[tiger2005]

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/ne...RIDST_0_TECH-ELECTRONICS-SHOW-DIRECTV-COL.XML

Per DirecTV's VP:
Shank said with all the new sources of programs, finding things could be a challenge, and he planned to look for innovative graphic user interfaces at the electronics show.

"As we start to add all this content we really have to spend the next year to figure out a better way for viewers to find what they're looking for," he said.

Is DirecTV looking to replace the graphical user interface on the HR20? Why else would they be looking for "innovative" GUI's at CES?

 

[Earl Bonovich]

They have been mentioning "new" GUI for a year now.

Don't expect it to be a MASSIVE overhaul of what you see today, for the general usage of the system.

 

[macEarl]

This is great news. While I love the D* interface for TV, for MM content, it needs help.

Even though I haven't gotten content to work yet, I'm able to see what my library of photos, movies, clips and tunes will be like to browse in the current gui. It's ok, not great.

 

[jaybee]

Key words are "spend the next year". This sounds more like a new years resolution than a plan.

 

[HolmesCo]

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/ne...RIDST_0_TECH-ELECTRONICS-SHOW-DIRECTV-COL.XML

Per DirecTV's VP:
Shank said with all the new sources of programs, finding things could be a challenge, and he planned to look for innovative graphic user interfaces at the electronics show.

"As we start to add all this content we really have to spend the next year to figure out a better way for viewers to find what they're looking for," he said.

Is DirecTV looking to replace the graphical user interface on the HR20? Why else would they be looking for "innovative" GUI's at CES?

Never mind the interface, I am more curios what channels would this include?
will include HD versions of well-known networks including those owned by General Electric-controlled NBC Universal and Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Networks, executives said.

Anybody know what "well known channels" those would be?

 

[Vinny]

Never mind the interface, I am more curios what channels would this include?
will include HD versions of well-known networks including those owned by General Electric-controlled NBC Universal and Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Networks, executives said.

Anybody know what "well known channels" those would be?

Me too! First lets get the HR20 to work like it was designed to......then.....lets get more HD to watch.

I would love to see more RSN's in HD 24/7 (where available) as well as more PPV HD stations; and other national movie channels like STARZHD and Cinemax HD.

BTW....was time to change my avatar....Jets are dead.....Lets go YANKEES

 

[jheda]

Me too! First lets get the HR20 to work like it was designed to......then.....lets get more HD to watch.

I would love to see more RSN's in HD 24/7 (where available) as well as more PPV HD stations; and other national movie channels like STARZHD and Cinemax HD.

BTW....was time to change my avatar....Jets are dead.....Lets go YANKEES

yes i need my yanks in hd 162 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DVRaholic]

Rumor has it Directv will start showing YES-HD Full Time on April 1st.
(Just in time for the Yankees opener)

Cablevision started showing YES-HD and SNY-HD Full time on Jan 1st.
But as of now most shows are still just upconverted,
hopefully this will change very soon

 

[marksman]

If they start having Yankee games in HD I am going to cancel my subscription to DirecTV!

 

[Earl Bonovich]

If they start having Yankee games in HD I am going to cancel my subscription to DirecTV!

I might consider canceling DTV, if they give any more dedicate space to the Yankees for HD...

 

[pappys]

I might consider canceling DTV, if they give any more dedicate space to the Yankees for HD...

Yep, I am gone too, ha

 

[john18]

OK, I am having a TV problem that is a known issue. But the D* menus and GUI look awfully soft to me considering that the HR20 is a dedicated HD receiver. Do the rest of you have this issue, or is this just a symptom of my TV problem?

 

[LameLefty]

Anybody know what "well known channels" those would be?

Well SciFi is owned by NBC/Universal; and while TNT is currently available in HD, TBS is not.

 

[paulman182]

OK, I am having a TV problem that is a known issue. But the D* menus and GUI look awfully soft to me considering that the HR20 is a dedicated HD receiver. Do the rest of you have this issue, or is this just a symptom of my TV problem?

I don't know the reason, but I see this with my HR20 output set to 720p.

I have been running it in Native for the last couple of days and the guide and menu graphics are much sharper.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

I don't know the reason, but I see this with my HR20 output set to 720p.

I have been running it in Native for the last couple of days and the guide and menu graphics are much sharper.

I agree that they're sharper in Native mode but to me they're too sharp. I'm sure I could mess with the sharpness on my TV and be satisfied, I'm sure, but I like it set the way it is for actually watching TV.

It's been said since day 1 that the menus are rendered at 480 resolution, so they are probably going through the HR20's internal scaler just like the rest of the video. In fact, if you look at the background with nothing on it, it's even worse - very pixellated.

(I find the easiest way to stare at that blank background for 5 seconds is to edit off-air settings.)

In order to render the text at 720 or 1080, the HR20 would have to have either 3 sets of fonts or the ability to scale on the fly (like Windows). I'm willing to wait for the new interface rather than having them try to graft that onto the existing one.

 

[jheda]

Yep, I am gone too, ha

ill pay them YOUR monthly fees if i can get yanks in HD every game!!!! :lol:

 

[n3ntj]

Ditto.. I live outside the YES/MSG viewer area (Comcast DC is my RSN). I can't wait for the day YES-HD and MSG-HD are available to D* customers outside NYC.

 

[paulman182]

It's been said since day 1 that the menus are rendered at 480 resolution, so they are probably going through the HR20's internal scaler just like the rest of the video. In fact, if you look at the background with nothing on it, it's even worse - very pixellated.

This brings up an interesting question and I know it is OT so I won't belabor it, but does the HR20 internal scaler "blur" the 480i SD picture as it does the graphics? It has been a long time since I've looked critically at SD PQ, and I've never compared it between Native and locked at 720p.

 

[Milominderbinder2]

Anybody know what "well known channels" those would be?

DIRECTV also announced today that it currently has signed agreements, or agreements in principle, with more than 70 major networks including:

16 New Nation HD CHannels
A&E
Bravo
Cartoon Network
CNN
Food Network
FX
HGTV
MTV
National Geographic
NFL Network
SciFi Channel
Speed
TBS
The History Channel
The Weather Channel
USA Network

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) around the country including
YES Network
Comcast Sports Net
New England Sports Network
and FOX Sports.
and all premium movie channels

National HD Channels Currently Offered
Discovery HD Theater
ESPN HD
ESPN 2 HD
HBO (East)
HD PPV
HDNet
HDNet Movies
Showtime (East)
TNT HD
Universal HD (formerly Bravo HD - NBC Owned)

See the 100+ HD CHannels Link below for more.

- Craig

 

[HolmesCo]

DIRECTV also announced today that it currently has signed agreements, or agreements in principle, with more than 70 major networks including:

16 New Nation HD CHannels
A&E
Bravo
Cartoon Network
CNN
Food Network
FX
HGTV
MTV
National Geographic
NFL Network
SciFi Channel
Speed
TBS
The History Channel
The Weather Channel
USA Network

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) around the country including
YES Network
Comcast Sports Net
New England Sports Network
and FOX Sports.
and all premium movie channels

National HD Channels Currently Offered
Discovery HD Theater
ESPN HD
ESPN 2 HD
HBO (East)
HD PPV
HDNet
HDNet Movies
Showtime (East)
TNT HD
Universal HD (formerly Bravo HD - NBC Owned)

See the 100+ HD CHannels Link below for more.

- Craig

Wow terrific! Thanks so much for that info. Does anyone know re the RSNs for sure if FSN Bay Area is included, its kind of vague the way they worded it. But in anyevent, looks very promising and I appreciate the info!

At last, I can see Emeril Lagasse in HD. A dream come true.