HDTV TIVO answer page

[timalpr]

** HD TiVo and HD DirecTV TiVo FAQ **

Standalone/OTA HD TiVo -- in development




In 2003, TiVo introduced a standalone HD TiVo prototype with two Over-the-Air (OTA 8VSB) ATSC tuners. The unit was capable of receiving, recording and performing all TiVo functions on local digital/HDTV broadcasts received through an antenna.

TiVo mentioned in their Winter 2004 pre-CES conference call that the lack of interest from any electronics companies to build such a TiVo is the reason why none have been built.

TiVo.com now includes the following statement: Currently, there are no plans for TiVo to release an HD-compatible standalone DVR..




OpenCable/OTA HD TiVo -- in development

It is now believed that TiVo, Inc. intends to produce an OpenCable-compatible HD TiVo which would be an integrated HD TiVo/Cable box following industry standards. Since TiVo has been rebuffed by every major cable provider in its efforts to get TiVo technology into their hardware, TiVo has had to wait for the introduction and adoption of this OpenCable standard, expected to take effect on July 2004. TiVo will then be able to produce an HD TiVo which is compatible with most cable systems in the US.

TiVo has recently acquired the technology of at least one company involved with OpenCable/QAM (a cable TV modulation standard). Hopefully, TiVo will be able to produce an HD TiVo compatible with OpenCable and OTA (over-the-air) with similar capabilities to the DirecTV HD TiVos discussed below.




DirecTV HD TiVo -- April 21st, 2004



DirecTV will be offering their DirecTV HR10-250 DirecTV with TiVo with 250GB capacity offering ~30 hours of high definition, ~200 hours of standard definition recording, or any combination of the two. *Actual recording time will vary depending on the type of programming being recorded. [Press Release...]
[ Specifications Front ] [ Specifications Back ]

According to this article, there will be no other brand names of DirecTV HD TiVo.

Pricing has not been finalized but DirecTV staffers at CES re-iterated the $999 MSRP we've heard before. There may be other units with different recording capacities at different prices (we've heard $699 and $899).

DirecTV HD TiVos will include 2 Over-the-Air (OTA 8VSB) ATSC tuners (split from a single coax input). These allow you to receive/record local digital/HDTV broadcasts using an antenna.

DirecTV HD TiVos will also include 2 DirecTV SD/HD tuners (2 coax inputs) which can receive/record standard definition and high definition programming from DirecTV.

At any one time, two of the four tuners can be active for recording. So you can record 2 OTA (local) shows, 1 OTA (local) and 1 DirecTV SD show, 1 OTA (local) and 1 DirecTV HD show, or 2 DirecTV HD shows.


What ports and cables do the DirecTV HD TiVo include?

DirecTV HD TiVos will also come with 2 USB2.0 ports (expected to be inactive), 1 Component video output, 1 HDMI output, 1 S-Video output, 1 Composite video output, 1 Stereo audio output, 1 SPD/IF Optical output, and 1 Modem jack.

DirecTV HD TiVos come with a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). A cable is included for TVs with HDCP-compliant DVI inputs. Regular DVI inputs could potentially get a downrezzed or blank picture depending on content providers.

The cables/adapters included in the DirecTV HDTiVo box are: 1. Coax F-type (for satellite), RCA (Yellow/red/white), S-Video, Component (PbPrY), HDMI-DVI adapter, HDMI-HDMI cable, Optical (Dolby Digital), Power.


What output formats/resizing does this DirecTV HD TiVo support?

A Setup menu allows you to specify the Output Formats (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i) your TV is capable of displaying. While watching live TV or a recorded program, you can simply press the UP arrow on your remote to toggle between the output formats your TV supports. All programs are converted to the selected format. There is also a button on the front of the unit giving the same control.

DirecTV HDTiVos will only have simultaneous output in standard definition (over S-Video and Composite video outputs) if the TiVo is set to 480i display. You will not be able to watch an HDTV program and simultaneously downconvert it to other TVs in your household.

DirecTV HDTiVos have Stretch Modes allowing you to display 16:9 or 4:3 material stretched to fit 16:9 Widescreen HDTVs or 4:3 digital TVs. There are no zoom/crop/justify (aka "coke bottle") modes but these may be added later in software upgrades.


Will the DirecTV HD TiVos support Home Media Option and Networking?

DirecTV HD TiVos will run a variant of the same 3.1 software seen on the current DirecTV TiVos. Neither version 4.0 of the software nor Home Media Option networked media features have been announced.


Where can I see a demo of the new DirecTV HR10-250 with TiVo?

http://zdnet.com.com/1601-2-5141247.html


What hardware do I need from DirecTV?

Most DirecTV customers have a round dish with a single dual LNBF 'head'. This enables them to receive programming from DirecTV's main satellite positioned at the 101 degrees.

HDTV, Spanish, and Chinese programming all require an elliptical (oval) dish with 2 or 3 LNBF 'heads'. This adds the ability to receive programming from DirecTV's three satellites at 101, 110, and 119 degrees. Older DirecTV elliptical dishes come with 2 LNBFs 'heads' (101 and 119) and a space in between. A 'Sat C Kit' will give your older dish the ability to see 110.

Recent DirecTV elliptical dishes (Phase III) have the circuitry necessary to receive all 3 satellites sealed inside the 'arm' of the dish. DirecTV enthusiasts have also been known to use 3 separate round dishes, each pointed at 101, 110, and 119 degree positions!

DirecTV HDTV programming at 110:
ESPN HD, Discovery HD, HDNet Movies, Showtime HD

DirecTV HDTV programming at 119:
HDNet, HBO HD, HD Pay-per-view




All elliptical dishes either have a 4x4 multiswitch bolted onto the back of the dish (101/119), or integrated into the arm of the dish (Phase III).

The FOUR wires that come out of the dish are all "switched" outputs which means that any of the 4 wires can see either side of any of the 3 satellites.

This is why you cannot use a splitter, because signal tones and voltages are sent up the wire FROM the DirecTV receiver TO the dish (or multiswitch) asking for the satellite feed they need to display the requested channel.

To take full advantage of a DirecTV with TiVo or DirecTV HD TiVo receiver/recorder, you must have TWO wires from the dish/multiswitch connected to them. Ordinary DirecTV receivers each require ONE wire from the dish/multiswitch.



Using a 2xX multiswitch to provide the 101 satellite to certain receivers and still having 2 outputs which can see all 3 satellites (101/110/119).

Using a cascading 4x8 multiswitch to provide 8 outputs which can see all 3 satellites

A DirecTV with TiVo HDTV receiver is the only equipment (other than a dish with appropriate multiswitch) you need to receive and record HDTV programming.


What hardware do I need for local digital/HDTV channels?

ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, WB, UPN, and Fox stations in most markets are now broadcasting digital SDTV, EDTV, or HDTV programming.

In order to receive digital broadcasts in your home, you will need an antenna. This ranges from rabbit ears to medium or large YAGI-type (arrow-shaped) antennas to medium or large grille-type antennas with bowtie shapes attached to them. If you are within 30 miles of a full-power digital transmitter, rabbit ears or a small grille-type antenna should provide acceptable reception. Otherwise, you will need to investigate other options.

A very useful website for determining what antenna you will need is AntennaWeb.org. By entering your ZIP code, you will find out which stations are with ~100 miles of you, sorted by proximity and labeled with the strength of antenna you will need.

It is beyond the scope of this document to provide a complete list of recommended antennas, but you should consider:


Zenith Silver Sensor (rabbit ears with surprising reception ability)

Radio Shack grille/bowtie-type (aka the Objet d'Art)

Channel Master YAGIs available from 80 to 150 inches and beyond

Channel Master grille-type antennas such as the 4228



and seriously avoid:

Terk antennas especially their dish clip-on type and Terk TV55 HDTV antenna.

Jensen antennas (various types)

These antennas have yielded worse performance than a $10 pair of rabbit ears.

[timalpr]

What kind of HDTV reception can I get where I live?

You should check here
www.titantv.com



.

[timalpr]

What DirecTV HDTV packages are available?



DirecTV customers with the HBO and Showtime packages can (with an HDTV receiver and the right dish) also receive the corresponding HBO HD and/or Showtime HD channel.

DirecTV also offers a premium package of HDTV channels for $10.99. This presently includes HDNet, HDNet Movies, Discovery HD, and ESPN HD. Subscribers to NFL Sunday Ticket and/or NBA HDTV will get to see selected games in HD on those channels. And finally, Spice TV now presents selected adult video entertainment in High Definition on DirecTV's PPV channel.

DirecTV does not offer local ABC, NBC, CBS, or PBS in HDTV or Fox in EDTV.

DirecTV now offers a national east and west coast CBS HD feed to all those who qualify. If you currently receive CBS as a 'Distant Local' from New York or Los Angeles or are in a CBS Owned & Operated city, then you qualify for CBS-HD from DirecTV.

The 17 markets served by CBS O&O stations are: Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Marquette, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Green Bay.

If you currently receive Fox as a 'Distant Local' from New York or Los Angeles or are in a Fox Owned & Operated city, then you will qualify for Fox ED from DirecTV in the near future.

The 23 markets served by Fox O&O stations are: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington DC.


What HDTV programming is available?

CBS, ABC, and NBC offer nearly all of their primetime programming in HDTV. This includes all scripted dramas and comedies. They also offer a variety of movies (theatrical and made-for-TV), sports, and other programming. At this time, no network is providing their national news in HDTV.

ABC offers Monday Night Football, 8 Simple Rules, I'm With Her, According to Jim, Less than Perfect, NYPD Blue, My Wife and Kids, It's All Relative, Karen Sisco, Threat Matrix, George Lopez, Married to the Kellys, Hope and Faith, Life with Bonnie, L.A. Dragnet, 10-8, Alias, The Practice, and some Wonderful World of Disney films in HDTV.

NBC offers Frasier, Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Law & Order CI, The West Wing, Third Watch, ER, American Dreams, Ed, Las Vegas, Whoopi, Happy Family, Good Morning Miami, Miss Match, and The Tonight Show in HDTV.

CBS offers The Guardian, Judging Amy, CSI, JAG, The District, Yes Dear, Still Standing, Everybody Loves Raymond, Two and a Half Men, CSI Miami, Navy NCIS, The King of Queens, Becker, Without a Trace, Joan of Arcadia, The Handler, Hack, Cold Case, and The Young and the Restless in HDTV.

PBS offers a variety of nationally- and locally-produced documentaries, travel programs, theatre, and musical programs in HDTV.

WB offers Everwood, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Smallville Beginnings, Angel, All About the Andersons, Run of the House, Reba, What I Like About You, and Like Family in HDTV.

UPN offers Enterprise and Jake 2.0 in HDTV.

Fox offers several of their primetime programs and some of their football coverage in Widescreen Digital or EDTV (roughly DVD resolution). These include 24, Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show, The O.C., Wanda at Large, Boston Public, Tru Calling, Cedric the Entertainer, and Oliver Beene. Fox will begin switching to HDTV broadcasting starting with the fall 2004 TV season.

Showtime offers a selection of their movies and original series in HDTV or EDTV qualities. They often show their movies as an 'upconvert', which is the standard definition movie running through a filter. When Showtime shows a movie in HDTV, it is always in the Original Aspect Ratio (OAR) preserving the correct shape of the film as it was presented in the theater.

HBO shows more movies in HDTV format, but many of these movies are presented in a matted format, zooming the picture to fill the complete 16:9 image. This measurably lowers the picture quality and cuts off the sides of the picture. There is much controversy on this issue but we won't go into this here.

HDNet is a variety channel, offering World News (the only regular international news broadcast available in the USA in HDTV), various syndicated HDTV shows, movies, and sports (HDNet provided NBC with HD coverage of the 2002 Olympics) from Fox SportsNet, The NHL on HDNet, CBC Hockey Night In Canada, and has also co-produced basketball with NBC.

HDNet Movies offers movies from the Sony and Warner Bros. film libraries in HDTV format, preserving the Original Aspect Ratio.

ESPN HD offers 6-8 hours a week of HDTV sport events. The rest of the time, ESPN HD is a 16:9 stretched version of their standard definition ESPN channel. When ESPN's digital studio is completed, ESPN HD will offer SportsCenter and many more hours of HD programs per week.

Discovery HD offers 24/7 HDTV programming in the same vein (but not on the same schedule) as their main Discovery channel.

The NHL in HDTV -- HDNet and ESPN HD,

The NBA in HDTV -- Special Event channels on DirecTV

The NFL Playoffs in HDTV + EDTV -- ABC, CBS, and ESPN

Spice Channel HD now presents adult video entertainment in blocks for purchase on DirecTV's HD PPV channel.

Starz HD, The Movie Channel HD, and Bravo HD are currently available on cable sytems like Comcast and Time Warner Cable. It is not known when these channels will be offered on DirecTV.

More details about HDTV programming can be found at the TiVo Community's sister site, the AVS HDTV Forum.
What is HDTV?

High Definition TeleVision (HDTV) is the first major improvement to broadcast television since the introduction of color in the 1950's. HDTV is part of a larger broadcast standard referred to as ATSC (the American Television Systems Committee) which contains 18 different formats/qualities/resolutions. The 4 ATSC standards you will frequently encounter in discussions of HDTV are as follows:

1080i aka 'High Definition'
1920 x 1080 resolution (16:9 ratio)

~4 times NTSC quality

30 frames per second (interlaced)

Used by NBC, CBS, PBS, WB, UPN, HBO, Showtime, Starz, HDNet, Discovery, etc.
720p aka 'High Definition'
1280 x 720 progressive (16:9 ratio)

~4 times NTSC quality

60 frames per second (progressive)

Used by ABC, ESPN, and Fox (coming late 2004)

480p aka 'Enhanced Definition' or EDTV
704 x 480 progressive (16:9 ratio)

DVD resolution

~2 times NTSC quality

60 frames per second (progressive)

Used by Fox, etc.
480i aka 'Standard Definition' or SDTV
720 x 480 interlaced (4:3 ratio)

NTSC quality

30 frames per second (interlaced)

NTSC (standard definition) in an ATSC package

ATSC also includes significant improvements in sound transmission standards. 1080i, 720p, and 480p all specify Dolby Digital (AC-3) as the official standard for broadcast audio. The Dolby Digital soundtrack included in each broadcast may contain anywhere from 1 to 6 channels of digital audio which can be heard by connecting an Optical cable to a home theater system. Stereo downconversion is available on all HDTV-receiving equipment as well, through the standard RCA connections.

ATSC streams (which may include one or more subchannels in 1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i qualities) use a total of 6MHz or 26.2Mbps of bandwidth. The two HDTV resolutions (1080i + 720p) require 6 times the bandwidth of a Standard Definition channel. Many content providers such as DirecTV and local affiliates of broadcast networks re-compress HDTV signals, sometimes to conserve bandwidth, sometimes to make room for a Standard Definition subchannel. This has created a lot of controversy which we will not go into here.

[timalpr]

Does the Broadcast Flag mean I will see a poor/downrezzed picture on my older HDTV?

The broadcast flag would, in theory, allow a content provider to tell the HDTiVo to play back a broadcast at 480p instead of the 720p or 1080i quality that it was broadcast with.

"The most important thing in the FCC's broadcast flag rules is that the broadcast flag cannot be used to prevent recording. That is not the intent of the broadcast flag, and even the MPAA in its comments filed to the FCC agreed that it should not restrict consumers from recording or copying for personal use. For that matter, the FCC doesn't have the authority to mandate something that overrides copyright law which allows us to record and copy for personal use.

The FCC rules do not require devices to reduce the resolution of flagged HD material when it is output in analog form. (The FCC did not take any action to close the "analog hole".) However, devices will be required to reduce the resolution of flagged HD material when it is output in digital form over a signal path that is not secure. The HDTiVo's HDMI connection has the HDCP encryption, so the rule isn't applicable.

The FCC rules also spell out how recorders are to comply with the broadcast flag. First, recorders have to preserve the flag. If the flag is there when it's recorded then it has to be there when it's played back. Second, recorders have to encrypt the stored content using an approved method so it can't be used elsewhere, except by other compliant products."
-- Wayne Bundrick

"The broadcast flag prevents flagged content from being passed via unprotected digital outputs (unprotected Firewire or DVI). Digital output must be protected by 'approved' mechanisms ... namely 5C(DTCP, HDCP, CPRM, D-VHS) approved protections.

The only affect the broadcast flag could have on the HDTivo is that the DVI connection may require use of a DVI/HDCP compliant connection.

All that being said, there are additional copy restrictions (copy never, copy once, etc.) that can be applied above and beyond the broadcast flag by DirecTV (or any MSO). The FCC has issued guidelines on what types of restrictions can be imposed based on the content type (Broadcast, Subscription Channels, Premium Channels, PPV, VOD, etc). In the most restrictive case, premium content (like PPV) can be marked as 'copy never'. Even when content is marked as 'copy never', it is still allowed to be buffered/paused by a PVR for up to 90 minutes."
-- dt_dc


All TV programs must be broadcast in HDTV by 2006, right?

This is not a requirement.

There is a Federally mandated requirement that all TV stations be broadcasting digital television by the end of 2003. Many stations have applied for hardship waivers and other such requests for additional time to make this transition. There is no requirement that this programming be High Definition (or any other format for that matter). Some stations are using their digital transmitter to simulcast as many as 5 standard definition channels.

There is a Federally mandated requirement that all TV stations switch off their analog transmitter in 2006 if at least 85% of households can receive their digital transmission. There is some ambiguity as to whether 85% of markets need to have ATSC/OTA receivers or if cable/satellite service are sufficient methods of receiving such broadcasts. It is extremely unlikely that this deadline will be met.