DirecTV unveils 4K set-top box

[Kaido]

Works with any TV, no special requirements like before:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/19/directv-4k-genie-mini/

The unit is the size of a paperback & supports Dolby Digital Plus if you have surround-sound capabilities. I'm not a big fan of DirecTV, but it's awesome to see 4K start leaking out to the real world more :thumbsup:

 

[purbeast0]

how are they going to provide 4k content when they can't even provide true 1080p content yet?

 

[razel]

Have DirecTV. I wonder why I keep it since I hardly watch, but that's another issue. I absolutely hate the HR21-100 DVR set-top box. It's can be slow sometimes. I'm talking nearly 1 minute sometimes just to exit the guide. Yes, it's the HDD slowing it down, because I stuck an SSD on it and the experience is far better.

I've been waiting for them to release newer designed set-top boxes and the Genie centralized versions are the latest. There are no other details about that Genie Mini. What's shown there looks like the receiving box, not the centrailized unit that the satellite cable connects to.... regardless, yes, even though not many programs are shot in 4k, hopefully they allow higher bitrates even with HD programming, even though honestly, HD encoding off DirecTV has been one of the best compared to Dish and Cable. They do clearly control bitrates and give priority to popular programs like Pay-Per View, live sports, top 20 shows, but in general, picture quality is hardly an issue with DirecTV. That's probably why I keep it!

 

[bradly1101]

Sorry, a little off topic, but I used to have DirecTV. There's no cable card support and I could never get mine to work when it rained. Maybe it's better now?

 

[rchunter]

I imagine this will be for PPV channels only. At least to start with.

 

[Nebor]

Given the bandwidth constraints of satellite delivery, I find this claim highly suspect.

 

[Drako]

how are they going to provide 4k content when they can't even provide true 1080p content yet?

They launched DirecTV-14 (UHD) in December to support this.

 

[Aharami]

Given the bandwidth constraints of satellite delivery, I find this claim highly suspect.

Yea, curious to see real world reviews of this

 

[MongGrel]

Same here.

I know Kaido knows his stuff, but I'm a bit skeptical on that one.

 

[NutBucket]

Sorry, a little off topic, but I used to have DirecTV. There's no cable card support and I could never get mine to work when it rained. Maybe it's better now?

Kinda hard for them to issue cable cards when there's RF hardware in the receiver needed for the satellite signals.....

Was that a serious question?

EDIT: Also agree about the 1080p PQ. Makes me happy I'm satisfied with OTA content.

 

[Kaido]

Also agree about the 1080p PQ. Makes me happy I'm satisfied with OTA content.

I'm setting up an OTA antenna for a friend this week, what gear do you use? This one is just an unpowered 25-mile one for like seven bucks on Amazon, but we're testing out the $30 DVR with a USB stick to record to. Should be interesting!

 

[bradly1101]

Kinda hard for them to issue cable cards when there's RF hardware in the receiver needed for the satellite signals.....

Was that a serious question?

About the rain, yes I was wondering if that's still an issue with DirecTV. It was a dealbreaker for me.

 

[Phanuel]

We barely get 1080p from providers as it is. More like brutally compressed 1080i or 720i (it isn't even a thing, I know, but it sure looks like it when you cram 3 channels into the bandwidth of 1).

Is anybody even producing 4k content that isn't a nature doc?

 

[NutBucket]

I'm setting up an OTA antenna for a friend this week, what gear do you use? This one is just an unpowered 25-mile one for like seven bucks on Amazon, but we're testing out the $30 DVR with a USB stick to record to. Should be interesting!

I installed this antenna at our old house...about 35 miles from the broadcast antennas IIRC.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ntenna-(HDB4X)&c=TV Antennas&sku=700112818400

It was overkill but we never had signal issues. I loathe indoor antennas.

As for the DirecTV rain question; it is usually a non-issue assuming the dish is aimed well and it isn't a torrential downpour.

 

[Nebor]

We barely get 1080p from providers as it is. More like brutally compressed 1080i or 720i (it isn't even a thing, I know, but it sure looks like it when you cram 3 channels into the bandwidth of 1).

Is anybody even producing 4k content that isn't a nature doc?

Netflix.

 

[Kaido]

I installed this antenna at our old house...about 35 miles from the broadcast antennas IIRC.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ntenna-(HDB4X)&c=TV Antennas&sku=700112818400

It was overkill but we never had signal issues. I loathe indoor antennas.

As for the DirecTV rain question; it is usually a non-issue assuming the dish is aimed well and it isn't a torrential downpour.

Nice, no power needed? I have a cheap indoor antenna coming in to play with, never tried out HD OTA before :thumbsup:

 

[NutBucket]

It's passive. Typically no amplification is needed for a properly sized outdoor antenna.

 

[Phanuel]

Netflix.

Do I need one of these DirecTV set top boxes for Netflix 4k? :hmm: