Q's on antenna install with Directv service

[IDRick]

I am interested in taking advantage of the AAA Bundle for new subscribers. This means that I likely would have two different installation dates and installers. The first for the sat dish and equipment and the second for an antenna. D* does not provide locals in our area. I have received quotes from two local installers for an antenna. They probably won't be happy with me because I will not be have them do both installations....

Can someone give a general description of how an installer would typically connect a rooftop antenna to a D* system? Will they use diplexers and carry sat and antenna signals to each HD DVR on one coaxial cable or will they run a separate line from the antenna to each dvr? Will a pre-amp be required if they are sending the antenna signal to two HD dvr's with a total of four OTA inputs? How do installers ground the sat dish and antenna? There is a concrete deck immediately below the preferred dish location which will make a drilling a new ground very difficult.

Thanks!

Rick

[litzdog911]

Are you getting a new HD setup? You cannot diplex OTA antenna feed with the new 5-LNB satellite dish (the frequencies overlap). So your OTA antenna installer will need to run separate cable to reach TV/Receiver needed OTA reception. Hopefully an experienced installer in your city will know if a preamp is needed, and what antenna will work best for you. And your OTA antenna should be properly grounded, just like your satellite dish and cables.

By the way, you'll probably find the best OTA antenna advice in the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com. Just find the thread for your nearest city.

[ajc68]

Also, you will need the HR20 model DVR (silver) if you plan on hooking the antenna into the DVR and not straight into the TV (so you can record shows). Unfortunately, the HR21 DVR's (black) don't currently have OTA capability and that’s the only model you’ll find for purchase in stores. If you’re getting your DVR’s from D* in your order, you are stuck with whatever the installer brings. So you may want to find a way to contact the installer and let them know you will absolutely need the HR20 OTA model. And good luck with that.

[joe diamond]

Also, you will need the HR20 model DVR (silver) if you plan on hooking the antenna into the DVR and not straight into the TV (so you can record shows). Unfortunately, the HR21 DVR's (black) don't currently have OTA capability and that’s the only model you’ll find for purchase in stores. If you’re getting your DVR’s from D* in your order, you are stuck with whatever the installer brings. So you may want to find a way to contact the installer and let them know you will absolutely need the HR20 OTA model. And good luck with that.

Select the largest OTA antenna you can fit in your attic. Installing under the roof cuts signal about 25%. Having an OTA antenna and a 5LNB dish on the roof will be a mess.

As mentioned, no diplexers for the HD lines so you either select prewired lines for the OTA or run new ones.

I ended up using a modulator for each of three HR 21s because of the OTA thing. HR 20s have the correct port.

You might find an ATSC tuner to rig now so you are good to go when they turn off the analog feed.

Joe

[GTS]

Are you getting a new HD setup? You cannot diplex OTA antenna feed with the new 5-LNB satellite dish (the frequencies overlap). So your OTA antenna installer will need to run separate cable to reach TV/Receiver needed OTA reception. Hopefully an experienced installer in your city will know if a preamp is needed, and what antenna will work best for you. And your OTA antenna should be properly grounded, just like your satellite dish and cables.

By the way, you'll probably find the best OTA antenna advice in the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com. Just find the thread for your nearest city.

You CAN diplex OTA with an HD system. You merely need to relocate the BBC before the diplexer. I've got several of these installs out there and working just fine.

[jwd45244]

As has been said, it is possible to diplex OTA with an HD install. Not many installers will do it because it is not standard. If you want to pursue it, you probably need to arrange for it separately from the DirecTV install.

[joe diamond]

You CAN diplex OTA with an HD system. You merely need to relocate the BBC before the diplexer. I've got several of these installs out there and working just fine.

I heard this was possible but the BBCs are not outdoor eq. The few times it has come up I was able to run a line. Perhaps an enclosure for the BBC and the diplexer with service loops near the DTV mast & ota antenna would be ok. It would look ok using a squareshooter.

Me make words from ice cream.......make easier when have to eat'em!

Joe

[glennb]

You CAN diplex OTA with an HD system. You merely need to relocate the BBC before the diplexer. I've got several of these installs out there and working just fine.

Even though DIRECTV says not to do it this way.
:rolleyes:

[GTS]

Even though DIRECTV says not to do it this way.
:rolleyes:

Not sure where Directv says not to do this, but I got it straight from a Directv engineer on how to perform the install. Like I said, merely insyall the BBC before the diplexer. Spread a little RTV along the seams and at the pigtail ends then wrap with electrical tape to ensure a weatherproof seal. The only problem I've run into was a case with exceptionally long coax runs where there was too much of a voltage drop. I added a polarity locker close to the dish and moved the multi-switch closer to the receivers and everything worked fine.

Try it, you'll like it. :)