Directv’s debut in 1994 turned out to be an auspicious
entry into the satellite television market. With a variety of
options in programming, some cable subscribers opted for satellite
and now more and more are doing so, while others are taking the
next technological step by purchasing Directv’s HD receivers
as well.
And with the FCC handing down a decision to convert all television
to high definition format, commonly known as HD, by 2006, content
providers, cable and satellite companies like Directv are in
full swing with marketing programs to sell their HD receivers.
HD is broadcast digitally at a higher resolution for better picture
quality. In the past high definition television used to be a
term referred to newer technology in the 1930s that replaced
experimental television technology at the time.
Currently, a Directv HD receiver can cost in the five hundred
to six hundred dollar range on the cheap side and well over a
thousand dollars for higher end receivers. Electronics manufacturers
like Hughes, Samsung and others are all touting their HD receivers
now for their features, but prices are still a little high, as
well as for HD television sets, which average in price over one
thousand five hundred dollars
Much has been made of the high definition issue of late and
those with a more pessimistic mindset toward HD, some refer to
them as hardcore analogue-ers, don’t think a full conversion
to HD will be done in time. Even now, those who may purchase
an HD receiver are limited to those providers, or television
stations or networks that provide content in HD, which some say
is up to five times sharper than regular television.
But while Directv has done its part by offering HD receivers,
customers recently have complained about the exorbitant price
of an HD and Tivo combination receiver, which rings in at a thousand
dollars when purchasing it from Directv, a hard pill to swallow
for those who may have already spent five hundred to a thousand
dollars on a Directv HD receiver to begin with. Tivo allows customers
to records hours of television without needing a VHS tape or
DVD burner. For the time being some customers are buying a separate
Tivo unit and hooking it into their current Directv HD receiver,
unfortunately sacrificing some picture quality along the way.
But many customers feel that in time, as with the prices of
plasma screen televisions, the Tivo and Directv HD receiver combination
will come down in price. So for now, the best bet for those with
their Directv HD receivers may be to wait. In time, not only
will there be more HD content, but also more affordable receiver
options. Standard Directv HD Receivers will likely go down in
price as well, along with those with the added Tivo option.
Sources:
http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/topic/182395-1.html
http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2005/04/directvs_hd_pro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDTV
http://www.chartercom.com/products/hdtv/hdtv.aspx
http://www.kaptainsatellite.com
This article was posted on October 12, 2005