DIRECTV on Demand - Discussion

[loudo]

Mmm i can smell a whole house wiring project!! Guess its time to go back to the 'big box' home improvement store to pick up some supplies!! wait a sec, i should get it from monoprice.com ( rg6 and cat 5 cable )....:) :) :)
Big project but worth it. I did mine earlier this year. I recommend using CAT 6, I know that it is not of much value today, but it is work the little extra to be prepared for the future.

[oenophile]

Big project but worth it. I did mine earlier this year. I recommend using CAT 6, I know that it is not of much value today, but it is work the little extra to be prepared for the future.Agree--no reason not to get Cat6. (It won't ever make a difference with your HR20, but perhaps the HR30....if they ever make one.)

[lwilli201]

Ok, another comment about expiration dates.

I downloaded The Great Raid last night. It shows that it expires 9/5. When I went to the description of the movie on DOD is said that it was available until 9/25.

Why isn't the expiration date the same as the available until date? I guess if I wanted it I could download it again, but wouldn't it just cause unnecessary load on the DOD servers?

It would just make sense for the available until and the expiration date to be the same. That way you would know the expiration date before you do the download.

IMHO :D

[TheRatPatrol]

The Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP Wireless Ethernet Converter supports 4 device ports on it.

I have 2 of these hooked up to D*TV HR20-700 DVR's and they work terrific. One of those is also connected to my HD DVDV player.

The installs took 10 minutes.

You should be able to pick one up for about $52-$59 at the big box stores (BB & CC).
Thanks for the info. Picked one up today at BB on sale for $59, they were $79 at CC and $69 at Frys. As you said, it took all of about 10 minutes to get it up and running, and its working great. Got my HR20 and laptop hooked up to it. It seems faster then the USB wireless adaptor I was using on my laptop before.

Thanks again! :D

[jdouglas2000]

How do I activate DirecTV on Demand on my HR20-100. I can't seem to find that info. Also I saw that someone listed their equimpemnt and had a wireless setup for thier HR20. My HR20 is too far from my router to be wired. How can I setup the unit to be wireless? Some kind of plug in reciever? Or did I misunderstand.

[Jeremy W]

How do I activate DirecTV on Demand on my HR20-100.
You can't, yet.

[jdouglas2000]

Oh, thanks for the quick reply

So only the HR20-700 has the capability?

Also I have had time to read all the posts and see that there is a wireless converter for the ethernet connection. But I guess I don't need it until my HR20-100 can get DOD.

[Jeremy W]

So only the HR20-700 has the capability?
For now.

[Ken S]

Oh, thanks for the quick reply

So only the HR20-700 has the capability?

Also I have had time to read all the posts and see that there is a wireless converter for the ethernet connection. But I guess I don't need it until my HR20-100 can get DOD.

Only the HR20-700 running the CE software (190) that was released two weeks ago (it's no longer available).

[RAD]

Oh, thanks for the quick reply

So only the HR20-700 has the capability?

Also I have had time to read all the posts and see that there is a wireless converter for the ethernet connection. But I guess I don't need it until my HR20-100 can get DOD.

You might want to do it now. Beside the correct software in the HR20, D* also needs to activate the DOD feature on your account before it will work. They were figuring out what accounts to enable it on by looking at who had their HR20's with an internet connection along with upgrading with the CE software levels. So if you wait you still might not be able to try DOD since D* hasn't enabled your account. While you're waiting you could help test out the Media Share feature with your PC.

[m4p]

i am using a netgear wireless ethernet adapater, i cat 5 in the router and then to the plug in the wall and then, run cat 5 from the plug by my hr20 to the hr20 and I was good to go, nothing to setup or software to run just plug and play

I'm a little confused. If the adapter is wireless, why do you need to run cat 5 to the HR20? My situation is that I have a wireless router, with my computer hard wired to it using cat 5. My HR20 is in another room that is not close by. Wouldn't I just be able to use a wireless ethernet adapter installed in the HR20, and no cat 5 to my HR20?
Thanks.

[Jeremy W]

If the adapter is wireless, why do you need to run cat 5 to the HR20?
The CAT5 cable goes from the wireless adapter to the HR20. It cannot use a USB adapter, it must be Ethernet.

[cb7214]

I'm a little confused. If the adapter is wireless, why do you need to run cat 5 to the HR20? My situation is that I have a wireless router, with my computer hard wired to it using cat 5. My HR20 is in another room that is not close by. Wouldn't I just be able to use a wireless ethernet adapter installed in the HR20, and no cat 5 to my HR20?
Thanks.

that is what i have is a wireless ethernet adapter, but not the USB one you will have to go with a gaming adapter or one that looks like the old wireless phone jack you used to use to bring a phone line to your unit except this would be for the ethernet

[m4p]

that is what i have is a wireless ethernet adapter, but not the USB one you will have to go with a gaming adapter or one that looks like the old wireless phone jack you used to use to bring a phone line to your unit except this would be for the ethernet

Thanks a lot for the reply. I have a Netgear wireless pci adapter still in the box that I was going to use when I build another computer. Since I haven't tackled that project yet, maybe I'll just exchange it for the Linksys gaming adapter and try that with my HR20. Seems like it might be the easiest way to go.

[svcguy]

Not sure if this qualifies as being off topic, but I'm interested in getting the DOD to work. I ordered the networking gear and will get that setup as soon as it arrives. I've never participated in any of the CE tests, so I don't have the software, yet.

Once I get the box on the internet, how do I go about getting the correct software when it becomes available again. Is there something I need to do to get the CE software once I'm on the 'net

Thanks
Andy

[Ken S]

Not sure if this qualifies as being off topic, but I'm interested in getting the DOD to work. I ordered the networking gear and will get that setup as soon as it arrives. I've never participated in any of the CE tests, so I don't have the software, yet.

Once I get the box on the internet, how do I go about getting the correct software when it becomes available again. Is there something I need to do to get the CE software once I'm on the 'net

Thanks
Andy

Andy,

You can read all about the CE program in the CE forum just a couple below this forur.

Here's a shortcut (http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=118):)

Make sure you read the FAQ so you understand what you're getting into. There are also no guarantees that the DoD capability will be activated in a future CE before it goes live.

[svcguy]

Andy,

...

There are also no guarantees that the DoD capability will be activated in a future CE before it goes live.

Has there been a projected date for going live?

Andy

[syphix]

Has there been a projected date for going live?No dates have been mentioned other than later this year (if all goes well).

[doo4usc]

Another dumb question,just woke up to new DOD, is there a way to view a stations DOD contents, without setting up my network?

[thekochs]

OK.....had not networked my HR20-700 yet but had a LinKsys Workgroup Switch next to it that is hard wired to a Linksys Router serving my house. After seeing DOD thread I went ahead and plugged the HR20 in and went into my HR20-700 with 0x1B4 and hit the Network setup and all seems fine...got positive result of connection. However, I then went back to Guide to see if channel 1000 was there....nope....also went to Menu where I see On Demand and select it....nothing happens. Is there some delay for this to come up ? It's been about 15 minutes or so since I activated networking. Any other steps ?

Thanks.

[JLucPicard]

thekochs,

Especially take note of #5.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=107422

[thekochs]

Cool !!!!! Woke up this morning and VOD is all there.

Questions...........
1) When it say that a show is available until say 11/19. Does that me it is available for download or even if downloaded you will only be able to playback until 11/19 ? I'm hoping it means that it will just be removed from the download list after 11/19. Considering a DVR allows you to keep items as long as space it would seem odd if you could not playback after that date ?

2) I recall in the thread you can download a $ movie/show but it is billed only at playback ? Again, question #1....does it go away at the end of available date ?

Suggestions:
1) If #1 is truly some disabling of playback on DVR HDD then this needs to be changed. It would truly hinder how I would use VOD.....probably would not because of this limitation. The other part of this is the download speed. Granted, I'm only on 1.5Mb DSL (I'll upgrade) but the long download is somewhat cumbersome. D* should look into some other compression way....even if the tradeoff is not to be able to playback until downloaded. I'd make this trade-off in use.

2) I notice that if I select a movie and it is say on Startz that I do not get it will ask if I want to signup for Startz. Good Adverstisement, but I highly doubt I would sign up for a channel just because one movie was on it I wanted to see. Instead, maybe D* could give you an option to buy the movie ($) like other VODs and revenue share with Startz ? Is there a plan for this ? I would most definitely use this !!!!

[TechExplorer]

I've been using Directv VOD with good results using using powerline over ethernet adapters i'm using the netgear 101 model so far so good. I've also used Apple Airport express with great results also !:lol:

[Coffey77]

Cool !!!!! Woke up this morning and VOD is all there.

Questions...........
1) When it say that a show is available until say 11/19. Does that me it is available for download or even if downloaded you will only be able to playback until 11/19 ? I'm hoping it means that it will just be removed from the download list after 11/19. Considering a DVR allows you to keep items as long as space it would seem odd if you could not playback after that date ?

2) I recall in the thread you can download a $ movie/show but it is billed only at playback ? Again, question #1....does it go away at the end of available date?

1) If it has a date on it, it will be removed from the Download area as well as from your Playlist. It's an Expiration date and is only available until it's expired and thus removed. I've had a few shows on the Playlist and found them gone after the expiration date. They were available for download again as the expiration date may have been renewed...

2) I believe the $ programs are charged once you view them but you will need to plug in your phone line for this. I'm not sure if that has since been corrected but it's the same as PPV. It will store the costs on your system until it is able to dial out with the information. (I'm not entirely sure on this so I'm sure someone will be able to help on a definate answer.) Yes, it will go away once it has expired.

[thekochs]

1) If it has a date on it, it will be removed from the Download area as well as from your Playlist. It's an Expiration date and is only available until it's expired and thus removed. I've had a few shows on the Playlist and found them gone after the expiration date. They were available for download again as the expiration date may have been renewed...

2) I believe the $ programs are charged once you view them but you will need to plug in your phone line for this. I'm not sure if that has since been corrected but it's the same as PPV. It will store the costs on your system until it is able to dial out with the information. (I'm not entirely sure on this so I'm sure someone will be able to help on a definate answer.) Yes, it will go away once it has expired.

Thanks, but I'm sorry to hear this.....it limits my desire to use it. I can see that items are only downloadable for a certain time but removing from My Playlist seems an odd function and counter to what a DVR is for. It most definitely would make me think more about how much I use this. :confused:

[cliffbig]

I now have the VOD system activated and I can see channel 1000, but when I try to select any sort of programming, it shows that no programming is available in any category. Is there anything that can be done to get any programming to show up on this channel? (I also have other VOD channels listed in the guide, but whenever I select any of those other channels it says that the channel is not available; are none of the other channels active yet?)

Thanks for any tips you can offer me on this!

[Jeremy W]

Is there anything that can be done to get any programming to show up on this channel?
Give it until tomorrow morning, at least.

[thekochs]

Would really like to see in VOD when a selection comes up that is not on a channel you receive that you can buy the show for $2.99. Right now you only get an adverstisement to call D* to subscribe to the channel. I would say most users like me are not going to call D* to subscribe to the channel for one show/movie. However, D* and the channel (eg. Startz) could make money in that I have greater probability I'd pay for the one show. If I keep bringing up shows/movies/etc. that are linked to that same channel and I'm paying $2.99 a pop it may drive me to actually call and sign up. So, the PPV aspect for non-CIG channels for $2.99 could not only drive short term revenue for D*/channel but also perhaps longer term get me to consider signing up. If D* was clever they may even show how many movies have been bought on this channel in last month or six months...kinda a usage reminder.

Just a thought.

[djzack67]

Would really like to see in VOD when a selection comes up that is not on a channel you receive that you can buy the show for $2.99. Right now you only get an adverstisement to call D* to subscribe to the channel. I would say most users like me are not going to call D* to subscribe to the channel for one show/movie. However, D* and the channel (eg. Startz) could make money in that I have greater probability I'd pay for the one show. If I keep bringing up shows/movies/etc. that are linked to that same channel and I'm paying $2.99 a pop it may drive me to actually call and sign up. So, the PPV aspect for non-CIG channels for $2.99 could not only drive short term revenue for D*/channel but also perhaps longer term get me to consider signing up. If D* was clever they may even show how many movies have been bought on this channel in last month or six months...kinda a usage reminder.

Just a thought.

I agree, I would spend 2.99 for a flick. Great Idea

[ansky]

I agree, I would spend 2.99 for a flick. Great Idea
Yeah but then nobody would spend the $12/month to subscribe to the channel. Most of these premium networks only show 1 or 2 good movies a month, so D* would be losing money if people could just order the one movie they want to watch.

[gsa1]

Thanks for the info. Picked one up today at BB on sale for $59, they were $79 at CC and $69 at Frys. As you said, it took all of about 10 minutes to get it up and running, and its working great. Got my HR20 and laptop hooked up to it. It seems faster then the USB wireless adaptor I was using on my laptop before.

Thanks again! :D
I took a hard look at this converter, and it is a fine box. I decided to get more bang for the (same) BUCKS by buying the Buffalo WHR-HP-g54 router with the built-in amp. I did this because it has the same 4 ethernet ports AND it can be set-up as a repeater to increase the overall coverage and signal strength in the house. Just a thought.

[Jeremy W]

Yeah but then nobody would spend the $12/month to subscribe to the channel.
And that's why it'll never happen. It's not DirecTV who won't allow it, it's the premium networks.

[john13154]

Would really like to see in VOD when a selection comes up that is not on a channel you receive that you can buy the show for $2.99. Right now you only get an adverstisement to call D* to subscribe to the channel. I would say most users like me are not going to call D* to subscribe to the channel for one show/movie. However, D* and the channel (eg. Startz) could make money in that I have greater probability I'd pay for the one show. If I keep bringing up shows/movies/etc. that are linked to that same channel and I'm paying $2.99 a pop it may drive me to actually call and sign up. So, the PPV aspect for non-CIG channels for $2.99 could not only drive short term revenue for D*/channel but also perhaps longer term get me to consider signing up. If D* was clever they may even show how many movies have been bought on this channel in last month or six months...kinda a usage reminder.

Just a thought.

Doesn't that scenario apply to all the on-demand services from TWC, Comcast and such? I also agree with the response below that if you could pay 2.99 for just what you wanted I don't think you would have as many full time subscribers.

[Jeremy W]

Doesn't that scenario apply to all the on-demand services from TWC, Comcast and such?
Yep.

[oenophile]

Sorry if this has been A&A (I did look) -- any ETA on HD DOD?
And....
more quality programs?

[thekochs]

Doesn't that scenario apply to all the on-demand services from TWC, Comcast and such? I also agree with the response below that if you could pay 2.99 for just what you wanted I don't think you would have as many full time subscribers.

Yes, assuming the show is on PPV at the time.

As far as diluting the subscriber base I'm not sure about that. With the first premium channel at $12 then falling it doesn't take but a few movies to get there quick. IMHO I would see if driving more customer subscriptions, not the other. Plus, I'd say the VOD customer usage base is very small compared to the much larger standard video customer base of D*. I'll admit it's a consideration but like all new technologies you can argue its introduction can/will erode current efforts. If you look at Intel, Microsoft, etc. they make a living at cannibalizing their own market with new intros. Anyway, I can only speak for my usage case in that I had HBO for $12/month and realized we used it very little....so I cancelled. However, I already went on VOD and the very first movie we wanted to download was on Startz and I would have paid $2.99....but the message to sign-up didn't even give me the slightest desire to call and sign up for the service. Anyway, my two cents....or should I say my $2.99. :)

[jginaz]

I'm now watching "Heros of Telemark" while loading it. PQ is subpar, but I haven't seen this movie in ages. I think I first saw it in High School during lunch. One possible benefit is getting more variety like the Eurocine channel. In any case I though I'd try it because "it is there".

JG

[Bauer600]

We have 2 HR20's in our house..... one of them my personal own shows the directv on demand menu and all the channels with it..... but the one downstairs shows nothing of that sorts.... both have the same firmware version and both are neither connected to a network connection

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Justin

[mgavs]

Anyone know why I get "to subscribe to this premium channel..." in DOD for channels I already get? For instance, I cannot DOD any FOOD channels or OXGN even though I get them. It seems only about half the channels work, the rest want me to subscribe.

[ccr1958]

Anyone know why I get "to subscribe to this premium channel..." in DOD for channels I already get? For instance, I cannot DOD any FOOD channels or OXGN even though I get them. It seems only about half the channels work, the rest want me to subscribe.

same here...all i can guess is they (food&oxgn) don't
have a seperate listing in the 1000's...they are only listed
in sub catergories ie; interests...

[RAD]

It appears that's what is happening, the program(s) are shown in the guide but because the channel isn't up yet in DoD you get the message about needing to subscribe. All you can do is wait until the channel actually goes live in DoD.

[mgavs]

It appears that's what is happening, the program(s) are shown in the guide but because the channel isn't up yet in DoD you get the message about needing to subscribe. All you can do is wait until the channel actually goes live in DoD.

Thanks! Hopefully once it's out of beta channels that are not available wont not be in the DOD list. BTW, I did not see these channels in subcatagories but in "all".

[Paul Secic]

Anyone know why I get "to subscribe to this premium channel..." in DOD for channels I already get? For instance, I cannot DOD any FOOD channels or OXGN even though I get them. It seems only about half the channels work, the rest want me to subscribe.
I'm happy with HBO, STARZ. Directv & Dish ONLINE sounds like too much work.

[rcoleman111]

The one HD I tried, did take longer...


Where did you find any HD content? Any time I've done a search for HD, it doesn't find anything.

[loudo]

Where did you find any HD content? Any time I've done a search for HD, it doesn't find anything.
There was some HD content originally, but has since been removed. I downloaded a few different ones.

[TermiNader]

Where did you find any HD content? Any time I've done a search for HD, it doesn't find anything.

It's planned to be available by the end of this month...

[Jeremy W]

Directv & Dish ONLINE sounds like too much work.
Maybe if you're incredibly lazy...

[Drew2k]

It's planned to be available by the end of this month...Where did you hear this? I try to keep up, but this is the first time I've heard any time frames for when HD on-demand will be available.

[Jeremy W]

Where did you hear this?
TermiNader is a DirecTV employee, and has posted accurate information in the past. I would take his word for it.

[ccr1958]

It's planned to be available by the end of this month...

man this would be great....it is ok now but HD would put
the icing on the cake & at least let me feel all the scratching
my head while setting up VoD would lock up my hr20...
the new s/w nr fixed the hanging that put some of the
icing on...now HD would finish the cake :)

[veryoldschool]

While "some or most" have good download speeds for SD programs, "few" have the 15 Mb/s connection needed to make HD downloads enjoyable.

[F1 Fan]

While "some or most" have good download speeds for SD programs, "few" have the 15 Mb/s connection needed to make HD downloads enjoyable.

Thats true, but personally i would be willing to sacrifice some "on demand" timescales for HD content.

I would use remote booking for when i am away anyway. It is not always the "instant" feature that is appealing with On Demand, more being able to get shows at my schedule rather than the networks schedule and for shows i miss (even with 3 dvrs i still miss some shows).

Some people interpret "on demand" as instantaneous - others interpret it as "not waiting for the network to schedule it".

[Jeremy W]

"few" have the 15 Mb/s connection needed to make HD downloads enjoyable.
Considering the fact that VOD downloads are limited to 7mbps anyway, it doesn't matter how fast your connection is. HD can never be instant unless they change that.

[veryoldschool]

Considering the fact that VOD downloads are limited to 7mbps anyway, it doesn't matter how fast your connection is. HD can never be instant unless they change that.
Somehow, I'd think that might change with HD.
I wonder how many even "bump" into the 7 Mb/s limit?
Since VOD first came out, even SD has been very "painful" over my 3 Mb/s cable modem. Changing to DSL has taken the "pain" out of it, but even at my 5 Mb/s, HD will take a long time.

[Jeremy W]

I wonder how many even "bump" into the 7 Mb/s limit?
Right now my cable connection is 6.5mbps, but it's going to be 10mbps soon. So I'll be held back by the limit. 8mbps connections are becoming very common these days as well, so the number of people who are affected by the limit is only going to rise.

[rcoleman111]

While "some or most" have good download speeds for SD programs, "few" have the 15 Mb/s connection needed to make HD downloads enjoyable.

So if I watch a program that downloaded over a 1.5Mbps connection, I shouldn't expect to enjoy watching it? :)

[veryoldschool]

So if I watch a program that downloaded over a 1.5Mbps connection, I shouldn't expect to enjoy watching it? :)
:lol: I'm sure you will enjoy the program.
What I doubt you will enjoy is the 10:1 wait [20 hr for a 2 hr program]. :eek2:

[veryoldschool]

Right now my cable connection is 6.5mbps, but it's going to be 10mbps soon. So I'll be held back by the limit. 8mbps connections are becoming very common these days as well, so the number of people who are affected by the limit is only going to rise.
Your cable "time shares" the node with the other users. This has "killed" my VOD downloads over the weekends. So while they may upgrade you to 10 Mb/s, how many active users on your node will affect your download speed due to the time sharing of the node, and you may still not bump into the limit as quickly as you think.

[tim99]

If their HD content works anything like XBox live it will be excellent. I don't have first and experience but the experience described by the Xbox folks in the AVS DOD thread is quite amazing. Movies are of excellent quality and one user who has an 8 megabit connection says he can start watching after 10 minutes.

Some info I found on egadget about xbox movies-

# Downloads are in VC-1 (aka WMVHD) at 720p, 6.8Mbps video with 5.1 surround.

# An average HD movie download should be between 4-5GB, and a two hour SD movie would be 1.6GB.

[veryoldschool]

If their HD content works anything like XBox live it will be excellent. I don't have first and experience but the experience described by the Xbox folks in the AVS DOD thread is quite amazing. Movies are of excellent quality and one user who has an 8 megabit connection says he can start watching after 10 minutes.

Some info I found on egadget about xbox movies-

# Downloads are in VC-1 (aka WMVHD) at 720p, 6.8Mbps video with 5.1 surround.

# An average HD movie download should be between 4-5GB, and a two hour SD movie would be 1.6GB.
"I hope" you're right, but two things I see an issue with: the processor in the HR-20 isn't as powerful, & 8 megabit connection is about half of what D* uses for HD SAT feed.

[Cable Lover]

D*'s on demand will never be as good as cable's :eek:

[RAD]

D*'s on demand will never be as good as cable's :eek:
Maybe yes, maybe no. I had to house sit my son's home today where he has TWC. I selected one of their on demand channels and it took 30 seconds for the STB to come up so I could even start to check out the selections on just that one channel, no place to browse something like all movies like the D* DoD feature can do.

[loudo]

D*'s on demand will never be as good as cable's :eek:
Maybe when it works and the cable is not out, which happens a lot around here.

[Jeremy W]

Your cable "time shares" the node with the other users. This has "killed" my VOD downloads over the weekends. So while they may upgrade you to 10 Mb/s, how many active users on your node will affect your download speed due to the time sharing of the node, and you may still not bump into the limit as quickly as you think.
I understand how cable technology works. But my cable company is extremely good about keeping everything balanced. I never see a slow down. It doesn't matter what time or what day, it's always solid. That's why I have always stuck with them, even though they haven't quite offered the fastest speeds for a while now. When they roll out the 10mbps speed, I am confident that I'll see 10mbps 24x7 from any server that is capable of pumping out the data that fast.

[vollmey]

I understand how cable technology works. But my cable company is extremely good about keeping everything balanced. I never see a slow down. It doesn't matter what time or what day, it's always solid. That's why I have always stuck with them, even though they haven't quite offered the fastest speeds for a while now. When they roll out the 10mbps speed, I am confident that I'll see 10mbps 24x7 from any server that is capable of pumping out the data that fast.

There is no way for them to keep your node balanced. If 10 homes on your block are on your node and they suddenly get DirectTV and discover DOD and start downloading movies or TV shows then you start to slow down. I have a 10mbps connection. In the morning I get 9-10 down. By evening when all the kids on my block come home and fire up there 360's or start downloading there favorite tunes from ITunes I get 5-6 mbps. But, I have never started a DOD / VOD program in the evening that if I just waited a minute or so for it to get a head start I never catch up with the download.

I have downloaded some movies from Microsoft in HD for the 360. I have to wait about 30 - 45 mins or so before I can start it, or push play. As a note though. Microsoft was not prepared at all for the success of there service. When it started (about a year ago if I rememember right) it would take all night to download a movie, and 3-4 hrs to download a 1 hr. TV show. Direct TV or whoever is running there network seems to have it running pretty good, even in Beta mode for SD stuff anyway.

[Jeremy W]

There is no way for them to keep your node balanced.
They can split nodes if/when problems arise. But the HFC network was built with a very small number of homes per node, so there haven't been any problems. The network was built from scratch less than 10 years ago.

[MikeR]

Direct TV or whoever is running there network seems to have it running pretty good, even in Beta mode for SD stuff anyway.

Strange you found a difference in XBox and Directv performance. XBox and Directv are using the same content delivery provider: Limelight Networks.

http://www.limelightnetworks.com/press/2005/05_02_xbox_live.html

LimelightHD (http://www.limelightnetworks.com/press/2007/10_23_limelight_hd.html)

[Jeremy W]

Strange you found a difference in XBox and Directv performance. XBox and Directv are using the same content delivery provider: Limelight Networks.
It is strange, but I've seen the same thing.

[tim99]

You mean as far as being able to download and play quickly?

"I hope" you're right, but two things I see an issue with: the processor in the HR-20 isn't as powerful, & 8 megabit connection is about half of what D* uses for HD SAT feed.

[vollmey]

Strange you found a difference in XBox and Directv performance. XBox and Directv are using the same content delivery provider: Limelight Networks.

http://www.limelightnetworks.com/press/2005/05_02_xbox_live.html

LimelightHD (http://www.limelightnetworks.com/press/2007/10_23_limelight_hd.html)

Hmm, learn something new everyday. You think that D* and Microsoft has things set up a bit different with limelight then. With the 360 it almost seems that monitors the download speed and then let's you push play when you can finish the whole movie or TV show. That is more DOD than VOD. With D* ( I have not gotten anything HD yet ) like I said give it a minute or so and push play and I never catch up with the download.

[veryoldschool]

You mean as far as being able to download and play quickly?
Yes, that's what "counts". How soon can I watch it.
The SAT feeds use about twice the bandwidth for "live", where it decodes "on the fly".
An average HD movie download should be between 4-5GB,
This would need to have some very complex encoding, requiring a lot of processor power to convert it to the HDMI HD output of 1.4 gb/s.
"I think" D* HD is going to be in the 12-16 Mb/s range.

[cforrest]

D* needs to upgrade to be able to do 20 Mbps+ from their servers. That way those of us with fast connections can get our HD, etc. to the receiver in no time flat. Come on D*, max out my FIOS connection :D

[joed32]

D*'s on demand will never be as good as cable's :eek:

And why are you here?

[veryoldschool]

And why are you here?
"unbiased second opinion" :lol:

[MikeR]

You think that D* and Microsoft has things set up a bit different with limelight then. With the 360 it almost seems that monitors the download speed and then let's you push play when you can finish the whole movie or TV show. That is more DOD than VOD. With D* ( I have not gotten anything HD yet ) like I said give it a minute or so and push play and I never catch up with the download.

Almost certainly different.

1. If what you stated previously (30-45 minutes before able to push play) allowed you to view the (HD?) show without pause, then it is a live monitoring.

2. If you could have pushed play earlier with the Xbox, and still viewed the show without pause, then they probably use a "minimum buffer" or setup their buffer based on a " slowest download rate" assumption in their logic.

If the show you provided the example for was SD, not HD, and you know with the Directv service you can push play within 1 minute without catching up, they are using some version of #2.

[Drew2k]

Just a reminder: Whether you're new to DIRECTV On Demand or have been using it for awhile, be sure to visit the poll in the first link in my signature to tell DIRECTV how you want DoD navigation to work.

Right now over 71% of the poll respondents are asking for a change to menu navigation ...

[tim99]

On the first point I think you're right. A lot of people with less than fast connections will not get 'on demand' at all.

On the 2nd point you know tons more about the hardware that I do but I'm not sure I see this problem. I would expect that the HR20 has a hardware mpeg4 decoder. As long as D* HD movies were encoded using this same H.264 codec the HR20 was designed for I don't think there would be anything to convert would there? The XBox files (for example) are already 720p and the HR20 built in decoder was designed for more data than 6-7 kbps bitrate these d/l'd files use.

Of course really I have no idea, heh. Just speculating.:D



Yes, that's what "counts". How soon can I watch it.
The SAT feeds use about twice the bandwidth for "live", where it decodes "on the fly".

This would need to have some very complex encoding, requiring a lot of processor power to convert it to the HDMI HD output of 1.4 gb/s.
"I think" D* HD is going to be in the 12-16 Mb/s range.

[harsh]

This would need to have some very complex encoding, requiring a lot of processor power to convert it to the HDMI HD output of 1.4 gb/s.Encoding VOD is something that they can spend hours on to get right. Decoding is done in hardware and requires little thought."I think" D* HD is going to be in the 12-16 Mb/s range.They're doing less than 10 with their satcasts, so I doubt it will be that high.

[veryoldschool]

They're doing less than 10 with their satcasts, so I doubt it will be that high.
The "less than 10" are the ones that draw the cries of HD-lite. I think even "12" was being used and called "lite".
I don't think anybody would want their HD download to come 1280 x 1080 and then be converted to 1920 x 1080.
From a report of a HD download early in the VOD days, HD took 6 times longer than an SD program to download.
Hopefully D* can make some improvements for future HD downloads, without having the PQ suffer.

[veryoldschool]

On the 2nd point you know tons more about the hardware that I do but I'm not sure I see this problem. I would expect that the HR20 has a hardware mpeg4 decoder. As long as D* HD movies were encoded using this same H.264 codec the HR20 was designed for I don't think there would be anything to convert would there? The XBox files (for example) are already 720p and the HR20 built in decoder was designed for more data than 6-7 kbps bitrate these d/l'd files use.

Of course really I have no idea, heh. Just speculating.:D
"Know tons more?" Not me.:lol:
Everybody is speculating until someone opens up the box in the lab and finds out.
"6-7 kbps" must be a typo.
Since OTA comes at 19.2 Mb/s, the box is quite capable of handling high bit rates.
720p is smaller than 1080i & MPEG-4 is smaller than MPEG-2. Encoding before transmission can reduce the size [verses doing it "on the fly"].
Would all of these steps be able to bring the size down to "6-7 Mb/s"? I don't know.
I don't know anything about the XBox, other than it has "tons" of more power than the HR-20 to process video.

[tim99]

The encoding and processing would/will be done before transfer because that's really the entire point (to make a smaller package). Once these files are received the hardware decoder in the HR20 should be able to play them with ease, as you say it can handle higher bit rates.

What the Xbox model proves is that quality (albeit not perfect) HD movies can be delivered via a traditional net connections to the satisfaction of their customers. D* has the same connection and a box that is actually better suited than the Xbox to play Mp4 movies. Sure the Xbox is more powerful overall, but the HR20 has a hardware decoder which is by far more efficient and desirable for the task at hand.

Now where I would have said the problem lies is in the quality. That even with H.264 you cannot compress (for example) a 20 gig movie down to 6 gig package and be satisfied with the quality. I use H.264 and Nero's codec all the time, but I can't get those kind of results with my limited tools and skills.

I'm 'old school' myself (or just old) and I really want to see this for myself but there is no denying that the Xbox folks seem very satisfied with the quality.

Here's an article about the Xbox service when it was new that has some perspective.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/microsofts-xbox-live-video-hdtv-and-hd-movie-downloads-for-you/

Bottom line is that D* doesn't have to reinvent the wheel to deliver 720p HD via traditional net connections, its already been done.

Now as to what their issues are? I don't know either!:D



"Know tons more?" Not me.:lol:
Everybody is speculating until someone opens up the box in the lab and finds out.
"6-7 kbps" must be a typo.
Since OTA comes at 19.2 Mb/s, the box is quite capable of handling high bit rates.
720p is smaller than 1080i & MPEG-4 is smaller than MPEG-2. Encoding before transmission can reduce the size [verses doing it "on the fly"].
Would all of these steps be able to bring the size down to "6-7 Mb/s"? I don't know.
I don't know anything about the XBox, other than it has "tons" of more power than the HR-20 to process video.

[Jeremy W]

The "less than 10" are the ones that draw the cries of HD-lite. I think even "12" was being used and called "lite".
That was in the MPEG2 days. MPEG4 has changed the game, and 6-8mbps is considered very good.

[veryoldschool]

That was in the MPEG2 days. MPEG4 has changed the game, and 6-8mbps is considered very good.
While MPEG-4 has "changed the game", I was led to believe it was only about a 30% improvement over MPEG-2 for size. If all HD is 720p, then I guess 6-8 Mb/s works.

[Jeremy W]

If all HD is 720p, then I guess 6-8 Mb/s works.
HBO HD, which is 1080i, is going to be using MPEG4 to distribute their feeds starting next year, at a bitrate of 8mbps.

[tim99]

Now that's amazing. Even using H.264 I would have thought that 8mbps would be considered a compromise quality wise.

HBO HD, which is 1080i, is going to be using MPEG4 to distribute their feeds starting next year, at a bitrate of 8mbps.

[Jeremy W]

Now that's amazing. Even using H.264 I would have thought that 8mbps would be considered a compromise quality wise.
None of DirecTV's MPEG4 channels go above 8mbps AFAIK, and the quality is nearly universally praised.

[veryoldschool]

None of DirecTV's MPEG4 channels go above 8mbps AFAIK, and the quality is nearly universally praised.
"We will see". ;)

[tim99]

Yea the disconnect for me is that I keep thinking of this in terms of reencoding mpeg2 to mpeg4 which is of course completely wrong.:D

I didn't realize their bitrate was that low, that's very compelling because like everyone else I've done the HBO E v W comparison and the new stuff looks VERY good to me.


None of DirecTV's MPEG4 channels go above 8mbps AFAIK, and the quality is nearly universally praised.

[rcoleman111]

Just a reminder: Whether you're new to DIRECTV On Demand or have been using it for awhile, be sure to visit the poll in the first link in my signature to tell DIRECTV how you want DoD navigation to work.

Right now over 71% of the poll respondents are asking for a change to menu navigation ...

I'd be happy if they would just add some content that I might be interested in watching. No HD shows, no major network shows, hardly any sports programming. Nothing worth watching at this point. If there's nothing worth navigating to, what does it really matter?

[Jeremy W]

If there's nothing worth navigating to, what does it really matter?
It's not your own personal service. Many people find worthwhile content on there.

[marksman]

Maybe if you're incredibly lazy...

Yeah once it is setup, which for me involved hooking up a wireless router to each box and took about 5 minutes.... it is very easy.

Works well.. easy to get programs.. not much work at all.

[rcoleman111]

It's not your own personal service. Many people find worthwhile content on there.

I suppose that's possible. Just curious - what programs are you finding that you consider worthwhile?

[Cobra]

I'd be happy if they would just add some content that I might be interested in watching. No HD shows, no major network shows, hardly any sports programming. Nothing worth watching at this point. If there's nothing worth navigating to, what does it really matter?

I agree with you rcoleman, would like to see some hd and better programs

[iucpa]

Can someone be so kind as to point me to the right place for network setup assistance? I have an extra wireless router that I would like to use to network my HR20 but can't find the instructions how to do this properly. I connected it via eithernet to the HR20 and went through the setup and something didn't work right (sorry not specific, I'm at work now). I thought I recalled someone saying somewhere how to set up the router properly.

Thanks!

[veryoldschool]

Can someone be so kind as to point me to the right place for network setup assistance? I have an extra wireless router that I would like to use to network my HR20 but can't find the instructions how to do this properly. I connected it via eithernet to the HR20 and went through the setup and something didn't work right (sorry not specific, I'm at work now). I thought I recalled someone saying somewhere how to set up the router properly.

Thanks!
I know there are others that could help you much more, but from reading your post:
You don't want to connect the wireless router to the HR-20, but to your modem or "main" router. Then you need to use a wireless network adapter to connect your HR-20 as a client.

[lifelong]

I know there are others that could help you much more, but from reading your post:
You don't want to connect the wireless router to the HR-20, but to your modem or "main" router. Then you need to use a wireless network adapter to connect your HR-20 as a client.

Depending on the type of router it is, you may be able to set it up as a wireless bridge that would accomplish your objective. That's what I did:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=107468

[ansky]

I suppose that's possible. Just curious - what programs are you finding that you consider worthwhile?
I agree there is almost nothing on DOD right now that I have any interest in watching. I think at the very least they should have all current PPV movies available as DOD. I would also like to see some classic TV shows from the 70s and 80s (like Comcast offers), and current TV shows from the major networks (if that is even possible).

Speaking of PPV, is there any way to go into DOD and only see a list of PPV movies, without having to scroll through the entire movie list that includes movies from all channels?

[Jace]

I connected my HR20 to the Internet, how do I get the DoD now ?

[wjw3]

Thanks for the info, Earl. In case anyone asks, DirecTV VOD is Mac friendly. I've got it running on my Mac Mini with Verizon DSL. Slow but it does work.

[TheRatPatrol]

Will we ever see any shows from the 4 major networks on DoD?

Thanks

[mtnagel]

And what about HD stuff? I know there was a couple, but now they are gone and I haven't seen any since them.

[Jeremy W]

DirecTV VOD is Mac friendly. I've got it running on my Mac Mini with Verizon DSL.
What are you talking about? VOD has absolutely nothing to do with any computers you may or may not have.

[wjw3]

I realize it has nothing to do with any computer you may have. VOD is just another node on your network. But VOD does consider a computer on your network a Server. Whenever I'm watching TV and my Mac goes to sleep, I get a message that the Server, with the name of my Mac, has shut down and the downloads stop until I wake my Mac.

I don't get the message when any of my PCs goes to sleep.

[Drew2k]

I realize it has nothing to do with any computer you may have. VOD is just another node on your network. But VOD does consider a computer on your network a Server. Whenever I'm watching TV and my Mac goes to sleep, I get a message that the Server, with the name of my Mac, has shut down and the downloads stop until I wake my Mac.

I don't get the message when any of my PCs goes to sleep.It sounds like you're talking about Media Share (Music & Photos & Video), not Video on Demand.

[rcoleman111]

It sounds like you're talking about Media Share (Music & Photos & Video), not Video on Demand.

Drew2k, where's all that great content you said we would be getting with DirecTV's VOD? I've searched through the listings and there just isn't much there - no HD, no sports events, no network TV shows. In other words, nothing worth watching. I seem to recall you said there would be thousands of different titles available with all sorts of programming. We would be able to watch episodes we missed of network TV shows. Thousands of movies would be available. So where are they?

[Drew2k]

Drew2k, where's all that great content you said we would be getting with DirecTV's VOD? I've searched through the listings and there just isn't much there - no HD, no sports events, no network TV shows. In other words, nothing worth watching. I seem to recall you said there would be thousands of different titles available with all sorts of programming. We would be able to watch episodes we missed of network TV shows. Thousands of movies would be available. So where are they?:confused: I don't recall promising anything specifically, but DIRECTV On Demand is still in beta and is continuing to expand its partnerships with providers. I do recall posting my own speculation that we might not have seen network content on DoD yet because (IMO) the networks were doing quite well with web-streaming, where they control the content and the commercials, and viewers can't skip commercials. I speculated that this was why there was no network DoD, because those networks are looking for a way to include commercials that could not be skipped in their DoD offerings. This was just wild speculation, because of course I have no idea what the hold-up is. It could simply be legal, or that networks want to see how successful DoD is before committing to it.

As to what's on now, when I go to DoD and choose ALL, there are pages and pages of titles listed. If you can't find anything you like in that list, I can't help you. The current list offers a wide sample of providers, from children's programming, to how-to, to music, etc.

[rcoleman111]

:confused: I don't recall promising anything specifically, but DIRECTV On Demand is still in beta and is continuing to expand its partnerships with providers. I do recall posting my own speculation that we might not have seen network content on DoD yet because (IMO) the networks were doing quite well with web-streaming, where they control the content and the commercials, and viewers can't skip commercials. I speculated that this was why there was no network DoD, because those networks are looking for a way to include commercials that could not be skipped in their DoD offerings. This was just wild speculation, because of course I have no idea what the hold-up is. It could simply be legal, or that networks want to see how successful DoD is before committing to it.


Go back and read your own posts. It's all there. "Wild speculation" is a good description for it.


As to what's on now, when I go to DoD and choose ALL, there are pages and pages of titles listed. If you can't find anything you like in that list, I can't help you. The current list offers a wide sample of providers, from children's programming, to how-to, to music, etc.


I've seen the list - pages and pages of obscure programs most people aren't going to waste their time watching. No HD, no network shows, a handful of movies in SD.

[Drew2k]

Go back and read your own posts. It's all there. "Wild speculation" is a good description for it.:rolleyes: Since you're the one singling me out for promises not kept, the burden is on you to find the quotes and seek a follow-up. I'll not do your work for you, thank you very much.

I've seen the list - pages and pages of obscure programs most people aren't going to waste their time watching. No HD, no network shows, a handful of movies in SD.Again, I have no control over what DIRECTV offers, or what its partners offer. I also can't be responsible that of the hundreds and hundreds of current offerings, not one suits your fancy.

[veryoldschool]

Drew2k & rcoleman111

Please take it to PM if you feel you need to keep this up as it doesn't help the forum or this thread. Thank you. :)

[Drew2k]

Drew2k & rcoleman111

Please take it to PM if you feel you need to keep this up as it doesn't help the forum or this thread. Thank you. :)Are you going to make me roll my eyes at you , too, VOS? :p

I believe my last two (and only two) posts are completely reasonable for public discussion, as what it comes down to is this: no one user here at DBSTalk is accountable for the content DIRECTV provides, and each user has their own tastes and may or may not be able to find something they like on DoD. It's like channel surfing ... hundreds of channels and you can't find something you want to watch. :)

[wavemaster]

Been using DOD for over a month now.

In a word "useless".

Crappy content and NO HD.

Personally I would have voted Dual buffers LONG before 10 minutes of time went into this.

If they plan on rolling out a lot of HD, we would probably use it.

After the Comcrap "we have over 200 HD ""shows"" at a time" I was hoping DiretcTV would upload a couple of hundred HD shows and they could say on DirectTV we have hundreds.

[loudo]

Been using DOD for over a month now.

In a word "useless".

Crappy content and NO HD.

Personally I would have voted Dual buffers LONG before 10 minutes of time went into this.

If they plan on rolling out a lot of HD, we would probably use it.

After the Comcrap "we have over 200 HD ""shows"" at a time" I was hoping DiretcTV would upload a couple of hundred HD shows and they could say on DirectTV we have hundreds.
You have to remember it is only in the Beta (test) mode currently. The content is there only for testing, I am sure once it goes live you will see more content.

[RAD]

Crappy content and NO HD.

Agree with the new HD, would be nice if they put a couple out there. As for crappy content, I've always been able to find something to download, be it just a music video I haven't see for years or a movie that doesn't get much airplay anymore. Discussions about content and picture quality are almost usless since they're just based on opinion of the person making the comment.

[rcoleman111]

:rolleyes: Since you're the one singling me out for promises not kept, the burden is on you to find the quotes and seek a follow-up. I'll not do your work for you, thank you very much.


Roll your eyes as much as you want; it doesn't change the fact that you were one of the major offenders in making overblown claims about DirecTV's VOD. The posts are there and anyone who does a search on "Drew2k" can read them.


Again, I have no control over what DIRECTV offers, or what its partners offer. I also can't be responsible that of the hundreds and hundreds of current offerings, not one suits your fancy.

You claimed there would be thousands of offerings, not just hundreds. You said there would be a vast library of movies, which there isn't. I was able to scroll through the entire list in just a few minutes without finding anything of interest. It's nothing but a bunch of junk programming, and in SD to boot.

[rcoleman111]

Drew2k & rcoleman111

Please take it to PM if you feel you need to keep this up as it doesn't help the forum or this thread. Thank you. :)

It's a legitimate discussion of the subject of this thread. If you don't like the posts, don't read them.

[rcoleman111]

...each user has their own tastes and may or may not be able to find something they like on DoD. It's like channel surfing ... hundreds of channels and you can't find something you want to watch. :)

I find plenty to watch on the hundreds of channels DirecTV offers, but absolutely nothing on this lame VOD offering. I can see why they aren't offering any HD - it would take forever to download a single program. Wavemaster's post says it all: "crappy content and no HD".

[veryoldschool]

It's a legitimate discussion of the subject of this thread. If you don't like the posts, don't read them.
This has gone so far from a "discussion" that's it's just become consistently complaining.
If you don't like DOD, or the content, fine I think everybody here as gotten that idea a very long time ago.
Going after Drew2k or me isn't going to change what DirecTV does or doesn't do.
Do you know what "enough" is?

[rcoleman111]

:rolleyes: Since you're the one singling me out for promises not kept, the burden is on you to find the quotes and seek a follow-up.

Be careful what you ask for. Here is a small sampler of your comments:

DirecTV's VOD is in tended to replace your local trip to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, which coincidentally also do not carry the "entire universe of video", and provide some extras that the B&M stores can't, such as current shows that have not made it to DVD yet.


It's going to replace a trip to my local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video? Not even close. A handful of movies in SD. No "current shows", either.


In your other posts you say that you can create your own VOD library by recording with your DVR. True - you can. Now what if you were planning to record one night to build your library and you had serious rain storms and lost satellite signal. Your program didn't record. If that same program is available on DirecTV's VOD, guess what? You can stil watch it!


...and since it isn't on DirecTV's VOD, guess what? You can't!


With VOD you can invite guests over to have a movie night and you can offer not only the content you recorded locally on your DVR, but you can also offer them the entire library that DirecTV offers in their VOD collection.


rcoleman ... DirecTV will be providing WAY more than 100 titles. I knew I had read this before, but it's good that there's a recent article backing this up, per the link twistedT provided:

I pulled this quote from the article. I don't know how many titles a B&M Blockbuster or Hollywood Video carry, but I would think that 2,000 movies PLUS on-demand copies of network and cable channels will certainly be enough incentive for a lot people to skip the drive and stay home to watch some VOD ...

I don't think there are even a hundred movies on DoD, let alone 2000. And none of them are HD. Why would I watch any SD movies when I already have more HD movies on my DVR than I have time to watch? And there aren't any network shows at all, even in SD.


Where I think VOD will be cool is for premium channels like HBO and Showtime. On many cable systems, customers who pay for HBO subscriptions can access an entire library of VOD for HBO shows.

I had never seen HBO's Entourage until Season 3 started, and I loved it from the first episode I saw. If DirecTV had VOD when I first found Entourage, I could have caught up on the first two seasons "on demand".

...and since Entourage is nowhere to be found on DirecTV's VOD, you'll have to get those first two seasons from Blockbuster or Netflix.

NOt necessarily "only" stuff that has been on TV. Depending on who DirecTV strikes contracts with, some content may make it to VOD before it makes it to "regular" TV, just like you can watch movies in hotels before they're out on DVD and premium channels like HBO.

And maybe the next "Spiderman" movie will show up on my TV before it even hits theatres, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[veryoldschool]

I guess it's time for me to go down to my local Video rental store and find all these new HD-DVD or Bluray disks and then go out and buy a player for them.
There must be thousands of titles there. :rolleyes:

[rcoleman111]

This has gone so far from a "discussion" that's it's just become consistently complaining.
If you don't like DOD, or the content, fine I think everybody here as gotten that idea a very long time ago.
Going after Drew2k or me isn't going to change what DirecTV does or doesn't do.
Do you know what "enough" is?

Just stating facts, not "going after" anyone. If you only want to read comments you agree with, then why not follow your own advice - use PM to exchange messages with Drew2k. You can heap as much praise as you like on DoD with no one to disagree with you.

[veryoldschool]

Just stating facts, not "going after" anyone. If you only want to read comments you agree with, then why not follow your own advice - use PM to exchange messages with Drew2k. You can heap as much praise as you like on DoD with no one to disagree with you.
You seem to miss the point [again].
Don't put words in my mouth either.
Where have I "praised" VOD?
It is what it is.
It is Beta and going through development.
If you don't have a good sustained 3Mb/s connection, then it's more like Video on Request.
Is any feature going to be used by everybody?
The option is the point, for those that want to use it.
Some people like dancing with stars, some like deal or no deal.
You won't find me ever watching either, but they are there for those that want to.
Do you see anywhere that VOD is costing you something, where you're paying for a service that you're not getting?
That would be worth complaining about as much as you seem to be over something you don't like.
While it is your right to post your opinion, there is a point when you go beyond this and then it just [as this has] becomes a bashing of a feature or other members trying to help out with some information. You may not agree and [again] can say so, but please there is a limit to everyone's patiences/tollerance.
Please move on and let others post their thoughts.

[rcoleman111]

You seem to miss the point [again].



While it is your right to post your opinion, there is a point when you go beyond this and then it just [as this has] becomes a bashing of a feature or other members trying to help out with some information. You may not agree and [again] can say so, but please there is a limit to everyone's patiences/tollerance.
Please move on and let others post their thoughts.

I'd say you're the one who misses the point. This thread is a discussion of DirecTV VOD and your problem seems to be that you don't like what I'm saying. Stating facts about a product doesn't constitute "bashing", and neither does pointing to outlandish predictions that didn't come to pass.

Nothing I've written is preventing anyone else from posting their own thoughts, so maybe you're the one who needs to move on. If you don't have the "patience or tolerance" to read comments you don't agree with, then I suggest you ignore my posts. No one is forcing you to read them, and no one is preventing you from posting your own opinions.

[rcoleman111]

Some people like dancing with stars, some like deal or no deal.
You won't find me ever watching either, but they are there for those that want to.


No, they're not. If you are referring to the network shows "Dancing with the Stars" and "Deal or No Deal", you won't find those shows in DirecTV's VOD.

[Drew2k]

Be careful what you ask for. Here is a small sampler of your comments:


It's going to replace a trip to my local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video? Not even close. A handful of movies in SD. No "current shows", either.



...and since it isn't on DirecTV's VOD, guess what? You can't!
Thanks for providing the quotes with links. The first three quotes of mine you posted come from a single post of mine in a thread entitled "VOD on the radar?", which I made prior to VoD being released in test format to us. I'm perfectly content with the answers I provided and stand by them. By providing the quotes and links, you have just reinforced to me that you have had a beef with VoD even before it became available.

I don't think there are even a hundred movies on DoD, let alone 2000.Then I'm going to guess you can't count or you haven't really tried to use DoD yet! :p

I just chose MOVIES > ALL from the DoD main screen, and it took over 40 presses of PG-DN to make it through the entire list of movies. That translates to approximately 325 movies currently available through DoD.

By the way, I also chose ALL from the DoD main screen, and it was 59 presses to get from the first item to a screen showing titles starting with the letter "C". That's at least 500 titles. If we extrapolate that since A&B are about 500 titles, with 24 letters left, well, there are likely well over 8,000 titles currently available. I'm not going to take the time to actually page through the list, because there are way to many titles!

I'd say this is pretty good for a VOD service still in beta that currently doesn't have broadcast networks nor premium channels available on demand.

And none of them are HD. Why would I watch any SD movies when I already have more HD movies on my DVR than I have time to watch? And there aren't any network shows at all, even in SD.
It's BETA.
It's BETA.
It's BETA.

In other words, it's not done yet. Did you complain on Thanksgiving that you couldn't eat the turkey yet while it was still cooking in the oven? :p

This is a little different in that you can actually use DoD while DIRECTV continues to work on it, but you seem to be predisposed to not liking DoD, so you just may never be happy.

...and since Entourage is nowhere to be found on DirecTV's VOD, you'll have to get those first two seasons from Blockbuster or Netflix.

And maybe the next "Spiderman" movie will show up on my TV before it even hits theatres, but I wouldn't bet on it.Here you were responding to a post of mine from a thread entitled "Why is VOD so important?", where I was clearly stating why I want VOD. In other words, I'm expressing my desires.

I'm glad you found those quotes and posted the links, but I'm shocked you think I need to be accountable to you for those quotes. I don't work for DIRECTV, I'm just a satisfied consumer. I was eager to have VoD, I now have it, and I know DIRECTV is still working on it.

I'm sure DIRECTV is still securing contracts with the premium providers and networks. I'm sure there will be an expansion of HD products. DIRECTV wants to offer everything the cable companies offer, and they won't stop until they offer MORE than the cable companies offer.

You just don't seem to recognize that DIRECTV is still working on VOD. I ended that post in the other thread with, "I say wait to see what DirecTV offers before dismissing VOD." I guess you've decided that you've had enough. Fine with me. You don't like it? Don't use it. End of discussion.

[veryoldschool]

No, they're not. If you are referring to the network shows "Dancing with the Stars" and "Deal or No Deal", you won't find those shows in DirecTV's VOD.
Again I didn't say those two shows were on VOD did I?
I used them as a example of how people have different interests [yes, network shows, as I needed to use something most would know about].

Let me ask you: What is your real point or agenda here now?
You don't like VOD. We all get it.

I couldn't find anything to watch on TV last night after my last post here.
Guess what? I found something that was entertaining on VOD. Clicked on it. Let it start downloading and a min or two later started watching the movie, right to the end. :)

[badmonkey]

Again I didn't say those two shows were on VOD did I?
I used them as a example of how people have different interests [yes, network shows, as I needed to use something most would know about].

Let me ask you: What is your real point or agenda here now?
You don't like VOD. We all get it.

I couldn't find anything to watch on TV last night after my last post here.
Guess what? I found something that was entertaining on VOD. Clicked on it. Let it start downloading and a min or two later started watching the movie, right to the end. :)

I couldn't agree more! While I think DirecTV needs to work on getting the major networks on DoD, for now, I'm quite happy with the selection. Especially considering it is still considered beta!

[rcoleman111]

Then I'm going to guess you can't count or you haven't really tried to use DoD yet! :p
.
.
.
You just don't seem to recognize that DIRECTV is still working on VOD. I ended that post in the other thread with, "I say wait to see what DirecTV offers before dismissing VOD." I guess you've decided that you've had enough. Fine with me. You don't like it? Don't use it. End of discussion.

I scrolled through the entire list of titles in just a few minutes. That doesn't translate into thousands of titles and it certainly doesn't replace a trip to Blockbuster or Netflix, which is what you stated in one of your posts. There's no HD, no network shows, none of the stuff you were expecting. Maybe it will all magically appear when the word "beta" comes down, maybe it won't. I asked a simple question - where's all that great content you said we would be getting? It's obvious you don't have an answer for that.

[rcoleman111]

Again I didn't say those two shows were on VOD did I?
I used them as a example of how people have different interests [yes, network shows, as I needed to use something most would know about].


Here's what you said:

Some people like dancing with stars, some like deal or no deal.
You won't find me ever watching either, but they are there for those that want to.


It looks to me like you are saying "they are there". Citing something that isn't available on VOD as an example of what is there doesn't exactly make your case.



Let me ask you: What is your real point or agenda here now?
You don't like VOD. We all get it.


My "agenda" is the same as anyone else posting in a thread titled "DirecTV Video on Demand - Discussion" - a discussion of DirecTV Video on Demand. You don't like what I'm saying. I get that.

[pjo1966]

Both sides of the argument have been stated and restated. We know what the positions are. Isn't it time to move on and get back on topic?

[Jeremy W]

Isn't it time to move on and get back on topic?
The argument is pretty much on topic, but it is time to move on. It's clearly not going anywhere.

[veryoldschool]

It looks to me like you are saying "they are there". Citing something that isn't available on VOD as an example of what is there doesn't exactly make your case.
"There" was in reference to "aired" TV network shows. "There" for users to watch even though some users may not want to.
"VOD" is "there" for users to use if they "want to".
You seemed to have "skipped over" my question asking you if you are paying for something you're not getting.
Since you're not, "your agenda" seems to be bashing VOD and anybody that seems to find some use for it."
Constructive discussion, exchanging information and ideas is great.
I find you're now [and for sometime] doing none of this.
You are just bashing anybody that posts anything contrary to you.

[veryoldschool]

Both sides of the argument have been stated and restated. We know what the positions are. Isn't it time to move on and get back on topic?
Sounds like post #356
Hummm, I wonder what the common denominator is?

[pjo1966]

Sounds like post #356
Hummm, I wonder what the common denominator is?

No idea.

[Stuart Sweet]

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The purpose of this thread was to discuss On Demand before its rollout. Since it is now available nationally to HR20 users, I am closing it, and ask that new discussions take place in the On Demand subforum in the programming forum.

Please feel free to start a discussion on any aspect of On Demand there.

[Doug Brott]

And .. to add to Stuart's comments .. let's try to play nice ..

Thank you all.