MPeg2 to Mpeg4

[Jimbo]

If you are upgrading from Mpeg2 to Mpeg4 receivers and only are using SD (no HD in the home yet) sets. (this is being done because D* called) .
DVR is not an option at this point.

What rec's would they be sending out now and what remotes come with them ?
When D* does the upgrade (them calling) does this have a mandatory commitment then, or do they waive the commit due to them wanting to do the upgrade ?

Jimbo

 

[charper1]

I would add the HD programming and get the HD units anyway. You can always down convert the HD to your SD displays until you get the HDTV. This would get you those MPEG4 HD channels and the hardware you are gonna end up with anyway and then all you have to do when you are ready is plug in the new displays..

 

[jtwex]

When D* does the upgrade (them calling) does this have a mandatory commitment then, or do they waive the commit due to them wanting to do the upgrade ?Jimbo

Jim,

When they called me regarding my last Mpeg-2/HD receiver they did indeed waive a new 2-yr commitment. I made it a point of telling them that I've never changed providers since 94 & almost felt offended that a policy designed to stop subs from switching between the latest new customer offer was affecting solid long-term subs like myself. They added a section on my website that clearly says "no new 2-yr commitment" even though I signed the tech sheet that shows a two year commitment. My neighbor & good friend used the same approach & also had the message on his website. In the end it doesn't really matter for me because I'm not going anywhere; a fact I think they can see when they look at your records.

 

[sundude90]

You will probably get a H21 or H22 receiver!

I have all MPEG 4 Receivers, and like it a lot. MPEG 4 SD channels like my locals take less room of my R22 receiver.

 

[jcrandall]

Sundude is right on the receivers. For non-dvr you'd get an H21/22/23, and for dvr you'd get an R22.

Commitment is questionable, becuase if I remember right from your PM the change is becuase their current setup is failing. It may be a negotatible if they try to get the commitment when the installer calls to activate the receivers and hands the phone to the homeowners.

This one is a gray area.

 

[Jimbo]

Sundude is right on the receivers. For non-dvr you'd get an H21/22/23, and for dvr you'd get an R22.

Commitment is questionable, becuase if I remember right from your PM the change is becuase their current setup is failing. It may be a negotatible if they try to get the commitment when the installer calls to activate the receivers and hands the phone to the homeowners.

This one is a gray area.

Thanks Guy's
So you guy's think they will give them the HD version rec's anyways, that would be fine with me, they probably would not even know it, then down the road, if, when they DO get an HD unit, they are all set

As far as the commitment goes, I don't see them going anywhere anyways, was just curious about it.

I have never had an HD unit on a 4:3 screen, when you change it to the 4:3 format , does it full the screen the same as a non HD unit would ? Or do you still see bars ... ?

Jimbo

 

[Big Dawg 23]

Jimbo, I just moved to Directv on 11-1. I planned on going to one HDTV after Jan 1. So I went the route of HD DVR for our living room. They gave me a HR22. On a 4:3 what you get is widescreen DVD look. The benefits are getting a Widescreen picture with 5.1DD. I did this when I have CHarter with a DVR.

This just changed for me is I just got a 37" Vizio I will be setting up Tonight. Go the route of an HD Box. If you dont like the widescreen look set up favorites to eliminate the HD Channels. Also remember they will get you for the $9.99 HD Package if you dont have any HD at all.

 

[Jimbo]

Jimbo, I just moved to Directv on 11-1. I planned on going to one HDTV after Jan 1. So I went the route of HD DVR for our living room. They gave me a HR22. On a 4:3 what you get is widescreen DVD look. The benefits are getting a Widescreen picture with 5.1DD. I did this when I have CHarter with a DVR.

This just changed for me is I just got a 37" Vizio I will be setting up Tonight. Go the route of an HD Box. If you dont like the widescreen look set up favorites to eliminate the HD Channels. Also remember they will get you for the $9.99 HD Package if you dont have any HD at all.

Well thats just it, they have NO HD (It's not me btw, I've had HD for many years now) it's friends of mine and they are not happy about changing equipment, I told them they would have to eventually anyways, but they have NO HD sets, if they give them a H series but don't want HD because they have no need for it yet, why would they try to charge them the extra HD package.

Jimbo

 

[Bob Nielsen]

I have never had an HD unit on a 4:3 screen, when you change it to the 4:3 format , does it full the screen the same as a non HD unit would ? Or do you still see bars ... ?

Jimbo

Full screen for 4:3 and letterbox/cropped (sides chopped off) or stretched (vertically) for 16:9 programming, chooseable with the format button.

 

[Jimbo]

Update

Well, today was update day ...
D* came out to my friends home and everything went pretty well.
The Slimline was installed.
The gave them H20 rec's (2).

Now, she is use to having a remote for her and one for him, I set it up that way for them a long time ago.

Q. They now have the White remotes, I think they have a 64 , I have a few spares sitting around (32's) ...

We need for the remote I have for them to run the new D* box, so they have 2 working remotes working one box.

What are the steps for setting this up ?


Also, if I were to take one of these rec's to thier tailgate party, would I be able to set this H20 up to work with the old 3 lnb dish, NO HD required. ????

Jimbo

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Yes the H20's work with the 3lnb dish.
And both remotes should work the receivers without doing anything.,As far as the remote working other electronics, go into the setup section on the menu,click on remote,and it will give you ste by step directions how to program the remote.
Also if they are using Component cable ,make sure your Native setting is off . If they are using SD tv's. But if they are using S Video,or composite, everything should be good to go.
As far as HD on an SD tv, well I did it for 2 years with an H20. I had no complaints.

 

[Jimbo]

Yes the H20's work with the 3lnb dish.
And both remotes should work the receivers without doing anything.,As far as the remote working other electronics, go into the setup section on the menu,click on remote,and it will give you ste by step directions how to program the remote.
Also if they are using Component cable ,make sure your Native setting is off . If they are using SD tv's. But if they are using S Video,or composite, everything should be good to go.
As far as HD on an SD tv, well I did it for 2 years with an H20. I had no complaints.

As for the Dish, thats what I figured, but haven't set one up that way in quite some time ...

As for the remotes, that is incorrect, remotes are now programmed to the box they are sent with.... at least thats what I have experienced in the last several years, maybe since the White remotes came into play.
The old ones, RCA, Hughes, Sony yes they did cover them.

Need steps to reprogram ... Edmond usually has all that info, but I haven't seen him around in a while ...

Anyone else ?

For the time being they are using Composite connections, till they upgrade TV.

Thanks,
Jimbo

 

[Hemi 6.1]

As for the remotes, that is incorrect, remotes are now programmed to the box they are sent with.... at least thats what I have experienced in the last several years, maybe since the White remotes came into play.
The old ones, RCA, Hughes, Sony yes they did cover them.


Thanks,
Jimbo

No you have that wrong, My R16 remote works with my D12, and it also worked with My HR-20 when I still had it. As well as my H 20 remote worked with my Hr20. The white and black remotes work with all D* boxes. The H20 have IR and RF if your remotes are't working ,my guess is its set for RF and your little ant. is not installed. If they changed the remote they only did it about 3 months ago.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

You have 2 HR 20 and your telling me you can't pick up the other remote ,and it won't work all your boxes. I still have 3 remote rc32,r34,r64,and all of those will work my R 16 and d12. right now. Go to Best Buy tomorrow ,Buy a new D* remote for $20 ,and I am 100% sure that will operate your receiver without doing nothing but installing the batteries. As long as your receiver is set for IR. If its set for RF yes then you have to set the remote. The steps are in the manual, and also in the setup section on your receiver. And when the remote comes with your receiver it set to IR, not RF.

 

[Jimbo]

You have 2 HR 20 and your telling me you can't pick up the other remote ,and it won't work all your boxes. I still have 3 remote rc32,r34,r64,and all of those will work my R 16 and d12. right now. Go to Best Buy tomorrow ,Buy a new D* remote for $20 ,and I am 100% sure that will operate your receiver without doing nothing but installing the batteries. As long as your receiver is set for IR. If its set for RF yes then you have to set the remote. The steps are in the manual, and also in the setup section on your receiver. And when the remote comes with your receiver it set to IR, not RF.

If thats the case, IF I use RF, and I do, then I would change BOTH boxes in the house at the same time. I definatly don't want that.

Hmmm,
Thats probably why I thought they wouldn't work them, one must be on IR and the other RF .... that would make sense.
I'll have to put new batteries in and see what happens on thier rec's.

That said, why do they give you the stickers to label your remotes with your rec's then ?


My bedroom is on IR, I've got several extra remotes sitting around,I'll throw some batteries in one and see if it works the bedroom then.

Jimbo

 

[Hemi 6.1]

That said, why do they give you the stickers to label your remotes with your rec's then ?
Jimbo

So you Know what remote goes with what setup. Like living room, because most lilky you also have it set to control the volume on your TV, and so on.

 

[Jimbo]

Hemi,
I put new batteries in my 32 and went into the bedroom and turned on the rec. with the original remote.
I tried to change channels with the one with fresh batteries ....no luck, did n't recognize the rec.

I know there are codes to do this, something with having to enter the rec. number, but don't remember the sequence for sure.

Jimbo

 

[Hemi 6.1]

If thats the case, IF I use RF, and I do, then I would change BOTH boxes in the house at the same time. I definatly don't want that.

Jimbo

Yes if they were both RF that maybe the case Unless each receiver has a different code to type in . I'm not sure I never really checked.
Try this.
But if your receiver is set to RF and the remote won't respond, you have to go into the setting on the receiver,using the panel controls, go into remote, and switch to IR. Because not all remotes can do RF. That maybe your problem as well. I'm not sure if the RC64 is RF remote.

1. Setup
2. System set up
3. Remote
4. IR/RF
5. reset to IF
6. On your remote Press and hold Mut select, untill lights blink twice
7. enter 961 and press channel down. You can also just do this on your remote first. But just make sure your receiver is set to IR, or you'll still have no responce.

 

[Jimbo]

So you Know what remote goes with what setup. Like living room, because most lilky you also have it set to control the volume on your TV, and so on.

Mine are both Pioneer Elite TV's so they use the same codes.

 

[Jimbo]

Yes if they were both RF that maybe the case Unless each receiver has a different code to type in . I'm not sure I never really checked.
Try this.
But if your receiver is set to RF and the remote won't respond, you have to go into the setting on the receiver,using the panel controls, go into remote, and switch to IR. Because not all remotes can do RF. That maybe your problem as well. I'm not sure if the RC64 is RF remote.

As for the 64 being RF capable, I'm not sure, but being the newest out there, I would think that it would.

Personally I think I have to go thru the Program remote set up again and somewhere put in a rec. code, but just guessing at this point, I use to havbe this info, but no longer.

Remember, ultimatly I'd like to have this set up so when I go over there it either works, or I know what sequence I need to do to get it to work on thier set up.

I would have figured a few of the installers would have chimed in as well .... then again, I had to tell my installer that the remote even DID RF