DirecTV's HD DVR coming in August?

So what's the dealio, DirecTV? The vicious cycle of delays surrounding its upcoming HD DVR has definitely not been pleasing, and these release date reports are beginning to lose clout. What we do know is that DirecTV's HD DVR has been delayed for months, and according to analyst speculation, the delay could be stemming from inventory shortages. Although we recently reported that you could (possibly) expect this much-anticipated device to drop in the September / October time frame, DirecTV has crafted a new statement shaving a month or so off that estimate. The company seems so sure (or just desperate?) about the forecast that a spokesperson made a point to "clarify that it's rolling out in LA in mid-August." While we realize it may actually be this fall before those outside of California get their paws on one, at least this party would finally get started somewhere. But before we put too much stock in what DirecTV is selling, it also proclaimed that "the box has performed magnificently in tests." While we can muster some patience waiting for a product to be done right, the question beckons: if it's all good, what the heck is taking so long?

[Ogilvy @ Jul 28th 2006 2:15PM]

"if it's all good, what the heck is taking so long?"

Many of the hamsters are simply refusing to climb into their little wheels, so the DVRs have no power.

[Itchyass @ Jul 28th 2006 2:16PM]

I have yet to see a single HD DVR perform well in tests. They crash worse than most anything I've ever seen out of Redmond.

[Jim Messina @ Jul 28th 2006 2:29PM]

They should include a "no suck" button. When you press it, it would erase Direct TVs firmware and install Tivo on the fly.

Do that DirectTV and I'll buy two.

[Russ @ Jul 28th 2006 2:30PM]

Just got off the phone with my DirecTV rep. They said I could get one now for $399 and that they were out now.

Suuuure they are. They also tried to sell me the new 5 LNB dish for HD locals that aren't even available in my area yet.

[Bill @ Jul 28th 2006 2:38PM]

What good is a new HD-DVR if their HD programming options stink? On Monday I'm getting a new Dish Network VIP622 DVR installed, and I'm dumping DirecTV. This news of the DirecTV HD-DVR coming out doesn't make a bit of difference to me. Dish's HD offerings are far better and many of their channels are full-rez. Sorry DirecTV... too little too late.

[bgdc @ Jul 28th 2006 3:05PM]

My two HD-Tivo DVRs are great. There's no way in hell I'll leave my HD tivos for DTV's sh!tty DVR software.

[TheMan @ Jul 28th 2006 3:32PM]

Too bad you'll have to leave the Tivo HD DVR if you want new HD content... Since they are only going to be on the MPEG4 birds... I'm supposed to have a 5LNB dish installed today with the regular MPEG4 HD boxes.

[Danny @ Jul 28th 2006 3:38PM]

Why does'nt Directv use MythTV or one of the other existing PVR software instead of inventing the crap that they do?

[Yaks @ Jul 28th 2006 3:58PM]

Im in CT, and I get my HD locals from the regular MPEG2 dishes, and my HD Tivo works great. Why would I need a 5 LNB dish, what's besides locals do you need this 5 lnb dish for, and frankly if all you want is locals, I suggest get a good high gain antenna and a regular DirecTV HD Tivo and you're good to go. The DirecTV HD DVR will definately be inferior to the Tivo -- and you can get HD locals over the air. A good powered Antenna will pick them from up to 50 miles away. And the HD DirecTivo does have 2 OTA HD tunners, so what's the need for MPEG4?

[Veniex @ Jul 28th 2006 3:59PM]

Is there really a noticeable difference in picture quality when comparing Directv's Mpeg4 HD broadcast to Mpeg2 HD?

[Ian @ Jul 28th 2006 4:01PM]

Don't you mean, "to much stock in what DirectTV is" (renting)?

[Russ @ Jul 28th 2006 4:42PM]

If they are supposed to be moving over to a leased business model, why do I need to shell out $400 for an HD DVR?

[Dave @ Jul 28th 2006 6:06PM]

mpeg4 should offer MORE bandwidth, ie more HD channels, not higher quality channels. While I paid a premium for my HR10-250, I'll likely fill it with HDmovies and move it to the Movie room when the MGEG4 unit becomes mandatory.

[Sean @ Jul 28th 2006 6:15PM]

This coincides nicely with the release of the bigger Bravia X-series TVs - and all this right around my birthday. I'll take this as an omen that is is time to upgrade to HD.

[Ric @ Jul 28th 2006 7:28PM]

I received two HD Tivo boxes about two weeks ago. The both work amazing, on-screen menus are on par with my SD Tivo box they replaced. If DirecTV went to their own version of HD DVRs and I could not use my HD Tivo boxes... I'd leave DirecTV for no TV.

[Chris @ Jul 28th 2006 8:30PM]

The switch to MPEG4 isn't about improved quality, but improved quantity. The providers will be able to offer more content for a given about of bandwidth.

[code @ Jul 28th 2006 9:38PM]

i remember when "voom" was showing off their hd-dvr...and the release date kept getting delayed....and we see where they are.

[jason @ Jul 28th 2006 10:18PM]

I'm so confused! All of my friends consider me their most knowledgable tech geek yet here I sit with a DirecTV Tivo HD unit which I bought six months ago. Wha... how is this "DirecTV HD DVR" you're so enamored of any different than what I've had for six months? I receive local HD channels via the built-in "off-air" tuner. I receive the rest of DTV's (limited!!!) HD offerings via the built-in DTV tuner. Whatever I want to record in HD, I... record in HD. The Tivo service is included in my premium/platinum/whatever service.

[Russ @ Jul 29th 2006 10:21AM]

Jason,
Well I think the DirecTV HD DVR service will technically be less then half the cost of the Tivo. The MPEG-4 compatibility is another selling point for future programming updates. Other than that, not much. Acutally I love Off-Air HD more than my DirecTV HD channels and can definatley tell a quality difference. Plus I can record that in MCE and send it about the house.

My biggest question is when the networked home solutions from DirecTV will ever start appearing. (I think they were at Cebit or CES or something like that this year) I'm pretty attached to the whole cetralized recordings.

[Tim @ Jul 29th 2006 3:21PM]

I think DirecTV is delaying the launch of the HDDVR Mpeg4 box because of the cost to DirecTV. The news blurb said they are delaying to build up stock of the new DVR's. I guess that means they are delaying to save some cash for stock holders.

As for Mpeg4...it is a much "tighter" compression. DirecTV will take advantage of this to increase bit-rate and bring more channels...it's a balance. I think DirecTV is launching more satellites to compensate.

This business is controlled by stock holders, not customers. However, you can voice your opinion with your wallet more so than with complaints.

I almost made the switch to Dish this week but they kept talking about penalties and I can't leave for 18 months, I get charged extra for not having a land-line phone. (I have Vonage). I also have to buy the Dish DVR but then I have to rent it also? Forget it.

My wife and I like our DirecTivo DVR. I have not used the DirecTV DVR but I agree with the earlier poster about MtyhTV. DirecTV should have licensed an existing software and then adapt it.

Luckily, I was able to work a deal with DirecTV to get the MPeg2 HD DVR and local antenna with installation for nothing, Premium channels for nothing...commitment for a year and new Mpeg4 HD DVR for no charge when it arrives in a couple months.

[DCFC Fan @ Jul 29th 2006 10:11PM]

Just a note, I saw these at Best Buy today, in Houston TX. I was walking past and almost didn't believe my eyes. I sort of looked around to see if I was the only one that was amazed, and the answer was yes. They were $399.99, but there was some mention of "lease upgrade", so I'm assuming when you upgrade from your current directv equipment, if you already have service, that you are still agreeing to a year's worth of service, just as if you were a new customer.

I for one was telling a friend that this is the final piece of the puzzle that is HD tech. I had been holding off getting an HD set solely because I didn't want to give up the Tivo.

I know what I want for Christmahannakwanzaa this year.

[Tom @ Jul 29th 2006 10:47PM]

I am getting so sick of Directv, and it's absurd ad campaign from last year (about how it was going to change the face of TV). If this change is expensive (new 5 lnb dish, HD-DVR) and it crashes, etc.), then I will dump it and get Dish's HD gear and programming. I've been with DTV for nearly 4 years, and still using my Zenith HD receiver. Completely aggravating. We can't get OTA signal here in Philly (from my neighborhood), which is the worst part. If we did, I would get the Tivo HD-DVR. Whatever happens, if we stay with DTV (jury is out), we'll keep our Tivo combo receiver for SD recording, and the great Tivo software.

[Jake @ Jul 30th 2006 4:01AM]

Ummmm.... I was in the Best Buy in Owensboro, KY today and DirecTV had a table set up and they were promoting this HD DVR. There were a couple boxes for the product on the table, but I didn't see the actual unit itself. I haven't been keeping up with the delays, or else I would have checked it out a little more closely.

[StooMonster @ Jul 30th 2006 8:48AM]

DirecTV's sister network BSkyB in UK has had similar HD DVR for some months, this utilizes MPEG4-H.264 for HD channels and MPEG2 for SD channels (for compatibility with existing customers).

MPEG4 HD is very good picture quality, and uses approximately half the bandwidth of MPEG2 for equivalent PQ so is good for broadcasters costs.

The Broadcom chipsets Sky HD uses are the same ones the Toshiba HD DVD player does, so picture quality is reasonably good so long as you use HDMI and not analogue component. However, these include the H.264 decoding chips that have been in short supply, hence the delays I'd guess.

However, let's hope the DirecTV stb is more stable than Sky HD which has problem both with buggy software (crashes) and unreliable hardware (overheats and is noisy).

[ET @ Jul 30th 2006 11:31AM]

I was waiting and waiting for DirecTV's HD DVR. I got sick of waiting, cancelled, and went with Dish. In short, it's SO MUCH better. Dish's SD and HD channels are much clearer, and the wide variety of HD choices beats the socks off of DirecTV (and cable). I get 29 HD channels. Dish owns VOOM now and b/c of this, nobody else can touch them right now. I have the VIP622 HD DVR, and it's amazing. I am a longtime Tivo user (still have a lifetimed box) and I can say confidently that the switch was easy. The 622 is very intuitive.

I just lost faith in DirecTV. They lag in technology, HD content, MPEG-4 rollout, etc. Besides, they are contract nazi's...as a new customer I signed up with Dish with no contract required. Sure I waived the $49 install refund, but so what? Try that with DirecTV. They can't wait to sink their teeth into you with a 2-yr contract. No thanks Rupert.

29 HD channels. Dual tuners (dual room setup so no second room @ $5 is required). Can't beat Dish, and this is coming from a longtime DirecTV (former) subscriber.

[GTgadget @ Aug 2nd 2006 9:40PM]

I've lost so much faith/support in DirecTV with the high def transition. My DirecTivo HR10-250 still runs at the speed of a frozen snail, doesn't support folders, and relies on a phone line to communicate...pretty terrible. Considering how long DirecTV has been dragging their feet to fix/upgrade the Tivo software on existing HD models, I'd hate to think how long it would take them to fix problems in the new receivers. They're also sorely mistaken if they think I'm going to drop that much money twice in a year on an HD receiver just to get something that has some competent functionality to record channels that are heavily compressed nowadays. The only thing that had me interested in the new units at all was the announcement of Xbox 360 integration at CES last year.

In comparison, I REALLY miss my ReplayTV 5040...

http://www.halcyoneffect.net/archive/2006/03/directivo_vs_re.html

[Andy @ Aug 5th 2006 11:41AM]

I would leave Directv today if not for the NFL Sunday Ticket. And I think they know it. I can hear them laughing at me.

[Brian @ Aug 7th 2006 1:37AM]

just to let you all know who keep knocking dtv that the transition from tivo to there own software need to talk to tivo they are the ones controling the software upgrades and they are the ones not putting folders and other cool stuff on the hd-dvr. that was the driving reson for dumping tivo and going with there own dvr. as far as dish being better is a crock!!!! if you look at your bill they have the same charges a dtv for operating a 2nd tv. and dishes hd suck unless you like hd art gallery... thats why voom failed there hd sucked... as far as the m-peg 4 goes when dtv launches the last two birds in the fleet no one is going to be able to touch them in hd content 1500 hd local channels and 150 national hd channels the only thing that can even come close to those numbers is fiber optic and thats gonna be a few more years down the road before we see anything close..


so in closing as a long time dtv customer and big fan of the sunday ticket please lay off dtv if you dont like them go else were if you think you can get a better deal and better content

[James Shanahan @ Aug 8th 2006 4:21PM]

This unit will eliminate the need for a massive off air antennae on you roof...that is an upgrade if you ask me.

[lonnie @ Aug 12th 2006 1:59PM]

A co worker who lives in castro valley, ca says he just received his new hd box, but they where trying to sell the hd-dvr for 399

[Mike @ Aug 15th 2006 4:34PM]

Brian,
You have no idea what you are talking about.
I have recently had DirecTV H20 HD and Dish 622 HD/DVR.
There is no comparison between the picture quality.
Dish is far superior, comparing like channels.
I have a Pioneer Elite PRO 1110 50" plasma.
There are few TV screens that can compare in quality.
This is about as unbiased as you can get.
I happen to stay with DirecTV because of ST and the promise of better things in the future.

[Matt @ Sep 2nd 2006 7:07PM]

Spoke to a DirecTV CSAR today. She told me the box would be available in the next four weeks. It'll require a new dish but allows you to view and record local HD channels. Compared to the Dish Network, the price seems way high. Think I'll end up switching.

[andy goldentree @ Sep 4th 2006 3:40PM]

I just spoke with a Direct TV Rep. They indicated that Best Buy would be receiving the new Direct TV HD DVR on September 11. They were not able to quote me a price. I purchased a 5-LNB dish in January--the rep told me I might need a new dish for the DVR. I doubt she knew what she was talking about, but it would be a problem if the equipment DirectTV sold me in January does not now work.

[Bobbybabes @ Sep 15th 2006 1:47PM]

We upgraded to HD two days ago (Sept. 13, 2006). DirecTV gave us their newest HD DVR box and it is the most aggravating piece of equipment we've owned in the 6 years we've been with them. Frames freeze, it pixelates, sound goes up and down, recorded movies freeze up and sometimes have no sound. One movie had 3 minutes to go until it ended and a box popped up asking if we wanted to delete it. We never did get to see the ending. I tried restarting the recorder, as well as unplugging the unit for 15 seconds, but nothing helped. This all happened in just 2 days. I raised hell, and they're going to deliver a new HD DVR to us this Sunday. I've read some bad things about this unit ... similar problems that others have had with it. I love HD, but this HR 20 unit really sucks big time! It's made in Mexico - hmnn.

[mike @ Oct 17th 2006 1:53AM]

I just got a new hd dvr from driectv.. the picture quality is great.. it works great (not like the last poster - no problems w/ mine) but I am used to the Tivo system.. and there are just some things that really REALLY bug me!! MAINly.. I can control both tuners.. I can't switch and rewind on the fly.. this drives me absolutely nuts.. someone call Directv! Common what's the point! Also the rewind/fast-forward feature isn't accurate.. when I press play, its totally off the mark.

So basically that's my only complaint.. the Guide & system is much more streamlined/simplified which I do like. Directv, bring back some smarts from Tivo please!

[Brian Wolff @ Nov 8th 2007 9:55PM]

The device does not work.
Direct TV tells me that there is a bug that has not been fixed.
I am unable to record and playback ANY channels.
It is totally useless.