Ever since
DirecTV 10 went operational and
started broadcasting MPEG-4 HD to fans everywhere, many have wondered, "what about the older HD channels?" DirecTV was one of the first to broadcast some of our favorite HD channels, like HD.net and ESPN HD, but
HD Lite has taken most of the fun out of 'em. So while DirecTV would love to just move everything to MPEG-4, all the existing MPEG-2 customers wouldn't be that happy -- specifically all those DirecTiVo HD holdouts. Starting today DirecTV started broadcasting a simulcast of the most popular MPEG-2 HD channels in MPEG-4 using
DirecTV 11. So far the response has been great, and many are wondering how they ever got by watching all that HD lite for this long. So while this is a step in the right direction, we'll be a bit more excited when DirecTV starts making good on their recent promises and launches the rest of the HD channels needed to
get to the promised 130.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
shawnmos @ Jul 31st 2008 1:21PM
do the mpeg4 channels just replace the mpeg2 channels if you have an mpeg4 box?
tony @ Jul 31st 2008 1:29PM
Only for the channel numbers over 100. The ones in the 70s are still MPEG-2 (for now) for older receivers. HDNet and HDNet movies, which previously didn not have channels in the 100+ area now do (305 and 552 I think, something like that).
JimC @ Jul 31st 2008 2:29PM
I did not know that. I've been watching my HDNET and such on those lower channels....would have been nice to know this.
Jose @ Jul 31st 2008 4:02PM
Even though the older channels have been mapped to both the 70s and the 500s for a while, the MPEG-4 feeds just started today, so you have not missed anything if you were watching the channels in the 70s. From now on, however, you should get a better picture and smaller file sizes if you watch or record the MPEG-4 feeds in the 500s, etc...
burick @ Jul 31st 2008 1:24PM
yup being a directv tech i get questions all the time about quality. Your picture quality is only as good as your tv. If you have a old hd tv or a tv with low specs chances are its not gona be as good as mine. i have a shark 52" lcd. Also Directv is the best in picture quality and quantity. If your tired of you cable and want to switch just check out my blog. i will answer any questions you have and if u decide to switch i can get you a deal on your monthly bill and you equipment. my blog is www.directv360.blogspot.com
looseinthedeuce @ Jul 31st 2008 4:15PM
Nice plug. But my question is still this: are the new simulcasts which are MPEG4 taking the MPEG2 signal and transcoding it? Or has DirecTV started getting higher bitrate MPEG4 directly from the television studios? And if so, what is the bitrate?
My problem with MPEG4 has always been the fact that it's originally an MPEG2 signal at about 16mb/s and is transcoded to ~10mb/s. Any transcode degrades the picture, and it's been noticable.
The MPEG4 of Blu-ray is fine because it's at a MUCH higher bitrate and isn't transcoded from something else. Can we get some better info on how the new MPEG4 channels will improve the picture quality?
JimC @ Jul 31st 2008 2:12PM
How do you know which channel you're watching? Which channel numbers are the mpeg-4 channels?
tony @ Jul 31st 2008 2:57PM
At this point, any HD channels over 100 are MPEG-2. HD channels in the 70x are still MPEG-2.
tony @ Jul 31st 2008 2:58PM
I mean channels over 100 are MPEG-4.
Loban @ Jul 31st 2008 4:56PM
Jesus, HD receivers are starting to turn into enthusiast devices. Why do they have to list multiple versions of a channel in the channel guide? I only want to see TLC or ESPN listed ONCE in the channel guide, and if I pick it, I want it to automatically tune me into the best version of it. If there are 3 versions available (MPEG4, MPEG2, and SD) then dangit, show me the MPEG4 one for God's sake. Obviously, for whatever reason, if I want to see any of the other inferior versions, I can type in the number manually with my remote. I don't understand the point of scrolling through the guide and seeing channels listed more than once.
Big Sam @ Jul 31st 2008 6:06PM
That's why I love the ability to customize my DirecTV guide anyway I want. My default guide only shows the channels I watch (and only the versions of the channels I want to use)
tony @ Jul 31st 2008 8:27PM
Normally it does exactly what you describe. In this case they are going to keep the MPEG-2 version seperate, probably so they can run a warning at the bottom of it for those with older hardware to call a number and upgrade to an MPEG-4 receiver so they don't lose those channels.
This typically is the case for about a month or so, they did it with the LA High-Def channels once already. This is the last of the MPEG-2, though, so this will be it.
Compare it to cable where you have SD and HD versions of channels all over the dial, DIRECTV does it the right way (one channel, automatically selects the best format).
mitchelljd @ Jul 31st 2008 7:27PM
This is great news. the freed up Directv Satellite bandwidth can goto other ntsc channels and maybe.... ALLOW DIRECTV to offer better picture on the regular ntsc channels, which are ntsc lite themselves because many of them are compressed to hell!!
tony @ Jul 31st 2008 8:28PM
Also, sounds like you need to set the "Hide SD Duplicates" option as well.