DirecTV has been telling us that they'd add a lot of HD channels this year and they've
come through with a total of 37 new HD channels in the past three weeks. Today there are two that are new to everyone and two old favorites -- and one that was added late last week. First up is CNBC HD, which we gave
all the flack to for not actually doing video in HD, but we have to say they've made the most out of what they have, and can even do three SD shots in a single frame, all while displaying plenty of info with HD graphics. MGM HD is also up today and we just love it when movies are presented in their original aspect ratio. We did look ahead in the schedule and it appears
MGM HD has a good mix of movies, but most of them are older. Since last Wednesday they also added MHD, so we'll go ahead and throw that in as well. And finally a few old favorites for other providers with National Geographic Channel HD and Food Network HD which is for some reason on 231-1. We've updated our
DirecTV gallery with these new channels as well.
- Food Network (Channel 231-1)
- MGM (Channel 255)
- National Geographic (Channel 276)
- CNBC (Channel 355)
- MHD (Channel 332)
posted October 10th 2007 8:24AM
Keep 'em comin', DirecTV!
This looks very functional. If you have integrate SD into the HD frame, this is much better than stretch-o-vision.
See, I knew that CNBC was on to something.
I don't always need my talking heads in crystal clear HD; it's more about the real estate and putting it to good use.
What's really interesting is that it looks like CNBC is producing two completely separate feeds, whereas most networks just upsize or downsize one program to fit the screen size. You can't just cut off the right and left flanks of that widescreen layout and get a useable 4 x 3 layout; maybe they can cut off a double size right column? Even if that's the case, it's a new concept, and shows some thinking outside the box.
I don't understand 231-1. I'm new to Directv....what's -1?
You actually have to hit the Dash key when entering: 231(dash)1. Seemed odd, but looking at it right now, the two versions of Food are showing different programs.
I believe they had to go to the 231-1 format because FoodHD has a completely different show lineup than the SD version. Normally, when the SD and HD versions have the same program lineup, they share the same channel number. And when a user tunes to the channel, the HD version comes up first. (Note this isn't how the H20 works yet)
So to access the HD version of Food (on the HR20), you type 231-dash-1.
"2-1" is what you would use on a HDTV to tune the hi-def version of over-the-air channel 2. Sometimes a dot (".") is used instead. APparently this is a temporary separation of the SD and HD versions of the Food Channel until they get around to simulcasting. I note they gave MHD it's own number.
As far as "old" movies being shown on MGMHD: Good. Great even. If all one has ever seen is movies made after, oh, 1990, one is missing a lot of good stuff. One of the reasons HDNet Movies is such a great channel. Maybe they'll have a Bond marathon someday.
No ads, and apparently OAR.
I have a saying about old movies. "If it's on TV and it's old, it has to be good." My reasoning is,why would they put bad old movies on?
Either way, I love old movies and look forward to getting MGM HD on my TiVo, assuming FIOS ever adds it.
okay, i live in the oklahome city area and have cox cable, now what i'm wanting to know from a person who has direct TVHD package is, what is the image quality like and can you expand your HDD capacity of the unit?
If only my TivoHD would work with DirecTV or Dish. My pathetic Comcast HD lineup is really depressing.
I'm right there with you. As cool as all these HD channels are, I don't think they're worth switching from a Series 3 to a HR20.
I use to think that way too, until I got all the new HD channels on DirectTV. Sure, I miss my TiVo, but I got an HD TV so I could watch HD channels.
But we understand you have to convince yourself that all that money you spent on TiVo Series 3 was worth it and that you really do not need HD content to be happy. Good luck with that.
Wow, I even get The Dog Whisperer in HD now.
- Roger
Don't get too happy about MGM HD and MHD. From what I've been told, they will become part of an extra HD pay package (and additional 4.99 a month) along with Universal HD, HDNet and HDNet Movies.
Yeah big deal, it's still much cheaper than most premium channels and I think MGM doesn't have any commercials.
If given a chance I'd always pay more for a channel without commercials.
and TimeWarner cable adds......2 channels
TWC should be embarrassed with their HD lineup especially here in NYC
Has anyone noticed that DirecTv has alternated between advertising that they will have 100 HD channels and 150 HD channels? I've asked DirecTv, but they won't give me a straight answer. Does anyone know what's going on?
They only have so much room on D10. The D11 satellite won't launch until Jan. 2008.
Thanks
Comcast is Salem, OR has add zero channels in the last eight or so months.
and why exactly are cable viewers commenting on directv? you want to pay too much and get too little, well thats your choice. no reason to talk about the superior choice in tv.
I keep reading comments how DirecTV is promising 100 HD and they are only up to 37 right now. The number is much higher if you count other HD channels they have added only available to certain markets. This goes for regional sports channels, and for my market in Los Angeles, they added the CW. I am very happy with MGMHD. If you go to their web site mgmhd.com , you can see all the great movies (commercial free) coming up (Kevin: lots of Bond flicks). I would happily pay the additional $4.99 for the newly defined HD add-on package - they offer much better programming/diversity than any of the other higher priced premium add-ons.
DOC: The quality is what's called HD-Lite, usually somewhere around 1440x1080 or 1280x1080. This is a lower resolution than over-the-air HD, with some macroblocking during action sequences. However, i've noticed on the new HD movie channels a sharper picture with no macroblocking, suggesting the new MPEG4 channels are better utilizing their allocated bandwidth, and possibly reaching the full resolution broadcast of 1920x1080.
The HR20 high def satellite receiver has a SATA port on the back, allowing you to expand the HDD size with an external HDD. Only one of the HDDs can be used at one time, but you can switch between them with the menu.
I install theater systems in Phoenix, where we have Cox as well. Directv has better picture quality, more channels, and a better HD experience in my opinion.
I am a long-time DirectV subscriber who is thrilled with the quality of the new HD channels. Has anyone else had problems with little glitches like the picture breaking up into little boxes, the audio sounding like the announcers on football games are burping? Tonight was particularly bad on the game on NBC.
Just wondering if I'm the lone ranger here.
Got my DirecTV 5 LNB dish installed on Tuesday and replaced my DirecTV HDTivo with an HR20 HD DVR. The picture is better and all the extra HD Channels are wonderful. Loved watching Goldfinger in HD on MGM HD. It's nice having 5 Starz Channels in HD. And I watched some football in HD on the Big Ten HD Channel. All cool stuff.