DirecTV finally launched its new TiVo HD DVR, but customers with standard set-top boxes are getting a visual refresh as the company rolls out its new HD user interface. The upgrade has been trickling out since November, but DBSTalk forum member RobertE posted a schedule that shows the interface going live in New York City and parts of California, Washington, and Ohio just this past week, with additional markets across the country scheduled for a January 2012 rollout. The update includes a new 14-day program guide, a personalized recommendations system dubbed "My DirecTV," and a streamlined interface, all delivered in native 16 x 9 1080p.

Customers with iPads are also getting a holiday surprise, with the company adding 12 new channels to its streaming app for the iPad. AMC, HD Net Movies, and Fuel TV are amongst the new additions, bringing the total number of available channels to 49 — assuming you subscribe to them all with DirecTV first, of course.