Direct TV HDTV package question
 

I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.

In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
off-air local channels in HD.

Does anyone else have these channels in this package?

I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.

In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
off-air local channels in HD.

Does anyone else have these channels in this package?









No......don't think this is true.

Claude

In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of
these
off-air local channels in HD.

Does anyone else have these channels in this package?

No. If somebody is receiving such programming they are getting it over the
air, not through the dish. Remember all DirecTV HD receivers also are OTA
receivers.

Pat

"Joey Balducci" wrote in message
...
: I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.
:
: In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
: package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
: I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
: off-air local channels in HD.
:
: Does anyone else have these channels in this package?
:
=======================
I have the DirecTV HD Package.
It includes ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, HD-Net, HD-NetMovies for the price of 10.95 (+ the
basic 33.99 charge).
In addition there is a PPV-HD channel (movies usually $4.99).
There is NO local HD, nor is there likely to be.
I get ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc OTA from local affiliates.

I am in Seattle.

"Richard C." wrote in message om...
"Joey Balducci" wrote in message
...
: I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.
:
: In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
: package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
: I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
: off-air local channels in HD.
:
: Does anyone else have these channels in this package?
:
=======================
I have the DirecTV HD Package.
It includes ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, HD-Net, HD-NetMovies for the price of 10.95 (+ the
basic 33.99 charge).
In addition there is a PPV-HD channel (movies usually $4.99).
There is NO local HD, nor is there likely to be.
I get ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc OTA from local affiliates.

I am in Seattle.

I think it is a rip-off that Directv is removing HDNet from my already
$70 subscription and charging me an additional $11 to get it back.

On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 17:40:44 GMT, "Joey Balducci"
wrote:

I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.

In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
off-air local channels in HD.

Does anyone else have these channels in this package?


The guy's local HD channels must be coming in over the air sincee
they aren't part of the DirectTV package. He might think they're
part of his package because his HD DTV reciever integrates the
local HD programming info in it's menu so it probably appears to
be part of his package, but it's not. Read about it on DirectTV's
website:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagin..._equipment.jsp

ENJOY HD PROGRAMMING ON LOCAL CHANNELS

"Did you know some customers can receive some of their local channels
in HD? First, you need to be in an area where local high-definition
off-air channels are available. Next, you need to have an off-air
antenna installed and connected to your HD receiver. The Advanced
Program Guide™ on your HD-enabled DIRECTV Receiver will allow you to
integrate your off-air HD channels seamlessly into one guide and view
programming schedules at least three days in advance."

Randy

"Darrell" wrote in message
m...
: "Richard C." wrote in message
om...
: "Joey Balducci" wrote in message
: ...
: : I read a post on this board "What's the word on Comcast" dated 7/12/2003.
: :
: : In one of the replies someone says that they have Direct TV's new HDTV
: : package and they are recieving ABC, NBC and PBS HD programming.
: : I have had this package for about a month and I have never had any of these
: : off-air local channels in HD.
: :
: : Does anyone else have these channels in this package?
: :
: =======================
: I have the DirecTV HD Package.
: It includes ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, HD-Net, HD-NetMovies for the price of 10.95 (+
the
: basic 33.99 charge).
: In addition there is a PPV-HD channel (movies usually $4.99).
: There is NO local HD, nor is there likely to be.
: I get ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc OTA from local affiliates.
:
: I am in Seattle.
:
: I think it is a rip-off that Directv is removing HDNet from my already
: $70 subscription and charging me an additional $11 to get it back.

=====================================
My God!!!
Just what do you find to watch that costs $70?

"Darrell" wrote in message
om...
: : I think it is a rip-off that Directv is removing HDNet from my already
: : $70 subscription and charging me an additional $11 to get it back.
:
: =====================================
: My God!!!
: Just what do you find to watch that costs $70?
:
: Actually I pay $63.99 for the programming package that we have.
: That's not the point. All I am trying to say is that HDNet was part
: of the package we had, and now Directv is removing it from my current
: lineup and to get it back is charging an additional $10.95.

==============================
At least you appear to USE the other $64 worth.

I have to pay the 10.95 plus the base fee ($34) just to get the 4 HD channels.
I watch NOTHING on any of the other DirecTV channels. They are useless to me.

I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per month.

At least you appear to USE the other $64 worth.

I have to pay the 10.95 plus the base fee ($34) just to get the 4 HD channels.
I watch NOTHING on any of the other DirecTV channels. They are useless to me.

I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per month.

You are obviously interested in HD only. I am very much into HD, but
I am not the only one in the household who watches TV. My other half
is not so particular about the picture quality and both of us enjoy
some of the other channels that feature news, sports and movies. If
it was just me I would not subscribe to the movie channels and pay the
same as you. If you'd like to see my setup it's at
http://hd.net/showoff.html?2002-08-11-01.html. As you can see that
was 2 years ago, so I am really into HD.

Richard C. wrote:
I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per month.

Well I would prefer an ala carte system of $1 per channel and $2 per HD
channel (not including "pay" channels like HBO, Showtime, etc...)

There's no reason we should have to pay for channels we don't want. The
technology is there for ala carte. If any satellite or cable company
had the balls to switch to ala carte, you would see a huge migration to
ala carte by the masses. I think most people would rather have it
"their way".

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 01:18:47 GMT, "Steve K."
wrote:

Richard C. wrote:
I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per month.

Well I would prefer an ala carte system of $1 per channel and $2 per HD
channel (not including "pay" channels like HBO, Showtime, etc...)

There's no reason we should have to pay for channels we don't want. The
technology is there for ala carte. If any satellite or cable company
had the balls to switch to ala carte, you would see a huge migration to
ala carte by the masses. I think most people would rather have it
"their way".

The technology id there but a cable company can't make a profit on a
purely ala carte basis.
Thumper

"Thumper" wrote in message
...
: On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 01:18:47 GMT, "Steve K."
: wrote:
:
: Richard C. wrote:
: I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per
month.
:
: Well I would prefer an ala carte system of $1 per channel and $2 per HD
: channel (not including "pay" channels like HBO, Showtime, etc...)
:
: There's no reason we should have to pay for channels we don't want. The
: technology is there for ala carte. If any satellite or cable company
: had the balls to switch to ala carte, you would see a huge migration to
: ala carte by the masses. I think most people would rather have it
: "their way".
:
: The technology id there but a cable company can't make a profit on a
: purely ala carte basis.
: Thumper

================
And why not?

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:44:32 -0700, "Richard C."
wrote:


"Thumper" wrote in message
.. .
: On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 01:18:47 GMT, "Steve K."
: wrote:
:
: Richard C. wrote:
: I would prefer a package that was ONLY HD (nothing else) for about $25 per
month.
:
: Well I would prefer an ala carte system of $1 per channel and $2 per HD
: channel (not including "pay" channels like HBO, Showtime, etc...)
:
: There's no reason we should have to pay for channels we don't want. The
: technology is there for ala carte. If any satellite or cable company
: had the balls to switch to ala carte, you would see a huge migration to
: ala carte by the masses. I think most people would rather have it
: "their way".
:
: The technology id there but a cable company can't make a profit on a
: purely ala carte basis.
: Thumper

================
And why not?

The overhead to provide a particular channel to say .05% of your
viewing audience often out paces the return you get. Would you
continue to offer Tea berry flavored ice cream in your store if hardly
anyone ate it? The only way some channels will be offered is in a
package with other channels with a greater audience.

Bundling services is a long recognized way to lower the companies cost
to provide and thusly holds down prices overall.
Thumper

"Thumper" wrote in message
...
: On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:44:32 -0700, "Richard C."
: wrote:
: :
: : The technology id there but a cable company can't make a profit on a
: : purely ala carte basis.
: : Thumper
:
: ================
: And why not?
:
: The overhead to provide a particular channel to say .05% of your
: viewing audience often out paces the return you get. Would you
: continue to offer Tea berry flavored ice cream in your store if hardly
: anyone ate it? The only way some channels will be offered is in a
: package with other channels with a greater audience.
:
=====================================
Sounds like a GOOD thing to me............
If no one wants to subscribe, dump the crap!
=====================================

: Bundling services is a long recognized way to lower the companies cost
: to provide and thusly holds down prices overall.
: Thumper

Richard C. wrote:
=====================================
Sounds like a GOOD thing to me............
If no one wants to subscribe, dump the crap!
=====================================

Exactly. I don't see why "thumper" would want to keep paying for all
the crap he doesn't want to watch.

You keep hearing about "video on demand" for the internet. When they
can deliver true high quality signals, and even HD, and you can simply
pay for the things you want (ala carte) you will see the death of the
"tier" system.

Steve

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 22:30:38 GMT, "Steve K."
wrote:

Richard C. wrote:
=====================================
Sounds like a GOOD thing to me............
If no one wants to subscribe, dump the crap!
=====================================

Exactly. I don't see why "thumper" would want to keep paying for all
the crap he doesn't want to watch.


Because Thumper knows that if the companies do it your way they will
go out of business.
You keep hearing about "video on demand" for the internet. When they
can deliver true high quality signals, and even HD, and you can simply
pay for the things you want (ala carte) you will see the death of the
"tier" system.


Don't hold your breath. If the tier system ever goes away you will
pat more than now.
Thumper
Steve

Thumper wrote:
Because Thumper knows that if the companies do it your way they will
go out of business.
That doesn't change the fact that I would prefer ala carte and I think
other would too. You sure care about the "health" satellite and cable
companies an awful lot. Weird. Ever hear the term "the customer is
always right"? Generally when there are more options, the consumers
will benefit.

"Steve K." wrote in message
hlink.net...
Thumper wrote:
Because Thumper knows that if the companies do it your way they will
go out of business.
That doesn't change the fact that I would prefer ala carte and I think
other would too. You sure care about the "health" satellite and cable
companies an awful lot. Weird. Ever hear the term "the customer is
always right"? Generally when there are more options, the consumers
will benefit.


Let me jump in here for a minute. When cable first started in Houston, the
cable company (long since disappeared) provided a modified ala'carte system
for the first couple of years -- until they went bankrupt and a different
company took over. When they first went on the air, they provided 8 local
stations in one group. Everything else was provided on an ala'carte basis.
I just dug up one of their first receipts. The local stations (6) were
$5.75 per month. HBO (only one channel) was $ 9.95 per month. All other
channels (11 of them) were $1.95 a month. HBO and Disney were the only
movie channels (Disney was $1.95 also). The other channels that cost $1.95
a month were
1. Disney
2. CNN
3. NBC (New York)
4. WGN
5. CBS (New York)
6. WBS
7. MTV
8. Weather Channel
9. HSN
10. ABC (Atlanta)
11. MBC

There was a total of 18 channels, and with the exception of the locals, all
were ala'carte. That system only lasted until the company went broke a
couple of years later. The new company ditched the ala'carte system and
financially was successful. Ala'carte didn't work here in the early 80's,
it might now, but I personally think it would be too expensive.

Bill

"Bill Sanders" wrote in message
. ..

"Steve K." wrote in message
hlink.net...
Thumper wrote:
Because Thumper knows that if the companies do it your way they will
go out of business.
That doesn't change the fact that I would prefer ala carte and I think
other would too. You sure care about the "health" satellite and cable
companies an awful lot. Weird. Ever hear the term "the customer is
always right"? Generally when there are more options, the consumers
will benefit.


Let me jump in here for a minute. When cable first started in Houston,
the
cable company (long since disappeared) provided a modified ala'carte
system
for the first couple of years -- until they went bankrupt and a different
company took over. When they first went on the air, they provided 8 local
stations in one group. Everything else was provided on an ala'carte
basis.
I just dug up one of their first receipts. The local stations (6) were
$5.75 per month. HBO (only one channel) was $ 9.95 per month. All other
channels (11 of them) were $1.95 a month. HBO and Disney were the only
movie channels (Disney was $1.95 also). The other channels that cost
$1.95
a month were
1. Disney
2. CNN
3. NBC (New York)
4. WGN
5. CBS (New York)
6. WBS
7. MTV
8. Weather Channel
9. HSN
10. ABC (Atlanta)
11. MBC

There was a total of 18 channels, and with the exception of the locals,
all
were ala'carte. That system only lasted until the company went broke a
couple of years later. The new company ditched the ala'carte system and
financially was successful. Ala'carte didn't work here in the early 80's,
it might now, but I personally think it would be too expensive.

Bill



The 11 ala'carte stations where $ 1.95 EACH per month.