Confused and Looking for HD Antenna Clarification ...

[infoseeker]

Hello all -

I just ordered Directv and am expecting an HR20 receiver to be installed this weekend. However, I am a little confused, I verified with the person that took my order that I WILL recieve local HD channels, but I will not have an antenna mounted on my dish for those local HD channels.

However, after coming here, everything I've read involves ota antennas and how to tweak yours to get HD, etc. etc.

Then, I went to DirecTV's website and looked closer to the verbiage and it states:
In some markets, a five LNB Dish and H20 model DIRECTV HD Receiver are needed to receive HD local networks delivered by DIRECTV.

I guess I am in that network. So does that mean Directv is sending me local HD channels straight to my dish and I don't need an antenna after all?

So the question is, do I need it or not? And if not, am I missing out on anything by not having it?

Also, I did go to AntennaWeb and put in my address and it shows a few more channels than what Directv is offering. What's up? If I don't have an antenna does that mean I won't get those channels? Each is averaging about 20 miles away from my address.

TIA and sorry for the somewhat long read. I appreciate any responses.

-

[kaminsco]

Yes, if available in your area, which I would guess it is Atlanta, your local HD broadcast will be provided through Directv. The 5 LNB dish is needed and they are sent through MPEG 4 compression.

Some may argue that the MPEG 4 compression by its nature lowers the quality of the orginal broadcast that is received through the OTA antenna. I cannot confirm.

The HR20 has 4 turners in it. 2 satellite and 2 ATSC (digital off the air).

[hr20manray]

Hello all -

I just ordered Directv and am expecting an HR20 receiver to be installed this weekend. However, I am a little confused, I verified with the person that took my order that I WILL recieve local HD channels, but I will not have an antenna mounted on my dish for those local HD channels.

However, after coming here, everything I've read involves ota antennas and how to tweak yours to get HD, etc. etc.

Then, I went to DirecTV's website and looked closer to the verbiage and it states:


I guess I am in that network. So does that mean Directv is sending me local HD channels straight to my dish and I don't need an antenna after all?

So the question is, do I need it or not? And if not, am I missing out on anything by not having it?

Also, I did go to AntennaWeb and put in my address and it shows a few more channels than what Directv is offering. What's up? If I don't have an antenna does that mean I won't get those channels? Each is averaging about 20 miles away from my address.

TIA and sorry for the somewhat long read. I appreciate any responses.

-

You need and probably will get the 5 LNB dish. There are two distinct ways to get ota channels. If you had no satellite or D* service at all, you could still get ota high def channels if you have a high def digital tv and a regular antenna (its' free from some of your local broadcasters ota. Some of the digital channels will come in high def. The other way is that D* is sending major local channels in your area in high def over a satellite and it's received like all the other hi def stuff from the satellite. I guess there is also a third. A few weeks ago D* downloaded some software where you could take your coaxial you had coming from your regular antenna and put it into the antenna in coaxial input at the back of your hr20. Then you need to go through the hr20 ota setup program and then you get the hi def digital tv from your local ota broadcasts only you don't have to switch back and forth from a TV input and your hr20 input. Everything comes through the hr20.

[cmoss5]

Hello all -

I just ordered Directv and am expecting an HR20 receiver to be installed this weekend. However, I am a little confused, I verified with the person that took my order that I WILL recieve local HD channels, but I will not have an antenna mounted on my dish for those local HD channels.

However, after coming here, everything I've read involves ota antennas and how to tweak yours to get HD, etc. etc.

Then, I went to DirecTV's website and looked closer to the verbiage and it states:


I guess I am in that network. So does that mean Directv is sending me local HD channels straight to my dish and I don't need an antenna after all?

So the question is, do I need it or not? And if not, am I missing out on anything by not having it?

Also, I did go to AntennaWeb and put in my address and it shows a few more channels than what Directv is offering. What's up? If I don't have an antenna does that mean I won't get those channels? Each is averaging about 20 miles away from my address.

TIA and sorry for the somewhat long read. I appreciate any responses.

-

No, you will not need an OTA antenna as you will be able to get the HD programming for channels 2,5,11,46 and 69 ...only need an OTA antenna
if you want to back up your local programming in case the satellite dish
is knocked out due to weather or what ever....

[harsh]

:welcome_s

Note that DirecTV is only telling you part of the story. Currently in the Atlanta area, DirecTV offers only the primary subchannels of your ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW affilitates. If there are other channels (PBS, for instance) that you are interested in, you'll need to pursue the Over The Air functionality.

[infoseeker]

Thanks for the responses everyone, you guys have been very helpful.

So if I am understanding everything correctly...

I get 5 local HD channels through Directv itself (Through the dish), but I can also elect to get an ota antenna installed as well which will allow me to get additional HD channels not offered by Directv. (Not yet anyways).

For example, on AntennaWeb, it states a total of 10 HD channels in my area with each having a distance of 17 - 22 miles from me. And If I get an ota antenna installed I would be able to get those channels, plus the 5 from Directv? (I know those 5 would be redundant). Correct?

Is there a quality difference between the 2? Is the ota very good? Is 20 mile average distance good or bad?

Won't Directv eventually get these channels? So I should just wait right?

TIA-

[litzdog911]

Thanks for the responses everyone, you guys have been very helpful.

So if I am understanding everything correctly...

I get 5 local HD channels through Directv itself (Through the dish), but I can also elect to get an ota antenna installed as well which will allow me to get additional HD channels not offered by Directv. (Not yet anyways).

For example, on AntennaWeb, it states a total of 10 HD channels in my area with each having a distance of 17 - 22 miles from me. And If I get an ota antenna installed I would be able to get those channels, plus the 5 from Directv? (I know those 5 would be redundant). Correct?

Is there a quality difference between the 2? Is the ota very good? Is 20 mile average distance good or bad?

Won't Directv eventually get these channels? So I should just wait right?

TIA-


1. Correct. You'll get the 5 local HD channels from DirecTV, plus whatever you can receive with the over-the-air antenna.

2. Some folks claim that the OTA channels are a bit better. In my area (Seattle), they're virtually identical. The MPEG4 DirecTV HD locals take less space to record on your DVR, too.

3. 20-miles with minimal trees, hills, etc. should be pretty easy. Check out http://www.antennaweb.org for specific antenna recommendations. Also check out the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com where you can see what other folks in your neighborhood are using.

4. It will take a LONG time before DirecTV beams every local digital station. Right now they're focusing on the major network channels only.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Thanks for the responses everyone, you guys have been very helpful.

So if I am understanding everything correctly...

I get 5 local HD channels through Directv itself (Through the dish), but I can also elect to get an ota antenna installed as well which will allow me to get additional HD channels not offered by Directv. (Not yet anyways).

For example, on AntennaWeb, it states a total of 10 HD channels in my area with each having a distance of 17 - 22 miles from me. And If I get an ota antenna installed I would be able to get those channels, plus the 5 from Directv? (I know those 5 would be redundant). Correct?

Is there a quality difference between the 2? Is the ota very good? Is 20 mile average distance good or bad?

Won't Directv eventually get these channels? So I should just wait right?

TIA-


Out here in california, I average about 20 miles to each of our local broadcast networks (NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS). I put up a Winegard GS2200, which is basically a wing that's about 3' across. It's very unobtrusive, low profile - won't piss off the wife or the neighbors. :) I got the antenna for like $15 on ebay, and I get 6 channels with 100% signal strength.

If you have an old set of rabbit ears somewhere, hook them up to the HR20 when you get it and see if you get any of those channels. Chances are at 20 miles, depending upon what's around you (trees, buildings, etc) you can probably pick up your OTA channels with rabbit ears. That'll give you a pretty fair estimation of what you might achieve with an outdoor or attic antenna. At least it did in my case. I got all 6 channels with signal strengths of 50-80 using a old RCA antenna sitting on top of the TV.

As for D* eventually getting these channels, who knows. There are alot of substations nationwide, as some networks have 2 or 3 or more subchannels. I would be surprised if D* picks up all of those channels. Maybe in some major markets its more feasible... dunno.

I don't have HD locals from D* so I can't compare them to OTA, but I do know that my OTA networks are beautiful. I'm incredibly spoiled now. I have trouble watching programming that isn't in HD, and I find myself watching and recording shows that I normally wouldn't have watched, simply because they're in HD and I'd rather watch them then something else in SD....

[Milominderbinder2]

The HR20 FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=76617) has the links and more information.

The HDTV Magazine HD Local Channel Listing and Map (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/broadcast.php) link shows that you could receive 23 HD channels. D* only offers 5. D* misses PBS and a lot of other content.

The Antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx) link will tell you what size antenna you would need. Depending on your location it might only require a small antenna that might be only $30.

The links for Winegard Antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/winegard_antenna_chart.asp) and Channel Master Antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/channelmaster_antenna_chart.asp) show great references at solidsignal.com. I am 57 miles outside of Chicago and use a $69 Channel Master 3020 to get 24 HD channels. Also check out these links: AVSForum HDTV FAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6647470&&#post6647470), TV Antenna FAQs (http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/antenna_faqs.asp), and Choosing an Antenna (http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/choose_antenna.asp)

So here are reasons to consider an OTA antenna:
1. It can be pretty cheap.
2. You may get a bunch of added channels.
3. OTA may still work even if heavy clouds to the south block the satelite.
4. Some local HD is amazing quality, better than D*'s compressed signals.
5. You might have some fun with it.

- Craig