timalpr
05-12-2004, 09:08 AM
** 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.
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.