Boy this DirecPC Screams! I hit 900kbps doing some downloading. Anyway, ZE always announces the 4th quarter in March. We are not delayed, they just take forever.
For any interested in DirecPC, E-mail me. My service is unlimited from 6pm-6am and all day on weekends and holidays. The cost is only $11.67 a month for the first year (includes $100 towards service-it is normally $19.95/mo) The plan I am on is for 200 kbps minimum service. However, I am downloading 2MB files in 20 seconds! They burst at up to 1.2MBPS when the bandwidth is available. 400kpbs minimum service is $39.95/mo, I don't think it is worth it if you are an owl like me. I usually transfer at 350-600kbps between 12am and 4am. The DirecPC hardware costs $300. This comes with an elliptical dish and the PCI card for your computer. You use your modem and your existing provider for the terrestrial upload side.
Also, I got DirecTV. What a difference in quality over analog! This is the "missing link" between current broadcast quality and HDTV. The picture, I believe, is fed from a 3.5MBPS feed. HDTV is 20MBPS. I can't wait to get HDTV when it is available to the regular guy. The DirecTV hardware cost me $500. This included (2) 32bit RCA 3rd generation 505 receivers, 2 uhf radio remotes, and the dual LNB 18-inch dish. This is a special first time satellite purchaser price. It is very good.
It was my observation that satellite is either not feasible, too much hassle, or too expensive for most. The too much hassle point is very significant. I don't think that it will prove to be a viable threat against terrestrial HDTV. It will be easy to roll-out DirecTV HDTV, however. I will keep you all posted on any news I get from DirecTV or USSB on HDTV.
Also, welcome back Dennis.
Scott |
