Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (
More info?)
"Randy S." <rswitt@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
news:d8pbme$13fe$1@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
>
> > The concern is that it doesn't handle MPEG-4 and that is what DirecTV
plans
> > to use for local HD. This unit, at least in Pittsburgh, does a great
job
> > picking up all but one local channels OTA, so MPEG-4 is not required for
> > this application in this area.
> >
> > At some point DirecTV may switch everything to MPEG-4 but that would
require
> > providing an upgrade path to all their current subscribers, a very
expensive
> > undertaking. Therefore, my guess is it will be a long time coming and
while
> > it is happening, DirecTV will be running both services.
> >
> > These units may turn out to be good for several years.
>
> Let's get this straight here, the HD-Directivo will *not* stop being
> capabble of doing what it's doing now anytime soon (and by soon I mean
> well over 5 years). Directv is not planning on eliminating their MPEG-2
> streams at all at this point. So what you can receive now on the
> HD-Directivo, you will continue to be able to receive.
>
> What you won't be able to do is utilize the *new* HD Locals that Directv
> is implementing (in a year or so). I don't see how this can be
> interpreted as the HD-Tivo no longer working, it will still work fine,
> it just won't be able to get the new channels. Directv has also said
> that there will be an upgrade offer at that time, though what that would
> entail is unknown, but there will be an accommodation. I really don't
> see how you can lose here.
>
> So the end result is that if you buy an HD-Tivo now, you'll get *many*
> years of useful service out of it, plus you'll probably get a nice
> upgrade offer (if you choose to accept it) at some point.
That is really what I was trying to say. Perhaps I didn't word it with
sufficient care. My point was I already use my HD DVR to get local channels
OTA and I am getting great reception with one exception with a fixed
antenna, so what do I really care if locals are offered on MPEG-4?
Furthermore, in a severe storm last night, I was looking for a satellite,
but I still got the OTA stations just fine and the things I had already
recorded, of course, were marvelous. DirecTV will have to make a very
attractive offer to get me to switch for that!
My concern is that they may eventually switch 100% to MPEG-4 several years
down the road. Several means different things to different people, but I
generally mean about seven or eight years. By that time I suspect there
will be enough new technology that I would want to switch anyhow.
/www.weaknees.com
Facebook
Twitter