DirecTV = 100 HD channels

[kybuc]

Anybody excited about when this new bird goes active in late Sept?

[BigBlue75]

I am. Especially since we just upgraded our receiver to HD DVR. :icon_mrgreen:

Can't wait!

[trublu]

Could you guys give me a little info on Direct TV? First, do you get to see all of the Cats games? What are the costs of the packages and what do they include?
We have had cable for so long now because we get to see all of our games, plus we have our internet service through the same company. We don't really have anything special but it costs around $100.00 per month for both.

[Scratch]

Am I the only person that thinks HD is overrated? I just don't see enough improvement from digital to HD to warrant the price increase. Not trying to burst anybodies bubble, just seeing if anyone else feels this way.

[sardiscat]

"Am I the only person that thinks HD is overrated?"

No, there are at least two of us. My teevee is a 29" RCA analog model that cost me all of $220 three years ago. It gets the best picture of any teevee I've ever owned. Just don't see any need for anything any better. Friends who have HD tell me that if a drop of perspiration rolls down a player's face while he's shooting a free throw, you see it on HD. That is more detail than I think I actually need, though. (Plus, if I pay real close attention, I will see that drop of perspiration on my teevee. Just can't think of any reason why I'd want to see that).

[Will Lavender]

I think HD is unbelievable if you own the right television. I have a 40" plasma, and the drop-off when I watch the Cats on regular TV is incredible.

However, if it isn't sports I could care less. I've watched movies in HD and really don't feel like there is much of a difference. In fact, there's something to be said for watching film -- especially older films -- digitally. No need to watch a movie that was not made to be seen in HD in that format.

[UKS2H]

I have HD via Insight Cable and it is AMAZING. Nobody who ever sees HD will deny the difference unless you have vision problems.

[gerntz]

I agree with the last two posts. We rarely watch the non-HD channels anymore.

[BigBlue75]

Could you guys give me a little info on Direct TV? First, do you get to see all of the Cats games? What are the costs of the packages and what do they include?
We have had cable for so long now because we get to see all of our games, plus we have our internet service through the same company. We don't really have anything special but it costs around $100.00 per month for both.

Well, here in Louisville, I get all the local network channels (ABC, CBS, etc.) so I get the regional games and national games, plus all the games that JP/Lincoln Sports carries. I also get all the Fox Channels and one or more of them always carry the UK games. I can't really think of an instance where there was a game on that I couldn't see it. Occasionally, there is a game that falls "through the cracks" and you can only see it on delay, but those are few and far between.

You can get the basic Direct TV service and add on all the Fox Sports channels and you would be around the $50-60 range.

The only variable in that equation is whether or not it would be worth to you to get your internet service through another company if you switched over.

[freethrow]

My daughter got Direct TV about a month ago. She really likes it. I have too many huge trees right around my place to get a decent signal. I have other friends that have found too many trees are a real problem.

As far as HD tv, on smaller sets I don't see a heck of a lot of advantage myself. But on the larger screens there is a difference and I like it. Not enough to make me want to go out and spend $1000.00 or more on a large screen tv though. :)

[Scratch]

I have HD via Insight Cable and it is AMAZING. Nobody who ever sees HD will deny the difference unless you have vision problems.

I have good vision and have watched HD movies, sports and channels. While, I admit there is a difference it is not a huge difference. Like another poster said what is the point of seeing that extra bead of perspiration? Again I am not trying to burst any bubbles, everybody has there thing. I am just pointing out that HD does nothing for me.

[kybuc]

Good Article

To date, DirecTV has signed agreements or agreements in principle, to launch the following networks: A&E, National Geographic, Bravo, NFL Network, Cartoon Network, SciFi Channel, CNN, Speed, Food Network, TBS, Big Ten Network, The History Channel, HGTV, The Weather Channel, MTV, USA Network, Disney Channel, Versus HD, Toon Disney, TLC, ABC Family, Animal Planet, ESPNNEWS HD, The Science Channel, Starz E/W feeds, Discovery Channel, Starz Edge, The Tennis Channel, Starz Comedy, Showtime West, Starz Kids & Family, The Movie Channel, CNBC and Chiller.


In addition DirecTV also plans to offer the HD feeds of regional sports networks on a nationwide basis this fall, and has commitments from a number of other networks to launch their HD simulcasts. They will be added to the lineup for launch by year-end and will be announced at a later date.



http://www.twice.com/article/CA6445880.html?nid=2402

[kybuc]

I have good vision and have watched HD movies, sports and channels. While, I admit there is a difference it is not a huge difference. Like another poster said what is the point of seeing that extra bead of perspiration? Again I am not trying to burst any bubbles, everybody has there thing. I am just pointing out that HD does nothing for me.

It really depends on your Television set. You get the right TV and you will see a huge difference. Larger screens 40" and up is where the dramatic change takes place.

You place two 27" inch TV's together, one HD and the other Standard Def. your not going to see a whole lot of contrast between the two because the Human eye doesn't focus on all the details at that size.

Now watch a 55" LCD TV with a high def feed. Change the channel and watch a standard def feed. WoW! The difference is incredible.

The point is...........if you have a great HDTV its going to show you the difference between standard definition (480P or below) and High Definition (720P, 1080i, or 1080P)

[kybuc]

I think HD is unbelievable if you own the right television. I have a 40" plasma, and the drop-off when I watch the Cats on regular TV is incredible.

However, if it isn't sports I could care less. I've watched movies in HD and really don't feel like there is much of a difference. In fact, there's something to be said for watching film -- especially older films -- digitally. No need to watch a movie that was not made to be seen in HD in that format.

Watch a movie in BluRay. You'll see the difference. The movies you watch on TV are being upscaled to 720P. In BluRay your getting the full 1080P HD experience.

[trublu]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. I don't want to have to buy any extra packages to watch the Cats play. I think I may check into it if I can get local channels now.
BTW, our old RCA finally gave out on us a few months ago and we decided that we might as well buy a hi-def TV. It is only a 32-inch screen, but I can still tell a world of difference in the picture-especially sports
Also, we bought our daughter a standard TV, and it has some sort of disclaimer on it. It states that after 2009, that these TV's won't be able to pick up signals thru some venues. I don't remember exactly, but it seems that everything is going digital.

[Jeff Craddock]

Am I the only person that thinks HD is overrated? I just don't see enough improvement from digital to HD to warrant the price increase. Not trying to burst anybodies bubble, just seeing if anyone else feels this way.

Wow. I had about the best non-HD TV going--a Sony WEGA that weighed 200 pounds and presented the best analog and digital pictures I'd seen. Then I got our Panasonic HD plasma. There is NO comparison. The first week we had it I could hardly follow the plot lines of my favorite shows because I was busy counting the nose hairs of, say, Mandy Patankin. :shock: Good HD just blows anything that came before it away.

It really is night and day, especially watching sports.

[NC Cat]

Am I the only person that thinks HD is overrated? I just don't see enough improvement from digital to HD to warrant the price increase. Not trying to burst anybodies bubble, just seeing if anyone else feels this way.

If you have a good TV that is set up correctly you probably won't think it's overrated. It's just amazing how good the picture is. We've got a 46" LCD HD screen and sometimes I find myself watching HD programs I don't even like just because the picture is so amazing. Watching football, basketball, or golf on HD is addictive. And nature programming in HD is the best of all, at least IMO.

[Jeff Craddock]

If you have a good TV that is set up correctly you probably won't think it's overrated. It's just amazing how good the picture is. We've got a 46" LCD HD screen and sometimes I find myself watching HD programs I don't even like just because the picture is so amazing. Watching football, basketball, or golf on HD is addictive. And nature programming in HD is the best of all, at least IMO.

I find myself watching Discovery HD Theater just because I can.....:icon_mrgreen:

It's amazing.

[CatKroboth]

I refuse to look at HD TV's, cause I know as soon as I do I will want one. And it is just not in the budget anytime soon.

And My 8 year old 32" Zenith is still kicking strong, and I can see the Cats Win on it just fine. ;) As long as I can make out who is who, and read the score that is all the detail I need.

[kybuc]

buddy of mine just sent me an email with this info

These channels have already been uplink to the new satellite and are in test mode now

9800 CSTV
9801 FSN Midwest
9802 FSN Bay Area
9803 FSN Houston
9804 Disney Channel
9805 Animal Planet
9806 FSN North
9807 FSN New England
9808 FX
9809 Toon Disney
9810 ESPN News
9811 FSN Northwest
9812 FSN New York
9813 CD USA "The 101"
9814 Cinemax HD
9815 National Georaphic
9816 FSN Pittsburgh
9817 MSG
9818 MTV
9819 HBO West
9820 NBA TV
9821 FSN Rocky Mountain
9822 SportsNet New York
9823 A&E
9824 Starz Edge
9825 NFL Network
9826 FSN South
9827 YES
9828 Starz West
9829 Starz East
9830 NHL
9831 FSN Southwest
9832 Science Channel
9833 History Channel
9834 Showtime West
9835 Outdoor
9836 FSN West
9827 SportsSouth
9838 Discovery
9839 Movie Channel
9840 Tennis Channel
9841 FSN Prime Ticket
9842 Speed
9843 Fuel
9844 HGTV
9845 Spike
9846 Sun Sports
9847 Starz Comedy
9848 Big Ten
9849 CNN
9850 Comcast SportsNet Chicago
9851 FSN Ohio
9852 Sho Too
9853 The Weather Channel
9854 TBS
9855 Cartoon Network (http://highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=49828#)
9856 FSN Cincinnati
9857 Starz Kids & Family
9858 Bravo
9859 Comedy Central
9860 Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
9861 FSN Florida
9862 TLC
9863 CSN West
9864 Versus
9865 MASN/ SportsTime Ohio
9866 Altitude
9867 Cinemax West
9863 Sci-Fi
9869 MHD
9870 FSN Arizona
9871 Chiller/ SAC MNT
9872 ABC Family
9873 USA Network
9874 Nickelodeon East
9875 FSN Detroit
9876 NESN
9877 CNBC
9878 The Food Network
9879 VH1

[Josh]

We're on Cable (New Wave) and I am pretty disappointed in their HD set. Not only in the lack of channels, but in the way it's presented. I've had a lot of problems out of them since we upgraded to their HD package, channels are laggy at times, some channels don't come in, etc.

With Direct TV, would I be able to get all of UK's games and local channels without having to pay for things like ESPN Gameplan?

[Craig the Blueheart]

Am I the only person that thinks HD is overrated? I just don't see enough improvement from digital to HD to warrant the price increase. Not trying to burst anybodies bubble, just seeing if anyone else feels this way.

I wasn't a picture junkie until I bought my new Samsung Plasma TV. There is a remarkable difference.

[BigBlue75]

We're on Cable (New Wave) and I am pretty disappointed in their HD set. Not only in the lack of channels, but in the way it's presented. I've had a lot of problems out of them since we upgraded to their HD package, channels are laggy at times, some channels don't come in, etc.

With Direct TV, would I be able to get all of UK's games and local channels without having to pay for things like ESPN Gameplan?


Josh, here's part of the way I answered a similar question by trublu earlier, which might help you:

Well, here in Louisville, I get all the local network channels (ABC, CBS, etc.) so I get the regional games and national games, plus all the games that JP/Lincoln Sports carries. I also get all the Fox Channels and one or more of them always carry the UK games. I can't really think of an instance where there was a game on that I couldn't see it. Occasionally, there is a game that falls "through the cracks" and you can only see it on delay, but those are few and far between.

You can get the basic Direct TV service and add on all the Fox Sports channels and you would be around the $50-60 range.


I won't go so far as to say the only way you could get a UK game is on Gameplan, but the times you would have that as your only option are, as I said, few and far between.

Hope that helps.

[kybuc]

New channels launch Sept 19th.

Make sure you have the new equipment or you wont pick up the new channels.

[VirginiaBlue]

I got my upgrade to DirecTV HD on Tuesday, and the new channels haven't shown up yet. I'm assuming it hasn't happened, at least I hope so. Anybody know?

[kybuc]

I got my upgrade to DirecTV HD on Tuesday, and the new channels haven't shown up yet. I'm assuming it hasn't happened, at least I hope so. Anybody know?

Technical difficulties is the rumor. Delayed one week. :mad: