HR 20 DVR & OTA Question

[Brownie]

I'm new to D* and I am in an area that does not yet receive locals via the dish, so I am having an OTA Antenna installed tomorrow. I initially had a HR20 DVR, but a direct tv rep told me that would work with an OTA antenna and said I needed the basic HR20. Is that true? Why?

[bonscott87]

HR20 DVR works just fine with OTA. It was updated back in November which activated OTA reception. When you get it installed OTA setup will be available after it updates itself. It will update itself after being connected for about 10 minutes if the installer doesn't force an update.

H20 also works with OTA but obviously can't record since it's not a DVR.

[Brownie]

Thanks! I have both here, so I'll reinstall the HR20 and remove the H20. The installer is coming to add an antenna to the dish Monday am. Will they need to run another line? (Have two now for HR20.)

Thanks,


Brownie

[bonscott87]

Thanks! I have both here, so I'll reinstall the HR20 and remove the H20. The installer is coming to add an antenna to the dish Monday am. Will they need to run another line? (Have two now for HR20.)

Thanks,


Brownie

2 things:
1) Yes, you need a dedicated line from the antenna. You can't diplex it with the new 5 LNB dish
2) Be aware that the antenna that DirecTV will supply you is crap and won't work well unless you are very close to the towers. Don't be surprised if it doesn't work very well.

Check www.antennaweb.org to find out what kind of antenna you need and how far away the towers are.

[Brownie]

The distances are between 36-40 miles for all the locals. The installers that were here last night said their antenna would work. ($50) What should I install?

[katesguy]

I am 46 miles from the local towers and used a simple dipole antenna from Phillips that was $69 at Menards. ( it was $100 at Circuit City) I pointed it generally in the 115 degree location to the towers and hung it in the attic of my ranch house. Works great.

[xerxes]

After reading the forum posts I am interested in getting OTA channels. If I purchase an antenna and put it in my attic I have to run cable to the box 2 stories down. What is the best way to do this, any recommendations? Would it make more sense to put it outside? I read somewhere on here that D* offers antenna install, how much does it run and since I am within 20 miles of most stations would it be the best option?

Thanks in advance.

[veryoldschool]

After reading the forum posts I am interested in getting OTA channels. If I purchase an antenna and put it in my attic I have to run cable to the box 2 stories down. What is the best way to do this, any recommendations? Would it make more sense to put it outside? I read somewhere on here that D* offers antenna install, how much does it run and since I am within 20 miles of most stations would it be the best option?
Thanks in advance.
This is only part of your answer but: outside would be better than inside as the house/roof will block some of the signal. 20 miles isn't that far [mine are 60 miles] & if you need to stay inside, then get a bigger one to compensate for the loss through the roof. Any distance given for an antenna is: 1) optimistic, & 2) for outside mountings.

[Coffey77]

After reading the forum posts I am interested in getting OTA channels. If I purchase an antenna and put it in my attic I have to run cable to the box 2 stories down. What is the best way to do this, any recommendations? Would it make more sense to put it outside? I read somewhere on here that D* offers antenna install, how much does it run and since I am within 20 miles of most stations would it be the best option?

Thanks in advance.

Within 20 MI you should be fine with an attic antenna. I'd get the big daddy because no one will see it and you're best off. I think it's only $50 or should be. The easiest way to run the Coax would be outside as any old construction can be difficult to run new lines. You can diplex the signal and then split it back at the box. A little extra effort... but possible.

[veryoldschool]

Within 20 MI you should be fine with an attic antenna. I'd get the big daddy because no one will see it and you're best off. I think it's only $50 or should be. The easiest way to run the Coax would be outside as any old construction can be difficult to run new lines. You can diplex the signal and then split it back at the box. A little extra effort... but possible.
I would try to stay away from diplexing if you can as this will make things harder when the new SATs come on line, as they will be using the same frequencies as the OTA channels, making more problems with the BBCs. It can be done, but coax is cheap & easy.

[xerxes]

Thanks for the advice!