DirectTV adding 155 HD channels!

[swgiust]

Ed, your right. But in there lays the problems. I don't want 150 HD channels of old
movies and travel documentories. I want current, major network TV. I currently get
ABC, NBC, and CBS off air in HD. There are many top, top shows that are on right now that are NOT in HD. Until the networks start producing shows in HD, we are going to be stuck with old stuff. One bright note is the sports. ESPN, TNT, ABC, and CBS all broadcast at least some of their sports in HD.

[topspeed]

Ed, your right. But in there lays the problems. I don't want 150 HD channels of old
movies and travel documentories. I want current, major network TV. I currently get
ABC, NBC, and CBS off air in HD. There are many top, top shows that are on right now that are NOT in HD. Until the networks start producing shows in HD, we are going to be stuck with old stuff. One bright note is the sports. ESPN, TNT, ABC, and CBS all broadcast at least some of their sports in HD.

The network programs that are in HD will be available through DirectTV (as well as Dish) starting 1 qtr '06. Unfortunately, while the salesperson at Direct told me they were available now, the installer said otherwise and now I have to get an antenna. It's $50 so no biggie, but I wish they'd get their info right.

I got everything running yesterday with Direct and signed up for the NFL Ticket package, even though I'm much more into college ball. The promo has the pro games as well as every other channel, including all the movies, for $69. I'd spend more than that for the movie channels alone so the games are just a bonus to me. HD is simply stunning on the JVC, and I haven't even calibrated it yet! Cat In The Hat was on HBO-HD and it was truly amazing to see.

[Woochifer]

The network programs that are in HD will be available through DirectTV (as well as Dish) starting 1 qtr '06. Unfortunately, while the salesperson at Direct told me they were available now, the installer said otherwise and now I have to get an antenna. It's $50 so no biggie, but I wish they'd get their info right.

Actually, they might both be right. When I looked into this last year, I think that Directv was offering the national network feeds for CBS and Fox (?) to people who live in areas without local digital broadcast affiliates. That might have changed since now most local stations have their digital broadcasts up and running (the federal mandate only requires digital broadcasts, not HD).

Directv used to include the national network feeds for CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox on their regular service, and then a court ruling forced them to remove that service. A subsequent change allowed them to rebroadcast local stations, and I believe that the HD stations that Directv's due to add to their channel offerings will likely originate from local stations. If the rollout goes like it did when they started adding the local broadcasts to their service, then the first stations will come from major market affiliates, then the midmarkets after that. Not sure if the national broadcast feeds are part of Directv's HD plans.

[topspeed]

Actually, they might both be right. When I looked into this last year, I think that Directv was offering the national network feeds for CBS and Fox (?) to people who live in areas without local digital broadcast affiliates. That might have changed since now most local stations have their digital broadcasts up and running (the federal mandate only requires digital broadcasts, not HD)...Not sure if the national broadcast feeds are part of Directv's HD plans

You're right on this. One of their marketing pushes right now is Fox in HD. Of course, if you want one of the majors in HD now, you'll have to pay for it. I'm just going to install the over-the-air antenna (got DirectTV to pay for it since they misrepresented their package) and enjoy.

Mr. P,
Both Dish and Direct are promoting local channels in HD at the first of '06. Of course, Direct includes the local channels in their base package while Dish makes you pay for them.