mpeg 2 hd?

[Tim Godsil]

If you own a directv r22 dvr, i do, you can convert it into a hd dvr as long as you have a hd receiver and hd acess on the account.

so i bought a cheap samsung SIR-TS160 hd receiver to use as that hd receiver, im going to set it up in my parents living room, it can also pick up the atsc ota channels too.

my questions is,
1. is this a mpeg 2 or mpeg 4 hd receiver?
2. what hd channels are still in mpeg 2 hd?
3. when is the full switch to mpeg4?
4. will this receiver work with a slimline 3 dish?

[evan_s]

1. Mpeg 2
2. Only a couple.
3. Soon
4. Yes but only sd very shortly.

[The Merg]

1. It is an MPEG-2 HD receiver.

2. There are not many MPEG-2 HD channels left.

3. While the normal channels subscribed to will be MPEG-4 shortly, the conversion that is going on now is really local markets that are switching from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4. While that is happening in some places, most markets will remain with MPEG-2 for locals. The big thing with this conversion is that if you have an MPEG-2 receiver, you will not be able to receive your locals in those areas switching to MPEG-4.

4. Not sure on that one.

The bigger issue you are going to have is if DirecTV will let you activate that receiver and subscribe to HD service if that is your HD receiver. However, if you can get it activated, then yes, your R22 will turn into a HD-DVR for you.

- Merg

[Tim Godsil]

well directv said it could be any hd receiver. my moms tv is a sd only with componet, so the componet outputs with sd should look fairly good. The local channels are in mpeg 4 on 103, but she has an ota antenna so she can use this as a converter box also.

the receiver cost me 40 dollars instead of spending 50 and 20 shipping on a h20 from directv.

the reason i needed to do this is that my rca sdtv does componet in, but it cant be progessive scan, just 480i, which looks tons better over composite. the resolution for componet cant be changed from 480p to 480i, unless its a hd dvr.

as long as she has sd she will be happy. she still uses a vcr.

1, now the installer told me all hd is on 99 and 103 and a slimline 5 is not needed unless u have spanish programming or the locals are on 119, and they are not. is that true?

[Grentz]

Yes, unless your area has locals on 110/119 (which it sounds like your area does not) and/or you have some international programming packages you are fine with a Slimline 3.

[kevinwmsn]

The old mpeg2 HD channels are on 110/119. All the mpeg2 HD already have an mpeg 4 version of them, they haven't shutdown the 70s yet.