MLB EI Game Mix, Only Certain Receivers

[FlyingJ]

Read this on the MLB.com site.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/broadcasts/extra_innings.jsp

Now I am wondering. I have my HR10-250, haven't gone to the new HD DVR yet. Looks as though the gamemix channel will not be available on the 10-250, did I read this right? No major complaint, but damn, I would like to get everything I am paying for.

Anyone else see an issue here or did I wake up in a foul mood. Get it foul??

 

[Proc]

You'll prob get the Game Mix channel, but you won't get the interactive features that come with the other receivers.

 

[bonscott87]

Well, there will be quite a bit of the EI features you won't get on the older non-Interactive receivers, like Sunday Ticket.

Typically on the HR10 you can tune into the Mix channel but it won't do anything. On any Interactive receiver you can move around from window to window and the audio will change and if you select one of them it will tune in to that channel for you. If there is an HD feed available it will tune to that feed (at least it does for Sunday Ticket).
HR20 is interactive as are several of the regular non-DVR receivers.
H20 isn't interactive yet but it is in beta.
I'm not sure if the R15 is interactive or not.

Anything older including all Tivo based units are not interactive capable.

 

[Teronzhul]

The D10, D11, D12, R15, and HR20 are all interactive. The H20 is awaiting a software update to go interactive, and it shouldn't be long until the national release is ready for it.

As others have said, you'll be able to tune into the game mix channel, but you'll be locked to the audio stream for only one game.

 

[FlyingJ]

Thanks, guess I can live with that, unless...anyone know of any other advantages to go to the HR20 in Columbus, Ohio???

 

[bonscott87]

Thanks, guess I can live with that, unless...anyone know of any other advantages to go to the HR20 in Columbus, Ohio???

The 4 major networks are available in HD in Columbus (which are MPEG4 of course). And any new HD coming later this year will also be MPEG4 only. Basically if you want HD from DirecTV the future is an H20 or HR20 like it or not.

 

[FlyingJ]

Yes, I get it. But I do like getting channel 53 (CW) ota, can I do that with the 20 and I guess the other question is... are the locals through D* in MPEG4 as good as what I am getting with my antenna?

 

[bonscott87]

Yes, I get it. But I do like getting channel 53 (CW) ota, can I do that with the 20

Sure, you can do OTA with the HR20. Assuming you can get a signal from the OTA towers of course.

and I guess the other question is... are the locals through D* in MPEG4 as good as what I am getting with my antenna?

It will never be as good. But it really depends on your market. Many (most?) markets have the newer MPEG4 encoders and it's very close to OTA quality. But without the newer encoders it's probably worse. Not sure about the quality of Columbus locals but the only way you'll know is to try it or check the Columbus HD thread on AVS and ask there and see what others think.

 

[FlyingJ]

Thanks for the info Scott, will do!