OTA Antenna Installation

[cudasteelers]

I am hoping someone can give me some insight. Due to the digital transition I will be losing my NBC and ABC DNS. Direct TV says they can install an OTA antenna for $99. My signal distance is 7.8 to 15 miles for all the networks and it seems to be a clear shot. My questions are - Will this antenna work? What is part of the install? We have two HD DVR's and two non HD recievers. Is there anything else I need for the non HD receivers. Your help will be greatly appreciated

[litzdog911]

I don't think the OTA antennas provided by DirecTV are very good, but you're pretty close to the transmitters, so you may be OK. I suggest you check out the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com and find the thread for your nearest city. There you can ask local experts about the best antennas, and possibly find a qualified local installer.

As far as your current equipment ....
Only the H20 HD Receiver and HR20 HD DVR have built-in digital TV tuners. Other HD DVRs (HR21/22/23) require the AM21 OTA Tuner accessory available for ~$50 from DirecTV. Your non-HD Receivers have no off-air tuners, so, if those TVs don't have digital-ready tuners, they will require a digital converter box if you want them to receive off-air channels

[joshjr]

Why would you be losing DNS? If its because you have SD DNS you wont be losing them.

[cudasteelers]

The letter I received states I will be able to get them with an antenna and therefore they will remove them

[cudasteelers]

I don't think the OTA antennas provided by DirecTV are very good, but you're pretty close to the transmitters, so you may be OK. I suggest you check out the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com and find the thread for your nearest city. There you can ask local experts about the best antennas, and possibly find a qualified local installer.

As far as your current equipment ....
Only the H20 HD Receiver and HR20 HD DVR have built-in digital TV tuners. Other HD DVRs (HR21/22/23) require the AM21 OTA Tuner accessory available for ~$50 from DirecTV. Your non-HD Receivers have no off-air tuners, so, if those TVs don't have digital-ready tuners, they will require a digital converter box if you want them to receive off-air channels
I can actually get the NBC with rabbit ears right now but the place they need to be is not is right by the door that makes me think I should be able to get these channels even with the DTV antenna, thanks for your help

[jdspencer]

I think you can lose SD DNS if DirecTV is now offering your locals not because you can get them OTA. I can get three of the four networks OTA and have not received a letter about losing the SD DNS.

[mcbeevee]

My signal distance is 7.8 to 15 miles for all the networks and it seems to be a clear shot.
At that distance, you should have no problems with an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor. An indoor antenna will be much cheaper (< $30) than the $99 Directv version. If any of your stations are/will be VHF, make sure you get an antenna that will receive both UHF and VHF. Check the following website for the post transition signal types:

TV Fool signal locater (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29)

:)

[joshjr]

You should not lose your DNS feed just due to being able to get a channel OTA. I guess in a way I can see what I think happened. After the transition maybe the signal for your locals upgraded to a grade A or B and D* requires you to lose them but and this is a big but, you should be able to reapply for waivers that if granted would allow you to have them back. In my mind if D* is not offering you locals this could be the only other thing that changed to make you lose DNS feed. I would call and ask if you are interested in keeping it. I am about 99% sure you should be able to apply for a waiver again just that its would need granted again to keep or regain them. I have never heard of any saying anything about this before but then again I doubt that its very often D* finds out a certain area has a stronger signal and they need to change the waiver info for that area. There is deffinately alot more to it then you are just losing them. If you want real answers dont be afraid to call and ask. I know I would.

[JosephB]

You should not lose your DNS feed just due to being able to get a channel OTA. I guess in a way I can see what I think happened. After the transition maybe the signal for your locals upgraded to a grade A or B and D* requires you to lose them but and this is a big but, you should be able to reapply for waivers that if granted would allow you to have them back. In my mind if D* is not offering you locals this could be the only other thing that changed to make you lose DNS feed. I would call and ask if you are interested in keeping it. I am about 99% sure you should be able to apply for a waiver again just that its would need granted again to keep or regain them. I have never heard of any saying anything about this before but then again I doubt that its very often D* finds out a certain area has a stronger signal and they need to change the waiver info for that area. There is deffinately alot more to it then you are just losing them. If you want real answers dont be afraid to call and ask. I know I would.

Those stations are likely moving to a different channel with a better signal so he's no longer eligible for DNS. At such a short distance away, I would be very surprised if those stations granted waivers, especially if they are not network owned and operated.

[joshjr]

Those stations are likely moving to a different channel with a better signal so he's no longer eligible for DNS. At such a short distance away, I would be very surprised if those stations granted waivers, especially if they are not network owned and operated.

That probably is the case which would mean that he lives in an area that is a grade A or B signal. That being said with him living so close he had to be within a grade A or B signal before more then likely. Thats why I am saying something is not right. If it were me I would want to find out why. It just dont make sence. Its very unlikely that D* would just get wind that a certain area they do no provide locals to has a stronger signal now for the locals they are not providing and they need to change DNS availability for that area. Its possible just unlikely. I have never heard anyone say anything similiar before.