We knew DirecTV had a long way to go
to get to 100 and that they all wouldn't just pop up one day. Last week we had the
first run of 21 and now today we get another 11. Of those, there are five regional sports networks, three more premiums, and finally three new HD channels that are new to everyone. We expect the three regular channels to be mostly stretch-o-vision at first, but there should be plenty of new HD content when they start to launch their original programming. There are still some obvious channels missing like National Geographic HD, Food HD and HGTV HD, but expect to see them anytime now. We don't know about anyone else, but we're excited that we won't have to wait six months to watch BSG in HD anymore.
- Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD (Channel 640)
- Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD (Channel 629)
- New England Sports Network/NESN HD(Channel 623)
- SportsNet New York HD (Channel 625)
- YES HD (Channel 622)
- Cinemax East (Channel 512)
- Cinemax West (Channel 514)
- HBO West (Channel 504)
- Bravo (Channel 273)
- SciFi Channel (Channel 244)
- USA Network (Channel 242)
posted Oct 3rd 2007 at 7:12AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
justin @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:30AM
I want to get into this HD game in the Spring. Currently I have no services. Does Direct TV offer the most HD? Anything else I need to know? I'll keep reading this site for info and squabbles over who has the biggest and best in the meantime~-~
UnnDunn @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:45AM
Right now, DirecTV is ramping up to offer the most HD nationwide. But the other guys aren't exactly sitting around. My advice is to wait until you're ready to buy, and then compare the HD lineups available to you, and see which you like.
We are currently in a time of transition; new HD channels are being launched and picked up almost every week, so now would not be a good time to make any commitments to any particular service provider.
MonoTovarisj @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:31AM
ARGH ! Why cant we get thoose satellit providers to europe! We only have a couple of HD channels if we want to pay 100$ a month
justin @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:35AM
I just noticed last night that Comcast in Boston area just turned on TBS HD and CNN HD. I read that they are going to add USA HD and History HD middle of the month. As long as Comcast can get FX and SciFi before too long, no reason to leave Comcast. Otherwise, I may switch to the DTV game.
Turbodub6 @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:12PM
Has anyone found a way to go directly to the HD version of a channel instead of going to the SD version first and then hitting up on the remote?
For example, if I want to watch USA in HD, I have to enter 242 on the remote (which takes me to USA in SD), and then hit up on the remote to get to the HD version. Can do something to make entering 242 on the remote take me directly to the HD version of the channel (it already seems to do this for my local channels.
Tom @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:40PM
use the Favorites option in your guide. I created a new favorite list, cleverly called "USE ME". I set it with only the HD versions of channels I get, and then trim out all the PPV and other channels I don't get (no NBCW for us here in Jersey). Helps trim the fat from the guide, and gives you direct access to the HD channel if you key it in.
Sadly it doesn't remove the channels from the listing search, so you still have to know what channel you're selecting if you're using the guide search.
Nate the Prophet @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:50AM
When is Dish going to release these same channels??
Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:06PM
SNY and YES HD aren't new to me. I've had them for a while. And I don't get HBlOw and Skinamax, so out of 11, I really have 3 new channels.
Scott @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:20AM
SciFi Channel! Woohoo!
harrijs @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:40AM
I find that the D* additions today show that they don't have the capacity for HD channels. Why would they add USA and SciFi when there is little to no HD content? They should be adding stations like FOODHD, HGTVHD, and National Geographic HD. Those three stations have quite a bit of HD content on around the clock. The reason that I believe they haven't added them yet is because they don't have the bandwidth. They are adding USA HD which will be stretched and will use very little bandwidth until there is some HD content. This will buy them a little time and they can now use the HD logo on some of their marketing.
Xyzzy @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:50AM
I doubt your analysis is correct. I think more people would be excited about SciFi in HD than FoodTV, so if you can only launch 5-10/week, you're going to release the ones that make for better press releases. Nobody really cares whether FoodTV is in HD or not.
DirecTV didn't just launch a couple of new sats so that they could be bandwidth deprived already. Wouldn't make sense.
TrentD @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:23PM
An upscaled channel takes the same amount of bandwidth as a native HD channel - the pathway doesn't care whether it looks like junk or not!
If you mean they can apply a lower bitrate to a high-resolution (but low quality) image, then you may be right.
Michael @ Oct 4th 2007 4:26PM
Agreed - I'm in the commercial food supply industry and as delicious as the Food Network looks in HD, I'm sorry but I'll take BSG any day of the week and I LOVE watching the Food Network...
Ed @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:55AM
I already have Food HD on DirecTV Channel 231-1... Weird number, but I guess it's a different program schedule, so they added the -1 at the end to differentiate it.
Dan in DC/VA @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:59AM
@Harrijs,
Most of these channels like History and Sci-Fi have been producing original HD content for years and have been building up a strong library for this roll out. Just because you haven't seen it HD yet doesn't mean it wasn't shot and edited in HD years ago.
John @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:08AM
Don't forget, if it was shot on film it can be shown in HD. That should give the History channel and many others plenty of content.
Scott @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:11AM
Yep. Stargate: Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka and even Flash Gordon (drek) are filmed in HD but broadcast in SD on the SciFi channel. Great news for SciFi's Friday night lineup.
harrijs @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:23AM
I stand corrected on the SciFi HD catalogue. I do not personally watch SciFi and didn't know that they have been producing HD content for years. I don't believe USA has been doing this though. BTW, if you doubt the usefulness of HD on FOOD, you haven't been watching Giada.
Big Sam @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:23AM
Yes SciFi! I'm still waiting till Nov, but at this point DTV has just moved into the lead. Still waiting to see what Dish and *ack* Time Warner are going to do by then.
I can't wait to see BG in HD (first run instead of 6 months behind on UHD). I hope The 4400 is in HD next summer on USA.
Anthony @ Oct 4th 2007 11:24AM
Sci-Fi WOOOO!
Atlantis in HD ftw!
Kevin Murphy @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:00PM
HBO and Cinemax West aren't "channels" so much as tape delays.
Iscariote @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:11PM
I signed up for Directv, they came out to my house and told me they had no line of sight to the new HD satellites.
:(((((
shawnmos @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:01PM
Woohoo, Scifi and USA!
Nostromo @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:38PM
It'll be great to get the new season of Battlestar in HD.
lucyfan62 @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:03PM
I hear ya on the SciFi HD and BSG! I'm gonna add it to my favorites right now! I was told by a DirecTV rep Tuesday that the original HD channels - HDNet, HDNet Movies, UniversalHD - are going to become a package of "premium" channels that will cost an extra $4.99 a month! So with SciFi HD, I don't have to worry about the wait for BSG, but I do enjoy TORCHWOOD on HDNet. Maybe BBC America will go HD soon!
Michael @ Oct 4th 2007 5:00PM
Hey Lucy - in addition to the three "original" channels you named, the other three new channels that will be included are MGM-HD, MHD and Smithsonian-HD. So it looks like we're going to be teased with all of these for no additional charge (I wanted to say "for FREE" but that wouldn't actually be true...) for the next two and a half months before the extra $4.99 kicks in.
Personally, I watch a lot of stuff on the two HDNet networks and I'm pretty jazzed up about finally having more HD music programming and the MGM film library added so I'm sure I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra five bucks. Some of the most enjoyable programs I've watched in HD so far have been the live concerts HDNet has been showing. As long as they keep the crappy reality programming off the air (like Real World - Infinity) on MHD and stick to music, that channel could become a regular for me.
Who would have thought we'd have to wade through five or more music channels before we finally get to some actual MUSIC!!
Bob Mc @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:08PM
Am I a geek if get Direct TV only to watch BSG in HD?
roger_huston @ Oct 4th 2007 2:04PM
You can always get the DVD set a year later.
- Roger
Mike @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:56PM
y does directv go comcast sportsnet in hd but not comcast customers its backwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mexigun @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:10PM
I was watching Food HD on 231-1 last night from about 11:30 PM to midnight, then the channel disappeared and hasn't came back.
Galley @ Oct 4th 2007 10:02AM
MHD went live on Oct. 4th!
roger_huston @ Oct 4th 2007 1:30PM
SCI-FI IN HD!!!
Been waiting years for this!!!
roger_huston @ Oct 4th 2007 1:58PM
WAIT A MINUTE
Does anyone know when Sci-Fi will start broadcasting in HD? I checked tomorrow night's Startgate Atlantis and it does NOT say HD.
I mean if you open a new HD channel, wouldn't you fill it with HD stuff?
- Roger
Jeremy W @ Oct 4th 2007 3:52PM
MHD should be added to this list. It was supposed to launch yesterday, but launched today due to technical difficulties.
Jody Seven @ Oct 5th 2007 4:04PM
@harrijs
HGTV,Food TV, NGC HD and FX (Nip Tuck in HD!!!!!) and others will all be along in the next 5 to 18 days. I already have the -1 channels for this but it is the same feed as the SD channel.
Dear Directv, please discontinue CNN HD I dont want to see Larry King in that much detail.
hvmberto @ Oct 5th 2007 7:39PM
I will strongly suggest to wait until October the 17th, is when we start to offer the new packages (As low as $59.99 per mo. for 185+ channels - on $69.99 value) for the last Quart of the year, and also Is when there will be revealed the current HD Lineup, and begin the countdown for the BIG 100+ HD Channels before the end of the year.
for more Info you can write me @ directvbrandon@gmail.com
p.s. Please make reference from this feed and I'll throw a special gift . . .thanks Justin
sickofCablevision @ Oct 7th 2007 1:39AM
what about Cablevision? Any word about those clowns?