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DIRECTV Begins Public Beta of Multi-Room HD DVR Service

DIRECTV has started the public beta of it's much anticipated Multi-Room HD DVR Service. I don't know about you but I've been waiting for this new service for quite some time.

Here's some details from DIRECTV:

Watch what you want, when you want, in any room you want. With just one HD DVR, you can watch your recorded shows on any TV in your house that's connected to an HD receiver. But that's just the beginning. You can also:

• Start watching a recorded show in one room and continue watching it where you left off in another room
• Record and delete shows from any TV connected to an HD receiver, not just the one connected to the HD DVR
• Record two shows at once, while watching two different shows in separate rooms
• Set separate parental controls for each TV

If you have more than one HD DVR, the DIRECTV Multi-Room HD DVR service keeps things simple by showing you a single, combined playlist of all your recorded programs on any connected TV.

You need an HD DVR* (models HR20-23) and at least one compatible HD receiver (models H21-23) that are already networked, along with HD Access and DVR service.

Visit DIRECTV for more information or check out the DIRECTV MRV Beta Technical Forum.

10 Popular Products for MDU Installations

CE Pro magazine has posted "10 Popular MDU Products" which shows solutions for multi-dwelling units (MDU), housing complexes and gated community housing projects. One of my favorite installation products, the DIRECTV SWM-8 Single Wire Multiswitch, has made the list. Here's a preview:

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2009 Inauguration Mix channel on DIRECTV

DIRECTV will use it's signature interactive news mix channel to bring you 8 camera views of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration on channel 102 and 352 and of course it will be available in HD.

DIRECTV will also run a “blog ticker” at the bottom of the screen, updating viewers on the networks’ perspective on this historical event, the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency, significant quotes and upcoming guests.

Coverage will start at 7am to 2pm Pacific Time.

DirecTV D11 Satellite Launch a Success

Unfortunately I missed the live launch of DirecTV's D11 Satellite which will serve to enhance the HD local and national channel offering. Thanks to Boeing and Sea Launch, I was able to catch the replay online and it was very cool although it would have been amazing in HD, minus all the clouds!

Check out the Sea Launch photo album.

According to DirecTV, the satellite should fully operational within the next 30 days.

CES 2008: DirecTV's HDPC-20 PC Tuner Card is real...at least on paper

Earl over at DBSTalk has posted what appear to be official brochure scans for DirecTV's long anticipated, at least 2 years long, USB HDPC-20 PC Tuner. The dual tuner receiver will allow you to use your PC as a DVR while watching DirecTV programming, hopefully in HD although the brochure makes no mention of it. I'm guessing yes by the model number but we'll have to wait for more info to leak/surface from DirecTV. It looks like only support for Vista Media Center PC's, no word on Mac support just yet.

Wanted: DirecTV HD

I'm really growing impatient with DirecTV's constant claims of 100 HD channels by the end of 2007. What happened to the 70 HD Channels they were supposed to turn on September 19th? I've been patiently waiting, wanting more for the last 3 years and so far I've seen nothing but unfulfilled promises. Let's not even bring up the fact that if I want to watch the NFL Sunday Ticket games in HD, I have to subscribe to an additional $99 Superfan package. This is on top of the $250 or so I've paid each of the last 8 years for the privilege of watching every Dallas Cowboys game or surfing through the other dozen or so games on each Sunday.

Come on DirecTV...We're waiting...but not for much longer.

High Definition Video on Demand Coming From Dish Network & Lionsgate

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network™ satellite TV service today announced an agreement with Lionsgate Entertainment to carry the studio's titles on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand, as well as Pay-Per-View services, including high definition.

DISH Network's DISH On Demand service gives customers the power to enjoy movies and other programs whenever they want and is currently available on the DISH Player-DVR 508, DISH Player-DVR 510, DISH Player-DVR 625, and ViP622 DVR receivers. Customers have immediate access to the newest VOD movies on DISH On Demand and can use the DVR features (Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind) to enhance their viewing experience.

 

DISH Network Pay-Per-View offers a variety of movies every day. Customers with HD-capable receivers can tune into Channel 9467 to see Pay-Per-View movies in HD. All Pay-Per-View movies can be ordered via remote control, by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or online at www.dishnetwork.com/ppv.

"Lionsgate is a great addition to both DISH On Demand and Pay-Per-View," said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for EchoStar. "This agreement greatly enhances the variety of movie titles available to our customers."

"With more than 12 million subscribers, EchoStar is a leader in satellite services and we feel strongly that this strategic partnership will enhance the value of Lionsgate's wealth of filmed entertainment content," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President, Television Distribution Jon Ferro. "This agreement further cements Lionsgate's position as a leading content driver and as an industry pacesetter, poised to maximize new opportunities offered by digital media."

Come on DirecTV, where's all the HD programming you've been promising us?

Finally, a new DirecTV HD DVR!

And you thought it was only a myth! DirecTV has finally shipped, albeit a few, HR20-700 HD DVRs. Earl Bonovich at DBSTalk.com was able to get his hands on one and has been gracious enough to give us an in-depth hand-on review. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: dvr, hdtv, high definition, directv, tivo

Breaking News: TNT-HD coming to DirecTV

HD Beat is reporting that DirecTV will be adding TNT-HD to DirecTV on Feb 17, 2006, just in time for the NBA All Star weekend. I have been waiting patiently for this for the last 2 years, ever since I purchased my 65" HDTV and subscribed to DirecTV's HD package,which runs an extra $10.99 per month on top of the normal programming packages. After confirming it myself with DirecTV customer service a few minutes ago, I am very excited! This means NBA basketball in HD, TNT original movies in HD and much more I'm sure.

This will no doubt bolster DirecTV's current lackluster HD lineup which has been in dire need of an upgrade to warrant the extra $10.99 monthly fee. I hope this is the first of many new High Definition channels to be announced by DirecTV in the coming months.