DirecTV on Demand becoming active for HR21 users
By Darren Murph 
posted Feb 13th 2008 4:04PM
posted Feb 13th 2008 4:04PM
[Thanks to Earl and everyone who sent this in]
posted Feb 13th 2008 4:04PM
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And now I offcially have no reason to keep paying Time Warner Cable for shitbox picture quality (SD or HD) and the WORST selection of HD I have ever seen (c'mon, 5 channels that aren't local or movie channels?!).
Do you need the phoneline to be connected for this? I don't have a landline, but I can give it ethernet without a problem.
I've never had a land line connected to my HR20, just ethernet, and on-demand works fine.
@MikeS
Sweet, thanks! I haven't used OnDemand before, and I don't bother with PPV as I've usually rented the DVD by then. But, if they have a back catalog item in HD that might be nice.
No phone line necessary. I have an HR21-700 with just an ethernet cable and it is perfectly fine.
I have an HR-21 Box. I'm connected with Ethernet. And it's still not on for me.
There is a code (I had to google for it) to force a reset and download of the latest firmware/software.
You cannot force this download -- that only works for beta tester releases. DirecTV national releases "just happen." They mainly roll out from the west coast, so folks in Los Angeles have it now, and it will be a few days until the east coast gets it.
OnDemand turned on for me a couple days ago. I was pretty disappointed. When I selected High-Def there was only 5-6 PPV movies. Kind of sad considering just how HD DirecTV is supposed to be.
It's only a Beta and I'm sure that when this thing rolls our for real, we're gonna see a much larger amount of content on there.
I too was disappointed w/ the selection as I previously had Comcast on demand and that thing was stacked. I can't wait to start watching those MTV on demand dance lessons again.. LOL
This was my only disappointment... the lack of HD quality On-Demand content. I have Comcast On-Demand and for HD quantity, it kick's D*'s butt. I believe that there is more SD content by far on D* though.
just an FYI. I'm in Dallas and my guide got a face lift yesterday.
Is DOD considered part of the existing package, or will DirecTV charge addional for this? Will a DVR always be required? Comcast's "On-Demand" programming is stored on thier end.
I have no idea if they will ever charge for this, but it will NEVER be stored on their end. Cable is physically connected with hihg-bandwidth cables and can drop something to you quickly; DirecTV has to use the public Internet for your VoD.
Note: you need broadband for this to work.
-) If you have everything connected, and have received the latest software version 0x1FE then DoD should activate shortly after connecting and setting up the network connection.
If it does say after a few days, you can go through the automated phone system at DirecTV, and it will resend the DoD authorization pieces.
-) HD Content on DoD... yes, it is lacking today... but it won't be that way for ever. As IdealD pointed out... once they go full tilt with DoD.. you will see more HD content
-) DoD is no extra cost, for the service. There is content that is PPV based... and some of the channel access... is tied to your base account... For example... DoD content from Starz... you must have the the Starz channels as part of your backage.
-) And yes... for any reasonable definition of the foreseable future... a DVR is going to be required to use the DoD feature.
Note also that the box software is now capable of the "Remote Booking" feature, although it may be a bit before they enable HR21s for this at the website. Currently only works with HR20s, but they now share the same codebase, so it shouldn't be long.
WOW, Earl B is on EngadgetHD!!! Way cool. I haven't checked the HD offerings recently, but the last time I did there were only 3 HD movies. It seems to have been in beta for a while now, so hopefully they will add more HD content soon. Earl, any CEs coming soon? :-)
There is always a CE around the corner.
Do you have to have the latest CE to have this run on the HR-20??
All I see is channel 1000 and none of the other channels.
I live in the Midwest and got a pleasant surprise this morning. Played with it for about an hour and got a couple of shows for the kids. Can't wait for more HD content. Oh BTW, HR21 users can now remote reschedule your shows too.
well i upgraded to the hd and get this they said when i upgraded i would get the dvr upgrade also for free for upgrading but the old version was no good so when the new 1s came out they would send it to me and i would send bk this 1 so i waited and waited so i called them and they said i would have to pay over 200.00 for 1 so that shows how they keep there word think about switching co. now that was so wrong.
Hooked up VOD this weekend and I understand this is called a BETA but.....
VOD Wishlist:
1. Need HBO (I am sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that HBO is owned by Time Warner who I believe is a Cable Company :>)
2. EXPAND Programming options.
3. Being in the software field, a BETA should be pretty close to what you expect to field to customers. This seems more like a developmental build I was excited about the capability but under whelmed looking at available programming. DT has an opportunity to get people talking and excited about VOD but current programming availability lacking. TNT for example, they have "Charmed" great, but what about two of their strongest shows "Saving Grace" and "Closer"
4. I hope DT can do this right vs not providing full capabilities like they did with the Tivo Boxes. It has great potential
Received my HR21 on Tuesday and after about 8 hours of fiddling with my wireless expander static IP settings and about 3 resets I got VOD up and running. Tried two 45min + music videos and a four minute music video. Looked and worked great.
As I understand it, DirecTV doesn't have a contract with the Networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX etc) content but I think it's in negotiations so I don't know how long it will be before we see our favorite shows. However there are several hundred shows on there now.