DirecTV 1080p Movies Info

[jcrandall]

I did some inquiring about the DirecTV plans for 1080p from the press release today.

Here is what I heard back from engineering:

On the 1080p, it will be used for movies, including DIRECTV on Demand, MoviesNow and linear PPV movies (a linear channel is a regular channel on DIRECTV). So as I understand it, both internet and satellite delivery methods will be supported.
On exact system capatibility, all of our MPEG-4 capable HD boxes will have that capability -- although the rollout schedule will vary by receiver model as we have in past rollouts.

This will be enabled with a software download, no hardware replacement is needed.

So there is what we have, it will be both satellite movies (PPV), pushed movies (movies-now) and possibly vod downloads.

I have no idea what they mean by "linear channel".

Same hardware, just need a software update. Hopefull coming soon to a CE program near you

 

[atp1313]

Damn, this might just the excuse I have been looking for to upgrade my 50" Vizio Plasma (720p) to 1080p model. I have an HD-DVD player that does well enough with HD discs and upconverts, and I told my wife that there would be no need to get a 1080p model until it was "standardized" and offered by the networks. I could probably sell this idea.

 

[Mr_Movie_Dog]

Hope the upgrade is soon since I have a 1080p Sammy FP would love to watch in what they call now Full HD!

Good news!

 

[gadgtfreek]

Cool deal.

 

[Rey]

IT sounds like D is going to get this done before E. especially since their vod is based on 1 channel right now and for quite some time

 

[Matt9876]

This is one big reason why they are sending D12 "Ground spare" into orbit, lots of 1080p HD for all!!

 

[Brewer4]

This is one big reason why they are sending D12 "Ground spare" into orbit, lots of 1080p HD for all!!

Great, another reason to spend money and upgrade my TV....

 

[gadgtfreek]

One word, Blu-ray!

(or is that two??)

 

[jcrandall]

IT sounds like D is going to get this done before E. especially since their vod is based on 1 channel right now and for quite some time

I still think it is going to be a while, perhaps around the end of the year.

They have to finalize drivers, get the test software ready, make sure it works right through a beta/trial, expand the trial (CE), and then roll it out (which they space out as well, through a staggered software release).

It is going to take a while yet.

 

[gadgtfreek]

I'd like to see how much compression theyll use on the movies and how itll compare to Vudu. I think us blu-ray people wont be doing cartwheels just yet.

I'd love for a download service that'd compete with optical, but it's gonna be a ways out. So the remaining question is, will D* and E*'s 1080p movies look any better than 1080i mpeg4 stuff.

Mr and Mrs Smith on FXHD looks darn good, now if they top that Ill be impressed.