That’s weird. I could have sworn DTV bought out TiVo a few years back. I guess I’m thinking of something else.
Does that mean we’ll no longer be able to do things like Season Pass?
I remember seeing a thread on one of the satellite boards about DTV and HD DVR receivers. Seemed it was hit or miss if you could get an upgrade deal, depending upon who you talked to in Customer Retention. Maybe I’l wait til near Xmas, as deals usually start rolling out then.
No, D* has ended its relationship with TiVo. Most people consider this to be bad, but I’m sure the folks at D* have their reasons. Probably, they don’t have to pay royalties to TiVo factored into it. The good news, though, is that TiVo will continue to serve the existing DirecTiVos that are already out there. In fact, my HR10 is scheduled to receive a much-anticipated software update.
The HR20 will do most of the things that TiVo can do. It is just not as intuitive as the TiVo GUI. It is a bit more awkward to use and not as quick to do some things. I have an R15, which is the SD version of the HR20. Initially, it was very buggy, but it has improved over time. Two main things that the R15 lacks are suggestions and dual buffers. The TiVo will record things it thinks you may like based on your viewing habits. The R15 and HR20 don’t do that. People seem most upset about the lack of dual buffers. The unwatched tuner on the TiVo will fill its buffer, allowing the viewer to switch back and forth between two programs. The R15 and HR20 won’t do that. As far as recording a full season and other things, the new machines will do that. The words for this are different from TiVo’s but the functions are essentially the same.
The DBSTalk chatboard linked above has lots and lots and lots of discussion about this sort of thing, if you’re interested. There are also tips on how to get the best deal from D*. Good luck.
Thanks for the info. I’ll miss the dual buffers, but the Season Pass is much more indespensible. I have to get a new TV first, so I’ve got time to read up on the h/w and DTV offers.
Thanks again.
SO-----
In the final analysis--------Is it better to buy a 1080p TV over a 720p TV in the hope that within a few years all these problems will be solved. –
And you will be capable of watching Monday Night Football or most anything else—History Channel, Turner Movies. etc. on 1080p ?? —within the next few years because viewers will demand it?
Or will it never, ever happen because 1080p requires so much bandwidth--------that the average Joe Blow will never be able to receive that source?
Teeming millions want to know. How to spend their money.
Will 1080p always be just something for rich people to play around with their Blue Rays--------or will it ever be available for the common Joe?
If you’re already spending a couple grand on the TV, why would you balk at the extra cost of a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD system?
As far as I can tell, HDTV itself is still not available for the common Joe; despite the fact that retailers are pushing them heavily, I’ve only ever seen HDTVs installed in casinos, restaurants, stores, office lobbies, etc. The only evidence I’ve seen that people actually buy these things for their homes has been posts on message boards like this one. 
Have no problem with spending big bucks for a Blu -Ray video lprojector or buying very limited so far DVD’s compatible with Blu Ray.
But in the long run ------how does this help the average Joe Blow who wants to watch Monday Night footall or watch the History Channel or whatever on cable with 1080p----
-------Never gonna happen?
If never gonna happen------I’ll save my money and let the rich folks enjoy their 1080p on their very limited Blu Rays.
If the choice is between a set that maxes out at 720p and one that goes up to 1080p, then I’d say go with 1080p, simply because it’ll also support 1080i, which is broadcast.
Here’s a CNET article from last year comparing 1080i and 1080p.
Great link. Learned a lot .
Thanks.
Another somewhat pertinent question--------
Why does my cable company give me very stupid stuff on HDTV=====Old ER reruns, old talk show crapola, but not good stuff—like the History Channel or Turner movies?
Do they have to pay extra to broadcast anything halfway decent?
Or is Brighthouse just nickle and diming me to death to get me to pay for stupid stuff and pay more for what I would like to watch in HDTV?
Really who gives a crap about a rerun episode of ER or NYPD Blue or Montel Williams in HDTV?
I believe the cable company is required to give you HD versions of your local broadcast channels, just like with the standard versions. ER, NYPD Blue, and Montel are all network shows. For cable channels, they’re free to charge whatever they want, so of course that’s what they do.
Just a few points to make in the interest of clarity (and, of course, fighting ignorance). I know several of these statements were made by others, above, but I want to add emphasis.
The move to the digital standard (currently scheduled for 2009) will not obsolete anyone’s TV. The few TVs that are still being used solely for watching OTA analog will merely need an inexpensive coverter box.
Digital TV is NOT the same as high definition. All HD is digital, but not all (or even most) digital is HD.
There is no such thing as broadcast 1080p. All broadcast TV is either 480i (standard definition TV), 720p, or 1080i. Do not expect to see 1080p broadcast anytime soon, or perhaps ever. Because of this, I really don’t expect resolutions higher than 1080p to be common in consumer displays for a long, long time.
The two HD standards, 720p & 1080i, are essentially equivalent, though each has its strengths and weaknesses (e.g. 720p better for sports, 1080i better for nature programs).
All HDTVs will convert incoming signals of any standard format to their native format for display. No need to worry about getting the right one - a 720p HDTV will display a 1080i source just fine and it will look great.
A 1080p TV will not necessarily look better than a 720p TV, other considerations being equal, unless you have 1080p source material (Blu-Ray or HD DVD or computer).
And. lastly, I have to defend my favorite display technology due a a false statement made by Drum God that DLP is only available in 720p. There are plenty of 1080p DLP TVs. The next generation DLP TV with LED light source and 1080p resolution will be my next television (I currently have a 43" Samsung 720p DLP HDTV and enjoy it immensly). HDTV is unbelievably better than SDTV - I highly recommend taking the plunge.
I stand corrected. I have only seen 720p DLP’s, but I shouldn’t have considered that as evidence that other DLP’s don’t exist.