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DirecTV is getting into the Video on Demand business...

Y

Yeziknoradio

With Liberty Media being the largest shareholder of DirecTV, it looks like they've deciced that a larger focus on video is the way to go...

"DirecTV is launching a video-on-demand service with 3,000 titles and on-demand movies, as well. It’s ramping up its interactive sports offerings..."

and

"DirecTV told Wall Street analysts that video would still be king."

Source:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6537222.html
 
ansky212 said:
Directv on Demand has been available since last October.
Click to expand...

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 3/1/2008 1:32:00 PM

"Now, DirecTV is launching a video-on-demand service with 3,000 titles and on-demand movies, as well. It’s ramping up its interactive sports offerings..."

The article makes it sound like anything from last October does not already exsist.
 
But, they can't DELIVER the VOD over their satellites. They have to do that over the internet....high-speed internet.

Can you say "Cable"? ;)
 
Yeziknoradio said:
The article makes it sound like anything from last October does not already exsist.
Click to expand...

Technically it has been in Beta since last October. I guess now they are just going to ramp up and offer more titles.
 
kenglish said:
But, they can't DELIVER the VOD over their satellites. They have to do that over the internet....high-speed internet.

Can you say "Cable"? ;)
Click to expand...

Why not? I'm sure there's some way of doing it. Besides, didn't they, at one time, offer internet via DirecPC? HughesNet also offers internet via satellite. Why can't they sell a receiver that's got a f/t stream? I'm sure it'll be a receiver upgrade for VOD as it is with everything else, but I bet the technology's already there.
 
FloydB said:
Why not? I'm sure there's some way of doing it. Besides, didn't they, at one time, offer internet via DirecPC? HughesNet also offers internet via satellite. Why can't they sell a receiver that's got a f/t stream? I'm sure it'll be a receiver upgrade for VOD as it is with everything else, but I bet the technology's already there.
Click to expand...

There is not enough bandwidth to carry 3,000+ titles of VOD over the 5 or so satellites that Directv has. Much of their capacity is already full with the new HD channels and local channels for over 100 markets nationwide. Also, Directv receivers are only one-way communication, so you would still need to have it connected to the internet or phone line to order programming.
 
ansky212 said:
FloydB said:
Why not? I'm sure there's some way of doing it. Besides, didn't they, at one time, offer internet via DirecPC? HughesNet also offers internet via satellite. Why can't they sell a receiver that's got a f/t stream? I'm sure it'll be a receiver upgrade for VOD as it is with everything else, but I bet the technology's already there.
Click to expand...

There is not enough bandwidth to carry 3,000+ titles of VOD over the 5 or so satellites that Directv has. Much of their capacity is already full with the new HD channels and local channels for over 100 markets nationwide. Also, Directv receivers are only one-way communication, so you would still need to have it connected to the internet or phone line to order programming.
Click to expand...

Who says they have to have 3k+ titles? Chances are, they're going to get rid of some of the crappy SD channels after the 2009 switch, and PPV would be pretty much pointless after VOD with the exception of the occasional concert, fight, or WWE event, so many of those channels would be allocated to VOD. I ordered a PPV movie without having my basic receiver hooked up to the internet, so I'm pretty sure needing an internet connection for ordering is out. However, VOD customers will probably need a DVR, as the movie might be downloaded onto the DVR and viewed from it, to keep from jamming up the transponder for a whole movie.
 
FloydB said:
Who says they have to have 3k+ titles?

I ordered a PPV movie without having my basic receiver hooked up to the internet, so I'm pretty sure needing an internet connection for ordering is out. However, VOD customers will probably need a DVR, as the movie might be downloaded onto the DVR and viewed from it, to keep from jamming up the transponder for a whole movie.
Click to expand...

See the third post above - it says about 3,000 titles will be available.
There are only two ways to order a PPV or VOD on Directv. Either you have your DVR connected to an internet/phone line, or you have to go into your account online (Directv website) and order the title there. I have done it both ways. If you want more detailed information on why VOD will not be transmitted over the satellites send me a PM and I'll point you to some articles.
 
Dude, I don't care that much. I'm just saying, how much advancing technology is these days, it may be possible. All I know is that 1) I can't afford it, 2) I don't even have the basic DVR, and still record on VHS, and 3) I've got Blockbuster. Plus, with FMC and iFC, I really don't even see a need to have any movie channels, either. I'm not sitting on my couch long enough to watch all of that.
 
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