Here are the questions I can't seem to get a straight answer for from DirecTV or the distributor (they both seem to be the last to know and the first to guess):

1) The current HDTIVO, does it recognize the two new satellites as well as it pick up the local HD's and record them?

2) Will the current HDTIVO work exactly the same way it always had with the new 5LNB dish?

3) The soon to be released DirecTV HDDVR (I like the Tivo better), what can it do that the current Tivo cannot?

4) What question did I miss?

many thanks

(yeah, I posted in the Sat forum, seems nobody's going there lately)

I can clarify a little. The current HDTIVO does NOT receive the new HD local channels because they are on the new sat that is MPEG-4 and the receiver cannot process it.

(1) As Jervis961 says, the current HDTiVo (the HR10-250) will not receive the new HD local channels. The HR10-250 will only receive channels transmitted in MPEG-2 format not the MPEG-4 used by the new satellites
(2) The HR10-250 will work fine with the new 5LNB dish. However if you are diplexing OTA signals onto the satellite connections and you are going to use the HR10-250 AND new MPEG-4 HDTV STBs like the H20 together, you CANNOT diplex OTA onto the MPEG-4 signals because the MPEG-4 and OTA signal frequency bands overlap.
(3) The new DirecTV HD DVR (when available) will record the MPEG-4 stations. This is of course a major advantage. It may have no other advantages over the HR10-250, no-one really knows. And it may be (some people say almost certainly WILL be) inferior in general, most people don't like the DirecTV non-HD DVR and the HD one will probably be similar. And since it is a new product it will probably be full of bugs...
(4) You may have issues over multiswitches if you are connecting more than four tuners (TiVo is 2 tuners remember) and want to get the HD locals via an H20. The "old" multiswitches are not compatible with the MPEG-4 signals.

Some of these were already answered, but here's what DirecTV has to say:

1) The current HDTIVO, does it recognize the two new satellites as well as it pick up the local HD's and record them?
The current HR10-250 is MPEG 2 technology. It will not recognize the new satellites which are KaKu band. Dependent on which market the consumer is in it will allow for national network feeds of CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox. Local HD on that unit will need to still be picked up with the ATSC tuner built in via rooftop antenna. The new HR20-300 slated for release in September is the MPEG 4 version and will be capable of picking up local HD broadcasts over DIRECTV as well as local over the air via antenna if necessary.

2) Will the current HDTIVO work exactly the same way it always had with the new 5LNB dish?
Yes. Installation of the new KaKu band dish will not affect the current functionality of the HR10-250.

3) The soon to be released DirecTV HDDVR (I like the Tivo better), what can it do that the current Tivo cannot?
Full interactive capability will be one of the hallmark features of the new model HR20-300. With DIRECTV's NFL Sunday Ticket - Super Fan package consumers will enjoy many new interactive features. Larger HDD. MPEG 4 will allow for over 100 National HD channels to be received on the unit as well as local HD channels. With regard to DVR functionality the unit will deliver comparable performance to the HR10-250.


4) What question did I miss?
How much and what if I already have an older HR10-250 installed? Current lease upgrade costs are $299 for the HR10-250 after new customer rebate. Existing customers wanting the newer upgraded HR20-300 will be contacted by DIRECTV when they are ready to migrate the marketplace to an MPEG 4 broadcast. Installation of the new 5 LNB KaKu dish will be necessary at that time as well.

My older clients have found the new DVR quite difficult to navigate through. I agree. The Tivo was spot on.


.. Looking forward to that aspect.


This is my greatest concern. It's really not our fault that the software is unfriendly, but the look people give you when the screen suddenly goes blank is what I'd really like to avoid (that and ebola).

By the way, thanks Julie. Great info as always.