Best strategy for most NHL games in HD?

[disfigured]

First off , Hi folks.....

I'm a DirecTV subscriber and the thread title is basically the question for you all.

Is there anyway to sort out which games will be on HD and available to me, and what's the best way to go about ordering packages to maximize HD viewing of NHL games?

Here's what I did last year: I ordered Center Ice, and I also have HD Access . HDNet, Channel 79 is described as this: A 24-hour network featuring live sports like NHL® and MLS® games, boxing, drama series, concerts and original news and documentary programming including HDNet World Report and Across America.

The problem was, many games (I'd estimate half) that were on HDNET were blacked out. While I understand there's some contractural reasons behind this it sort of irked me that somewhere, somehow, someone was getting that HD feed but not I. It was obviously available to me, but blocked. Also that since I'm paying both C.I and HDNET their money who wasn't gettting their money and how is it, there's not some sort of pricing for what I'm willing to pay for?

Now the year before last I got the SPorts Pack. Which has tons of games, but many times the live feed is blacked out and I had to watch late at night or record the game on my DVR (which was SD at the time).

So what's the better strategy for getting the most NHL games in HD, considering that the following is rumored that DirecTV will have these channels in HD:

Regional Sports Networks
Available nationally, but local blackout rules still apply.
Fall 2007

1. Altitude
2. Comcast SportsNet Chicago
3. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
4. FSN Arizona
5. FSN Bay Area
6. FSN Detroit
7. FSN Florida
8. FSN New England
9. FSN North
10. FSN Northwest
11. FSN Ohio
12. FSN Prime Ticket
13. FSN Rocky Mountain
14. FSN South
15. FSN Southwest
16. FSN West
17. New England Sports Network
18. SportsNet New York
19. SportsSouth
20. Sun Sports
21. YES

(source is another HD forum).

Will these RSNs rumored to be in HD replay the games in HD , or will just the live broadcasts (which are blacked out except on Center Ice), be the only ones in HD?

I noticed with either subscription (Center Ice or SportsPack), I was recording a lot of games because they were either on too late or I was watching another game, or something else on TV (gotta give the wife a few hours a night). I have a dual HD-DVR, so I can watch and record, o record two games at once, both in HD.

Is there any word on how many games C.I will broadcast in HD, if any at all?

I have Versus on my expanded basic package so that's a constant, and I'll always have the HD Access package because I like the programming all year (ESPN HD, TNT HD etc etc). I also have my local RSN in HD.

If you had my set up (Plasma, Dual HD-DVR , Brand new DirecTV slimline dish), would you get Center Ice, or the Sports Package?

I would get both, but I have a feeling there will be lots of redundant programming. Plus I'd be willing to not have the most possible games (probably Center Ice), if it maximizes my HD games. I get local RSN in HD (NESN/BOSTON) , and also what ever Versus is broadcasting in HD (rumored to be more games this next season).

I'd almost be willing to give up the ability to watch Center Ice games in SD which would be more games, if I thought I could record SportsPack games in HD and watch them later. There's just so many games one can watch in a single week or day.

Well that's a lot to digest, and I appreciate anyone taking the time to read it all and give me their opinion.

Thanks.........

 

[stogie5150]

I have been a CI sub since 1996 or 1997, whenever they first had it...I forget. Anyway, if D* does not have more games in HD this year it will be my last. The CI PQ on my plasma has been terrible the past few years. I do not know how the replays will be shown on the RSN's, I would assume ( for what that's worth ) that the replays will be in HD, because the RSN will be fulltime HD, I don't see why they wouldn't.

But then I don't see why we cannot get HNIC in HD either. But we don't, at least as of last season. if we don't get HNIC in HD (lite) this season I am going to look elsewhere for my CI service.
Like North. With a Broker.

 

[Brewer4]

I like hockey but I think between the combo of NESN HD, NDNet, and Vs which will definately be doing several HD games a week this season, thats enough HD hockey for me. I got MLB package this year and I found 95% of the games I end up wathing is NESN, ESPN and Fox so I wont be getting MLB next year. I just wish Directv would offer up more HD info for the upcoming season. I suspect we will know a lot more in September.

to the forum BTW.

 

[iceturkee]

this problem with games being blacked out on hdnet has been addressed and it no longer is a problem. all it took was for me to email mark cuban and hdnet. they contacted directv, who admitted their mistake.

i agree with brewer. the number of hd games that are broadcast this season depends on when directv shifts the reginal sports networks to conus. in the meanwhile, you will get any games broadcast on your rsn in hd.

 

[disfigured]

I do not know how the replays will be shown on the RSN's, I would assume ( for what that's worth ) that the replays will be in HD, because the RSN will be fulltime HD, I don't see why they wouldn't.

That's what I'm thinking too, once my RSN went HD the replays were also in HD.

HNIC was one of the feeds for the play offs last year and I was very surprised it wasn't in HD.

I like hockey but I think between the combo of NESN HD, NDNet, and Vs which will definately be doing several HD games a week this season, thats enough HD hockey for me.I got MLB package this year and I found 95% of the games I end up wathing is NESN, ESPN and Fox so I wont be getting MLB next year. I just wish Directv would offer up more HD info for the upcoming season. I suspect we will know a lot more in September.

More info would be good but I'm starting to get the same feeling you are getting. With my RSN all in HD, and more games on Versus in HD, I'm starting to think the few games that might in HD on C.I (possibly none), or the SPortsPack of RSNs might not be worth it.

Add to it this:

this problem with games being blacked out on hdnet has been addressed and it no longer is a problem. all it took was for me to email mark cuban and hdnet. they contacted directv, who admitted their mistake.

If that's the case then that's quite a few more games that will definitely be in HD. That would put me over the top for HD games, and probably prevent me from ordering C.I or the SportsPack.

Thanks for the input.

 

[bonscott87]

And HDNet game will be blacked out for you *if* your RSN or a local broadcast station is also carrying the game and they have exclusive rights to your area.

As for Center Ice in HD, what Center Ice and NBA League pass actually does is just open up the games on the RSN channels. So with the RSN that are in HD going on the national beam that should mean a LOT more HD games available to those with CI or LP and the Sports Pack.

 

[disfigured]

And HDNet game will be blacked out for you *if* your RSN or a local broadcast station is also carrying the game and they have exclusive rights to your area.

I assumed that would be the case and it wouldn't matter to me if it was , since I get my RSN is in HD. But many games were blacked out not just my RSN ones. I've emailed HDNET and hopefully this will be rectified.

As for Center Ice in HD, what Center Ice and NBA League pass actually does is just open up the games on the RSN channels. So with the RSN that are in HD going on the national beam that should mean a LOT more HD games available to those with CI or LP and the Sports Pack.

Well that changes things a bit, but I'm still leaning towards having enough HD programming via my RSN, Versus, and HDNET. I may have to order C.I for the playoffs since not all games during the semis and conference finals will be on Versus. Unless that's changed. I really like the POs and didn't miss a single game last year. Between recording, and watching two games at once I was able to see nearly every playoff game.

I'd love to see the C.I schedule and confirmation of RSNs that are going HD to compare the two. Hopefully it will be in time if I decide to get C.I, because the pre-order price is a tad lower.

Thanks bon........

 

[iceturkee]

And HDNet game will be blacked out for you *if* your RSN or a local broadcast station is also carrying the game and they have exclusive rights to your area.

this is true. but i noticed back in feb. when i reactivated my account, i wasn't getting the hockey games. none of them were in my region to be blacked out. directv's excuse was hdnet was a regional sports network. that's why i emailed hdnet. that's why they contacted directv to straighten them out.

 

[stone phillips420]

i have ci and sports pack
I also remeber replays on rsn round midnight or so all in sd a few years back no blackouts, it seems to me for the last 2 years the rsn replay in sd was blacked out no ryme or reason
if i recall the altanta thrashers replay comes in a lot on there rsn

The best for HD NHL ive found has been Bell Xvu, they had 2 channels last year when i got it NhlHD 1 and 2 they typically would show upto 4 games a night in HD usually 2-3 though maybe 4 times per week, as weekend nhl HD is shown on CBCHD HNIC hockey night in canada plus sportsnet HD shows leafs games in HD sparce though then you have TSNHD (Toronto Sports Net lol) they show 2-3 games per week in HD, 1 in actual HD the other usually 4-3 digi pic but it nice

that seems tobe the best HD option for NHL is Bell
for Bell you would need Nhl ci, dual tuner HDDVR 9200 as of now, and the HDPACK
Bell also has HDNET Canada, they have no contract with nhl so no nhl programing is on there feed of HDNET

if you would get bell, you see a bunch of HD hockey but i would also keep dtv for all the shows not seen in canada and the college hockey not to mention occasional high school tourney champ game shown on the rsn ie blackhawk cup and there are a few others

 

[bonscott87]

this is true. but i noticed back in feb. when i reactivated my account, i wasn't getting the hockey games. none of them were in my region to be blacked out. directv's excuse was hdnet was a regional sports network. that's why i emailed hdnet. that's why they contacted directv to straighten them out.

Yep, that's the nice thing about Mark Cuban, he actually responds personally to emails and will take care of things if his channel is being messed with.

 

[bonscott87]

Well that changes things a bit, but I'm still leaning towards having enough HD programming via my RSN, Versus, and HDNET. I may have to order C.I for the playoffs since not all games during the semis and conference finals will be on Versus. Unless that's changed. I really like the POs and didn't miss a single game last year. Between recording, and watching two games at once I was able to see nearly every playoff game.

I'd love to see the C.I schedule and confirmation of RSNs that are going HD to compare the two. Hopefully it will be in time if I decide to get C.I, because the pre-order price is a tad lower.

Thanks bon........

Nothing says you can't wait until the season starts and see what CI gives in terms of HD. Nice thing is the season doesn't start until October so hopefully we'll have 3-4 weeks to see what the new sat brings.

 

[Brewer4]

Nothing says you can't wait until the season starts and see what CI gives in terms of HD. Nice thing is the season doesn't start until October so hopefully we'll have 3-4 weeks to see what the new sat brings.

Thats what I am waiting to see. If all or near all games are HD and the package is cheap, I might jump. If not, NESN HD, HDNet, NBC and Versus will do.

 

[Jimbo]

this problem with games being blacked out on hdnet has been addressed and it no longer is a problem. all it took was for me to email mark cuban and hdnet. they contacted directv, who admitted their mistake.

i agree with brewer. the number of hd games that are broadcast this season depends on when directv shifts the reginal sports networks to conus. in the meanwhile, you will get any games broadcast on your rsn in hd.

Are you saying that if my team is listed to be on HD Net this year, it will NOT be blacked out this year ?
The last several years some have been available and some not, when it's been listed to be on. (Red Wings, for any that might be wondering).

IF so, thats great news !

Jimbo

 

[Jimbo]

I think VS signed up with the NHL for TWO years, so hopefully after this year we can find hockey on a real network with HD on a regular basis, not a game here and there when basketball is not in the way.

Jimbo

 

[iceturkee]

Are you saying that if my team is listed to be on HD Net this year, it will NOT be blacked out this year ?
The last several years some have been available and some not, when it's been listed to be on. (Red Wings, for any that might be wondering).

IF so, thats great news !

Jimbo

no, that's not what i'm saying. as far as i know, if your team (the one listed by directv for your dma) is playing, it will still be blacked out.

what i was saying, i wasn't getting any nhl games on hdnet because directv claimed hdnet was a regional sports net. i had to complain to hdnet to resolve. evidently, i wasn't the only person who had this problem. hdnet was quite helpful as the problem was resolved in about a week.

 

[disfigured]

Thats what I am waiting to see. If all or near all games are HD and the package is cheap, I might jump. If not, NESN HD, HDNet, NBC and Versus will do.

That's my plan at this point.

M.Cuban at HDNET has already responded to my Email verifying that the blackouts should not have occurred in my area. I've responded with the necessary info he requested to straighten it out.

I may wait until the P. O's to get C.I there's always pricing right up to the first game. I like the PO's and like to watch nearly every game.

This has really been enlightening thanks everyone for your help.

 

[bonscott87]

Are you saying that if my team is listed to be on HD Net this year, it will NOT be blacked out this year ?
The last several years some have been available and some not, when it's been listed to be on. (Red Wings, for any that might be wondering).

IF so, thats great news !

Jimbo

For me, since I don't live in the Red Wings home market, I am never blacked out on anything no matter what channel the game is on. Pays to live in between big markets.

 

[cariera]

Hey maybe we can have Center Ice Superfan.

Jeez, I hope not.

 

[iceturkee]

don't laugh, its probably coming along with league pass super fan!

 

[trellaine]

I am very confused now after reading all this simple question then: I am in the Seattle region thus Seattle is my RSN.

If games are shown on MarKCubans channel will or should I receive this broadcast?

And no HD for Versus correct? or just some of them and that should be shown on CH95/96?

All this local regional stuff is quite confusing.

Thank you.