DirecTv Broadband Converter?

[Eaglesfan27]

I just listened to my messages a few minutes ago and my local DirecTv installation company called and said that I need to have Broadband converters installed on my HD boxes to continue to receive HD Channels starting this fall. Looking for info online, it seems that these converters are only available for the HR-20 and H20 Boxes and not my HR10-250. Does anyone know the details about these converters? Will I have to give up my HR10-250 boxes to continue to get HDTV?

[rowech]

I don't know but I'm anxious to hear the answer to this. I've been waiting to see what DirectTv is going to do with all these HD channels they've been talking about.

[CraigSca]

From what little I know - it's my understanding that DirecTV has been given a certain bandwidth to support their new satellites (which are already up there or will be up there in the near future). These satellites will be supporting their new "150 HD channels by year-end 2007".

The small converters will allow you to access these particular frequencies.

[Eaglesfan27]

From reading the various DBS boards, it appears I have to "upgrade" to a HR-20 of some variety. I'm nervous about doing so, since the R15 was such a mess for me and the HR10-250's have worked perfectly for us. However, they apparently only get MPEG-2's and the new channels will all be MPEG-4 format. Seems like there will be many more HD channels in September via the new box (with a converter.)

[Ksyrup]

I've got an H20, it appears. Is there any info on what channels are going to be in HD? Are the converters free?

[Ksyrup]

I'd probably trade 2/3 of the new HD channels for DTV to provide Hd local channels to my area. I'm still using an off-air antenna and can only get NBC and ABC in HD. Maybe this new capability will positively affect their local HD channel coverage.

[Eaglesfan27]

Apparently, there are going to be a whole bunch of them. I'm probably missing some, but from perusing the dbs boards for the last hour I remember:

All HBO Channels, all cinemax channels, History Channel, Sci Fi, Cartoon network, plus over 70 more markets are going to be getting local HD channels in September. There are probably some other national channels I'm forgetting.

[Eaglesfan27]

The converters are free.

[rjolley]

I just got an HR20-100S with a free upgrade. The installer said the satellites are already in the air, but they haven't started sending the new signals yet. All he'd heard was by the end of the year.

I think there will be a few Discovery channels, HGTV, ESPN 1&2, HDNet and HDNet Movies, and a few others.
..at least according to the channel guide I have.

[stevew]

I was thinking about going DirectTV, but it always sounds like you guys are forever buying more equipment. The 100 channel roll out sounds way too promising so I may end up breaking down and getting that.

I dunno though, right now I know Cable isn't all that chic, but I get a pretty darn good package for around 100 bucks(w/ internet). Yeah, it would be nice if they had about 20-30 more HD channels, but the digital stuff looks fairly good on my TV as it is.

[Critch]

I was thinking about going DirectTV, but it always sounds like you guys are forever buying more equipment.

Maybe I'm just easily pleased and behind the curve, but I've had DirecTV for three years and I've never bought any extra equipment.

Am I missing out? :)

[saldana]

i got all my next-gen gear for free...all you have to do is know who to bitch at


and i have 2 hr20-700's, and hardly have any issues with them...they have done a good job, imo, providing software fixes since the box came out.

[Richard Weed]

I have a HR-20 and I didn't get a message. There's nothing on the DirecTV website to upgrade.

?

Also, I haven't had any issues with my HD-DVR. It's worked like a champ since day 1.

[CraigSca]

I think there will be a few Discovery channels, HGTV, ESPN 1&2, HDNet and HDNet Movies, and a few others.
..at least according to the channel guide I have.

Other than HGTV and a few Discovery Channels...the rest are already in HD. I'm not sure why they don't release a list. I have Fios in my area and I'm currently testing it - the impression I received from the Fios guy is that EVERYONE will be offering these channels by end of year.

I don't get what the big secret is - if you're going to offer what new channels can you possibly not know what they're going to be?

[henry296]

Here is a link to a discussion on new channels. Most will start broadcasting in late 2007 or early 2008.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257

The big question is when will each provider start carrying them.

Here are some of the big new ones: CNN, CNBC, ESPNews, Cartoon Network, TBS, Weather Channel, all RSNs, Nick, ABC Family, Starz, HBO/Cinemax.

[saldana]

I just listened to my messages a few minutes ago and my local DirecTv installation company called and said that I need to have Broadband converters installed on my HD boxes to continue to receive HD Channels starting this fall. Looking for info online, it seems that these converters are only available for the HR-20 and H20 Boxes and not my HR10-250. Does anyone know the details about these converters? Will I have to give up my HR10-250 boxes to continue to get HDTV?

are you sure they said "Broadband" converters, and not "B-Band" converters?

i just looked at my system, and i already have them on there (they got put on when i got my receivers installed). all it is, is a little grey box about a 1/2 inch square and 3 inches long that they install in line between the cable from your dish and the input on your receiver...if you had a professional installation, i would bet you already have them

[Eaglesfan27]

They said Broadband converters, but from reading the sites, they are also called B-Band converters and they are described as a little grey box. You have it. I guess I don't because I only have HR10-250's which can't use them.

[saldana]

dola, its this thingy

http://cgi.ebay.com/15-direc-tv-sup-2400-b-band-converter-free-shipping_W0QQitemZ290129197545QQihZ019QQcategoryZ32841QQcmdZViewItem

[saldana]

i think the more important question is, do you have a 3 lnb dish or a 5 lnb dish?

when i had a 3 lnb and the h10-250, i didnt need the converters...it wasnt until i went to the MPEG-4 h20 and the 5 lnb dish that they got added...if i recall, they are only needed for the 4th and 5th satellites, which are the ones transmitting the mpeg-4 HD signals...it doesnt actually have anythning to do with the reciever model

[Eaglesfan27]

I have a 5lnb dish, got it installed when they last did an upgrade. However, from reading the dbstalk board, the experts over there all say that the HR10-250 can't process the mpeg-4 signals. Only the H20 and HR20 models can.

[saldana]

I have a 5lnb dish, got it installed when they last did an upgrade. However, from reading the dbstalk board, the experts over there all say that the HR10-250 can't process the mpeg-4 signals. Only the H20 and HR20 models can.

yeah...thats why i skipped the HR-10 all together when it came out...i went with the H20 instead so i could watch CSI in HD...i bet if you call and bitch a little bit, they will upgrade you for free. (btw, they disconnected the retention department direct number)

[Eaglesfan27]

yeah...thats why i skipped the HR-10 all together when it came out...i went with the H20 instead so i could watch CSI in HD...i bet if you call and bitch a little bit, they will upgrade you for free. (btw, they disconnected the retention department direct number)


Darn, I planned on calling that number if the local installer didn't offer to upgrade the boxes for free. It should be free since the HR10 is actually a more expensive box, or at least it was a year ago.

[Ksyrup]

Here is a link to a discussion on new channels. Most will start broadcasting in late 2007 or early 2008.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257

The big question is when will each provider start carrying them.

Here are some of the big new ones: CNN, CNBC, ESPNews, Cartoon Network, TBS, Weather Channel, all RSNs, Nick, ABC Family, Starz, HBO/Cinemax.

Thanks for the info. The big news for my house is that DTV will have High School Musical 2 in HD... :o

[gstelmack]

I had DirecTV for something like 8 years.

4 years ago I got a deal to upgrade to HD for $400.

2 years ago I got a deal to upgrade to an HD-DVR for $400.

This year they wanted me to pay $300 to get an MPEG-4 HD-DVR so I could get all the HD channels that they had been promising me I'd get for 4 years.

At the same time, my cable company gave me a free 2 months to compare TWC and DirecTV side-by-side. TWC's SD was MUCH better than DirecTV's, and the HD was pretty much a wash (lose a couple of channels, get a better setup for locals given that they have a direct connection to the locals rather than the retransmit-the-OTA-signal DirecTV is using, which means things like 4 simultaneous HD March Madness games). And it didn't cost me a dang thing for the HD-DVR.

And of course when I called to cancel DirecTV offered me the free upgrade to the HR20. I told them that if they had told me that 2 months earlier instead of saying "it's $300, when the price drops it'll drop on the site, no deals going on" I would still be a customer. The Retention rep even showed the note on my account where I had asked about the upgrade. I'm NOT going to play the "call retention and threaten to quit" game, and even the "e-mail to ask what deals they've got route" I did the two prior times was not any fun.

So my account is now "suspended", and we'll see if TWC ticks me off enough to send me back (and there's now a note on my account that I get a free HD-DVR, a year of free HD service, and half price or free Sunday Ticket), but the reality in all this is that no one is really delivering "good" TV service, it's just a matter of who is the least sucky in all of this.

[DanGarion]

Oh wow you'll be able to get all the pay package sports channels in HD and let them count those as large part of the 150.

[Eaglesfan27]

Hmmm. Now I'm confused. The DirecTv local installer finally returned my call (just inside the 24 hour window that they promised) and I asked him twice and he said he is sure that the HR10-250 can receive the new HD channels and that the converter will work with a HR10-250. However, everything I've read online including DBStalk and another local DirecTv installer's website says that the converters will not work with the HR10-250 and that they cannot receive the new HD channels.

[saldana]

Hmmm. Now I'm confused. The DirecTv local installer finally returned my call (just inside the 24 hour window that they promised) and I asked him twice and he said he is sure that the HR10-250 can receive the new HD channels and that the converter will work with a HR10-250. However, everything I've read online including DBStalk and another local DirecTv installer's website says that the converters will not work with the HR10-250 and that they cannot receive the new HD channels.

he is wrong...i originally got the hr10-250 myself at circuit city and hooked it up...despite numerous guarantees that i could watch my network locals in HD, which are mpeg-4, they do NOT come in, which is why i went to the H20...so if the new channels are mpeg-4, you are gonna be beat.

[gstelmack]

Hmmm. Now I'm confused. The DirecTv local installer finally returned my call (just inside the 24 hour window that they promised) and I asked him twice and he said he is sure that the HR10-250 can receive the new HD channels and that the converter will work with a HR10-250. However, everything I've read online including DBStalk and another local DirecTv installer's website says that the converters will not work with the HR10-250 and that they cannot receive the new HD channels.

The HR10-250 CANNOT get the new HD channels. Period.

The HR10-250 handles MPEG-2 streams. The newer receivers (H20/HR20) can handle both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. The new HD channels are all MPEG-4.

[Eaglesfan27]

I've been going around and around on the phone for the last hour trying to get a cheap swap of my HR10-250's for HR20's. I trust you guys and the guys on DBStalk.. DirecTv has some idiot CSR's working for them.

[rjolley]

How hard is it to get a free swap?

[Eaglesfan27]

How hard is it to get a free swap?

I was disconnected once when I was being transferred to customer retention. I'm maybe heading back to them in a second..

[Eaglesfan27]

They are pissing me off. After being on hold for another 30-45 minutes, I was finally just told that their system is being updated tonight and they cannot access my account to order the swap and that they cannot quote me a price without looking at my account.

[gstelmack]

DirecTV rates its customers based on how long you've been with them, whether you've had any late payments, how big a package you buy from them, and the like. The retention reps can offer deals based on that. They are just trying to find out if you are a good enough customer to give the free deal to.

Of course, that system may end up ticking you off enough that you leave anyway...

[saldana]

DirecTV rates its customers based on how long you've been with them, whether you've had any late payments, how big a package you buy from them, and the like. The retention reps can offer deals based on that. They are just trying to find out if you are a good enough customer to give the free deal to.

Of course, that system may end up ticking you off enough that you leave anyway...

i love this policy...it always makes me warm and fuzzy inside when i call and after i put in my phone number, the auto-response says "you are one of our A+ level customers. we highly value your continued subscription to DirecTV."

i always throw that back in their faces whenever i want something.

[Eaglesfan27]

I never get that A+ message, but maybe they noted my disgust with their system last night. I just called this morning and they finally offered me a good deal or at least a deal I'm happy with. 99 dollars to "upgrade" both HR10-250's with HR20's. Also, they are giving me some programming credits for the next 3 months.

[saldana]

i think you got a very good deal with that...ususally they give you enough programming credits to make the entire thing free.

[Eaglesfan27]

SOB! I just looked at the order one last time as the installers are due here this morning and they may get here after I go to work. They think I'm "upgrading" from the HR10-250's to plain old H20's! That is what I was charged 99 dollars for! I'm trying to get it straightened out now..

[Ksyrup]

FYI for EF27 and anyone else interested, I got this email last night:

<TD></TD> <!--main content--><TD width="417" valign="top">IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HD EQUIPMENT

DIRECTV is excited about the future of HD and looking forward to bringing you more channels.

In order to access future HD programming, you must have a B-Band Converter (BBC) module connected to your HD receiver. (If you have a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR, you will need two BBCs.) Because current DIRECTV® HD channels do not require a BBC, it may not have been installed, but you will need a BBC installed by this fall.

If you haven't already checked to see if you need a BBC, visit directv.com/bbc (http://customerinfo.directv.com/s/r?l=145044&m=120460005yn0300259896d&CMP=EMC-MQ-CS&ATT=120-46-070720final) for instructions and how to get a BBC sent to you free of charge. Don't miss out on a minute of exciting new HD programming from DIRECTV—check your receiver today. </TD>

[Ksyrup]

That was bizarre. I can't even fix this in an edit. Oh well.

[Richard Weed]

I received that email as well.

Edit--Just looked and I have em. Whoopie.

[Eaglesfan27]

The new D10 Sat went live today. At least a dozen new HD channels should be up in the next 3 days with a bunch more to follow in the next few weeks.

[saldana]

The new D10 Sat went live today. At least a dozen new HD channels should be up in the next 3 days with a bunch more to follow in the next few weeks.

i wonder when we are gonna get a channel lineup

[Eaglesfan27]

i wonder when we are gonna get a channel lineup

Are you talking about what number each channel will be on or what channels we are getting?

[saldana]

Are you talking about what number each channel will be on or what channels we are getting?

what number each channel will be....i saw the list a couple months ago about what we are getting.....i am just wondering why the guide hasnt updated at all yet.

[Raiders Army]

I saw things changed on my local channels. The top and bottom of them are cut off.

[tyketime]

I just got a HR20-700 installed yesterday. I already have a HR10-250 in the family room with an upgraded hard drive. When the technician came out, he thought I was swapping one out for the other. I had ideas of moving the older machine into another room, but after a couple of EMails with a user on another forum, I decided to keep both boxes hooked to same TV.

The technician didn't understand at first why I would possibly want to do that. I told him it's all about storage! My HR10-250 now holds about 70 hrs of HD or 470 hrs of SD. The newer machine is 30 hrs HD and 200 SD (I think). I have an OTA antenna hooked up to my HR10-250 so I will still be able to get my local channels in HD. A fair amount of what we record is in SD, so I will use the older machine for broadcast HD and regular SD recordings. I had the technician run two new lines (which required him to install a 6x8 multiswitch for the extra feeds) into the family room. I will use the new box to record the regular cable HD (ESPN, HBO, etc) and newer HD channels as they become available.

Both boxes are now connected via HDMI to my TV. I have digital optical audio coming out of both boxes and into my receiver. It took me less than one hour to update my Harmony 880 remote to control new device with all TV and Receiver settings. Sweet!

I haven't had a chance to play around with the recording features of the HR20-700 box yet, but so far I am very pleased that I decided to keep both boxes in family room. The new box comes with the B-Band Converters (two are included in box). If I really wanted to (and I can't imagine it happening, but you never know...), I could record up to 4 different shows at the same time. Sick, huh? But other than live sporting events, we never watch TV in real time.

Anyways... I looked around various forums to get the ideas for my setup, and decided to share it in case it spurs any designs for any of you.

Cheers...

[stevew]

I had DirecTV for something like 8 years.

4 years ago I got a deal to upgrade to HD for $400.

2 years ago I got a deal to upgrade to an HD-DVR for $400.

This year they wanted me to pay $300 to get an MPEG-4 HD-DVR so I could get all the HD channels that they had been promising me I'd get for 4 years.

At the same time, my cable company gave me a free 2 months to compare TWC and DirecTV side-by-side. TWC's SD was MUCH better than DirecTV's, and the HD was pretty much a wash (lose a couple of channels, get a better setup for locals given that they have a direct connection to the locals rather than the retransmit-the-OTA-signal DirecTV is using, which means things like 4 simultaneous HD March Madness games). And it didn't cost me a dang thing for the HD-DVR.

And of course when I called to cancel DirecTV offered me the free upgrade to the HR20. I told them that if they had told me that 2 months earlier instead of saying "it's $300, when the price drops it'll drop on the site, no deals going on" I would still be a customer. The Retention rep even showed the note on my account where I had asked about the upgrade. I'm NOT going to play the "call retention and threaten to quit" game, and even the "e-mail to ask what deals they've got route" I did the two prior times was not any fun.

So my account is now "suspended", and we'll see if TWC ticks me off enough to send me back (and there's now a note on my account that I get a free HD-DVR, a year of free HD service, and half price or free Sunday Ticket), but the reality in all this is that no one is really delivering "good" TV service, it's just a matter of who is the least sucky in all of this.


I can't imagine that TWC's SD looks better than dish, I mean here the channels in SD are still analog and look like complete garbage. IIRC you do have a CRT, so that could be part of the reason why they look good. My LCD looks like trash on their basic non digital channels.

[tyketime]

I'm NOT going to play the "call retention and threaten to quit" game

I've been a DTV customer now for a little over a year, so this was my first experience with an equipment upgrade. I had read many of the success stories where subscribers got better deals going the retention route. I'm like you though. I hate the idea of it and so wasn't interested in doing it. So I called regular customer service to ask about getting the newer HD DVR (HR20-700). She said I would have to pay $299. I said no thank you. I called back a couple of days later and spoke with another CSR. She first offered same price. After I complained about the price, she looked to see if there were any specials. She came back with a $99 offer. ["Savings" of $200]. I asked was that the best she could do, and she said yes. This was better, but still not as good as I knew it could be. So finally I broke down, called back, and said "cancel" at the voice prompt which sent me over to the Customer Retention group. The first response was the same $99 I got from the regular reps. I was hoping my net costs would be closer to $0, so I asked whether they could throw SuperFan in for free ($99 value). She "checked her computer" and gladly announced that they could do that.

So... while I still didn't get the best deal, I've at least convinced myself that I "broke even" on this upgrade. And I got to keep the other machine!

I'm not the type of person that likes to play the threaten to quit game either. But if I only have to do it once every couple of years, and save myself $300 bucks, I can live with that :rolleyes:

Your Mileage May Vary...

[Eaglesfan27]

i wonder when we are gonna get a channel lineup

Multiple people on Dbstalk's site are saying that the channel lineup won't change at all. If you get one of the new HD channels, it will be the same # as the SD channel, but it will default to HD if your TV and receiver are capable of receiving it and you have access to the HD version of the channel in your plan.

Edit: The first wave of new channels are supposed to be up and running by Friday with dozens more to follow in the next few weeks.

[gstelmack]

I can't imagine that TWC's SD looks better than dish, I mean here the channels in SD are still analog and look like complete garbage. IIRC you do have a CRT, so that could be part of the reason why they look good. My LCD looks like trash on their basic non digital channels.

I'm not comparing TWC vs Dish, I was comparing TWC vs DirecTV. And our SD is digital, so I was comparing digital to digital. The big difference is colors are brighter and sharper on TWC.

I will offer an update, though. It's pretty clear that TWC uses more bandwidth for basic picture quality, but it can't keep up with action and pixellates faster than DirecTV. So TWC has better overall average quality, but it degrades faster during high-action (and thus high-bandwidth) sequences.

And I stand by my statement that neither one is what I'd call "good" right now.

[stevew]

You guys must have an upgraded network then. We still are getting analog SD for the "normal" channels. Hopefully they switch over the "basic" ones soon, cause the digital SD channels look fairly good on my TV(numbers 100 on up), and the HD ones look amazing.

[lordscarlet]

People watch SD channels? :)

[gstelmack]

People watch SD channels? :)

Well, I don't have an HDTV in the bedroom. Yet.

Plus neither TWC nor DirecTV get Food network or any of my kids' channels in HD. Need FoodHD, DisneyHD, NickHD, NogginHD, and PBSKidsHD before I go all-HD. And there is CBS still broadcasting one NFL SD game per week, and ESPNU broadcasting lots of college games in SD. I could go on. I hate it, but what are you going to do?

[lordscarlet]

Well, I don't have an HDTV in the bedroom. Yet.

Plus neither TWC nor DirecTV get Food network or any of my kids' channels in HD. Need FoodHD, DisneyHD, NickHD, NogginHD, and PBSKidsHD before I go all-HD. And there is CBS still broadcasting one NFL SD game per week, and ESPNU broadcasting lots of college games in SD. I could go on. I hate it, but what are you going to do?

I don't have children. And I only have broadcast channels. I am not what you would call "normal." :) I only miss ESPN, though.

[saldana]

Multiple people on Dbstalk's site are saying that the channel lineup won't change at all. If you get one of the new HD channels, it will be the same # as the SD channel, but it will default to HD if your TV and receiver are capable of receiving it and you have access to the HD version of the channel in your plan.

Edit: The first wave of new channels are supposed to be up and running by Friday with dozens more to follow in the next few weeks.

very cool...thanks for the info

[Pyser]

im sure you guys saw this or something similar, but just in case you didnt:

Notes:
You should be able to keep your old receiver and get an HR20 for no more than $199. Many are getting their new HR20's for just the shipping cost of $19.

The deal you will get depends on your your "Hearts" rating that factors in payment history, automatic payments, protection plan, tenure, current hardware, when your commitment renews, sports packages, etc. There is no such thing as an "A List," just 1, 3, or 5 Hearts. If you are 5 Hearts, you have the winning hand.

Upgrading to the HR20:
1. Check out the competition. Print out the offers from Comcast, DISH, etc.
2. Call DIRECTV at 800-531-5000. At the voice prompt say "Cancel" to go directly to Retention.
3. Be polite. Tell them you want to stay with DIRECTV. Repeat their name & write it down. Ask them how many "Hearts" you are.
4. Ask if you can upgrade to the HR20 for the $19 shipping? Tell the competing offers if needed.
5. See if you can get any months of free HD and Showtime. You may have to call more than once.
6. Make sure you get a morning installation for timeliness and to have extra equipment on hand.
7. Before you hang up, confirm that your work order is for:
DIRECTV HD DVR (Expanded HD Prog. Capable)
Standard Professional Install that will include:
- New RG6 cabling and connectors (up to 125' x 4 as needed)
- Zinwell 6x8 Multiswitch (if needed)
DIRECTV 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish (if dish upgrade needed)
Your date and price
- Craig


http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/762355/

[GoldenEagle]

I am moving into a new house where I only have the option of satellite TV. I am pondering whether I should get DirecTV or Dish Network. Right now, I am leaning toward Dish since it is cheaper, but the new HD channels on DirecTV are tempting.

[gstelmack]

Oh, DirecTV offered me everything for free when I went to quit. That was just about 3 months too late, after I had already asked what the deal was for upgrading the MPEG-4 stuff. If I decide to go back, I've got an HR20 and Sunday Ticket coming to me. Of course, I'll shortly have a second HDTV, so I wonder how cheap they'd go on 2 of them?

[saldana]

so has anyone noticed any new HD channels yet?

i havent found any.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nope. I checked dbs last night and apparently there are a few late problems with the sat and some of the spot beams. That probably will delay things a few days, but they are saying the new channels will be up no later than the 19th now.

[Raiders Army]

I've seen nothing. I was thinking something changed, but one of my kids hit the "Format" button on our remote and it changed it to 1040i cropped.

[saldana]

NEW HD CHANNELS ARE LIVE !!!!!!!

tune to channel 77 for a list of what is now available, and if you arent sure if you are set up right, go to 498...if yo usee the congratulations message, you are good to go.

you will need to change your Favorites a little bit...there are two entries for each channel now (the SD one and the HD one)..if you put the channel number in directly on the remote, it will go to the HD version, but if you pick the channel through the guide, it will still go to the SD one.

[Eaglesfan27]

NEW HD CHANNELS ARE LIVE !!!!!!!

tune to channel 77 for a list of what is now available, and if you arent sure if you are set up right, go to 498...if yo usee the congratulations message, you are good to go.

you will need to change your Favorites a little bit...there are two entries for each channel now (the SD one and the HD one)..if you put the channel number in directly on the remote, it will go to the HD version, but if you pick the channel through the guide, it will still go to the SD one.

Finally! I'm about to head out the door to work, but am looking forward to checking this out tonight.

[Raiders Army]

Cool, although the only channel I really like is the NFL Channel.