HDTV Forum

Damn straight it will be ready before Xmas, bugs or not.

I hate that it won't have the TiVo brand. Probably have a different user interface which will create havoc with my speed FF'ing during sporting events. Hey, it's very delicate thing to hit the buttons just right to ff btw pitches or football plays and not lose any action. It's a skill I've honed through the years. Change the buttons and I'll be all screwed up. Besides, who knows how sensitive the new functions will be in the time slip area?

Tombanjo...You do have the option to hang on to your HR10-250. You don't "have" to switch. So if you're happy with the TiVo brand, (and it sounds like you are)...then heck, just keep it. I myself am looking forward to the new Directv model. It will have the same menu and channel screens as the H20 (which to me is just 1 of several improvements over the HR10-250)...I hadn't realized how much better the H20 delivered standard def than the HR10-250 until I recently did a comparison...like night and day. If the new unit isn't up to my standard, I will send it back to them...(no problem)...

Just last night I purchased a DirecTV H2O HD receiver for our bedroom. I am anxious to see it in action. My wife and I are expecting delivery of a Panasonic Plasma TV Model # 42PX60U this Monday. I am very excited about playing with my new toy.

HighDeffJeff, Thanks for the info on the standard def picture that is really good to hear. The old DirecTV receiver was just so-so with stand def.

You will love the H20...It's got a small picture of the channel you're on in the upper right corner of the channel menu so you can see whats on as you scroll through programs. It also has a red dot / green dot buttons to click forward 12 hours or backwards 12 hours...It automatically switches to the best scan rate depending on the delivery...some movies it will switch to 1080i and some movies and sports it will switch to 720P...And the same with SD it will kick down to 480P or stay on 720P accordingly...The internal scaler blows away the HR10-250. Some of the SD programs on the MPEG 4 channels look as good as upscaled dvds. And local HD channels ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, well, they look JAW DROPPING GOOD!...I was actually pissed off at my HR10-250's after the side by side comparisons...(but, at least the HR10-250 records)...This is why I can't wait for the new HD-DVR to arrive!...Best of both worlds)...

Also forgot to add...The channel switching response of the remote is fast and can be set for IR or RF frequencies...Enjoy!...

HDJ,
What size TV screen do you have that you use the DirecTV H2O receiver with? I was just curious since I have a 53 inch Hitachi RPTV in the living room and soon I am going to switch out my receiver for the H2O and get the 5LNB dish so I can get the MPEG4 HD locals.

BTW: I got my 42 inch Panasonic plasma for the bedroom and late tonight got it hooked up and activated the H2O DirecTV receiver but only got to watch it a few minutes because my wife wanted to go to bed. From the few minutes I got to watch it you are correct the SDTV picture does look very good. Of course the HDTV feed looks better but the SDTV picture is certainly better IMO on this plasma with the H2O as compared to my old RCA tube TV with the first gen HD DirecTV receiver that was built into it.

Also do you have any advice on how best to set up the H2O receiver for optimum viewing?

Thanks for your help.

Mike

mjm76

I am using my H20 with a Panasonic HD projector on a 133" screen. As far as optimum viewing, Your H20 will do everything for you. It will switch automatically to the best scan rate. As you surf channels you will see that it automatically switches from 720P (ESPN...etc.) to 480P (SD channels)...Hook it up via HDMI of course...

BTW, you need that 5LNB dish hooked up to see how awesome the HD as well as SD is on the local network channels. MPEG4 rules!...

HiDeffjeff wrote: Your H20 will do everything for you. It will switch automatically to the best scan rate.

So, a DirecTV receiver that supports pass-thru, finally! I hope they do this with the new HD-DVR too. I'm hate that my HR10-250 and DST3000 don't pass-thru!

They "will" have pass through on the new HD-DVR also the SD channels are amazing!...When you get the new one, do some comparison tests between it and your old HR10-250...You will be amazed!...The scaler is so much better on the new one...When I bought my H20 I freaked out at the difference in color and contrast compared to the HR10-250...Heck, call Directv and have them send you an H20 and then just picture it with the DVR built in...(then you'll be like me chomping on the bit for the new HD-DVR...

Everytime there is a live HD sporting event on local channels I go upstairs and steal the H20 from my daughters room and hook it up to my projector... ....I only wish it had a DVR then she would be the owner of my old HR10-250..soon....very soon!

It's here!....released in LA as we speak! Directv said we will here more this week!...

Jeff- I am thinking of getting the h20 to replace my hr10-250. Do I also need to change the dish on the roof for the new mpeg4 broadcasts, or will my picture be automatically better just by upgrading the receiver? I do have the standard elliptical HD dish now. thanks.

Ed