It's no
HDPC-20 PC tuner, but it is a new way for
DirecTV subscribers to enjoy content. As of now, the DIRECTV2PC beta has been opened, giving mettlesome souls the ability to stream HD recordings from their DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver to a connected PC in the home. Unfortunately, this isn't a
Slingbox-type application, as the programming can only be slung within your local (read: home) network, but thankfully, high-def recordings are transmitted as high-def. You'll need a potent PC to play things back smoothly, and you
can watch shows on your PC while live or recorded shows are being viewed on the TV. Have any of you given this a go? If so, drop in your initial impressions below.
[Via
SatelliteGuys, thanks Vanbrothers]
Update: Seems the link still isn't working -- c'mon DirecTV, what gives?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doug Brott @ Oct 14th 2008 3:44PM
We've been discussing this @ DBSTalk.com for the past three days: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=142183
Jonathan @ Oct 14th 2008 3:48PM
The link to the software is not working yet.
Big Sam @ Oct 14th 2008 3:54PM
Yea link is not working yet.
Big Sam @ Oct 14th 2008 3:53PM
I'll try it today
Shawn @ Oct 14th 2008 3:54PM
The link on the DIRECTV site is not working yet, it redirects to a broken link on Cyberlink's side.
joek112 @ Oct 14th 2008 4:55PM
Nobody cares... Nudge me up then the HDPC-20 from DirecTV is REALLY real. Is it too much to ask for TRUE DirecTV and Vista Media Center intergration? This crappy DVR to DRM copy on my PC is not cutting it.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/14/directv2pc-launches-in-beta-form-brings-hd-recordings-to-your-l/
The Fuzz 53 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:06PM
Who cares? This feature is borderline fucking worthless. Where the eff is the damn HDPC-20 already?!?!
Griffon @ Oct 14th 2008 5:27PM
Says by cyberlink (read drm central) so I'm guessing windows only but since the link doesn't work hard to say for sure. Yeah no MCE replacement for sure. Hopefully the design won't be as bad as the remote scheduler (um search hello? do I really have to pan around in this slow as shit guide?). still at last they are trying can't say that about comcast.
Shape @ Oct 14th 2008 6:05PM
This is the 2nd step on the road to multi-room viewing between DirecTV DVRs and receivers.
So a lot of people should care, but maybe don't know that they should. :)
lucyfan62 @ Oct 14th 2008 6:23PM
I like the idea because I can connect my laptop to my TV via HDMI cable. I just wish the link worked so I could try it out.
Kamakzie @ Oct 14th 2008 7:36PM
As someone who watched TV via my computer all the time with a TV tuner this is very exciting. So its value is varied from user to user.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 14th 2008 9:23PM
I've used it. It works. Not much more to say.
You don't really need a potent PC. You can do SD on any old computer just about. HD requires a video card with video decode acceleration. If you have it, even a slower PC will be okay, without it, even a very fast one will have issues.
The UI is very similar to the onscreen UI on a DirectTV PVR.
lucyfan62 @ Oct 14th 2008 11:41PM
I emailed DirecTV about the link not working and this is the emailed response I got back:
"Thanks for your interest in our DIRECTV2PC. This will allow you to view recordings from your HD-DVR or R22 on your personal computer. At this time this feature is not available but should be available later this year.
Any proposed new equipment or enhancements to current equipment are subject to change until a formal announcement is made, so I don't have any additional information that I can share with you right now. I have, however, forwarded your email on to our management so that they can have a record of your request."
So who is telling the truth - DirecTV or why not the LS2LS7?
mitchelljd @ Oct 15th 2008 12:33AM
How about a macintosh version of the software that will work also on an apple tv? that can export copies to the ipod and iphone also?
and... it would be great if they would allow the receivers to interact and communicate, to pull files from another box that has the same owner.
Oh well, its a start. Directv is only starting to allow what Tivo boxes have done for some time and in a more versatile way
GhostDoggy @ Oct 15th 2008 5:45AM
I do not get the whole DRM aspect in this article. You are not transferring the recordings from the HD DVR to the PC, but streaming through the PC. The PC only acts as middleware. To me, it seems that either DRM is wrong or streaming is wrong. The two just do not seem to work in the same context.
Jeremy W @ Oct 15th 2008 9:36AM
One major issue with the DirecTV2PC software is that you cannot use it if you have more than one monitor. You have to disable all but one, otherwise the program will error out. Huge design flaw as far as I'm concerned.
vince @ Oct 15th 2008 11:23AM
What a useless feature.
The part that sucks is that this is going to be a failure, and they high ups in DirecTV will figure that since this is a failure there is no reason to persue the HDPC-20.
What in the hell is the point of this app, Jesus, what a waste of resources!
Hooterman @ Oct 15th 2008 5:17PM
I emailed them about the broken link. I just got this reply:
"In reference to the software download, there is currently a known issue with the site not working. We plan on having the issue corrected by tomorrow so that you can download the Beta Software to test this new feature."
Xyzzy @ Oct 15th 2008 10:46PM
I wrote and was told this:
At this time we are not accepting applications for beta testing. We appreciate your interest in DIRECTV technology and I have forwarded your request to our management for future consideration.
The beta download will be available soon at directv.com/directv2pc.
Thanks again for writing.
Morphy @ Oct 15th 2008 10:58PM
For those people still waiting for the HDPC-20, I would suggest that you make alternate plans. Or plan to wait until 2011 or so.
Personally I'm switching to SageTV, using a DirecTV receiver and the Hauppauge HD-PVR.
daniel.aharonoff @ Oct 16th 2008 4:03PM
I started using a new service that hosts my place shifting device for me, slingbox and myhava and some others I think, as a result I get MUCH faster bandwidth and video quality then from my home DSL connection. At the same time I no longer irritate family at home by changing channels on them remotely while I'm traveling or away. The service just launched and I got into the early phase, site is http://www.parkmytv.com - enjoy :)
Ryan @ Oct 17th 2008 12:59PM
Cyberlink pulled the software download.....it wasn't supposed to be available until the end of the month.
Albert @ Oct 21st 2008 12:13PM
It's Live! Yaa!!
WATCHMEWATCHU @ Oct 21st 2008 12:55PM
Links work now, but I am only d/l at about 24k. So it is taking awhile to dl the 32mb :(
iansw @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:37PM
Downloaded, installed, and working...sort of.
Acts just like the DirecTV menu does for your Playlist. Select a show and watch.
Running their system checker app, it says all my hardware is well within spec (Dual Cor Intel, 4GB RAM, GeForce 8800 512MB RAM).
Program works, but video is EXTREMELY choppy and unwatchable. Audio is fine.
Well, I guess that's the definition of "Beta"....
onyxworld @ Nov 25th 2008 8:59PM
i'm running the beta on a dual quadcore with eight gig ram. i have connected to two different hr's--one is connected directly, one is connected wirelessly. both produce much better video than my hdhomeruns. however, the "wireless" box does get behind the buffer sometimes. (my ap's are in bad locations.)
as another "poster" mentioned, the directv2pc app controls the box directly through the interface. the interface is nearly identical in look and function to the recorded tv list screen.
since this exercise proves that the hr20/21 box can deliver superior images and can be controlled via tcp/ip, my wishlist would include full access to live programming, channel changing and vista media center plug-in/integration.