MPEG-4 Upgrade

[Mtnmike]

Here's an Email I received from one of the higher ups at D* when inquiring about MPEG-4 for locals and current MPEG-2 receivers vs future MPEG-4 capability:

Mike,

You did read our announcement correctly. When we begin transmitting in MPEG4 new reception equipment will be required; thus you may want to hold off purchasing an HD DVR receiver until we begin selling one that will receive the MPEG4 transmission. For customers who have purchased an HD Tivo receiver we will have an equipment replacement offer available; we have not yet finalized what that offer will be. As for your dish, you will only need one dish to receive the local HD channels as well as standard-definition programming.

Thanks

Bob


Bob Marsocci
Vice President, Communications
DIRECTV, Inc.
310 726-4656
ramarsocci@directv.com

 

[Tonedeaf]

Wow. I thought I would never see the day that a company would actually tell someone not to buy their product.

Cool that it came from Bob Marsocci.

 

[slacker9876]

Robert at VE had said that we would be looking at $14.95 to upgrade. Honestly D* can retrofit the MPEG2 boxes at thier leisure. I'll bet if we were to get a look inside that Home Media Center it is laid out the same as the HR10-250 ... standoffs and all. Perhaps they introdouce a new bezel and slap a new model number on it like Sony did with the HD300.

 

[lee espinoza]

I have talk to him before, he is a cool guy.

 

[rustolemite]

so are they gonna have their own HD DVR or just a mpeg4 version of the HD Tivo box ?

 

[shappyss]

i think they announced a Ucentric (sp?) box at CES

 

[hongcho]

> so are they gonna have their own HD DVR or just a mpeg4 version of the HD Tivo box ?

What's officially announced for HD DVR capable of recording MPEG-4 AVC HP is the Home Media Center by Ucentric. This is supposed to come out by the end of 2005 or early 2006 (the latter more likely).

Not announced: Some speculates that NDS may have an HD DVR in time for the MPEG-4 launch, but I haven't seen any official announcements.

Hong.

 

[charper1]

This is supposed to come out by the end of 2005 or early 2006 (the latter more likely).

I agree as well, and thus my shock that ANY D* employee would mention NOT to buy their products; not to mention those comments can be considered insider information from a publicly traded company, and that is a big no-no in the eyes of the SEC.

 

[Stargazer]

I dont think DirecTv would have much to gain if anything at all by having their current HD hardware to be purchased just to have to be swapped out later on with another receiver.

 

[sparker]

Their replacement box would have to be one heck of a sweet box for me to give up my HD Tivo!

 

[Stargazer]

You wont have a choice on giving up that HD Tivo. An upgrade offer? Wonder how many customers they will lose when they find out that they have to PAY AGAIN without choice (other than leaving) for their expensive HD DVR's even if it is not all that much.

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

These emails are written by Bob Marsocci's very competent group of elite corporate communications specialist. They do somewhat accurately portray DIRECTV's official directions and feelings. However, the one individual statement recommending not to invest in a HR10-250 now is not what I think Bob Marsocci would say himself.

In fact, it's a very excellent time to buy a HR10-250. First off, because you will enjoy it for the next 13 to 18 months as no new HD DVR is coming out before then and secondly because, DIRECTV has no plans to lower the price in the foreseeable future, at last but certainly not least of all, DIRECTV will subsidize the upgrade to almost no cost.

Welcome aboard the rocket ship ride of advanced technology.

-Robert

PS I also posted this on TCF as someone started a thread with this exact original post that headed this thread.

 

[richierich]

Well, I will still be able to use my HR10-250 to watch and record HD OTA local channels as well as other HD MPEG-2 channels so I guess it won't affect me much.