What’s New in HD DVR

High definition television, or HDTV, is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to watch television. And Direct TV remains the leader in providing quality HD programming. With superior sound and picture quality and a low service price, many people seem to be making the switch. DVR or digital video recorder users, are also switching their boxes to HD DVR boxes, as this allows them to play, record, and rewind live HDTV and watch their favorite shows on their own schedules.

There has been much innovation in recent months when it comes to satellite HD DVR boxes. Gone are the simple boxes with limited options. Current HD DVR boxes are capable of providing on-demand, streaming music and photos from your PC and showing your telephone’s caller ID on your television screen. The Direct TV HD DVR receiver combines the latest DVR and HD technology into one unit, creating a spectacular home entertainment system.

The new HD DVR boxes are also capable of recording 50 hours of high-definition programming or two hundred hours of standard definition programming. This lets you record all of your favorite new shows and movies and leave room to store movies and shows you would like to save for multiple viewings. Users are also able to record two shows while simultaneously watching something they have already recorded.

There are lots of interactive features available as well, such as weather information. There are even exclusive interactive offerings available that give you instant access to horoscopes, lottery results, and more with the push of a button. You can find the information you want exactly when you want it.

The HD DVR boxes also offer an advanced 14 day program guide so that you can find the shows you want to watch up to two weeks before they are scheduled to air. For people who need more flexibility in programming the DVR, the boxes are now capable of receiving recording instructions from any Internet-enabled PC or from cell phones. This allows you to set programs to record from work or even from across the globe, helping to ensure that you never miss a minute of your favorite programs.

Satellite users really have a world of options these days with their HD DVR boxes. When these boxes are combined with Direct TV’s leading HD and exclusive sports content, there is really no better option. Direct TV offers more HD channels, and offers local HD to over 83 percent of homes. They also offer more exclusive sports content, such as NFL Sunday Ticket and NASCAR HotPass, both available in HD.

With access to HD channels as well as high-definition on-demand and pay-per-view services, cable simply can’t compare to the exclusive and world-class content offered by today’s satellite providers. When all of these services are coupled with the new, feature-laden HD DVR boxes, the choice of Direct TV or cable becomes painfully clear, as Direct TV wins in every single category.

In order to get all of the features above, the answer is Direct TV. Only Direct TV offers HD DVR boxes with all of the innovative features mentioned coupled with the best exclusive sports and the most HD entertainment available. When choosing your television service provider, do the research and the answer will always be the same. Direct TV beats cable across the board, hands down.

Direct TV—The Best Bet In Sports

When it comes to satellite TV, you have to admit that the best feature to look for is sports coverage.  Most everyone will agree to that fact, even the NFL, which signed an exclusive deal with Direct TV to carry two very popular football packages – NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL SuperFan.  Anyone who knows football knows Sunday Ticket and SuperFan with their coverage of all NFL games in full HD, access to every major team regardless of your location, and innovative new features like split-screen coverage, highlights on-demand and up-to-the-minute points.

However, as great as NFL Sunday Ticket is, the other great offers by Direct TV can’t be ignored.  Direct TV offers just as much sports coverage to Major League Baseball fans with the MLB Extra Innings package, an exclusive feature with 40 games a week in brilliant HD color.  Basketball fans can also dribble in anticipation thanks to NBA League Pass, an HD feature that brings more coverage of professional basketball teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers—even if you live in Ohio!  NHL Center Ice lets you follow the puck with up to 12 games a week in HD format, while NCAA Mega March Madness brings you 37 games of your favorite amateur basketball teams.  Last but not least, there’s NASCAR’s HotPass, which not only provides you with exclusive coverage of NASCAR racing, but also gives you a behind-the-wheel POV feature with 28 different camera angles and live team audio of the fastest people on wheels.  In addition to these sports packages Direct TV also offers the Sports Pack option, which brings you miscellaneous sport coverage, like soccer, association football, fly-fishing, golf, cricket, and many others.

Besides coverage, Direct TV is always expanding with new technology that transcends just premium TV entertainment.  For example, they have the NFL Direct TV Supercast feature that lets viewers watch full games and enjoy other exclusive features on their personal computer or laptop.  That way you can take advantage of your satellite services even while on the road.  Another unique option is that of NFL Sunday Ticket Mobile, which lets you check out the latest scores and real time highlights by mobile phone.

These are just some of the many new features that Direct TV is exploring as technology improves and more and more people switch over to satellite service providers.  In the coming months, more Americans are expected to follow, as analog TV is fading away and cable providers are remaining unreasonably expensive.

Contact a Direct TV provider to find out if there are specials in your area where you can get free channels or free upgrades as a new customer.  Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the best sports action on television.

A Big Week of News for Satellite Providers

With the stock market still bouncing back from the financial crisis, many are looking at the telecommunications sector to see if there are any indications of a slow down. While the financial markets have been in tatters for the last two months, 3rd quarter reports and 4th quarter estimates appear to be strong for some of the leading satellite providers – namely, Direct TV.

While new home starts have declined and potential new customers may be sitting out the current economic crisis to purchase subscriptions, profits hold steady for many of the leading satellite providers. Strategic partnerships and alliances with larger telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon seem to be helping them counter cable. One key strategic alliance that was re-established was that between Direct TV and AT&T. This may be the reason why they posted a 14% increase in profit for the 3rd quarter. Telecommunications companies are relying heavily on these strategic alliances with satellite providers so they can offer their customers a complete package of phone service, wireless service, high speed Internet and satellite programming all on one bill. This puts the satellite companies in the driver’s seat and also helps them reach out to a potential customer base. Customers are looking for telecommunications and home entertainment solutions on one bill, and as long as a telecommunications company can offer satellite programming as part of that package, new subscriptions are sure to rise.

Direct TV may be in for some good news. Satellite television is poised to have a good fourth quarter for one reason: more customers. The financial outlook and strategic alliances that were solidified in the 3rd quarter are bound to show results on the bottom line as more subscribers sign up for satellite service. There is also the big day arriving in February when people who are still on analog antennas are going to be forced to make a decision. Broadcasting will make history that day by going all-digital and people with analog sets will have to either buy a converter box so they can receive the signal, or they have to subscribe to a pay television service such as satellite or cable and they will not have to worry about purchasing a converter box.

Satellite providers are bound to make a big marketing push in the fourth quarter providing customers with a good reason to make a switch to satellite televisions. In addition to the wide range of programming it offers, it will be beneficial to be hooked up to the dish before the digital switch occurs. People who were analog hold outs are prime targets for satellite companies, like Direct TV, to convince that now is the time to make the switch and to start enjoying the benefits of digital television.

Other news that may not come as a surprise to the satellite sector is a new survey of 200 consumers by Heavy Reading. This survey says that most consumers believe low price is what will entice them to purchase a pay television service rather than innovative technology. While this may come as no surprise, it does offer insight into what satellite customers and potential customers are looking for. This information comes at a time when providers are trying to differentiate themselves by expounding on their technical advances. This study may give them pause to reconsider marketing efforts, particularly in a sensitive economic time when people are in shop-around mode. The rest of the year and beginning of 2009 is rife with opportunity for the satellite television sector. Their challenge is to continue to lure new subscribers in, and they have a mixed environment to do that in. There is a shaky economy, but there is also the opportunity in February when the switch to digital comes to fruition. With some targeted marketing and competitive pricing, the satellite television market looks to finish the year strong.

What’s New with DIRECTV En Espanol

One of the biggest news items for DIRECTV in October was DIRECTV’s acquisition of the History Channel en Espanol.  The satellite service provider is now making the History Channel en Espanol available to all major distributors, which will be of great interest to Spanish-speaking families and educators across the country.  The History Channel en Espanol will focus on 24-hour programming from America as well as Latin America, and will highlight Hispanic culture.  When programming begins, this will make The History Channel en Espanol the only cross-cultural network to exclusively offer history-oriented programming to Latino audiences.  This channel will join many other Spanish content channels (over 45 Spanish channels and 160 English channels), making it a must have for U.S. Hispanic audiences.

Some of the most eagerly awaited programming on History en Espanol will include documentaries like The Disappeared, Los Zafiros/The Sapphires, A Place Called Chiapas, Mexican Migration to the US, and the acclaimed series, Historia Secreta.  Additionally, viewers can enjoy regular History Channel educational series in Spanish like History’s Mysteries, Biography and Cold Case Files.

This channel will be available on DIRECTV Mas, the Spanish alternative subscription plan, with five different packages to choose from: the Basico Package, with 65 digital channels and local channels, the Familiar package, with 150 channels and local channels, the Familiar Ultra package, with 65 channels, the Familiar Ultra & HD package, with 210 channels, local channels and HD content, and the Lo Maximo package with a whopping 275 channels and all the extra features.  With some promotions subscribers can even get their choice of upgrade: either an HD update, a Digital Video Recorder System or an HD DVR system.  Not only can Spanish-American audiences look forward to the History Channel in Espanol—they can also look forward to exclusive DIRECTV channels in Spanish such as Azteca Mexico, Mega TV, CentroAmerica TV and TYC Sports in USA.  The service features Spanish-language channels from all around the world, such as Mexico, Central and South America, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Spain.  They also offer sports, movies, music, news and educational networks all in Spanish.

DIRECTV has proven itself to be a multi-ethnic and multi-national innovator.  It is currently offering special package deals and exclusive channels for audiences who speak Arabic, Brazilian, Chinese, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, South Asian and Vietnamese, as well as two global-themed bonus channels in MHz Worldview and the Global Expansion Media Network.

Undoubtedly, DIRECTV Mas offers numerous advantages to families of all ethnicities.  If you have children and want to teach them English or Spanish for their professional and personal betterment, then subscribing to English and Spanish channels alike will be a wise investment in their future.  If you are a Spanish educator and would like more in-depth programming in Spanish, then this package deal will certainly appeal to you.  Lastly, if you are curious about learning Spanish, then subscribing to Spanish and English channels alike is an effective way to sample the language and the culture.

If you have any questions about DIRECTV Mas or The History Channel en Espanol then contact DIRECTV or a local affiliate provider.

Great Features of DIRECTV’s DVR

One of the best features that DIRECTV offers is the DVR, Digital Video Recorder.  This technology allows households to digitally record their favorite movies, TV programs and specials all at the click of a button.  If you have never experienced DVR before then you have to imagine the feature as an enhanced VHS (Video Recording System) device.  A VHS system gave you the power to record shows at anytime if you had a blank videocassette tape.  Immediately, you will notice that DVR systems do not require any additional purchases.  You can store two months worth of footage with a DVR system, and better yet, you can search for your recorded program by date, time of recording or name.

You never have to worry about recording over programs as this process is digitally based and organizes its events by selected name.  For example, if you want to watch The Simpsons but have no idea when it’s on, you can search for the program with the DVR satellite system that DIRECTV offers, and program a recording by name.  Imagine watching all of your favorite network shows and premium TV movies, but with the power of an interactive computer system.  That makes the idea of DVR a little clearer to households who have only known VHS and analog technology for most of their lives.

An even greater advantage is that when you have a DVR you can also rewind and pause live television.  How is this possible?  A satellite system with DVR records in real time, which means that it is recording footage as you watch it.  Because you have recorded this footage you have the ability to pause or rewind your program at any time.  When you hit the pause button during a live show (like right after the Dallas Cowboys blow it yet again) you actually continue recording the show, even though you haven’t started watching it.  Therefore, even though you were watching the show “live” after hitting play you are now watching recorded footage of this live show.  It’s no big deal. In fact, most networks broadcast live programming just a few seconds behind anyway so they can bleep any curse words — like when Joe Kinnear holds a press conference.

Now that’s not to say that you can pause a program indefinitely or rewind a program all the way to the beginning.  There are limits here, and it is recommended that if you have a pressing need in which you have to abandon your post (like if you get into a fight with a friend over someone dissing Brett Favre) then it’s best to just record the program and watch it later.

One of the most exciting features is that you can now schedule your DVR to record programs via any online connection—even your cell phone!  Now, even if you’re stuck at a family reunion and forgot to tape the big game, you’re in luck.  (Or maybe out of luck, since you’re all out of excuses)

With DIRECTV’s DVR system you get total power over your home entertainment.

HDTV – What’s the Deal with HD?

Standard definition TV (SDTV) has been dealt a seemingly fatal blow. HDTV is making more and more inroads into the living rooms of consumers around the nation. What’s the deal with HDTV? Why the big fuss over simple television programming? What does this form of TV offer you and your family? HDTV may be the biggest thing to hit TV since the inception of color. It takes a static environment and turns it into a dynamic viewing experience with “active watching”.

What’s active watching? Simply put, it is the act of actively engaging in a dynamic presentation. As such, it is drastically different from watching standard television. While your standard television shows may be sufficient to “hold your interest” for an hour or so, HDTV ramps up that enjoyment to entirely new levels. HDTV creates a vibrant picture, incredible texture and provides amazing detail. The pictures are so real it seems like you can actually reach out and touch them. Yes, this sounds cliché, but there are few more apt descriptions of the situation.

High definition TV provides you with many of your favorite shows, sports, events and much more, all in incredible detail and vibrancy. You’ll find that your enjoyment reaches entirely new levels with any HDTV package.

What about the different formats available? What’s the difference between 720p and 1080i? Can you find all HD formats with both satellite providers? The different HD formats refer to the size and the quality of the picture. Simply put, the higher the number, the better the resolution and the larger the picture. For big-screen HDTV’s, a higher resolution is required for optimal viewing. Of course, you can watch in other formats, but the picture will be smaller, usually in “pillar box” format.

As far as satellite companies supporting HD formats, the answer is “yes,” both DIRECTV and Dish Network support all formats of HDTV. However, the comparison ends there. DIRECTV is the uncontested leader in HD programming, with an incredible selection of channels and packages available. The sheer number of available channels can be somewhat surprising, as can the number of new channels introduced. Recent introductions are HD Pay-Per-View channels, HD sports channels and HD sports packages. Imagine watching Sunday football and all but feeling the bone-crushing tackles!

As you can see, HDTV is the wave of the future. While standard TV is finally moving to the digital platform and select local stations are broadcasting in HD format, the only place to get your fix of HD programming is through a satellite provider. Cable companies don’t even enter into the equation. That said, choosing the right satellite provider is vital to your enjoyment. Making the wrong choice can leave you wondering why you bothered to buy an HDTV in the first place. DIRECTV is the only choice for TV lovers, sports nuts, movie buffs and everyone else who wants to watch high quality HD programming.