Detailed answers to this and other common questions about the UltimateTV® service can be found here.
Features
Equipment
Upgrades
If you're a current DIRECTV® customer and have questions about UltimateTV, click here.
What is Digital Video Recording?
How much programming can I record?
How do I find programs that interest me but that I didn't know were showing?
What if I want to save or delete a show I digitally recorded?
What is the advantage of having dual tuners?
Do I need to have a special television to use the Picture-in-Picture feature?
How can I pause live television?
How does Skip Ahead work?
How does Instant Replay work?
How do I search for TV programs?
Why would I need an Internet connection on my television?
How does this system connect to the Internet?
What parental controls are in place?
What is Interactive TV?
 Digital Video Recording (DVR) allows you to record TV programs directly onto the receiver's internal hard drive instead of videotape. You can watch the recorded shows whenever you like, and use Pause, Reverse, Fast Forward, Skip Ahead, Instant Replay and Slow Motion. You can also control live TV programs because UltimateTV automatically stores up to 30 minutes of the show you're watching.
With UltimateTV, you can record up to 35 hours of high-quality digital programming (actual recording capacity depends on type of programming being recorded). When the receiver's hard drive begins to fill up, you have the choice to delete the oldest recorded programs to free up space.
With Auto-Record, your receiver will continuously search the Advanced Program Guide™ from DIRECTV by name, title, topic, actor, or other properties that match your interests. As the program guide gets updated, Auto-record is always checking to see if there's a program that matches your criteria. When it finds shows that match, it records them. Now you can watch programs you might have otherwise missed because you didn't even know they were showing!
You can choose to save a program on the system's hard drive for a specific time or easily transfer it to a conventional videotape if you have a VCR. You can also erase recorded programs with a touch of a button.
With dual tuners you can watch two live shows simultaneously with Picture-In-Picture, record one show while watching another, or record two shows at once.*
No. This system brings Picture-In-Picture* to any standard television. With Picture-In-Picture (PIP) you can watch one show at full-screen size and another in a small window. You can use Record, Pause, and Reverse to control the program in the PIP window. And with WebPIP™ technology, you can watch a TV show while you browse the Internet.
The DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service is automatically storing the show you are watching. If you want to take a break, press the PAUSE button on your remote control. Your receiver will store up to 30 minutes of the program on its hard drive. That way, you can resume watching the show where you left off.
The receiver times the programs that it records. This allows you to jump ahead in 30 second intervals. Press the SKIP AHEAD button on your remote control to avoid the boring stuff.
The receiver automatically stores up to 30 minutes of the show you're currently watching. Press the REPLAY button to jump back 7 seconds and review what you just saw.
The Advanced Program Guide™ from DIRECTV is an on-screen TV guide that gives you up to 14 days of programming information. You can search the guide for a specific show by name, by a topic, such as "Labrador retrievers," or "Formula One." You can also search for programs that are on at a specific date and time, by show category such as Drama or Football, by rating, and more. Just type the information you want to find, and the results will appear on your TV screen. By choosing Auto-Record from the Search results screen, the receiver will continue to search for and record programs that match your interests until you tell it to stop. This way, you will be sure to catch any future programs that match your search, even if they don't initially show up in your fourteen day listings.
An Internet connection provides you with convenient access to Internet content that enhances your TV viewing. With the WebPIP™ window, you can continue to watch TV while you're on the Internet.
You can go to related Web sites while you're watching the game to get more information about players, scores, or league standings. Check e-mail during halftime without leaving the couch. Get a movie review before ordering a Pay Per View movie. Enter a contest or vote in a poll on the show's Web site as the show airs. The Internet connection makes TV viewing more informative and more fun.
Your monthly subscription to the UltimateTV service includes 3 hours of Internet connect time**. If you would like Internet access with no time restrictions, there are additional options available.
The DIRECTV™ Receiver with UltimateTV® service connects to the Internet through a built-in 56 Kbps modem over standard phone lines. The Internet service provided is the MSN® TV service. (If you have an already established Internet Service Provider (ISP), or if accessing the MSN TV service from your area is a long distance call, you may be able to use your own ISP for dial-up).
Parents can limit their children's access to both the Web and television programming with Kid Friendly® technology and SurfWatch™ controls. DIRECTV also has a Locks and Limits feature that allows you to set rating limits on TV programs and movies, and rating and spending limits on Pay Per View events.
Many TV shows have developed customized Internet content that is available through UltimateTV service. UltimateTV will notify you when a TV show is interactive by an "i" symbol in the top right corner of the screen.
With interactive TV, you can get more information in a news broadcast or see stats and scores for sporting events. You can play along with a game show or participate in an online poll. There are up to 700 hours of interactive TV programming available each week.
What do I need in order to receive the UltimateTV service?
How much does it cost?
How do I get UltimateTV?
How is DIRECTV® programming packaged?
If I already own a DIRECTV Receiver and subscribe to DIRECTV programming, how do I get UltimateTV service?
If I already own a DIRECTV Receiver and have just purchased a DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service, can I use both?
Will my DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service work with more than one television simultaneously?
You'll need the following:
- A DIRECTV™ Receiver with UltimateTV® service (manufactured by RCA or Sony), including a remote control.
- An dual-LNB** DIRECTV® satellite dish antenna and cables to connect the antenna to the receiver
- A subscription to a DIRECTV® programming package
- A subscription to the UltimateTV service
- An optional wireless keyboard, which can be used for more convenient e-mail and Internet access (included with Sony receivers, or can be purchased separately)
A monthly subscription to the UltimateTV service starts at $9.95*. You will also need a DIRECTV Receiver, a DIRECTV dual-LNB satellite dish antenna, and a subscription to DIRECTV programming. Learn more about costs.
First, you'll need a DIRECTV Receiver that will work with UltimateTV service and a DIRECTV dual-LNB satellite dish antenna (available where DIRECTV satellite systems are sold). Get the details on what you need and where to buy.
Next, you'll need to subscribe to both DIRECTV programming and the UltimateTV service. Order both subscriptions by simply calling 1-800-DIRECTV (1-800-347-3288).
DIRECTV offers access to more than 225 channels of digital-quality television in a variety of packages. Go here for details on the different DIRECTV programming packages or call 1-800-DIRECTV (1-800-347-3288) to order a programming package that suits your needs.
If you're already a DIRECTV customer and want to receive UltimateTV service, you will first need to check if you have a dual-LNB DIRECTV satellite dish antenna and a DIRECTV Receiver that will work with UltimateTV (RCA models DWD490RE and DWD495RE, or Sony model SAT-W60). If you do have these, you can subscribe to the UltimateTV service today by calling 1-800-DIRECTV (1-800-347-3288). Get more detailed information for DIRECTV customers.
Yes. Your new DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service will provide features such as Pause, Instant Replay, and digital video recording for one television. The other receiver will only tune DIRECTV programming. In order to use both receivers, you will need:
- An accessory called a "multi-switch" to share the signals from the dish antenna with each receiver.
- Additional RG-6 coaxial cable from the multi-switch to each receiver. You will also need to pay a fee to have your DIRECTV® programming package sent to more than one receiver (or "mirrored").
No. Each DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service is designed to tune channels for a single TV set. In order to have UltimateTV service features, such as Pause, Instant Replay, Picture-In-Picture, and digital video recording on each television, all receivers need to be DIRECTV Receivers with UltimateTV service.
What is an "Upgrade"?
How do I receive my software upgrade?
Why is there is an upgrade message on the TV screen when I turn on my receiver?
Where do I go for help when using the new features?
If I purchase a new DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service, will I receive a software upgrade?
Can I tell if I already have the latest version of software?
Your DIRECTV™ Receiver with UltimateTV® service can receive automatic software upgrades*** from time to time that bring you new services and features.
There's nothing you need to do to receive the upgrade. It will be sent to your receiver over the satellite.
This message confirms that your DIRECTV Receiver with UltimateTV service has successfully downloaded the software upgrade. To return to your regular service, simply choose Done at the bottom of the screen.
Any time you need help with a feature, press HOME on your remote control and choose
Help from the bottom of the screen.
Yes. When you set up the receiver, it will automatically download the latest service upgrade.
Yes, you can check that your version is the latest by looking at the System Information screen. From TV Home, choose Settings, then System Test, and finally System Info. On the System Information screen, look for "Client SW" (that's techno jargon for "software"). It should say 3.5 - the update that was released in April, 2002.
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