DirecTV's new HD channels to launch on the 19th?
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Sep 10th 2007 at 4:50PM
With DirecTV 10 in position, all the new HD channels could be released any day now, it appears now that a leaked internal document from DirecTV has revealed the day. While most believe that this Sunday the 16th, was the big day, this internal documents seems to imply that the day when the HD comes is next Wednesday the 19th. The channel lineup appears to be the same as we saw last week, but it's nice to get additional confirmation. The only thing we know for sure, is that all these new channels can't get here fast enough.
Filed under: Satellite
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Landlocked @ Sep 10th 2007 5:08PM
I am sure this has been asked before, but will the new channels be the so-called "HD-lite"?
DJBro @ Sep 10th 2007 5:57PM
Theoretically they wont have to be because they are converting all the HD channels to MPEG4, reducing the amount of bandwidth each of the previously MPEG2 encoded channels will take up. However, it remains to be seen if they will actually be HD resolution or if they will skimp to the HD-Lite resolution to say, future proof and save bandwidth for even more HD channels.
JD @ Sep 11th 2007 8:23AM
You can bet your ass that is will be HD LITE, 1280x1280. They'll never get close to 1920x1080.
syphix @ Sep 10th 2007 5:11PM
DirecTV 10 is NOT in position. It needs to be at 102.775, and it's currently still at 102.5674 (well, the last TLE is over 24 hours old and showed it at 102.5674, and we haven't heard where it is "right now"). No confirmation as to whether it has parked at the broadcast location, is still at the testing location, or in-transit.
CharlieX @ Sep 10th 2007 5:44PM
Not as specific as that, but I heard from a buddy who works in aerospace (no idea what he does... it's classified nonsense and all that) that they were having a problem with "1 of the sats... and it it would be broadcasting at the end of the month."
+grain of salt.
syphix @ Sep 10th 2007 6:04PM
Others with contacts within DirecTV have stated that the handover from Boeing to D* is imminent and that there's nothing wrong with the bird. D*'s original move date was the 12th, so we're still "on schedule"...the original schedule.
source: DBSTalk.com // SatelliteGuys.us
Ben @ Sep 11th 2007 8:27AM
JD,
Not sure why you think this. DirecTV does HDLite as a compromise between quality and quantity. With MPEG4 they will have plenty of bandwidth, so they won't have to compromise. Of course this doesn't mean that this won't change in a few years, but for now the quality should be top notch.
Shape @ Sep 11th 2007 10:41AM
DirecTV's "HD-lite" is still 10 times better than the crap that passes for "HD" on Charter Cable.
Tony Biondo @ Sep 15th 2007 2:56PM
Does MPEG4 mean that we'll need new boxes to watch the new HD channels? Don't feel like buying another HD DirecTiVo and trashing the one I have...
RB @ Sep 16th 2007 1:37PM
Spoke with DirecTV last night about changes to my programming. The rep. confirmed to me that the new HD stations are going live on 9/19. At that point, DTV is saying they'll have 70 HD channels. Another 30 to come either in October or November. Woo-hoo!
nathan @ Sep 16th 2007 10:49PM
i love engaget
AztecPilot @ Sep 19th 2007 9:51AM
Well, where are they. I forced downloads to day on a couple of recievers , but still no new channels.
Kevin Murphy @ Sep 19th 2007 10:48AM
It was announced at DBStalk.com that it would probably not happen today, for unspecified reasons. The 19th WAS the date, but there's a snag. Maybe tomorrow?
winsor @ Sep 19th 2007 11:24AM
I'll bet the new HD bird still has some bugs. That's the only reason I can think of for these delays. They add new SD channels all the time on the old satellites.
rabrams55 @ Sep 20th 2007 1:36PM
nothing on the new chanells as of 5 mins ago :(
J @ Sep 21st 2007 1:09PM
Nothing yet.
aledc78 @ Sep 22nd 2007 1:27PM
Channel 498 (B-Band Converter Confirmation Channel) displays the following info:
"Your HD setup is correct and you are seeing this broadcast from our new HD Satellite. By the end of this month, we'll have many of your favorite channels in HD, with over 70 launching in October and up to 100 by the end of the year."
Does this mean we have to wait until October?
DeeAnne @ Sep 24th 2007 11:03AM
Anyone get a date of 9/25 for the HD launch on DirecTV?
Paul Barwick @ Sep 24th 2007 11:45PM
Just an update. The new channels seem to be getting closer. For the past few hours DirecTV has been running test programs on channels 9300 and 9301. They are evidently changing equipment or software during these tests, as a while ago I could see both channels, and now I can see only one. Tantalizing, it is.
wbrproductions @ Sep 25th 2007 10:14PM
Neat. Just got my BBC converter today, watching 9301 intently. Hooray for 70 crappy channels in HD!
roger_huston @ Sep 26th 2007 1:51PM
Looks like the first batch of 21 channels went live today. There are a whole bunch of new HD Guides available 510, 541, etc to view what is available.
Also you can view http://directv.com/hd for a list of new channels.
It looks like most of the new channels are the premium channels, like Starz, Showtime and the like, with an A&E, History, Smithsonian thrown in too.
BTW, I currently getting a 721 subscription error for most of these new channels and am on the phone with DirectTV. Hopefully you will have better results.
- Roger
richard @ Sep 28th 2007 1:25AM
Why does standalone matter so much w/ 6,000,000 PS3s sold worldwide. Stop living in denial people. Many people buy the PS3 instead of the blu-ray standalone because it is the same price as the cheapest blu standalone player. It's like getting a Playstation for free, then add in the fact that its got built in wi-fi, internet browsing, and free online play, it only makes sense to purchase the PS3 over a standalone to watch blu-rays.
Follow this link and read the paragraph under the remote control picture. http://reviews.cnet.com/game-accesso...g=nefdprod.rev CNET uses PS3s to test many of the HDTVs they review.
Chris @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:07PM
We have no Xtra programming other than the HD package. I have not tried any of the new channels as of yet...and I am not @ home to try them...but...I was wondering if anyone knew if the nonpremiums( TBS, A&E, etc) are made available AS TNTHD is to those of us currently not receiving the package including those standard channels?
TIA!