DirecTV finally rolls out hi-def SciFi Channel

After hitting the guide button on my HR20 DVR, my jaw hit the ground. After months of promises, DirecTV finally came through on one to deliver the SciFi Channel and many other channels in HD. Instead of grouping them together below channel 100, the new HD channels show up just above their SD counterparts.

Unfortunately, if you own an older HD DirecTivo, you won't be enjoying the new channels - you can only view them with one of the newer mpeg-4 HD receivers, like the HR20. If you think you're missing out, use your search engine to hunt down the DirecTV customer retention phone number. They'll usually upgrade existing customers for a minimal fee.

Despite my programming showing HD Access, I had to login to directv.com and change my programming package from the Plus DVR (with HD access) to the Plus HD DVR package to get everything working. Moments after making the change, SciFi HD was up and running.