Does receiving and recording OTA HD require paying for local channels?

[theoak]

I have seen this implied in threads, but not said so in so many words.

What's the scoop?

If I get a HD DVR (612/622/722), what would I have to pay for in order to receive and record OTA HD?

[Ron Barry]

No. you don't have to pay for locals to record HD, however, if you want local guide information in your EPG then you would have to pay for locals. To me, it is worth the 5 bucks a month to avoid having manage my OTA manually (create manual timers).

[RASCAL01]

It does not cost anything to watch and record OTA. The only cost is if you want the program guide data then it is $5.00 I think. Other than that no charge. I set up recording with out the EPG data, just like a VCR timer.

[theoak]

So they only ding me then if:

1. I do not want a HD package - I will be charged a "HD enabling fee" then.

or

2. If I want a HD package - I will be charged whatever the HD package costs.

Am I missing anything?

[xteacher]

No. you don't have to pay for locals to record HD, however, if you want local guide information in your EPG then you would have to pay for locals. To me, it is worth the 5 bucks a month to avoid having manage my OTA manually (create manual timers).

You will only get the guide information if the channels they send you are EXACTLY the ones you get over air. My CBS is broadcast over 2 frequencies (different call letters) The one they provide is 100 miles away and out of range, the one I get is 10 miles away. Same channel, same programming--just similcast on a different channel. I get no guide info and there seems to be no way around it. My PBS is the same way. These are my only two HD channels and subscribing to locals is worthless to me. I hate to say it, but I still pay the $5 bucks a month for basically nothing. I look at the guide for CH 10 and do a manual record on CH 11. I could look in the newspaper for the same thing and save the subscription.

[Michael P]

You will only get the guide information if the channels they send you are EXACTLY the ones you get over air. My CBS is broadcast over 2 frequencies (different call letters) The one they provide is 100 miles away and out of range, the one I get is 10 miles away. Same channel, same programming--just similcast on a different channel. I get no guide info and there seems to be no way around it. My PBS is the same way. These are my only two HD channels and subscribing to locals is worthless to me. I hate to say it, but I still pay the $5 bucks a month for basically nothing. I look at the guide for CH 10 and do a manual record on CH 11. I could look in the newspaper for the same thing and save the subscription.

Not true for everyone. I get 2 CBS OTA signals, one is OOM. I get guide data for both (that is since I switch to DVR advantage to avoid the price increase). DVR advantage includes your locals (something I never wanted since OTA blows away the SD satellite feeds). Now I get the SD satellite locals for my DMA, the same channels in HD OTA and a distant station (OTA only, but with guide data).

Your situation may be unique. If I read your post correctly the "virtual channel" number is the same for both of your CBS feeds? If so that would cause a guide data conflict. It happened to me one day when a distant virtual ch 8 knocked my local ch 8 out of my guide, even though the digital OTA channels were different.

[GravelChan]

[QUOTE=
Your situation may be unique. If I read your post correctly the "virtual channel" number is the same for both of your CBS feeds? If so that would cause a guide data conflict. It happened to me one day when a distant virtual ch 8 knocked my local ch 8 out of my guide, even though the digital OTA channels were different.[/QUOTE]

I'm going to take a shot at what I think is happening here, I may be wrong!:D

XTeacher is in the same position I am in (but a different DMA). Our local CBS/PBS are full power translators of the main station. They are on different channel numbers. I get CBS 11 KELO out of Sioux Falls, SD as a standard def local (my DMA is Sioux Falls). Locally I get their full power translator station channel 6 Reliance, SD KPLO, same content. I of course get guide data for channel 11 as well as channel 11 SD from Dish. However, dish does not transmit any guide info for KPLO or channel 6 so no guide data for local CBS 6 KPLO. What we need is the ability to attach Channel 11 guide data to Channel 6

In your case the channel from an adjoining DMA has Dish guide data for that Channel#/name in the adjoining DMA, you are in the footprint to receive the guide data and close enough to the actual station to receive it so you do get the guide data. Station call letters/channel # matches.