Glad To See More HD Programming But...
Dear Gary: I am sitting here enjoying the performance of one of my favorite actors, Jack Lemmon in The Prisoner Of Second Avenue on HDNet Movies, one of the new high-definition channels added to DirecTV’s HD programming block. I got the news on the Widescreen Review Web site and called to add it to my programming as soon as it was available. I’m happy to have ESPN HD and the other three channels (Mr. Lemmon has never looked better in my home). My only problem now is that I wish I could use my JVC HM-DH30000U HD VCR to record them. I’m all for a DVI input, or at least I thought I was, but I wish DirecTV would’ve at least given the option of a FireWire output on their set-top boxes. I know it’s not DirecTV’s fault, it’s more the movie studios who are concerned with piracy, but I just sit here shaking my head, because I can’t use the extended capabilities of my JVC VCR and that saddens me deeply.
Michael Smith, Perris, California
Editor-In-Chief Gary Reber Comments:
I am pleased that you are enjoying HDNet’s fine programming. With respect to DirecTV, they have not licensed their system with an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface, thus no consumer electronics manufacturer has released a set-top unit that facilitated such. On the other hand, DISH Network has licensed their system with an IEEE 1394 interface. Both EchoStar and JVC are introducing new set-top receivers with such capability. There is no reason for DirecTV to withhold IEEE 1394 in their license. The studios have not restricted nor prohibited the implementation of IEEE 1394.
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