View Full Version : Anyone switch from DirecTV to OTA?
airedale
02-02-09, 08:59 AM
I have been considering for some time going OTA only. I have never experienced OTA digital until I just setup a media center computer and tried out the OTA antenna that came with my little usb stick HD tuner.
The picture was amazing. I showed my wife and she asked why not just use that instead of DirecTV. I would say 80 - 90% of our vieiwng is on the major networks that we already receive. So that begs the question, why not switch, right? Well I do enjoy TBS / Spike / SciFi channel when "nothing else is on" type of viewing.
My only problem is that I do not receive CBS wtih that antenna. I don't know about installing an antenna on my roof. I do have attic space that I could try installing it in though. Have any of you installed an antenna in your attic? What were the results?
Anything I should consider before really deciding to do this? I think my commitment to DirecTV expires in August, so I have some time to plan this out before then.
bhelton71
02-02-09, 09:31 AM
I have been considering for some time going OTA only. I have never experienced OTA digital until I just setup a media center computer and tried out the OTA antenna that came with my little usb stick HD tuner.
The picture was amazing. I showed my wife and she asked why not just use that instead of DirecTV. I would say 80 - 90% of our vieiwng is on the major networks that we already receive. So that begs the question, why not switch, right? Well I do enjoy TBS / Spike / SciFi channel when "nothing else is on" type of viewing.
My only problem is that I do not receive CBS wtih that antenna. I don't know about installing an antenna on my roof. I do have attic space that I could try installing it in though. Have any of you installed an antenna in your attic? What were the results?
Anything I should consider before really deciding to do this? I think my commitment to DirecTV expires in August, so I have some time to plan this out before then.
Tried plugging in a zipcode @ TVFool for Palatine, IL 60074 - looking at post transition your CBS will be on VHF12 (and appears to be on VHF3 now ?) - I am guessing the little USB antenna may not cut it. But I do think you would get most of your channels with an attic antenna -
I have an attic antenna (tiny CM3016 I picked up at one of the home improvement stores) - currently the only VHF I am getting on it is 9 (which is CBS also - CBS must like VHF :)) from about 20 miles away but a couple of our stations will flip with the transition. No issue currently with 9 and I have my antenna pointed south to get our CW station which about 45 miles away (on UHF 48). The main advise I heeded was splurging on a low noise pre-amp - it was a CM 7xxx (something like that) - if I remember correctly it was almost 3x as much as the actual antenna. But money well spent - I have split the signal 4 ways without any additional amplification and still get good signal levels.
You might try plugging in your exact address at http://www.tvfool.com/ - I wouldn't treat the results as gospel but it should be useful for general planning.
As far as going all OTA - thats a personal preference - it is true at my house during primetime we do view almost exclusively the 'big 4'. But during the day and weekends and after primetime - we make use of the satellite channels heavily and would miss them.
PCampbell
02-02-09, 09:35 AM
If thats all you watch its a great way to go and its free.
I have been considering it for a long time,have ota but need a little more like fta sats. but need to cut down trees to get los on some sats.
The only broblem i have with directv is there is very few channels we watch and need what we have to get them,also have Netflix.
I think there will be more options comming up in the near future.
I have been considering for some time going OTA only. I have never experienced OTA digital until I just setup a media center computer and tried out the OTA antenna that came with my little usb stick HD tuner.
The picture was amazing. I showed my wife and she asked why not just use that instead of DirecTV. I would say 80 - 90% of our vieiwng is on the major networks that we already receive. So that begs the question, why not switch, right? Well I do enjoy TBS / Spike / SciFi channel when "nothing else is on" type of viewing.
My only problem is that I do not receive CBS wtih that antenna. I don't know about installing an antenna on my roof. I do have attic space that I could try installing it in though. Have any of you installed an antenna in your attic? What were the results?
Anything I should consider before really deciding to do this? I think my commitment to DirecTV expires in August, so I have some time to plan this out before then.
Attic antenna installation normally works quite well. That's where mine is. You don't have an ugly antenna to look at and it is protected from the elements so it never wears out.
I think more and more folks will think of going OTA if this economy continues.
I would miss a bunch of channels but it is just television. More importantly,
I have five Directv and Tivo DVRs with lifetime service that would be sorely missed.
airedale
02-02-09, 10:54 AM
I really like the idea of being able to control my recordings by using something like windows media center rather than being stuck with DirecTV's solution where I have no control over the recordings. It is rather easy and inexpensive to do an MRV solution with the MS option.
CorpITGuy
02-02-09, 10:59 AM
My brother did it, and is very happy. That high-VHF CBS channel will be much easier to get post-transition than the low-VHF it is currently on.
I would take the advice of others here and get a good Channel Master antenna installed in the attic. I'd wait until after the digital transition, though.
Oh, and the guys in the AVS Forums know a heck of a lot about OTA. You might find your DMA's thread there and pick their brains:
Link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45)
If its all you watch, go for it. OTA is awesome, just only a few channels.
Attic antennas are great too. Mine has served me well for many years without issue.
Hi All
Where can I find a OTA DVR forum ?
Most DVR'S are out of production or cost $500.00, then there is the DTVPAL but it has all kinds of problems.
SSTV
airedale
02-02-09, 01:03 PM
I am building mine out with a windows media center pc.
Hi All
Where can I find a OTA DVR forum ?
Most DVR'S are out of production or cost $500.00, then there is the DTVPAL but it has all kinds of problems.
SSTVI haven't heard of any other OTA DVR's, but AVS Forum does discuss the DTVPAL DVR. You might find more on their forum, so here is the link: AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=42)
frederic1943
02-02-09, 04:55 PM
I put an antenna in the attic back in 1972 to get all 4 channels that were on the air then from 6am until midnight. :lol: It still works fine on my 37" HDTV for the analog VHF and most UHF channels. I use a Silver Sensor indoor antenna for the ATSC tuner.
I used OTA to watch my local stations in HD for a long time before D* finally started downlinking them in HD.
My local PBS station has four digital/HD channels, D* only downlinks one of them so I continue watching the other three OTA.
As much as I love D* (I'm retired with WAY too much time on my hands), my wife lost her job recently and the Premier package, HD service, and HD Extra Pack (or whatever it's called) just may become one of the non-essential things in our lives.
Only antenna I have to get all my locals in digital/HD is a little loop I bought at WalMart for about $10.....sits behind the TV (65" Mitsi).
Bob Coxner
02-02-09, 07:23 PM
Hi All
Where can I find a OTA DVR forum ?
Most DVR'S are out of production or cost $500.00, then there is the DTVPAL but it has all kinds of problems.
SSTV
If I had to do it today I'd go with a Tivo HR10-250. They go for around $70-$80 on eBay, with some as cheap as $50. They work perfectly fine for OTA and don't require a subscription to DTV.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Direct-TV-TIVO-DVR-HD-HR10-250-Receiver_W0QQitemZ110345649944QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6 1387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I cannot imagine watching only OTA, which in my area means the Big 4 networks, PBS and its worthless multiplexes, the two worthless netlets and preacher channels.
A vast wasteland.
Hi All
Where can I find a OTA DVR forum ?
Most DVR'S are out of production or cost $500.00, then there is the DTVPAL but it has all kinds of problems.
SSTV
www.avsforum.com has a decent OTA subforum.
Probably one of the best OTA DVRs would be the Tivo HD, but it does have a subscription fee, although minor compared to a full Directv sub.
https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxes.do
whitepelican
02-02-09, 09:26 PM
If I had to do it today I'd go with a Tivo HR10-250. They go for around $70-$80 on eBay, with some as cheap as $50. They work perfectly fine for OTA and don't require a subscription to DTV.
The HR10-250 requires a DirecTV subscription to record anything at all, including OTA. It can only be used as an OTA tuner (with dual 30-minute buffers) without a subscription. And it won't get guide data unless it is connected to a satellite signal.
I have been considering for some time going OTA only. I have never experienced OTA digital until I just setup a media center computer and tried out the OTA antenna that came with my little usb stick HD tuner.
The picture was amazing. I showed my wife and she asked why not just use that instead of DirecTV. I would say 80 - 90% of our vieiwng is on the major networks that we already receive. So that begs the question, why not switch, right? Well I do enjoy TBS / Spike / SciFi channel when "nothing else is on" type of viewing.
My only problem is that I do not receive CBS wtih that antenna. I don't know about installing an antenna on my roof. I do have attic space that I could try installing it in though. Have any of you installed an antenna in your attic? What were the results?
Anything I should consider before really deciding to do this? I think my commitment to DirecTV expires in August, so I have some time to plan this out before then.
I must say...and I am on the edge here, that this makes a lot of sense (cents). If I can find a reliable HD DVR for OTA, I'd be set. Mrs. Smiddy and I could/would live without most of the items there since most of what we watch is local anyhow. The Smiddelettes on the other hand are glued to Noggin and Disney, which are the only channels they would miss. Man, this is tough, but doable. I like having all the HD, and I'd miss HDNet, but do I need it? Humm, thanks for making me think about this. I am not talking to Mrs. Smiddy about this, she'd be all over it. :D
Edit: Whoa, I did some further checking, this is available now: http://www.dtvpal.com/
IcedOmega13
02-02-09, 09:43 PM
i recently picked up an indoor antenna from radio shack that rotates to find the signal. its great for ota HD at a distant. Its been the only thing that worked, especially for the lack of Hd locals in my area.
Edit: Whoa, I did some further checking, this is available now: http://www.dtvpal.com/
Ya, looks interesting, but kinda basic and crude at times.
IMO if you went the OTA only route it would be worth it to invest in a Tivo HD w/subscription which comes out to be not that much for a premium guide and better device.
Ya, looks interesting, but kinda basic and crude at times.
IMO if you went the OTA only route it would be worth it to invest in a Tivo HD w/subscription which comes out to be not that much for a premium guide and better device.
Do you have a good link? I tried looking and got nothing.
If you mean the DTVPal DVR, lots of info in this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071
Overall the Tivo looks to be a better option to me, much more polished, for around $8/mo in service fees. But to each their own!
Another big issue with the DTVPal is that it is time based not name based recording. So it cannot do a very good Season Pass type feature besides recording the same time slot over and over on a certain day of the week.
If you mean the DTVPal DVR, lots of info in this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071
Overall the Tivo looks to be a better option to me, much more polished, for around $8/mo in service fees. But to each their own!
For the TiVo, I can't seem to find anything about an HD OTA version.
For the TiVo, I can't seem to find anything about an HD OTA version.
The Tivo HD and Tivo HD XL both do OTA HD in addition to cable:
https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxes.do
Interesting though, the service is not free. While I agree that it is more feature rich, it costs more to run those features. It does give alternatives to the OTA case though which is something to think about.
Interesting though, the service is not free. While I agree that it is more feature rich, it costs more to run those features. It does give alternatives to the OTA case though which is something to think about.
Well, it has the monthly fee, which you can get down to about $8/mo or even less if you go for more than 3.5yrs and do a lifetime sub. But that gets you a lot over currently the only other set top box type OTA DVR:
-True Season Passes
-Better Search
-Better Guide Data
-Better Interface
-More robust software, much more reliable
-Remote scheduling
-MediaShare type features (share PC content to your Tivo)
-Transfer recordings to PC and then to DVD or Mobile Device
-More recording space, and ability to easily upgrade with eSATA
-Some free internet video (youtube, etc.) and some premium pay for internet video (Amazon, Netflix, etc.)
-Multi Room Viewing
I agree, for some the DTVPal DVR is a better option as it is just the one time up front cost and a simple machine for doing OTA DVR tasks. But the Tivo adds a lot of other things and an overall better user experience for just a few dollars a month. Cutting down from a cable or sat bill of say $50-$100/mo to $8/mo or so is still a significant savings ;)
captain_video
02-03-09, 06:02 AM
I built a HTPC about two years ago for OTA recording. I have six external USB ATSC tuners connected to an external hub to cover the six local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and The CW) should I ever have occasion to record from all six at the same time (it's actually happened). I am fortunate in that I have an abundance of local HD channels (14 at last count) and I happen to like a lot of network programs.
I pay $0 in monthly fees to use my HTPC as a PVR since the guide data is free. Of course, there is a major upfront investment in the PC but I can also use it for other things like palaying video games on my 60" Sony TV or surfing the net. I also use it for streaming ripped movies from my unRAID server to the big screen TV.
I dropped DirecTV two years ago in favor of FIOS for a laundry list of reasons that I won't go into. I had been using several HR10-250 HDTivos for recording OTA programming and it just seemed silly to pay monthly fees for free TV. I also have two S3 Tivos that I use for recording shows from FIOS, but I rarely, if ever, use them for OTA recording.
If you only want OTA recording capability then you really don't need the Tivos. A PC with a couple of ATSC tuners will do the job quite nicely and will soon pay for itself due to the lack of monthly fees. You can always upgrade to more tuners and add Blu-Ray playback capability and media center options as your budget permits. I love my Tivos, but if I ever decided to go OTA only I'd cancel them in a heartbeat. OTOH, if you have a digital cable service provider or FIOS, I'd recommend at least one Tivo HD or S3 Tivo to supplement your recording capabilities. If you have DirecTV then you're pretty much stuck with their DVR. Cable and satellite is an even bigger wasteland than OTA, but there's still some good programming out there.
photostudent
02-03-09, 06:48 AM
I'm getting close. My OTAs look look better than satellite. I will be paying over $100 for D* with the increase and no premiums . We would need a DVR but the PC should work for that. I get all my movies from Red Box now. The only thing I would be short is a 24hr news channel. I do not understand why the locals do not use their sub channels for "cable" feeds like CNN and Discovery? They could get part of the advertising revenues instead of running weather loops.
Bob Coxner
02-03-09, 07:41 AM
If you have access to cable there's yet another option. Most cable systems are required to offer some sort of lifeline service. They don't advertise it, you'll have to drag the info out of them. Costs are usually in the $10-$15 per month range but it varies quite a bit.
Here's how I would play it. Sign up for regular cable and get the installation. Then cancel the service. All of the cable systems that I know about have to put a trap on the line to block the clear QAM channels. These are your locals and sometimes a few other major channels like CNN. This is the Lifeline Tier. However, few cable companies take the time or expense to actually roll a truck to place the trap on your line. Meaning you would continue to get free tv for at least a limited number of channels. Even if they did put in a trap, you could sub to their lifeline service at relatively minimal cost.
My only problem is that I do not receive CBS wtih that antenna. I don't know about installing an antenna on my roof. I do have attic space that I could try installing it in though. Have any of you installed an antenna in your attic? What were the results?
Anything I should consider before really deciding to do this? I think my commitment to DirecTV expires in August, so I have some time to plan this out before then.
CBS will be available with a better signal on RF channel 12 as soon as the analog stations shut down. Right now it is on RF channel 3 and limited by noise and low power. Obama and Sen. Rockefeller are in cohoots to delay that transition date until June 12th. This is likely to happen by the end of the week. The plan WAS to switch off analog on the 17th of this month but stupid politicians with slimy agendas are screwing that up. So, you'll have to wait to get CBS 4 months longer. Be sure to thank them for this.
Hi All
Where can I find a OTA DVR forum ?
Most DVR'S are out of production or cost $500.00, then there is the DTVPAL but it has all kinds of problems.
SSTV
Check out the DVD Recorder forum at avsforum.com. Lots of hard disk and dvd recorder options there. Philips/Magnavox makes a nice hard disk recorder you can still find at walmart for about $250, IIRC. I use a panasonic DVD recorder with DVD-RAM disks for everyday recording. I still have satellite, but this allows me 3 recordings at once (2 on the D* DVR and 1 on the panny). These standalone DVD/HDD recorders only do SD. However, even downrezzed HD on these still has excellent PQ (DVD quality). If you go with a PC based system instead, you can record HD.
I am looking into this http://www.dtvpal.com/ plus whit FTA i can get Bio and History channel,also a Netflix streaming box.
mcbeevee
02-03-09, 08:40 AM
Does anyone know what happened with the EchoStar TR50 HD OTA DVR?
EchoStar TR50 HD OTA DVR (http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html?tag=more)
:)
Mike_TV
02-03-09, 08:50 AM
If you are thinking about building a Vista or Windows 7 based Media Center PC to record OTA, I would say one of the best sites out there is....
thegreenbutton.com
Lots of community support there as well as the other forums people mentioned in this thread.
Does anyone know what happened with the EchoStar TR50 HD OTA DVR?
EchoStar TR50 HD OTA DVR (http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html?tag=more)
:)
They renamed it the DTVPal DVR. For full discussion they have a good thread at AVS Forums about it.
CorpITGuy
02-03-09, 09:33 AM
They renamed it the DTVPal DVR. For full discussion they have a good thread at AVS Forums about it.
My brother loves his. You can't beat the price tag for what you get.
lehozle
02-03-09, 09:54 AM
i recently picked up an indoor antenna from radio shack that rotates to find the signal. its great for ota HD at a distant. Its been the only thing that worked, especially for the lack of Hd locals in my area.
Would you mind sharing the Model number of the indoor you purchased?
Thanks in advance...
mcbeevee
02-03-09, 10:23 AM
They renamed it the DTVPal DVR. For full discussion they have a good thread at AVS Forums about it.
OK, thanks. For some reason, I thought DTVPal was a PC-based DVR.
:o
Check out the DVD Recorder forum at avsforum.com. Lots of hard disk and dvd recorder options there. Philips/Magnavox makes a nice hard disk recorder you can still find at walmart for about $250, IIRC. I use a panasonic DVD recorder with DVD-RAM disks for everyday recording. I still have satellite, but this allows me 3 recordings at once (2 on the D* DVR and 1 on the panny). These standalone DVD/HDD recorders only do SD. However, even downrezzed HD on these still has excellent PQ (DVD quality). If you go with a PC based system instead, you can record HD.
I love my Toshiba 410 DVD Recorder ($119).....Excellent for burning movies from HBO, etc.
mcbeevee
02-03-09, 12:46 PM
i recently picked up an indoor antenna from radio shack that rotates to find the signal. its great for ota HD at a distant. Its been the only thing that worked, especially for the lack of Hd locals in my area.
Would you mind sharing the Model number of the indoor you purchased?
Thanks in advance...
Wonder if this is it? Got some good reviews over on avsforum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14047860#post14047860).
Radio Shack 15-1892 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034)
:)
joe diamond
02-03-09, 01:26 PM
An OTA antenna gut gave me a rule of thumb to select an antenna size to compensate for a 25% loss if the antenna is installed inside an attic.
AND there is a class of antennas that are called "beam" antennas because they are designed to hang from beams in the attic.
The question I would like answered is "will the digital OTA be as directional as the analog feed? I'm going to get a converter and play around.
I did have a DTV sale canceled when the customer found out I would not be the installer. By the time I found another fulfillment company he had installed garden variety rabbit ears in his new Visio. Now he isn't interested in the DTV deal.
We shall see.
Joe
MattDing
02-03-09, 01:45 PM
I have a friend who did this. He has HD TiVos for his OTA recordings. He also bought an AppleTV and uses iTunes to purchase the few shows he normally watched on Cable.
He says it's saving him a ton of dough. Depending on your package the equipment should all pay for itself after only one year.
smassey22180
02-03-09, 02:35 PM
The latest price increase has me thinking OTA and Internet video also. Getting premiums via Internet will also help. http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2009/01/netflix-survey-would-you-pay-an-additional-999-per-month-for-hbo-shows.html
There are all sorts of cool things out there now. I am going to order one of these. OTA on any PC in my house http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun_atsc
BTW cheap HTPCs will be available soon and will look like this http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/nvidia-ion-reference-pc.aspx?page=1
captain_video
02-04-09, 05:31 AM
That Nvidia Ion PC looks pretty cool. The only downside I see is that you need to connect a eSATA drive to hold the OS and any other software or files. You'd also need to add an external optical drive for playing back DVDs and such. I'd like to see a slightly larger chassis that could accommodate both types of drives. No doubt they left them out so they could keep the power supply small enough just to power the electronics. The mainboard has got to be incredibly compact. The CPU must also be extremely low power and passively cooled.
The HDHomeRun ATSC/QAM network tuner is a great item as well. Lots of people at the AVSForums, Home Theater PC section, rave about it. I've got two of them myself but I haven't gotten around to setting them up yet. I'm getting ready to perform a complete overhaul of my HTPC and the HDHRs will definitely be included in the mix.
randyk47
02-04-09, 06:03 AM
I use my OTA capability from time to time and have found instances where the OTA signal/picture quality/sound are superior to the same channel via DirecTV. That's not all the time and it's not really substantially better but it happens so from that aspect I find OTA to be as good and sometimes slightly better. What keeps me from dropping non-OTA service are the channels I can't get via OTA. For instance, I've become a history buff in my old age so I enjoy the programming on TLC, Discovery, and the History channels. These are not available via OTA. I also like my sports, particularly my football during the winter. I follow teams in other states where I've lived and their games aren't available via OTA. To a lesser extent I also enjoy "cable" news since I have worked something other than regular hours for years which means I'm rarely home in the early evening to catch national news on the OTA national networks. For those reasons I'll probably stick with some kind of non-OTA service, be it cable or sat, for the foreseeable future.
The latest price increase has me thinking OTA and Internet video also.
This has been on my mind too, since my wife lost her job.....
"Back in the day", we had basic cable with an HBO/Max pack for $15 extra a month and rented movies pretty much every weekend. I got the HD bug and jumped to D*, and then upgraded to Premier when I saw the cost was close to what I was already paying.....and I'd get "everything".
With the loss of about 55% of our income, watching OTA locals and subscribing to Netflix is sure looking attractive........would save me about $125 a month.
But I sure would miss seeing Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, and all the documentaries on the history, military, etc. channels......
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