[tkrandall]

When they light up the MPEG-4 feeds for the legacy MPEG-2 channels like ESPN, does anyone know if they plan to co-broadcast them so that we can see both the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 versions?

For example, would ESPN HD channel 73 stay MPEG-2 from 110W on my HR20receiver, but 206 HD be the MPEG-4 version from 99W or 103W?

 

[drbonbi]

When they light up the MPEG-4 feeds for the legacy MPEG-2 channels like ESPN, does anyone know if they plan to co-broadcast them so that we can see both the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 versions?

For example, would ESPN HD channel 73 stay MPEG-2 from 110W on my HR20receiver, but 206 HD be the MPEG-4 version from 99W or 103W?

I don't believe so. The intended result is to do away with the MPEG2 channels when the new D11 satellite lights up which is one reason D* is calling customers who are still using older receivers to urge that they upgrade.

Dana

 

[texasbrit]

I don't believe so. The intended result is to do away with the MPEG2 channels when the new D11 satellite lights up which is one reason D* is calling customers who are still using older receivers to urge that they upgrade.

Dana

I expect there will be a transition period when both the MPEG-4 channel and the MPEG-2 channel will be available. But we will know for sure very soon.

 

[beavis]

Rumor has it that either some or all of the MPEG2 feeds will be mirrored to MPEG4 on or around July 31st. I wouldn't expect the MPEG2 feeds to be shut off until Dec 08 or Jan 09.

 

[Tom Robertson]

I do not know, I haven't asked key sources about this detail; but noticing the latest push for MPEG2 HD receiver replacements, the turn off of MPEG2 could happen sooner than end of year.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[hdtvfan0001]

I expect there will be a transition period when both the MPEG-4 channel and the MPEG-2 channel will be available. But we will know for sure very soon.

If so, it won't be measured in years....probably in months...

 

[Sixto]

When they light up the MPEG-4 feeds for the legacy MPEG-2 channels like ESPN, does anyone know if they plan to co-broadcast them so that we can see both the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 versions?

For example, would ESPN HD channel 73 stay MPEG-2 from 110W on my HR20receiver, but 206 HD be the MPEG-4 version from 99W or 103W?

Absolutely expect a transition period were 7x is MPEG2 and 2xx is MPEG4.

Makes very logical sense ... they then can run a banner on the 7x channels to upgrade.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

Absolutely expect a transition period were 7x is MPEG2 and 2xx is MPEG4.

Makes very logical sense ... they then can run a banner on the 7x channels to upgrade.

Would you agree that this will only be for perhaps 6 months at the longest, as they try to get everything and everyone migrated to MPEG4 as soon as feasible?

 

[Sixto]

Would you agree that this will only be for perhaps 6 months at the longest, as they try to get everything and everyone migrated to MPEG4 as soon as feasible?

Yep.

 

[Matt9876]

With the Slimline 3 "99/101/103 Dish" soon to be deployed the mpeg4 channels will be up and running very soon!


If I were Directv I would just pull the plug on mpeg2 HD and force the upgrades or drop HD service off the bills of those who refuse to upgrade equipment.

 

[OverThereTooMuch]

If I were Directv I would just pull the plug on mpeg2 HD and force the upgrades or drop HD service off the bills of those who refuse to upgrade equipment.

Most of the upgrades require install of a new dish + a new receiver. Given the seemingly random quality of the installers used across the country, this isn't something they should rush into unless they want subscribers to flee in large numbers. They should get the install quality control issues dealt with, THEN they can be more hardcore about cutting off the MPEG2 HD.

What's the rush for them to shut off these MPEG2 feeds? Can DTV use the bandwidth on these sats for some MPEG4 feeds?

 

[kevinwmsn]

With the Slimline 3 "99/101/103 Dish" soon to be deployed the mpeg4 channels will be up and running very soon!

If I were Directv I would just pull the plug on mpeg2 HD and force the upgrades or drop HD service off the bills of those who refuse to upgrade equipment.

I don't think DirectTV would cut off people the second they have an MPEG4 version, that would piss a lot of customers off. I expect it to be similar to what they did for HD DNS when they converted one of the coasts over from HD MPEG2 to HD MPEG4. It will take a while for installers to upgrade people's dishes and change out boxes for people who don't have the proper equipment.

 

[Doug Brott]

I don't think DirectTV would cut off people the second they have an MPEG4 version, that would piss a lot of customers off. I expect it to be similar to what they did for HD DNS when they converted one of the coasts over from HD MPEG2 to HD MPEG4. It will take a while for installers to upgrade people's dishes and change out boxes for people who don't have the proper equipment.

I'm pretty sure that there has been a "Free upgrade" offer to folks with HR10-250 for some time now. Stuart Sweet posted a note here a month ago as a reminder and I'm pretty sure folks with HR10s have been getting calls with offers of a free receiver since last year .. heck, some received more than one from what I saw.

The writing has been on the wall for probably 3 years now so it's not like this change is a surprise to anyone.

 

[curt8403]

I'm pretty sure that there has been a "Free upgrade" offer to folks with HR10-250 for some time now. Stuart Sweet posted a note here a month ago as a reminder and I'm pretty sure folks with HR10s have been getting calls with offers of a free receiver since last year .. heck, some received more than one from what I saw.

The writing has been on the wall for probably 3 years now so it's not like this change is a surprise to anyone.

well said Doug.

 

[Incog-Neato]

There were promises made from within the ivory towers that what's left of MPEG2 will last "through 2008." After that, no promises have been made. This was mostly done for the benefit of mdu providers for the same reason the MPEG 4 LA HD Locals were left on Ku but in MPEG4 format (which, by the way, are supposed to switch over to Ka on 9/1/08).

I do not know, I haven't asked key sources about this detail; but noticing the latest push for MPEG2 HD receiver replacements, the turn off of MPEG2 could happen sooner than end of year.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[darekd]

Absolutely expect a transition period were 7x is MPEG2 and 2xx is MPEG4.

Makes very logical sense ... they then can run a banner on the 7x channels to upgrade.

I assume, we will see new channel numbers for HDNET programming.

 

[evan_s]

What's the rush for them to shut off these MPEG2 feeds? Can DTV use the bandwidth on these sats for some MPEG4 feeds?

They could and already do have mpeg4 content on some of these sats. More importantly they have 2 sats that they are leasing from other companies the 72.5 for some east coast locals and the 93 they are using for international. They also don't have SD locals in all areas. Turning off the mpeg2 hd free up bandwidth to help with all of these situations.

 

[Sixto]

I assume, we will see new channel numbers for HDNET programming.

Yep. That's expected. HDNet's are the only 2 not re-mapped today. Doubt they'd leave them in the 70's but I guess anything is possible.

 

[Artwood]

How much better does ESPN look in MPEG4 versus MPEG2?

 

[fluffybear]

They could and already do have mpeg4 content on some of these sats. More importantly they have 2 sats that they are leasing from other companies the 72.5 for some east coast locals and the 93 they are using for international. They also don't have SD locals in all areas. Turning off the mpeg2 hd free up bandwidth to help with all of these situations.

I believe they own the Sat at 72.5, they are leasing the space from a Canadian company