CableCARD is a little different, right - it's a technology shared by multiple cable operators, but not implemented in exactly the same way by each cable company. That's really been a major source of issues for us.

Since DIRECTV is one company, and is not using the CableCARD technology, I think it will be different. And better.

I have no idea what the system builder story will be with DIRECTV, though. I'll see if I can find anything out (and see if I can tell you guys).

Chris - Moderator:

Something for everyone to think about here.

While DIRECTV and Microsoft had said they were going to do something months and months ago now, you have to realize how DIRECTV actually works.  Not how the deliever content, we all know that one.  Rather, the fact that DIRECTV doesn't own content (leaving out what News Corp owns, because that's only a few channels out many hunderds).

Since they own little to nothing, they have to sit down with all the content owners and get them on the same page generally.  Talking about putting these people's content on a PC in HD.  That's there worst nightmare!

Lots of work outside that of Microsoft is involved here.

If that's the case, I would hope that existing agreements covering DirecTV DVRs would apply.  Regardless, that ship has sailed, at least in the SD world.  There are a variety of means by which one can "record" SD signals into a PC.  As you know, HD options are rather more limited at this time.

If content providers want to force something akin to the HD broadcast flag, so be it, though I suspect they'd inconvenience legitmate users more than they'd eliminate piracy of programming.

I'm talking native support.  When DIRECTV makes a deal to carry a specific channel, there is an agreement in place between DIRECTV and that content provider.  These are million dollar deals and are very important.  If DIRECTV is to do something to displease the real content providers or to break the contract between the two, it means a number of things that could happen.  From a consumer standpoint, we (DIRECTV users) lose the channel.

The fact that you can output from an STB and record is a given.  The fact that the raw content is going to be on a PC is completely different.

Just an aside, going back to my earlier comment about DirecTV, News Corp. has sold their interest in the company to Liberty Media.

WRK

Good point.  So instead of knowning the people at Fox are cool with HD on PC through DIRECTV, now we know that the guys at QVC and GSN are instead, two networks I have no interest in watching at all. 

Oh well, good thing Library has Starz too (and basically Discovery Networks).

Chris - Moderator:

The fact that you can output from an STB and record is a given.  The fact that the raw content is going to be on a PC is completely different.

I guess I don't see the difference.  I always thought the fear for content providers was that once their content was on a computer, unscrupulous consumers could distribute perfect digital copies by burning disks or posting to the Interweb.    Was that not the issue with later model Replay TV boxes?  Friends sharing, say, new episodes of The Sopranos with buds who weren't HBO subscribers?

I'm not saying you're wrong, Chris.  It's just that the potential concern you attribute to media producers doesn't make sense to me as stated.

that was just a share buy and in return they baugh all of liberty owned shares of news corp.  murdoch is still the chairman of directv.

jessica, I wasn't arguing if there was directv coming, well I guess one post was misleading.  I was just trying to clarify that disappointing rumors start from the reading into press releases too much.  you really have to look at all the press releases in the same couple weeks across all companies involved to figure out what they are implying.

Here is what Tom Robertson, Moderator, with dbstalk.com had to say when they spoke with DirectTV at CES 2007.

"Directv also was extremely generous and gracious giving Richard, Michael, and me time with the people in the know. Thanks!

This Q&A is limited to the hardware only because I ran out of time to talk to the production side. You know us geeks, I couldn't stop chattin' and they were wonderful to talk to. The Q&A is late, well I got caught up in last night's release (even tho I can't download it now!). Please DO NOT infer anything other than my personal bad for the delay. Directv is not responsible nor do I want to slight them by my actions. [/disclaimers] (Yeah, I know I didn't open before I closed.)

HTPC Cards
Still in progress, internal beta testing

Media Server Center
Still in progress, was delayed by HR20 project. Want HR20 rock solid, stable as portions of code will exist in many future platforms, including Home Media Center.

Improving HDLite
I have not been able to gather anything different than was said at the press conference and reported in other threads. There was some interest in having people review their PQ again given the ongoing improvements they are making throughout the backhauling and uplinking system.

R15 Fixes
New release going national now, very staggered release given the large user base.

BTW, the R15 is entirely an NDS product. (The HR20 is entirely Directv, using small code samples and drivers from the hardware and chip manufacturers: NDS, Broadcom, etc.)

HR20 Roadmap
Dual Live Buffers
Product team understands how important this is to users and are weighing this against other features desired. No definitive commitment yet.

Mac users with the HR20
Currently it is felt that MACs are supported thru the same tools that we at dbstalk have identified.

BTW, the team of Directv people, every single one of them is very aware of the things we do here. They were amazed at how fast we tried different things, different tools, and raced each other for input. And they are very happy with our feedback. Good job, dbstalkers!

Directv ToGo
Waiting for players to finish testing, final polishing, and then manufacture. Should see models around midyear 2007.

Future use of the ports: Ethernet, USB, esata?
Being studied. Not able to say more at this time. The USB port is used on some devices for automated testing.

Sony HD-DVR
The people I spoke with at directv didn’t know anything about this. Will follow up with Sony."

We should all remember that the DirecTv Tuner card press release was NOT a  joint Microsoft- DirecTV release but a DirecTV- Intel release.

 

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060105corp_a.htm

 

It's not fair to expect Jessica or anyone else at Microsoft to discuss a product that involves 2 or more other partners.  Trust what Tom Robertson reported.....it's coming.

tdar,

This is not the press release that sparked the conversation.  The press release referred to earlier in the thread was a Microsoft/DirecTV press release.

WRK

Chris - Moderator:

I'm talking native support.  When DIRECTV makes a deal to carry a specific channel, there is an agreement in place between DIRECTV and that content provider.  These are million dollar deals and are very important.  If DIRECTV is to do something to displease the real content providers or to break the contract between the two, it means a number of things that could happen.  From a consumer standpoint, we (DIRECTV users) lose the channel.

The fact that you can output from an STB and record is a given.  The fact that the raw content is going to be on a PC is completely different.

I understand this, but I don't like it .

*start rant*

It seems ridiculous to me that I can't watch or record HD content from cable because I built my PC myself.  I have absolutly no problem paying for the content, but the content providers aren't making it available.  They are concerned with piracy, but the fact is it is already out there.  Me being able to make a copy of a show isn't going to add to piracy.  Heck, if I wanted I could cancel my cable subscription and get all of the shows I watch in HD for free from torrents or newsgroups.  Now I don't do this because I want to obey the laws and I don't want to pirate things, but come on, help me out here. 

Make content available to users and they will gladly pay for it.  Sure some will pirate it, but let's face it, those people already do.

*end rant*

I really hope that the content providers will allow a PC tuner card for DIRECTV to happen.  Who knows, maybe they will follow the lead of groups like EMI and move to a much more open platform? 

I for one would cancel my cable service and get DIRECTV tonight if they had a PC receiver card for Media Center.

I really hope the DirecTV HTPC card for the PC becomes a reality. I would also cancel my cable service and sign-up with DirecTV.

I am positive that neither Rubert Murdoch nor any News Corp. people will remain on the board now that Liberty has purchased all of News Corp.'s interest in DirecTV.

WRK 

This morning, I was reading about some of the new features that's going to be included in the Spring 2007 Software Update for the Xbox 360. Which is scheduled for release next week and started thinking. Why has Microsoft now decided to support the following codecs in the Xbox 360:

1. Added H.264 video support: Up to 10 Mbps peak, Baseline, Main, and High profiles with 2 channel AAC LC.

2. Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 5 Mbps peak, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC.

Could this be required in-order for the Xbox 360 acting as an extender to support playback of video files generated by a DirecTV HTPC card?

I thought I heard that DirecTV was transitioning from MPEG-2 based codecs to MPEG-4.

Does anyone know which video codec is used by ATI's OCUR Cable Card?

I know that Microsoft doesn't usually add new codec support unless it's required for something else.

Just a thought.

pb83:

This morning, I was reading about some of the new features that's going to be included in the Spring 2007 Software Update for the Xbox 360. Which is scheduled for release next week and started thinking. Why has Microsoft now decided to support the following codecs in the Xbox 360: 1. Added H.264 video support: Up to 10 Mbps peak, Baseline, Main, and High profiles with 2 channel AAC LC. 2. Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 5 Mbps peak, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC. Could this be required in-order for the Xbox 360 acting as an extender to support playback of video files generated by a DirecTV HTPC card? I thought I heard that DirecTV was transitioning from MPEG-2 based codecs to MPEG-4. Does anyone know which video codec is used by ATI's OCUR Cable Card? I know that Microsoft doesn't usually add new codec support unless it's required for something else. Just a thought.

 

The new codec support is going to be from dashboard functions only, not from within the extender interface.  Why?  Because it was the best way to do a half-a$$ed job!