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DirecTV 11 delayed till Q1 2008
With all the new HD channels DirecTV is launching each week, it's easy to forget they have another satellite in the works. DirecTV 11 -- not to be confused with D10 that's already operational -- was scheduled to launch this year, but due to a delay at the launch company, it has been delayed till Q1 2008. We're not sure how much this will affect their plans for 150 HD channels, but if D10 is any indication, it will take just over two months after the launch to become operational.
DirecTV launches 21 new HD channels
The day has finally come and only a week later than we originally thought. If your setup is up to it, you can now enjoy the 21 new HD channels -- four are new to just about everyone. The good news is that the HD channels are the same channel numbers as the SD equivalent, the bad news is that if you direct dial them you still have to hit the channel up button once to get the HD version, which means that most people won't ever see them. Yes, we've personally witnessed people watch an SD channel when the HD was available, just because they were on the wrong channel. If the SD channel is included in your service plan then you'll get the HD one too. Here is the list of channels that are live now, we expect more to launch as we get closer to the end of the year. A&E (Channel 265) Animal Planet (Channel 282) Big Ten Network (Channel 220) CNN (Channel 202) The Discovery Channel (Channel 278) The History Channel (Channel 269) The Movie Channel East (Channel 544) NFL Network (Channel 212) Showtime West (Channel 540) Showtime too (Channel 538) The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267) The Science Channel (Channel 284) Starz Comedy (Channel 519) Starz East (Channel 522) Starz West (Channel 540) Starz Edge (Channel 520) Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518) TBS (Channel 247) TLC (Channel 280) Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604) The Weather Channel (Channel 362)
DirecTV 10 is online, but still no new HD channels
The 19th has come and gone and there still aren't any new HD channels on DirecTV. They've even updated their HD website indicating October is the month to expect more HD -- that's not stopping us from checking for new channels vigorously. It's not all bad news, as DirecTV 10 is transmitting a few HD test channels, which are not only encouraging, but also gives us the opportunity to ensure our setup is ready whenever DirecTV 10 is. Of course you need an MPEG4 STB, Ka/Ku dish, but you also need a b-band converter. It might be worth it to check out the test channels for yourself, as some are just now realizing they have a bad b-band converter or incompatible multi-switch. To help discover your exact problem tune to channel 498, 480 and 481 -- check out the pics after the jump to know what to expect -- and if you can't see what we see, then head over to DBSTalk.com for some help.
DirecTV 10 launched successfully, gears up for September action
If you skipped out on the televised launch of the DirecTV 10 satellite, you didn't miss too much, but it's safe to say that the bird is safely in orbit and should start beaming out a new array of HD offerings this September. The Boeing-built 702 model satellite lifted off at 6:16PM PDT on July 6th from "Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard an International Launch Services (ILS) Russian-built Proton Breeze M launch vehicle." After just over nine hours in flight, the rocket reportedly "left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 22,300 miles." Best of all, controllers on the ground have successfully made contact with the satellite and "confirmed that all systems are functioning properly." According to DirecTV, the spacecraft will first be maneuvered into a circular orbit at 103-degrees West longitude, and after testing is complete, it is "expected" to begin operations in early September, "delivering the first of up to 100 national HD channels by year-end." For those already looking beyond, DirecTV 11 is actually slated to launch "early next year," which will theoretically enable the provider to serve up 150 HD channels -- whenever they become available, that is.Read - DirecTV 10's launch processRead - ILS Proton Successfully Launches DIRECTV 10
DirecTV 10 to launch tonight at 8:30EDT
Never before have we seen such an anticipated satellite launch. The DirecTV 10 launch is different because it's the first step for DirecTV to fulfill their unbelievable claims. So if you can't get enough of this stuff, follow the read links to the discussion, or join the a live chat. Also, the launch will be televised on channel 570 via DirecTV. We don't know about anyone else, but we'll have our fingers crossed that everything goes as planned and DirecTV will stay on schedule to make this baby operational on September 15th.Read -- Satelliteguys.usRead -- DBSTalk.com
DirecTV 10 to be delayed till July
While we were all hoping that DirecTV's latest satellite named DirecTV-10 would go off without a hitch on June 20th and bring all those HD channels they've been promising, but I guess we're not that lucky. It looks like the rocket is ready to go, but the bird was not delivered on time. At this point, they are shooting for July (6th?), but haven't said exactly when yet, we don't know about everyone else, but we will feel much better when this thing is in orbit and beaming HD goodness to everyone.
DirecTV's newest satellite set to launch on June 20th
DirecTV has done a great job of reminding everyone how many HD channels they will be adding this year, but for whatever reason they don't say exactly when or how. Sure most Engadget HD readers know that the current MPEG4 satellites in service are specifically designed to spot beam HD locals, and it would be a waste to transmit national HD channels. DirecTV's priorities aside, now that DirecTV is providing HD locals all over the US, it is finally time to launch two new DirecTV satellites that are specifically designed for national HD channels. The first of which is DirecTV 10 and seems to be scheduled for a Russian launch on June 20th. If everything goes well, it will be operational in time for those new HD channels due in September.
