HDTV Forum

I have this unit connected to an HD plasma, and have just purchased an additional HD plasma for a downstairs game room. I have read on this forum that there may be a replacement unit on the way that will enable "whole house" connectivity. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Also, is there any way to use the 10-250 to support 2 displays in different locations (upstairs/downstairs). If so, how would the remote control reach?

New plasma has DVI/HDMI.

Thanks

Gary

The DirecTV Tivos do not support the same features as the stand-alone (series 2) Tivos which have the inter-device connectivity. I heard that DirecTV was dropping Tivo and if they do then it's doubtful there will be a new HR10-250.

The new local HD stations will require a new MPEG4 compatible receiver. They might include the networking capability but they haven't released any details yet. Just have to wait and see.

As for multiple displays, that is possible using either a HDMI splitter (very expensive - around $400 for one that I saw) or using one of the alternate outputs (HDMI, Component, Svideo). You just need to add an IR extender which uses either an existing Coax line, low voltage wire or a RF setup to be able to control it from the other room.

akirby wrote:As for multiple displays, that is possible using either a HDMI splitter (very expensive - around $400 for one that I saw) or using one of the alternate outputs (HDMI, Component, Svideo). You just need to add an IR extender which uses either an existing Coax line, low voltage wire or a RF setup to be able to control it from the other room.

I have the HR 10-250 using only the component outputs. As I understand it if you connect the HDMI output the component outputs switch off. It would seem a switcher would be needed. Also the S-video is inactive if you are displaying HD output ( 1080i or 720p). The HR 10-250 does have an easy switch on the remote to switch from HD to SD(480i) to activate the S-video output for a cable to a second display, but BOTH displays would be SD ONLY this way. There is also the threat in the HR 10-250 manual that some HD channels may get down rezed on the component outputs sometimes. So far it has not happened but they are thinking ahead when copy flags begin to be used.

There are remotes that use radio control instead of IR- The MX series I believe.

My view is DirecTV is to launch their first two satellites in the next couple of months for the first local channel HDTV service this summer. At that time they are supposed to introduce the MPEG-4 compression which will require some sort of announcement of what receivers customers will need to get the signals. It is generally agreed the HR 10-250 will not work as it is now. I would wait before spending much to see how they are planning to rebuild their HD receivers.

None of the current receivers will work with the new Mpeg4 transmissions. Maybe they'll offer a rebate or trade-in or credit to offset the cost - not sure yet.

That's too bad about it not activating the SD Svideo output all the time. That would be handy. I guess a splitter will be required.