Direct TV vs Cox Cable

[izmophonik]

I just wanted to clear a few things up on the HD discussion.

1. DIRECTV broadcasts in 1080i.
2. The 1080p broadcast doesn't exist yet.
3. DIRECTV has 74 HD channels currently.
4. Even if DIRECTV carries ESPNHD or SciFiHD, they are at the mercy of the broadcast.  If the feed is HD then it will be HD DIRECTV doesn't make that choice.  They just carry the channel. (don't kill the messenger)
5. There are no jaggies on DIRECTV HD.  If you have jaggies then you don't have an HD reciever or an HD compatible TV.
6. The HD shows are not "upscaled" as some have suggested.  If they are broadcast in HD by ESPN or whatever then DIRECTV carries the signal in full 1080iHD.  If your reciever can't do 1080i then you get what you get.
7. Lastly, 20+ HD channels on cable or Dish pffft... 74 blow that away.  I don't watch anything on standard def anymore.  All of my favorite shows are in Hi Def and I'm never turning back.  It's time for Dish and Cable to hit the showers.  Game over.

[izmophonik]

In case anyone was interested.  Here is the DIRECTV HD lineup with hopefully 26 more to come by the end of the year.  Cable and Dish....you wish. :-)

70   501   HBO East HD
71   537   Showtime East HD
72   209   ESPN2 HD
73   206   ESPN HD
74      Universal HD
75   245   TNT HD
76      HD Theater (was Discovery HD Theater)
78      HDNet Movies
79      HDNet
80      CBS East (NY) HD
81      CBS West (LA) HD
82      NBC East (NY) HD
83      NBC West (LA) HD
86      ABC East (NY) HD
87      ABC West (LA) HD
88      Fox East (NY) HD
89      Fox West (LA) HD
99      PPV HD (MPEG2)
101      101 (partially HD)
135      PPV HD
136      PPV HD
137      PPV HD
138      PPV HD
145      PPV HD
146      PPV HD
147      PPV HD
202      CNN HD
206      ESPN HD
209      ESPN2 HD
212      NFL Network HD
220      Big Ten Network HD
229      HGTV HD
231      Food Network HD
242      USA Network HD
244      SciFi Channel HD
245      TNT HD
247      TBS HD
248      FX HD
255      MGM HD
265      A&E HD
267      Smithsonian HD
269      History Channel HD
273      Bravo HD
276      National Geographic Channel HD
278      Discovery Channel HD
280      TLC HD
282      Animal Planet HD
284      Science Channel HD
296      Cartoon Network HD
332      MHD
334   101   101 (partially HD)
355      CNBC HD
359      Fox Business Channel HD
362      Weather Channel HD
501      HBO East HD
504      HBO West HD
509   501   HBO East HD
512      Cinemax East HD
514      Cinemax West HD
518      Starz Kids & Family HD
519      Starz Comedy HD
520      Starz East HD
521      Starz West HD
522      Starz Edge HD
537      Showtime East HD
538      Showtime Too HD
540      Showtime West HD
543   537   Showtime East HD
544      Movie Channel HD
604      Versus HD / Golf HD
607      Speed Channel HD
612      Fuel TV HD
622      Yankees Entertainment & Sports (YES) HD
623      New England Sports Network (NESN) HD
625      SportsNet New York (SNY) HD
628      FSN Pittsburgh
636      FSN Detroit HD
629      Comcast Sports Network (CSN) Mid-Atlantic HD
640      Comcast Sports Network (CSN) Chicago HD
643      FSN Southwest HD
647      FSN Midwest
652      FSN West HD
653      FSN Prime Ticket HD
683   625   SportsNet New York (SNY) HD
684   622   Yankees Entertainment & Sports (YES) HD
718      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
719      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
720      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
721      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
722      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
723      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
724      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
725      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
726      NFL Sunday Ticket HD
751      NBA League Pass HD
752      NBA League Pass HD
753      NBA League Pass HD
754      NBA League Pass HD
755      NBA League Pass HD
756      NBA League Pass HD
757      NBA League Pass HD
758      NBA League Pass HD
759      NBA League Pass HD
760      NBA League Pass HD
761      NBA League Pass HD
762      NBA League Pass HD
763      NBA League Pass HD
764      NHL Center Ice HD
765      NHL Center Ice HD
766      NHL Center Ice HD
767      NHL Center Ice HD
768      NHL Center Ice HD
769      NHL Center Ice HD
770      NHL Center Ice HD
771      NHL Center Ice HD
772      NHL Center Ice HD
773      NHL Center Ice HD
774      NHL Center Ice HD
775      NHL Center Ice HD
776      NHL Center Ice HD

[Wrinkle]

You couldn't pry my DirecTV away from me.

But, they need to carry TGOV locally for it to be complete.

[sgrizzle]

So if you don't watch sports, premium movie channels, or PPV, you have like 13 channels left...

[izmophonik]

Uh...try more like 30.

[izmophonik]

Excuse me....38 NON Premium-Non Sports HD Channels.

2      NBCHD
6      CBSHD
8      ABCHD
23     FOXHD
70 501 HBO East HD
71 537 Showtime East HD
72 209 ESPN2 HD
73 206 ESPN HD
74 Universal HD
75 245 TNT HD
76 HD Theater (was Discovery HD Theater)
78 HDNet Movies
79 HDNet
202 CNN HD
229 HGTV HD
231 Food Network HD
242 USA Network HD
244 SciFi Channel HD
245 TNT HD
247 TBS HD
248 FX HD
255 MGM HD
265 A&E HD
267 Smithsonian HD
269 History Channel HD
273 Bravo HD
276 National Geographic Channel HD
278 Discovery Channel HD
280 TLC HD
282 Animal Planet HD
284 Science Channel HD
296 Cartoon Network HD
332 MHD
334 101 101 (partially HD)
355 CNBC HD
359 Fox Business Channel HD
362 Weather Channel HD
607 Speed Channel HD

[izmophonik]

Sweet!  DIRECTV just launched 10 more HD channels today.  5 National channels and 5 more PPV channels. They are up to 84 HD channels now.  Here are the 5 national channels.

327  CMT HD
331  MTV HD
299  Nickelodeon HD
325  Spike HD
335  VH1 HD

[sgrizzle]

Thanks for filtering the list, but you left two movie channels on there.

[Wilbur]

Thanks for clearing up the upconversion rumor.  I agree, and Cox does the same, they can only show an HD show if the network kicks it out that way.

Thanks also for the list of HD channels from Direct TV.

But I have to ask, what are jaggies?

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by swake

Where we are going is hundreds of on demand interactive HD services with gigabit internet all in one. Phone will just be a feature that's included. It will be some years, but it's coming. The competitors are going to be what we call cable and phone companies today. Electric companies can get in the game too if they choose.  I just don't see linear Satellite service being a long term competitor.

Im going to agree with you in that respect, when you include all the "It will be some years, but it's coming" technologies.
But for the here, available now, walk-into-Best-Buy-and-get-it-off-the-shelf, DirecTV has more bang for the buck, and should be viable for the next 15-20 years.

If you were making a purchasing decision today, that's what I would recommend.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur


But I have to ask, what are jaggies?

[izmophonik]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Thanks for filtering the list, but you left two movie channels on there.

Those channels are pro bono with the HD package.  They don't require a premium subscription.

[izmophonik]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur


But I have to ask, what are jaggies?

I got some bad news for you.  That ain't DIRECTV.  You need to check your equipment bud.  Good luck.  :-)

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by swake

Where we are going is hundreds of on demand interactive HD services with gigabit internet all in one. Phone will just be a feature that's included. It will be some years, but it's coming. The competitors are going to be what we call cable and phone companies today. Electric companies can get in the game too if they choose.  I just don't see linear Satellite service being a long term competitor.

Im going to agree with you in that respect, when you include all the "It will be some years, but it's coming" technologies.
But for the here, available now, walk-into-Best-Buy-and-get-it-off-the-shelf, DirecTV has more bang for the buck, and should be viable for the next 15-20 years.

If you were making a purchasing decision today, that's what I would recommend.

I'm not saying don't but a dish, but the time frame is only going to be more like 5 to 6 years.

Within 6 months to a year we should have two providers with at least 20 meg internet service with cable services here in Tulsa. Other markets might be pushing 50 megs in the next year or so. Speeds are doubling or more every year, do the math.

HD On Demand is going to be the big new service over the next year. Convergance of cable and internet entertainment offerings is already happening.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by izmophonik


I got some bad news for you.  That ain't DIRECTV.  You need to check your equipment bud.  Good luck.  :-)

It's not COX either. That was from a video editing forum, it's from a PC.