HR20 replacing HR10-250/OTA guide data being discontinued?

[looter]

I got an HR20-700 to replace my HR10-250.

They didn't ship any b-band converters. Called to have them sent.
HR20-700 doesn't support a diplexer. So how can I get my OTAs? Should I have to run a new cable to get the OTAs? Why not get DIRECTV to install a SWiM.

DIRECTV says they CAN'T request and schedule a SWM installation.

Also, they tell me OTA guide data is going away anyway so you shouldn't be able to use it anyway!

When did they announce OTA guide data was going away?
And thanks for sending me an HR20-700 with OTA input.

[codespy]

Call and they should send you some BBC's at no charge.

Run a separate coax for your OTA on the HR20, or split the line going that is feeding your AM21.

Be happy you got the 20-700.....I got HR23's and they are like Heinz Ketchup compared to the 20-700's.

[Lord Vader]

Just connect your OTA antenna cable directly to the HR20-700's OFF AIR IN connector on the back side and you're ready to go with OTA.

Oh, and the OTA guide is not "going away." :rolleyes:

[netraa]

Yes, now that you have graduated to the big leagues of Mpeg4 HD, diplexing is done, dead, gone. You will have to run a 3rd line for your OTA feed.

[looter]

Just connect your OTA antenna cable directly to the HR20-700's OFF AIR IN connector on the back side and you're ready to go with OTA.

Oh, and the OTA guide is not "going away." :rolleyes:

Regarding OTA guide data, I had a very professional and seemingly knowledgeable CSR and his supervisor both read the EXACT same DIRECTV script and say it meant OTA guide data was going away to make more room for more DIRECTV channels and their solution was to hook your OTA cable directly to your TV. I asked them why they sell the AM21 and they had no answer. Saying it didn't make sense and would likely be discontinued shortly. Maybe they were reading script meant for people who don't have AM21 or HR20, but I told them I had both and they were insistent that OTA guide data IS going away. I have no idea if that is true or not.

Re OTA on the HR20: I know I can run a 3 line to my HR20 to get OTA. But I had it going down a the 2nd coax via a diplexer and if the HR20 is supposed to replace my old HR10-250 shouldn't they convert me to SWM so I don't have to drill another hole just to get back the same functionality I had with my HR10-250 (2 SAT tuners, 2 OTA tuners via 2 coax cables).

I did a 3rd run to the AM21 when I got it over a year ago but wasn't thrilled to do so.

It's funny when I got the HR21 I really wanted the HR20 but they couldn't get me one. We know how the "ordering" system works. Now 1-2 years later I was hoping for the HR24 and got the HR20 (which I'm fine with). How does the HR20 compare with the HR24 for speed?

[TBlazer07]

Regarding OTA guide data, I had a very professional and seemingly knowledgeable CSR and his supervisor both read the EXACT same DIRECTV script and say it meant OTA guide data was going away to make more room for more DIRECTV channels and their solution was to hook your OTA cable directly to your TV.

Unfortunately, the amount of their "professionalism" has no correlation to the knowledge of the product they "support." :lol: You can train a dog to bark on cue.

Nothing (from what I have read) compares to the speed of the HR24. However they aren't available yet to the general public yet.

[kevinturcotte]

Regarding OTA guide data, I had a very professional and seemingly knowledgeable CSR and his supervisor both read the EXACT same DIRECTV script and say it meant OTA guide data was going away to make more room for more DIRECTV channels and their solution was to hook your OTA cable directly to your TV. I asked them why they sell the AM21 and they had no answer. Saying it didn't make sense and would likely be discontinued shortly. Maybe they were reading script meant for people who don't have AM21 or HR20, but I told them I had both and they were insistent that OTA guide data IS going away. I have no idea if that is true or not.



And just how many channels did this CSR think they were going to squeeze into the bandwidth the OTA guide data takes up? Good job CSR lol Now Dish, on the other hand, may try and squeeze an HD channel or 2 into that space :D
The OTA guide data is going nowhere. Actually, a lot of people depend on OTA since Directv doesn't offer their local channels (Sometimes not even in SD). If they started getting rid of OTA before they offered ALL local channels in HD, they'd make a LOT of customers very mad.

[jefbal99]

I've Diplexed with and without a SWiM installation for 3 years, it just takes careful placement of the BBCs if you don't have a SWiM.

[raoul5788]

I've Diplexed with and without a SWiM installation for 3 years, it just takes careful placement of the BBCs if you don't have a SWiM.

Perhaps you could post a diagram of your setup so the op can copy it.

[kevinturcotte]

I've Diplexed with and without a SWiM installation for 3 years, it just takes careful placement of the BBCs if you don't have a SWiM.

I imagine DECA would end this once and for all?

[veryoldschool]

the only sense I could make out of the CSR would be that MPEG-2 is going away. Guide data changes [with or without OTA] isn't going to make room for any more or less channels.
Diplexing just no longer should be done.
Before the Ka SATs were used, the band for OTA was open on the coax. It isn't anymore. The wide band tuner in the H/HR23 can't be diplexed. The BBCs used with the other receivers would need to be moved to before the first diplexer to even try to get this to work. Doing this is not supported by DirecTV. You'd also need to use good diplexers for this, since not all of them are spec'd the same.
Moving to SWiM would free up the band for OTA, but still it isn't a supported option.
Adding/upgrading to DECA with SWiM, diplexing won't work, since DECA using the same band.
Running another coax for OTA is the cheapest/best solution.

[Beerstalker]

While I agree that the CSR most likely didn't know what they were talking about (I doubt getting rid of the guide data for all of D*s channels would make enough room for one SD channel to be added) I wouldn't completely dismiss this. After all they did just take all low power stations out of their OTA listings. If anything they may have decided that the low usage of OTA is not worth the money they have to pay to get the guide listing info.

I personally hope this is not true though as I have and use 2 AM21s.

[jefbal99]

I imagine DECA would end this once and for all?

Yes, DECA will invalidate the setup :)

[jefbal99]

Perhaps you could post a diagram of your setup so the op can copy it.

Lots of ways to accomplish...

If only using the 4 lines off the Dish or at the WB68, then place the BBC in line where ever the OTA line is at, then Diplex from that point to your IRD. Place the other diplexer at the IRD to split the signal again. When I was using the WB68, I had my BBCs hanging on the WB68.

With a SWiM8, there is an OTA input that will integrate the OTA signal with the Satelllite signals, just use a single Diplexer at the IRD to split the signal. This method is not recommended if you have OTA signal issues as the SWiM8 integration isn't the best. Otherwise, place a diplexer on your SWiM channel 1 out to merge the signal in, then split it back apart at the IRD.

Edit in: VOS is correct that if you have an HR23, this can't be done.

[ciurca]

Regarding DECA and OTA diplexed. What if you don't need DECA since my receivers are hard wired to ethernet?