Those channels will be locals in
HD and not 500 HD channels available to everybody to watch. That is alot of wasted bandwidth in my opinion.
I am perfectly happy with my HDTV service from comcast where I get all major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX,
PBS, WB) and ESPN-HD, INHD1&2, SHO-HD, HBO-HD, Starz-HD, CinemaxHD, Discovery HD. Also there is a special events channel that shows all the local sports home games in HD (Comcast SportsNet Chicago) and NFL game of the week.
We miss TNT, Bravo and HDNet.
I really doubt there will be too many new HD channels in next year or so. ESPN2 is announced in january.
Plus they just added HDTV Video on demand section (with no listings yet).
Also I have a HD DVR for $9.95 a month (which includes box rental and service).
All I can say is, competition is a good thing and we will all benefit from it, but 500 channels that Directv plans to add is not a big deal. It is a big deal for those who cant receive their local networks in HD over the air.
My 2 cents.