DirecTV 2009

[bandwidth]

Does anyone know what format will be commonly sent to DirecTV for rebroadcast after 2/09?

Will it be letterbox 4:3 or just SDTV or all HD?

If it is all HD will DirecTV reformat for use on the current channels?

What will they reformat to, SDTV or letterbox SDTV.

SDTV will be problem for users that have purchased new widescreens because of the distortion encountered in filling a wide screen with SD or for the analog tv owners that don't want to go buy the widescreens having to watch a reduce height pix with black bars.

There is going to be some very unhappy users in one of those groups.

I tried to get DirecTV to tell me what their strategy is but no luck!

[Grey Alien]

FCC just granted dtv until 2013 to be all hd so until then they can and will offer more hd channels but at lower framerates . as far as the widescreen, once 2009 comes along broadcasters will swith to the wide format for news and tv shows, who knows about commercials and syndicated shows...

[RakyeshM]

I wonder how much better it can get. DirecTV's picture quality is immaculate. I hardly spend time at home and therefore don't watch much of TV. For those few hours I watch NDTV 24x7 (Indian news channel), I wasn't ready to compromise on the quality-front - that's the reason I subscribed for DirecTV.

[Iluv2watch]

Checkout the 2013 article at
http://gizmodo.com/370274/proof-satellite-sucks-dish-and-directv-get-fcc-approval-to-downgrade-hd-channels-until-2013

It indicates, the DTV & Dish can downgrade, and don't have to carry every HD local station until 2013. I read it as SD can live on after 2013.

[shadough]

As I understand it, since all TV stations will shut off their 4:3 broadcasting in Feburary (Except Grenville NC which shuts off next week), direct & dish will be recieving the 16:9 signals from them and will be re-transmitting that signal back to 4:3 for those who still only enjoy Standard def. In fact, most of the locals up now are already being transmitted this way. So you should not notice any difference. One thing you might notice on HD broadcasts, is when the local station or network puts their "logo" on the screen, it won't be in the corner, it'll be slightly to the left so that it'll be in the field of view for the 4:3 watchers. Might get a lil annoying for you HD watchers.