See the new DirecTivo HD Unit (VIDEO)

[Scott Greczkowski]

Here is a video which shows off the new DirecTV HD PVR with Tivo.

http://www.cnet.com/video/synd/news_redir2.html?vid_win=http://news.com.com/1601-2-981898.html

[Mark Lamutt]

Notice how he specifically didn't say that this box can record the OTA HD signals. He was talking about recording HD, and then specifically said the box could also receive the local OTA signals. Hmmmm...

[James_F]

That is pretty cool.

Mark, will the 921 be able to record OTA HD?

[sampatterson]

Yes, the 921 specs say it will be able to record OTA HD.

[James_F]

So the 921 will have a MPEG recorder in it. That must be why its going to cost so much. Anyone have a price yet on the DirecTiVo HD?

[Mark Lamutt]

I don't think that the 921 will have an MPEG recorder. I think that the 921 will record the ATSC stream directly like the current HDTV recording cards do. When played back, the transport stream files will be transferred through the 8VSB modulator for decoding and viewing. Of course, that's speculation on my part.

[James_F]

So no non HD locals then?

[spanishannouncetable]

Originally posted by Mark Lamutt
Notice how he specifically didn't say that this box can record the OTA HD signals. He was talking about recording HD, and then specifically said the box could also receive the local OTA signals. Hmmmm...

It was announced at the CES that the HD DirecTiVo WILL record OTA HD as well as Directv's HD channels.

Just because he used the word "receive" instead of "record" is nothing to build any conspiracy theories around :rolleyes:

[Mark Lamutt]

That's great! Wasn't trying to start conspiracies - just pointing out something that I noticed. Heck, if the HD Tivo hits the market first before the 921, I may very well jump the Dish ship and to get one!

[EricG]

Those XP commercials are ANNOYING.

[scooper]

James - not exactly - what it is saying that the unit will be able to record ANY ATSC signal, of which HDTV is a part of.

[James_F]

Well that sucks in the short term unit everyone moves to digital signals. Its all moot for me anyway because I'll never leave DirecTV until Dish gets MLB EI. Still its very interesting.

[scooper]

James - did you understand what I said there ?

ATSC = Digital TV - is required to get HDTV.

So, saying that it can record ATSC OTA is saying that it can also record HDTV OTA.

[James_F]

I don't understand. I know Digital TV is HDTV, but 90% of what I watch is non HD local. Am I right in understanding that I won't record those.

[scooper]

What do you mean - is it ANALOG OTA or is it Digital NON-HDTV OTA? BTW - Digital is NOT necessarily HDTV, but all HDTV IS DIGITAL (in the USA anyway). Your local stations should be putting up Digital fairly quickly already, if they aren't already there.

If it's ANALOG - you're right - you probably won't be able to record it. As long as you can get it digitally, you can. It's that simple.

[James_F]

Thats what I thought.

[pesos]

so what is the timeframe do you guys think? my roomates and I are ready to get directv (i just got a new 57" sony crt, woohoo!). we were going to do a $299 deal which included a series 2 directivo, a 2nd normal directv receiver, and the triple-lnb sat and installation...

i'd love to get the HD tivo/dtv unit but we're sick of waiting :-/

Wes

[raj2001]

Originally posted by Mark Lamutt
I don't think that the 921 will have an MPEG recorder. I think that the 921 will record the ATSC stream directly like the current HDTV recording cards do. When played back, the transport stream files will be transferred through the 8VSB modulator for decoding and viewing. Of course, that's speculation on my part.

Then the HDirecTiVo has the same capability. The hardware is there, all that's needed is software. I don't think DirecTV will let Dish and the 921 have all the glory :D