Trust us, you all aren't the only ones wondering what the status is on DirecTV's
HDPC-20 PC tuner. After assuming that it was closer to (beta) release than ever after a
mysterious signup made the rounds late last month, along comes the confirmation we've been yearning for. Numerous readers have received hardware agreements as part of the DirecTV Media Center Beta test, and sure enough, it very plainly states that the HDPC-20 is the item that will be tested. Hailed as a "dual satellite DirecTV tuner (black case) including two BBC modules connectors, a DC power cable and a USB cable," those lucky enough to get in on the action may also receive a Media Center Remote, IR receiver and TV tuner card. And we all know what happens after beta testing is over, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yo Mamma @ Apr 4th 2008 10:00AM
AWESOME... its about damn time, now if only the beta is short and to the point, so the rest of the world can enjoy this beautiful thing...
Tony @ Apr 4th 2008 11:01AM
The B-Band modules are the best part of this announcement because it verifies that it is indeed an MPEG-4 HD capable receiver.
Mike @ Apr 4th 2008 11:50AM
Any decent MPEG-4 tuner cards out, or are they all MPEG-2?
JimC @ Apr 4th 2008 1:23PM
Anyone have any idea when the DirecTV AM21 Addon will be available? I went to order DirecTV and wanted HD DVR with OTA record ability and they said that can't do it yet because the HR20 is hard to find and the AM21 isn't released. So unless they find and HR20 or release the AM21, I'm stuck with Time Warner Cable....
Tony @ Apr 4th 2008 1:29PM
The AM21 is not yet available but it's coming VERY soon. The national rollout of the code for the HR21s is in progress that supports it and some companies are taking pre-orders for it.
ckelly @ Apr 4th 2008 9:50PM
Is this unit self-contained or is it an add-on for use with a PC? I have 3 TV's and would switch over to D*TV if these are standalones but I'm not ready to leave TiVo as of yet - and certainly n ot if I have to pick up 3 PC's as well. I'd leave for Media Center, but not for the HR20 - I'd probably still miss TiVo though.
Joel Escutia @ Apr 5th 2008 5:00AM
How can we get on the bandwagon for testing and can you provide your website?
PaulF @ Apr 5th 2008 1:07PM
VMC doesn't do H.264 right now. Wonder what will show up first, this or "Fiji"
P
Vince @ Apr 6th 2008 12:05AM
Oh my gawd, I just read something regarding my television and got WOOD!?!?!?!
I think something is very wrong with me.
Victor @ Apr 18th 2008 4:25PM
Any word on WHS support?
It'd be awesome to be able to hook this thing up to that instead of a computer and use it. Then I could stream my recorded shows to my laptop anywhere with a remote connection... THAT would be awesome!