeg2 to mpeg4) ?
What is known of the D* Plans to deliver HD only - is that a plan or never (SD does not show that nice on an HDTV).
Trying to get a good picture of the future as all this junk costs money.
Thanks..

Starting with your last comment: sounds like the wrong priorities to me. HD is never junk

You are asking the questions that each of us must ask ourselves, but I'll try to give you what insight I'm using in my decisionmaking process.

I get very good OTA HD from all the majors, so I'm very happy with my 3 HR10-250s (didn't want a basic HD receiver). I expect the HR10-250 will have good value for my OTA and basic SD off Directv for at least 3/4 years. I'm hoping that when D* moves all the HD to MPEG4, they will upgrade my equipment for free or very nearly so. If not, I'll wait until either they or I force the issue. (Like there is HD content I really, really want.)

I'm guessing you will find that the MPEG2 HR10-250 dvr's will be cheaper initially than the MPEG4 dvr when it comes out and more reliable for a few months. Then you'll be well positioned for a free or cheap upgrade when the time is right.

Good luck and Happy Holidays,
Tom

 

[hdtvtechno]

When does the 3LNB dish go away (mpeg2 to mpeg4) ?
What is known of the D* Plans to deliver HD only - is that a plan or never (SD does not show that nice on an HDTV).
Trying to get a good picture of the future as all this junk costs money.
Thanks..

The 3LNB dish as i heard should be phased out shortly

Directv will deliver in the format what the content providers provide them
Not all channels will be HD anytime soon, some channels will still stay in SD,
but there is a chance that directv will convert the format of the channels to Mpeg4 SD in 2009 or whenever directv converts all of their 15 millions of customers to Mpeg4

Its a long long future ahead, stay tuned