AT&T Homezone TV Offering Lacks HD Capabilities

Consumers considering AT&T Inc.’s widely available Homezone video-driven bundle, which includes TV programming for satellite provider DISH Network, will not be able to view high-definition (HD) programming until sometime later this year, AT&T said Friday.

At present, the in-home device made by 2Wire Inc. that’s used to access the offering is not capable of handling HD, leaving subscribers of the service with only standard-definition (SD) programming, which is generally less enjoyable.

AT&T has been slowly deploying its landline-based video bundled U-verse, which is now available in parts of 11 markets. It features many channels in HD, with more to come as the telco advances the offering.

Homezone, however, is now available to its broadband users across its 14-state territory, and in Connecticut, which was announced Thursday. But customers looking to sign up and cash in on a rebate for the 2Wire home gateway are learning, to their surprise, that HD isn’t on the menu.

It’s certainly not for lack of HD programming from DISH Network, which claims to offer more than 200 hours a day of HD programming from top news, sports and movie channels.

One xchangemag.com reader and HD TV owner, who requested anonymity, had the following to say about the service’s shortcoming:

“I just called AT&T to get set up on the service. In essence, to use HomeZone through my primary TV (which is HD) I would only get the programming in standard broadcast, not in HD,” said the surprised potential customer.

“To get HD programming, you need a separate box that is NOT part of Homezone,” he added. “In my opinion, the system is a half-baked until they can integrate HD.”

With the allure of programming in HD and falling price for HD and HD-capable TV sets, combined with the upcoming NFL Super Bowl and other professional sports, AT&T will likely face challenges signing up users for Homezone.

Asked if the service featured HD programming, and with its executives well-aware of its appeal, an AT&T spokesman said, “We see HD as an important component in our offering and plan to launch an AT&T Homezone HD DVR receiver sometime later this year to allow customers to take advantage of the many HD channels offered through DISH Network.”

AT&T did not say specifically when this will happen, what the box will cost or what it will mean to current Homezone users with the 2Wire device.

AT&T Inc. www.att.com  

DISH Network www.dishnetwork.com  

2wire Inc. www.2wire.com

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