You need to be in one of the O&O Markets to get the HD DNS networks
You can the Directv's HD Eligibility Department at (800) 263-0028.
You can the Directv's HD Eligibility Department at (800) 263-0028.
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Directv HD network channels - What's the deal?
I finally got the new Directv HD DVR (HR10-250) and noticed that all the networks have their own HD channels (channel 80-89) in addition to the regular network channels (380-389). I qualify and am already subscribed to these regular network channels because I am unable to get any locals OTA. However, I am unable to get the 80-89 channels. Does anybody know what the deal is with these HD network channels? Do you have to qualify and subscribe to them separately from the regular network channels?
Their customer care was absolutely worthless. I had to call SIX time because I kept getting cut off and then they still couldn't give me a reasonable explanation. Man, Directv's customer service people are terrible...
Also, this may be a stupid question so forgive me, I'm a HD newbie... Do the regular network channels (380-389) also broadcast HD programming occasionally or do I need to subscribe to the HD network channels (80-89) to get any network HD shows? Will I only see HD programming on the 5 or 6 HD channels included in the HD package or will certain programming be in HD on the other channels as well?
Their customer care was absolutely worthless. I had to call SIX time because I kept getting cut off and then they still couldn't give me a reasonable explanation. Man, Directv's customer service people are terrible...
Also, this may be a stupid question so forgive me, I'm a HD newbie... Do the regular network channels (380-389) also broadcast HD programming occasionally or do I need to subscribe to the HD network channels (80-89) to get any network HD shows? Will I only see HD programming on the 5 or 6 HD channels included in the HD package or will certain programming be in HD on the other channels as well?
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Most people don't qualify for them. I qualify for CBS only. D* made the choice to only serve maybe 35% of their subscribers with these channels instead of adding nationals everyone could enjoy. With the movement towards locals now this seems like a stupid move on there part.
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The Standard Definition channels will remain standard definition. They won't jump in and out of HD as SD receivers can't handle that. Instead, the HD version of the channel will appear as a separate channel.
| Originally Posted by skibum0607 Will I only see HD programming on the 5 or 6 HD channels included in the HD package or will certain programming be in HD on the other channels as well? |
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While you can certainly argue the draw for those of us who are already set up for OTA, for the bulk of the market, the major networks is extremely important. I don't really understand how the movement towards locals makes this a stupid move... I'd consider it part of the movement towards locals. Effectively, it just means their two largest markets, NY & LA, got locals first, with the bonus of other customers in other areas who happened to qualify.
| Originally Posted by keeper D* made the choice to only serve maybe 35% of their subscribers with these channels instead of adding nationals everyone could enjoy. With the movement towards locals now this seems like a stupid move on there part. |
So does that mean that even if I already have all the network channels that I would have to requalify and get waivers for the HD network channels?
I've had all eight network channels (east coast and west coast) for probably 8 or 9 years dating back to Primestar before Directv bought them out and we did not have to requalify when they converted us to Directv.
I sure don't want to lose those channels because I tried to qualify for the HD network channels. I'm almost positive that I couldn't get the waivers now. Am I stuck with SDTV network programming?
I've had all eight network channels (east coast and west coast) for probably 8 or 9 years dating back to Primestar before Directv bought them out and we did not have to requalify when they converted us to Directv.
I sure don't want to lose those channels because I tried to qualify for the HD network channels. I'm almost positive that I couldn't get the waivers now. Am I stuck with SDTV network programming?
Is it still true that you must subscribe to either the HD package or the Local package to receive the HD DNS channels? Skibum - Do you subscribe to either of these packages? Just a thought.
well, it's true that you have to have separate waivers for the HD DNS channels. I also had both E & W networks forever-I tried to get waivers for the HD channels and all 4 networks shot me down. Had to subscribe to the Local package to get my networks in HD and lost the East Coast feed in the process. Not really D*s fault-the FCC is just being more strict these days...
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If you had the other Networks for 8-9 years, you most likely had automatic waivers and are grandfathered in for them as long as you do not move your service address.
As you did not have the HD service prior to last December, you are not Grandfathered in for HD Service.
There is a webpage on the Directv website where you can put in your Zip Code and find which (if any) of the HD Network feeds are available to you. I would check that out and then call the Directv DNS Desk.
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As has been discussed on infinite other pages, this was not D* decision.
The networks MUST have affiliates carry their programming for their business model to work and the local affiliates do not want the programming available on a NY station out of the NY DMA.
Neither would you if you owned the business.
This allowed 35% of the nation to qualify in markets where the Network OWNED the local affiliate.
35% is better than 0% and the only reason many get the programming today.
| Originally Posted by skibum0607 I finally got the new Directv HD DVR (HR10-250) and noticed that all the networks have their own HD channels (channel 80-89) in addition to the regular network channels (380-389). I qualify and am already subscribed to these regular network channels because I am unable to get any locals OTA. However, I am unable to get the 80-89 channels. Does anybody know what the deal is with these HD network channels? Do you have to qualify and subscribe to them separately from the regular network channels? |
If you had the other Networks for 8-9 years, you most likely had automatic waivers and are grandfathered in for them as long as you do not move your service address.
As you did not have the HD service prior to last December, you are not Grandfathered in for HD Service.
There is a webpage on the Directv website where you can put in your Zip Code and find which (if any) of the HD Network feeds are available to you. I would check that out and then call the Directv DNS Desk.
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| Originally Posted by keeper Most people don't qualify for them. I qualify for CBS only. D* made the choice to only serve maybe 35% of their subscribers with these channels instead of adding nationals everyone could enjoy. With the movement towards locals now this seems like a stupid move on there part. |
As has been discussed on infinite other pages, this was not D* decision.
The networks MUST have affiliates carry their programming for their business model to work and the local affiliates do not want the programming available on a NY station out of the NY DMA.
Neither would you if you owned the business.
This allowed 35% of the nation to qualify in markets where the Network OWNED the local affiliate.
35% is better than 0% and the only reason many get the programming today.
Since Saegertown is about 20 miles from Erie, I kinda doubt you're going to get waivers. Time to think about hanging some aluminum and checking the Erie thread to see what's happing with those affiliates: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9&goto=newpost
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My thinking on this is why did they hurry to get the NY & LA locals out if only a small percentage qualified for all the networks. With locals coming for everyone why not just wait for the new sats and add programming everyone can get. We could have had 8 national channels while waiting for the locals from D*. Instead most of us had nothing added except Bravohd for over one year.
| Originally Posted by Darin While you can certainly argue the draw for those of us who are already set up for OTA, for the bulk of the market, the major networks is extremely important. I don't really understand how the movement towards locals makes this a stupid move... I'd consider it part of the movement towards locals. Effectively, it just means their two largest markets, NY & LA, got locals first, with the bonus of other customers in other areas who happened to qualify. |
Perhaps, keeper, because more than 90% of DirecTV's subscribers take local service, and with the boom in HD sets/monitors, D* wanted to be ready for the new HD subs.
To wait another year or more for local HD would concede the top 50 markets or so to cable/telco. And those top 50 markets (which DirecTV will most likely be able to serve with HD LIL by summer) comprise just about two-thirds of the nation's TV homes. It also puts tremendous financial pressure on Dish -- which is far less financially well off -- to keep up in those markets.
In addition, of course, DirecTV is able to serve the 4-7% of the nation in white areas for one network or another's HD service.
The fact is that in terms of HD viewing, the networks are far and away the most popular sources of programming. Making them available to as many subscribers as fast as possible is the best solution for DirecTV's HD band width constraints.
Personally, I'd prefer more national HD too. I get all the Los Angeles stations perfectly OTA. But as a business decision, the DirecTV model makes perfect sense.
To wait another year or more for local HD would concede the top 50 markets or so to cable/telco. And those top 50 markets (which DirecTV will most likely be able to serve with HD LIL by summer) comprise just about two-thirds of the nation's TV homes. It also puts tremendous financial pressure on Dish -- which is far less financially well off -- to keep up in those markets.
In addition, of course, DirecTV is able to serve the 4-7% of the nation in white areas for one network or another's HD service.
The fact is that in terms of HD viewing, the networks are far and away the most popular sources of programming. Making them available to as many subscribers as fast as possible is the best solution for DirecTV's HD band width constraints.
Personally, I'd prefer more national HD too. I get all the Los Angeles stations perfectly OTA. But as a business decision, the DirecTV model makes perfect sense.
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Not the D* business model excuse again. I understand the importance of hd locals but now we have very few national channels and a crap load of locals. Will NY and La keep their mpeg 2 locals also after adding mpeg 4 locals? If so, for what reason?
| Originally Posted by fredfa Perhaps, keeper, because more than 90% of DirecTV's subscribers take local service, and with the boom in HD sets/monitors, D* wanted to be ready for the new HD subs. To wait another year or more for local HD would concede the top 50 markets or so to cable/telco. And those top 50 markets (which DirecTV will most likely be able to serve with HD LIL by summer) comprise just about two-thirds of the nation's TV homes. It also puts tremendous financial pressure on Dish -- which is far less financially well off -- to keep up in those markets. In addition, of course, DirecTV is able to serve the 4-7% of the nation in white areas for one network or another's HD service. The fact is that in terms of HD viewing, the networks are far and away the most popular sources of programming. Making them available to as many subscribers as fast as possible is the best solution for DirecTV's HD band width constraints. Personally, I'd prefer more national HD too. I get all the Los Angeles stations perfectly OTA. But as a business decision, the DirecTV model makes perfect sense. |
Not the D* business model excuse again. I understand the importance of hd locals but now we have very few national channels and a crap load of locals. Will NY and La keep their mpeg 2 locals also after adding mpeg 4 locals? If so, for what reason?
For the white area subscribers, keeper -- and for those in O&O markets who don't immediately switch to MPEG4 (for lack of equipment, for lack of HD DVR, etc.)
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Now I know how Bill Murray feels in Groundhog day.......
| Originally Posted by fredfa For the white area subscribers, keeper -- and for those who don't immediately switch to MPEG4 (for lack of equipment, for lack of HD DVR, etc.) |
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Thanks Fredfa, Seems like they would be better served to make all of them mpeg 4 and add more nationals in mpeg 2. This just doesn't make much sense to me but I guess they are serving more customers this way. Thanks again
| Originally Posted by fredfa For the white area subscribers, keeper -- and for those in O&O markets who don't immediately switch to MPEG4 (for lack of equipment, for lack of HD DVR, etc.) |
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The single biggest objection to DSS is "They don't have my local channels." You'd think (and Voom thought) that DTV via antenna was a no-brainer. Makes more sense. Better use of the spectrum. More room for channels everyone can enjoy. But Joe Sixpack wants his network TV coming through the same pipe as his cable channels. It's what he's accustomed to. It's been the norm for 30 years or more.
And, while NY and LA DTs aren't local, it DOES come closer to leveling the playing field in a lot of markets UNTIL Spaceway is up and running. Not a business model so much as the reality of dealing with the public. Once Spaceway is up and running and STBs in the O&O markets have all been swapped, don't be surprised if those channels in the 80s get replaced with something else.
| Originally Posted by keeper I guess they are serving more customers this way. |
And, while NY and LA DTs aren't local, it DOES come closer to leveling the playing field in a lot of markets UNTIL Spaceway is up and running. Not a business model so much as the reality of dealing with the public. Once Spaceway is up and running and STBs in the O&O markets have all been swapped, don't be surprised if those channels in the 80s get replaced with something else.
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