Next D* receiver, NDS or in house?

[Teronzhul]

I doubt there is anyone with concrete information, but I'm curious as to whether the HR20 is going to be a trendsetter with Directv, or if it is going to be an exception.

Unless I'm mistaken, the D12, R15, and H20 all use NDS designed and maintained software, while the HR20 uses in house software from Directv. The HR20 is yet far from perfect, but the amount of attention it has received since its introduction dwarfs that which its siblings have gotten.

The next piece of hardware that should get replaced is the R15 as I understand it, since it is the only unit lacking hardware SWM compatibility. Will its successor use a variant/update of the current R15 software from NDS, or will Directv step in and start using their own software after investing so much effort in the HR20. My experiences thus far with both units make me hope that NDS is knocked out of the picture soon.

I'm all for speculation, so what do you guys think? Has the HR20 gotten so much focus from D* because it is a flagship product, or will we see more of a hands on approach from D* on its other future products instead of outsourcing like they've done in the past?

[jal]

I sure hope its TIVO!

[Stuart Sweet]

If I were running things over there, I'd have it be a variant of the HR20 with the same basic hardware, same operating system, etc, just basically crippled so it only records and displays in standard definition. The extra cost involved in the hardware would be saved with reduced development costs. All the time that has been poured into the HR20 would be saved with the rapid development time of the "R20" or call it what you will.

Taking it further, I'd further cripple the hardware so that it couldn't record, had no hard drive, etc, and that would be the successor to the H20 and D12.

[morgantown]

No matter what the decision is, it will have NDS technology -- just not much of NDS' DVR software would be my guess. Much more like the HR 20, much less like the R15...perhaps even a TiVo option.

[Earl Bonovich]

No matter what the decision is, it will have NDS technology -- just not much of NDS' DVR software would be my guess. Much more like the HR 20, much less like the R15...perhaps even a TiVo option.

Other then the security, and possible the interactive applications...
There is no other NDS code in the HR20

The chances of it being a TiVo based unit, are as good as me fitting into a size 32 waist pair of jeans....

[morgantown]

Other then the security, and possible the interactive applications...
There is no other NDS code in the HR20

The chances of it being a TiVo based unit, are as good as me fitting into a size 32 waist pair of jeans....

The security aspect, among other "minor" NDS applications is exactly what I was referring to...as far as the jeans go, you never know Earl. Stranger things have happened (I'm not holding my breath on TiVo).

IF TiVo ever made its way back into the fold I could only imagine that it would be a license agreement where TiVo would be permitted to produce a compatible box. TiVo would be responsible for all support, and at a cost to the end user that makes the odds of success slim to none.

Even that would not make much sense for DTV -- no matter who owns the majority of shares. Liberty should just buy TiVo (same for News Corp. -- in the past tense).

[Supervolcano]

The chances of it being a TiVo based unit, are as good as me fitting into a size 32 waist pair of jeans....
You should also clarify that you DO NOT eat a 6" low-fat subway sandwich for your lunches and dinners, or you might get some people's hopes up too high.
:lol:

[kevinturcotte]

I NEVER thought I'd say this, but I hope it's NOT Tivo. I actually like and prefer the HR20 software. If they could just fix a couple of things (Increase the number of Series Links and Searches you can have, and limit Searches to certain channels), I'd GLADLY give them my HR10 for an HR20 replacement.

[carl6]

There is an R16 at some stage of development. It is supposedly an SWM capable variation of the R15. I don't think it's very far along though, I wouldn't expect to see it for quite a while yet.

Given that it appears to be an extension of, or outgrowth of, the R15, my guess is that it will continue to use the R15 software architecture and is probably being developed by the same team that developed the R15. I have absolutely no information that makes me say that, it is pure speculation on my part.

Carl