H10 and Local HD

[jayhawkfan]

Is the H10 capable of receiving Local HD channels? The local HD channels don't appear in the guide. I have a feeling this is an MPEG-4 issue but can someone confirm this?
Thanks

[harsh]

Is the H10 capable of receiving Local HD channels? The local HD channels don't appear in the guide.You need to be clear whether your talking about LIL or OTA. I'm going to assume that since you mentioned MPEG4, you're talking about LIL.

You need to have a behemoth dish, appropriate switch and subscribe to HD and locals to get HD LIL from DIRECTV. Oh, and DIRECTV must offer HD locals in your area.

[mcbeevee]

In addition to what harsh mentioned, the LIL's will require an mpeg4 HD receiver like the H20 (H10 is not mpeg4). You should be able to pickup OTA HD channels. :)

[rabit ears]

Well, as another old Jayhawk, I can tell you nothing works well where you’re at (we all know why the wind blows south in Kansas – don’t we?).:lol:

Anyway, your HR10 is perfectly capable of picking up and recording local channels that broadcast in digital format. The primary gating factor is being able to receive the signal. Go to http://www.hdtvpub.com/local/localarea.cfm and enter your ZIP code.

You will get a list of stations that broadcast digital. I’ve looked at OKC for you and here’s the list:
Station Info DTV Information Other Info
KETA-DT ( PBS )
Multicasting: Yes DTV Ch(s): 32.1,32.2,32.3,32.4
Main Format: 480i,1080i More Information
KFOR-DT ( NBC )
Multicasting: Yes DTV Ch(s): 27
Main Format: 1080i More Information
KOCO-DT ( ABC )
Multicasting: Yes DTV Ch(s): 7
Main Format: 720P More Information
KSBI-DT ( Ind. )
Multicasting: Yes DTV Ch(s): 51
Main Format: HDTV & SDTV More Information

Notice the numbers to the right of DTV Ch(s) these are the digital numbers assigned to the stations in the OKC area. Hook an antenna to the antenna input of your HR10. Then go to messages and settings and navigate to Check OTA Signal Strength.

You will see a signal strength meter and it will be set to one of the 60+ digital channel numbers used by DTV - usually you start with channel 2, but it can be anything.

Use the up arrow to get into the channel area and press the left arrow until you get to the first channel number on your list – in the case of OKC, Ch7. Let the system rest and see if you get a signal. No signal, rotate your antenna a couple of times. Still nothing, go to the next channel which again in OKC will be 27.

Now, if you don’t get a signal you either don’t live where you can get OTA digital or you have a bad antenna. The bad antenna thing is almost impossible since I get 13 HD stations in the Bay Area and I use a – see my signature – rabbit ears antenna. My average signal strength is in the low 70’s.

Once you have determined that you can receive one or more DTV signals, go back to settings and have the HR10 search for OTA signals. Once they are locked in, you will see them in Channels I Receive and you can navigate to them just as you do for channels off the dish.

Good luck.
:)

[mcbeevee]

Anyway, your HR10 is perfectly capable of picking up and recording local channels that broadcast in digital format.
The OP mentioned he had a H10, not an HR10, so it can't record. :)

[harsh]

In addition to what harsh mentioned, the LIL's will require an mpeg4 HD receiver like the H20 (H10 is not mpeg4).You're right. OP said H10 and I was thinking H20.

Can I change my answer to no?

[Radio Enginerd]

You need to have a behemoth dish, appropriate switch and subscribe to HD and locals to get HD LIL from DIRECTV. Oh, and DIRECTV must offer HD locals in your area.

You do not need to subscribe to HD to have the HD (MPEG-4) locals from DirecTV.

DirecTV (as you've mentioned) needs to offer HD locals in your area to get them over the "behemoth dish". You'll also need an H20 or HR20 since they're the only receivers in the DTV line that can decode MPEG-4...

[harsh]

You do not need to subscribe to HD to have the HD (MPEG-4) locals from DirecTV.Are you sure? I doubt anyone with a compatible receiver isn't subscribing given that you pay the same either way.

[beavis]

Anyone who wishes to get the Local MPEG4 channels from D* MUST sub to the HD Access fee.

[Radio Enginerd]

Anyone who wishes to get the Local MPEG4 channels from D* MUST sub to the HD Access fee.

Did this change?

When I got my HR-20 I subscribed to the HD package but disconnected it at the end of my promo. I was told (at that time) by a CSR I would keep my MPEG-4 locals and they were right. I disconnected my HD package and kept my locals. A few months ago I turned it back on so technically I have the HD package now but didn't for 6 months and had MPEG-4 locals.

[veryoldschool]

Did this change?

When I got my HR-20 I subscribed to the HD package but disconnected it at the end of my promo. I was told (at that time) by a CSR I would keep my MPEG-4 locals and they were right. I disconnected my HD package and kept my locals. A few months ago I turned it back on so technically I have the HD package now but didn't for 6 months and had MPEG-4 locals.
I've been "always" told local HD came with the HD package [which I've had for years].

[Radio Enginerd]

I've been "always" told local HD came with the HD package [which I've had for years].

??? hmmmm... Sounds like we've had conflicting stories told to us from the CSR's. Does that surprise me? NOT AT ALL.

I had been told that HD locals were tied to whether you had locals on your account, not the HD pack itself. What you're told though makes sense, I'm just wondering how I was able to do that for so many months?

Personally it's a moot issue come September, there will be no reason for me to not have the HD package. :)

[veryoldschool]

??? hmmmm... Sounds like we've had conflicting stories told to us from the CSR's. Does that surprise me? NOT AT ALL.

I had been told that HD locals were tied to whether you had locals on your account, not the HD pack itself. What you're told though makes sense, I'm just wondering how I was able to do that for so many months?

Personally it's a moot issue come September, there will be no reason for me to not have the HD package. :)
SD locals tied to your account. HD locals [at no charge] with HD package. :)