I'm curious what others think about the MM package from DirecTV. I've been getting it for years, but I'm not sure if it's worth the cost anymore.

I get CBS-HD feeds from Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco already, although I have no idea what the TV schedule or venues will look like.

Reason I ask is that it was auto-resubscribed to my bill today.

Still a good deal, or not?

Link to MM page at D*, HD games appear to be included still in the one price of $69.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=1100039

I'm a little disappointed to see this disclaimer. Looks like the HD games will be in mpeg2 on 101 like Sunday Ticket:

To access MEGA MARCH MADNESS games in HD, a 3-LNB or 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish, along with DIRECTV HD receiver, HD television equipment and a qualifying programming package are required.

I'm a little disappointed to see this disclaimer. Looks like the HD games will be in mpeg2 on 101 like Sunday Ticket:

Not sure what you mean by "101", the HD games will be on 706-709, I believe it's the same as last year.

Not sure what you mean by "101", the HD games will be on 706-709, I believe it's the same as last year.

its the orbital satellite position.

its the orbital satellite position.

Ah, yes, not sure what difference that makes though, unless it can't be reached by some folks...along with the fact that it's bit-starved/down-rezzed MPEG2 like last year.

I'm sure that MM is on 101 so they can maximize the paying audience. I've yet to upgrade so I am sure they want to keep subscribers such as myself.

But to answer your question .. I don't think it is worth it as the feed never stays with a game, everything always switches at the whim of CBS. If you want to watch just your team play the whole game, you rarely get to. It is fun the first 2 days (Thurs/Fri) as you see much more BB.

I'm sure that MM is on 101 so they can maximize the paying audience. I've yet to upgrade so I am sure they want to keep subscribers such as myself.

But to answer your question .. I don't think it is worth it as the feed never stays with a game, everything always switches at the whim of CBS. If you want to watch just your team play the whole game, you rarely get to. It is fun the first 2 days (Thurs/Fri) as you see much more BB.

I didn't get the package last year, but in 2006, I thought that the game stayed on for it's entirety. I know that local stations will change gems, but I seem to recall that whatever game was on, stayed on until it's completion. Am I mistaken?

I'm glad to see this thread, because I was just getting ready to sign back up just in time to get the MMM package. If it's MPEG-2 rather than 4, I want no part of it. Are we sure it's not MPEG-4?

I didn't get the package last year, but in 2006, I thought that the game stayed on for it's entirety. I know that local stations will change gems, but I seem to recall that whatever game was on, stayed on until it's completion. Am I mistaken?

I'm glad to see this thread, because I was just getting ready to sign back up just in time to get the MMM package. If it's MPEG-2 rather than 4, I want no part of it. Are we sure it's not MPEG-4?
If they're saying you only need a 3 LNB dish, then it's MPEG2.

Correct, they'll be MPEG2.

I remember when I never had to order the package because my local SD CBS broadcast a non HD game, the digital channel broadcast whatever game was in HD, and the CBS NY feed provided something else. The last feed I would just pick up off the internet. There was some jumping back and forth, however it was great for being free.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what is the difference between MPEG 2 and 4? I have DISH and I am so disappointed with the PQ. I am moving back to an apartment where I can put up D* again, but with the new receiver. Hopefully, that will help with PQ!

MPEG4 is a newer compression standard that is about two to three times more efficient than MPEG2. Most have reported that there are much fewer artifacts on the D* MPEG4 channels and the LiLs are very close to OTA for PQ. E* is also moving to MPEG4 but the reports don't seem as dramatic. D* seems to be the sat HD leader for content at the moment. I still see some pretty bad looking MPEG2 on both of them.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what is the difference between MPEG 2 and 4? I have DISH and I am so disappointed with the PQ. I am moving back to an apartment where I can put up D* again, but with the new receiver. Hopefully, that will help with PQ!

I had emailed Directv a day or so back to ask them if the games would be in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. Here is the response:

Thank you for writing. I understand you have some concerns about the NCAA Mega March Madness. Our records indicate the March Madness will be broadcast in MPEG-2. It does NOT affect the quality of programming. It only gives DIRECTV more bandwidth, allowing us to give you more HD programming.

I had emailed Directv a day or so back to ask them if the games would be in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. Here is the response:

Thank you for writing. I understand you have some concerns about the NCAA Mega March Madness. Our records indicate the March Madness will be broadcast in MPEG-2. It does NOT affect the quality of programming. It only gives DIRECTV more bandwidth, allowing us to give you more HD programming....and the check's in the mail, too.....

I don't think it is worth it as the feed never stays with a game, everything always switches at the whim of CBS. If you want to watch just your team play the whole game, you rarely get to.Last year, CBS could only pass the "flex" feeds in HD, resulting in the issues you saw. This year, CBS will be able to pass all constant feeds in HD, so the D* MMM HD feeds won't switch games like last year.

Last year, CBS could only pass the "flex" feeds in HD, resulting in the issues you saw. This year, CBS will be able to pass all constant feeds in HD, so the D* MMM HD feeds won't switch games like last year.

It seems like this is said every year, that on the package, the game will stay on in its entirety and every year it doesn't. This is the worst package IMO that D* offers.

I get CBS-HD feeds from Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco already...

Keenan,

How do you get Detroit and Seattle HD feeds in the Bay Area? Are these through DirecTV, or some other source? I'm thinking OTA is out of the question...

-pretzelbag.

Keenan,

How do you get Detroit and Seattle HD feeds in the Bay Area? Are these through DirecTV, or some other source? I'm thinking OTA is out of the question...

-pretzelbag.Canadian DBS.

I think it's worth it if you have multiple TVs in the room, or if you are a huge fan of a team that's not local. If you just watching on one TV, CBS usually does a pretty good job at switching to games that are the most exciting. Also, depending on your local affiliate, they may broadcast more than one game on their digital channels. See the "local affiliate" thread for that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1004513

Keenan,

How do you get Detroit and Seattle HD feeds in the Bay Area? Are these through DirecTV, or some other source? I'm thinking OTA is out of the question...

-pretzelbag.

From Star Choice(Canadian DBS, as Ken has already noted), through a broker.

I took a pass on D*'s MMM this time around, I think it's still a fairly good deal, maybe $20 over-priced, but that's just my opinion. With my CBS sources I think I'll be in good shape, definitely be $70 to the good. More beer money! ;-)

Channels were added to the guide today.

706-709 for HD games

It seems like this is said every year, that on the package, the game will stay on in its entirety and every year it doesn't. This is the worst package IMO that D* offers.You can take it to the bank this year, all games will be seen in HD, in their entirety.