I don't have the best-trained eye for the quality of high-definition picture to, say, compare it to other services. In fact, I've tried to check out some other providers for comparison. They do a great job of not making available displays for their potential customers.
Going through Phillip Swann's list, I can't comment too much. But I am in his corner with the argument that DirecTV has been deliberately behind on core high-definition channels it should have added sometime ago. There is no excuse for not carrying GSN HD (which is owned 50% by DirecTV). Last August, AMC HD was added by Dish Network. Six months have passed, and am I to believe DirecTV has been laboring over a contract with Rainbow Media for this much-sought-after channel (which won key drama Emmys at the 2010 ceremony!)? That DirecTV can't get a deal on other Rainbow Media channels: IFC HD, We HD, and FUSE HD? That DirecTV cannot get a deal with Turner's HLN HD or CNNI HD or Turner Classic Movies HD (TCM HD) or truTV HD? That DirecTV can't get a deal with Comcast and/or NBC Universal for: E! HD, Style HD, a return of G4 HD, TVOne HD, SPROUT HD, and Oxygen HD? That DirecTV that can't get a deal with A&E Networks for: Lifetime Movie Network HD (LMN HD) of History International HD (HInt'l HD)?
Unless a big announcement is about to happen, I don't believe there's been much effort for even half of the above.
I could go on, but I will say this: I am concerned about where DirecTV is heading. If it is neglecting customers craving more HD, because it insists the new phenom is 3D, then DirecTV is badly out of touch. My opinion of the company has been lowered. I'd like to see more core HD channels, of the SDs located in the 200s and 300s, get added in 2011. It's hard to imagine, for competitive reasons, this not happening. (But then again, it is surprising that this company has been so laxed.)