The new HD Guide cannot switch to SD wihtout holding EXIT and switching the entire signal to SD!!!???

the receivers just can't display both the HD GUI and the SD one at the same time.  is very unlikely this is going to change.  But here is a fix, you can buy a component to composite video adapter to put in between the receiver the RF modulator for about $40.00 at monoprice.com  http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407

Ok, that sounds reasonable, but I still do not understand the UI workflow. Why must that huge graphic display, then I must push the EXIT button for seconds, then I can see the guide/DVR list fine in SD, then I must push the EXIT button again to return to HD for the other TV? The entire TV signal is switched, so that involves a few flashes on the HD TV.

The station signal itself has no trouble to switch depending on the output itself, and does not require some UI forced process... I mean if the TV signal itself is auto-switched to 480 when the signal is sent out the RF/component outputs, why can't the guide be auto-swicthed for those outputs, too?

Or, maybe It would be better if the guide could be toggled to SD by a setting, and then when it is displayed it is in SD on both TVs but without changing the signal?

I just cannot believe it is that complicated to make it work in both outputs without having to go through the UI EXIT button hoops!

But thanks for the tip.

the HDDVR graphics chips can't process both the HD guide and SD guide simultaneously.  the video is a totally different beast.

I must tell you that I'm quite surprised at how many posts we receive from folks who are feeding multiple TV's from a single receiver.  I assume you understand that Directv never intended that a receiver drive multiple TV's, they offer no installations for such use and those customers who do use this setup do so with what one would consider a "jury rigged" system.  When this issue first came to our attention, we put the same question you ask to our Directv contact and their position was basically that they intended the new UI to enhance the HD experience and the lack of SD support was an unfortunate consequence.

The use of a component to composite converter is simply an added requirement for those who wish the stretch their receivers.  I personally don't use one, but I understand that they work just fine.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407&p_id=7114&seq=1&format=2#description

The installer in fact setup this situation for us the first time. Five years later, now we have three HD DVRs with the whole-house DVR setup and it had been working great until this push. The receivers (3) have been driving 8 televisions (only 4 are HD). Dishnet even makes this a "feature" to drive multiple TVs from same receiver, while Comcast "supports" it just fine. So... the fact that DirecTV receivers have multiple parallel outputs tells us that it IS supported, otherwise it would be a trivial task to make the hardware support only one signal out (and that would have been the end of DirecTV as a company).

so... good luck with that one TV per receiver strategy. How do you monitor/control what your kids are watching in the other room?

when we say "DirecTV does not support this set up" it means that the DIrecTV system was not made to work this way.  when the developers are making this new software, they only IMHO, they think of how a SD DIrecTV system is supposed to be installed.  If a customer wants to "customize" their system, it should be done at their own expense and risks.

I am now more confused... I agree that the "fix" you suggested will resolve the lack of programmer intelligence and I sincerely appreciate the tip... I can do that as a workaround.

Spot on.  since the DirecTV receivers are meant to service one TV, the graphics chipset on the receivers cannot handle both the HD GUI and a SD GUI simultaneously.  But in fact, you are customizing your system to fit your needs.  the only reason the receiver's have multiple connections is to provide different means to connect to the customer equipment.  how you make use of those connections is up to you.

This recommendation was very helpful.  I bought this device and it immediately solved the problem.  I will say that I have bought other items from Monoprice as well and while their products are high quality, be careful if you have to return it.  They won't pay for shipping and won't refund the original shipping costs.

so... good luck with that one TV per receiver strategy. How do you monitor/control what your kids are watching in the other room?

It's called parental controls.a choice on the menu.works very well

parental controls... Well, it's good if you trust the rating system, but we do not often find it is done well. For example, we watch spongebob which is reated "TV-Y". It's fine for weekends or other off-time, but we never let them watch it during school days. Shows like Curious Goerge are also "TV-Y" and is fine anytime. So being able to see the program they are watching in the living room, from the kitchen is a good thing. We also watch football this way. One of us may be watching the game in the living room, while the other is cooking or working a puzzle at the kitchen table. We want to see the same picture, pause and talk to each other, etc. Having a receiver per TV would just be more hassle than it's worth...

Then, "a choice on the menu"... hahaha... where? Just kiddiing... I know it is easily found under settings, but overall I find the new interface mainly only new due to it's color! There are not any features I find that are "better" than before. The initial display is slower, the DVR playback bar is hard to read and now takes up the enitire lowoer portion of the screen (where the school closings scroll among other things!), the white on black text is also hard to see. I realize it is "progress", but needs some improvement, too, and with imporvoement I would expect some configurations options, maybe? Would it be so hard to allow us to control the colors and where widgest display on the screen? I used to be a Tivo user (and had two early Tivo based Diretv DVRs, too), and THAT interface is something to be desired for sure. 🙂

If they had not enabled both outputs from the original condition, nobody could complain.

cwinchel:

Thanks for sharing your email string with DirecTV. This matches what I've been hearing from them.   Fortunately there are workarounds, but the best ones cost a bit of money.  Obviously DirecTV feels that the needs of the many customers desiring faster HD graphics outweighs the needs of a small percentage of customers that have fed multiple devices from one HD Receiver/DVR.   Impacted customers will need to decide whether to adapt to these changes, or jump ship.