After 3 years of incremental steps, DIRECTV took a big leap with the 4th year of the HD DVR. DIRECTV not only added a second generation HD DVR platform, but they also introduced 3DTV for the first time and gave us a glimpse of the future with the demonstration of a Home Media Center platform based on a new technology. In addition to these broad sweeping changes, DIRECTV continued to improve the overall product making the 4th year of the DIRECTV HD DVR the best yet.

The Second Coming

In 2010, DIRECTV introduced its second generation HD DVR series with the release of the HR24-500 and followed later by the HR24-100 and HR24-200. DIRECTV really got one thing right with this new line of set top boxes: speed. While the earlier models may not have always been fleet of foot, the second generation models have proven to give a whole new meaning to the word speed. Another change is the appearance. The HR24 series sports a whole new look and can’t be easily confused with the first generation models.

By all accounts, most people are getting the newer HR24 models as part of new installations today. While there are still some of the older models in the supply and support chains, there are now three manufacturers making HR24 DVRs. Look for the HR24 to become not only the most desired HD DVR, but also the most available HD DVR in the not-too-distant future.

I’m Seeing Double

No, that side-by-side vision that you may be getting doesn’t mean you need to tune your set. DIRECTV introduced it’s first 3D channels this year after adding support for 3D TVs into all of it’s HD DVRs with the exception of the HR20 series. There are currently 3 channels available in 3D: ESPN-3D, n3D and DIRECTV Cinema 3D. In addition, DIRECTV has made even more 3D content available on demand. The catch, of course, is that you need to have a 3D-capable TV. While DIRECTV takes precautions to prevent a non-3D capable TV from viewing 3D content, it won’t hurt your TV it it does come through. You’ll just see double like the image below:

While 3D is still in it’s infancy, DIRECTV is committed to bringing 3D content into your your home using it’s HD DVR.

A glimpse into the future

This past January at CES 2010, DIRECTV showcased a new receiver dubbed the HMC30.  This “Home Media Center” prototype sports a number of differences when compared to DIRECTV’s current line of HD DVRs. It would seem that HMC30 has more than two tuners and uses a new technology called RVU that extends the server to other rooms in your homes via a client device. Very little information was offered at CES other than an indication that the HMC30 would be available in late 2010 or early 2011. This new wave of technology looks to be the start of a new era in DIRECTV’s distribution of content to the home.

But wait — there’s more

Despite the introduction of a fresh new line of hardware, DIRECTV continued to develop new features for the HD DVR platform this year. The biggest of course is Whole Home DVR Service (or Multi-room Viewing) which allows you to watch programs from your HD DVR in another room. This is one of the most revolutionary features to come to a DIRECTV DVR in a long time and is available on all HR2x-series HD DVRs. Not only that, H21 and later receivers can act as remote clients for Whole Home DVR Service giving them almost all of the capabilities of a DVR.

DIRECTV revamped its search technology this past year to make searches faster and more relevant. Smart Search finds matches wherever they are, whether by title, actor, channel or keyword. Top Matches allows you to find programs quickly based on as few keystrokes as possible. It’s like having Google for your DVR.

New technology has created an opportunity for 3D TV to be beamed directly into your home. DIRECTV launched 3D this year as well and is available for all 1st and 2nd generation DVRs with the exception of the HR20 series. This new technology was launched with the World Cup competition this past summer.

Another new item this year is the introduction of cast & crew information. This information along with additional enriched guide data allows your DVR to help you to find information about the people in the shows you are watching as well as the ability to find programs that are similar by choosing “You Might Like” in the program information screen.

Conclusion

With 3DTV and faster second generation receivers here now plus the new RVU technology around the corner, DIRECTV has entered a new phase. The HD DVRs have moved past core functionality into advanced features and toward a completely immersive entertainment experience. In 2010 there’s no doubt that DIRECTV now delivers class-leading, solid performance. Who knows what’s next?

Doug Brott and Stuart Sweet

This past week, DIRECTV qualified the HR24-200. It is now available for customers along with the previously release HR24-500 and HR24-100 HD DVRs.

There is not a significant difference between the previous HR24 models and this new one, but it does serve as an indication that the HR24s are here to stay for a while. Here’s the rear panel so you can see what inputs and outputs are available.

DIRECTV plans to add another HD channel next week. Signs are suggesting that this channel may be Fox Soccer HD.

Normally DIRECTV will add channels at 6am ET on Wednesday mornings. So look for the new HD to show up beginning August 4, 2010 with potentially more HD to follow later in the month.

What is this thing called Comic Con 2010? I’ve never been to this event, but one thing is for sure. Celebrities flock to this event now. It’s almost like the “in” place for everyone remotely connected to comicy stuff on TV (Is comicy even a word?). To be fair, I haven’t really paid attention until last year. Twitter brought about a lot of tweets from different celebs and peaked my interest. This year, the buzz is even louder with the show selling out before it even started.

Some cool stuff I learned via Twitter this year were all 5 Mythbusters stars at the same panel, Stargate: Universe stars David Blue and Ming Na going full throttle with interviews and a Nerd Party that was labeled “Best Party Ever” featuring stars from Chuck, Stargate: Universe, The Guild, and others. It was said that even Grant Imahara from MythBusters was cutting the rug.

Maybe next year I’ll try and crash the party as it certainly seems a good time was had by all.

I find myself in a somewhat interesting position. I’m ready to move on the iPhone 4, but I’m stuck waiting for my contract to allow me to upgrade. I’d like to save the $200 extra that it will cost me to get it now vs. waiting one more month. So I sit and wait, envious of those that already have the phone. Yes, envious. Despite the bad press of dropped calls and flaky antenna, I really like the iPhone. I’m ready to move from the 3G that I have to the iPhone 4. So hurry up, end of August .. I’m ready for my new phone.

OK, not really. However, it has come to my attention that some people believe this to be true. Let me stop that that right now. I do own the site Camera3.org. This site is running vBulletin 4.x forum software and is a home for me and a group of my close friends. As a result, the site remains somewhat busy, but yes, private. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot of DIRECTV discussion there. Most of the discussion is centered around current events. So don’t feel left out. It’s like any other watering hole you’d find either on the Internet or in real life.

Cheers

It’s 45 days shy of 2 years since TiVo and DIRECTV announced a new TiVo based HD DVR for the DIRECTV service.

source
Under the terms of the non-exclusive arrangement, DIRECTV and TiVo will work together to develop a version of the TiVo® service for DIRECTV’s broadband-enabled HD DVR platform. The product will support the latest TiVo and DIRECTV features and services, including TiVo’s Universal Swivel Search and TiVo KidZone. TiVo will develop the new HD DVR for an expected launch in the second half of 2009.

Well, the second half of 2009 passed over 6 months back. Even a conservative estimate of allowing for 90 days past “expected” would have been acceptable, but at this point it’s over 180 days past that point with no new DIRECTV TiVo in sight.

As recently as 4/30/2010 in TiVo’s Earnings call, TiVo stated that “In terms of our relationship with DIRECTV, aggressive development activity continues and we expect the launch of that product by the end of the year.” Unfortunately, it is looking like even that expectation has fallen by the wayside.

Now, with all of this development time and the splash surrounding the new TiVo Premiere earlier this year, one would expect the DIRECTV TiVo to be some hip new product worthy of kings. It might be best to temper that now as Tom Rogers said here that “Their [DirecTV's] next implementation of us is not going to have this look and feel. It’s based on the classic TiVo.”

I’ve tried to be optimistic and I do still think that the DIRECTV TiVo will be more than vaporware. I do, however, think that we are in for at least one more “6 more months” comment from TiVo – perhaps at the earnings call next month. If so, that means that we are currently 7 months out (at best) for delivery of the new DIRECTV TiVo.

Hopefully the new device will be at CES 2011. If it’s not, then there is a serious problem. Assuming we do see it this year, then look for the new HD DIRECTV TiVo to hit the shelves around tax day next year. It’s kinda sad to think that existing software ported to existing hardware can take 32 months (nearly 3 years) to be realized. I’d say that, at worst, folks thought would take have that time.

Check out Episode 3 of my Camera3 Podcast

Welcome to my site – RedH.com. I’ve had this domain name since 1999 and use it primarily for my E-mail, but now I’m ready to start working on a bit more marketing. I finally found a cool skin (or Theme as WordPress calls them) and I’m feeling a bit better about getting some more content onto these pages.

I’d like to thank my good friend Stuart for putting together some wonderful graphics. If you want someone to help you with some cool graphics, He’s your guy.

So sit back and enjoy.

I wrote here a few weeks back about how TV was getting expensive. Today I found an article on CNNs main page that talks about how 1 in 8 will be reducing or eliminating pay TV service this year.

link (CNN.com)

Despite rising cable and satellite TV prices and easy access to streaming TV and movies on the Internet, few consumers have cut the cord. But that looks like it’s about to change.

One in eight consumers will eliminate or scale back their cable, satellite or other pay-TV service this year, according to a new study released this week by Yankee Group.

We really may have hit the breaking point were cost vs. utility has balanced out. Certainly there will come a time when the cost of entertainment (even TV) is just too much. Folks are using the Internet more than ever now for entertainment. Hopefully things can improve over the next few years or the landscape may change drastically again as it did when Satellite first became available to the masses back in the mid 90s.