Old Equipment Upgrade Options?

[rljames]

I need help understanding my very old equipment upgrade options...

Currently I have a circa 1996 Sony 18" dual LNB dish connected to a Sony
A65 receiver passing one DirecTV signal to 3 (1 direct S-video connect and
2 via coax splitter) analog only capable TV's. Although fairly happy with
this setup it seems I'm in trouble when the OTA analog broadcasts end in
February. I'm really not sure of all my options but I *think* my best
choice might be to upgrade just my dish and receiver to a level that
provides at least satellite local channels and maybe the option of HD.
However, from what I gather, new receivers (such as the HR21, H21 or H20)
don't appear to offer any sort of coax output as my A65 does for straight
forward signal distribution. Is this right? And if so, is there a solution?
I'm OK with the same signal to all TVs but an RF remote is a must.
Otherwise I'm open to ideas...

Thanks, I REALLY appreciate the help.
Bob
Rochester, NY

[rahlquist]

I need help understanding my very old equipment upgrade options...

Currently I have a circa 1996 Sony 18" dual LNB dish connected to a Sony
A65 receiver passing one DirecTV signal to 3 (1 direct S-video connect and
2 via coax splitter) analog only capable TV's. Although fairly happy with
this setup it seems I'm in trouble when the OTA analog broadcasts end in
February. I'm really not sure of all my options but I *think* my best
choice might be to upgrade just my dish and receiver to a level that
provides at least satellite local channels and maybe the option of HD.
However, from what I gather, new receivers (such as the HR21, H21 or H20)
don't appear to offer any sort of coax output as my A65 does for straight
forward signal distribution. Is this right? And if so, is there a solution?
I'm OK with the same signal to all TVs but an RF remote is a must.
Otherwise I'm open to ideas...


You are correct that the HRx and I believe the Hx series dont have RF out. The R16 does and maybe the R15(dunno). With the HRx the R22 and the Hx series you could buy after market RF modulators like from radio shack for about $20 each. It would be more expensive than just getting a mess of R16 receivers but would allow for future upgrade more readily in my opinion.

If you order any type of new HD service you will get a new dish for compatibility reasons. Just note that unless you get a SWM(Single Wire Multiswitch) based dish and receivers for each new DVR youre going to need at least 2 pieces of coax back to your multiswitch from each DVR. If you manage to get SWM (I think you have to order more than 5 tuners worth of receivers so 3 DVR's would do it I think) then you will need only one cable to each DVR/Receiver.

If I am understanding your setup right you run 3 TV off one Tuner now. You could potentially do that with a R16 easily. Though I would spring for the HRx series and buy the RF modulator myself.

[carl6]

RF modulators are inexpensive, you can buy from most stores that sell an assortment of TV's for $25 or less. That will solve your problem with regard to the new DVRs or HD receivers.

Another option would be to buy a digital converter box so that you can receive and use the ota signals after the conversion, use an rf modulator on the output of that unit and feed that into the ota input port on your old receiver. You would tune local stations using the converter box, which would make doing so inconvenient from the remote tv locations.

Carl

[David MacLeod]

just an opinion here, and its probably going to be unpopular, but at some point you might want to consider replacing the older tv's.

[arxaw]

...Although fairly happy with
this setup it seems I'm in trouble when the OTA analog broadcasts end in February. If you like your current setup, just add a DTV (Digital TV, not Directv) converter box inline with your existing OTA antenna setup. You can put the converter box on either side of your D* box if it has RF out. Make sure you get a converter box with analog pass through. The Zenith converter box (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=214328) sold at Circuit City (and some radio shacks & k-marts) probably has the best performing OTA tuner available. Best Buy also sells them under their "Insignia" house brand. Same identical box as the Zenith.

If you want to control the converter box from another room, get an IR/RF extender.

.

[clb4g9]

I can't imagine DirecTV not giving you a free equipment upgrade if you have been a customer since 1996.....I would just have them bring you a new dish and receiver (if you want more than one receiver they will likely give them to you at little or no cost but it will be $5 more per month for each one) and then use the RF modulator that has been discussed earlier.

[BattleZone]

I need help understanding my very old equipment upgrade options...

Currently I have a circa 1996 Sony 18" dual LNB dish connected to a Sony
A65 receiver passing one DirecTV signal to 3 (1 direct S-video connect and
2 via coax splitter) analog only capable TV's. Although fairly happy with
this setup it seems I'm in trouble when the OTA analog broadcasts end in
February. I'm really not sure of all my options but I *think* my best
choice might be to upgrade just my dish and receiver to a level that
provides at least satellite local channels and maybe the option of HD.

Okay, so I assume you are not getting locals via satellite, and are instead getting them OTA currently.

It's likely that you could get locals from DirecTV with the equipment you already have; you might want to call and verify. If not, they'll probably upgrade you for free (to a Triple-Sat dish and/or new receiver, as needed).

Obviously, if you want to upgrade to HD, or to an SD-DVR, that's another issue. As folks mentioned, an RF modulator would allow coax distribution to your other SD/analog TVs, if you go with an HD receiver.

The HD-DVRs come with an RF remote; the HD receivers come with an IR remote but you can purchase an RF kit (antenna and RF remote) if you wish.