Unhappy with DTV locals, will they install an antenna?

[GaryGnu]

I'm unhappy with the DirecTV locals (Baltimore). I want to install an antenna, so I can get the OTA channels. Any chance DirecTV will install the antenna for me?

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm unhappy with the DirecTV locals (Baltimore). I want to install an antenna, so I can get the OTA channels. Any chance DirecTV will install the antenna for me?

DirecTV will install a OTA for you. I believe the OTA is $49 and I am not sure how much they charge to install it.

If you don't mind me asking. What don't you like about the DIRECTV locals? I assume you are talking about the MPEG4 HD locals. I have the Baltimore HD locals and they look just as good as when I used a OTA to get them. I actually removed my OTA a couple of months ago.

[MRinDenver]

I'm unhappy with the DirecTV locals (Baltimore). I want to install an antenna, so I can get the OTA channels. Any chance DirecTV will install the antenna for me?

How far are you from the towers? Try an indoor solution, like a Silver Sensor, before an outdoor antenna.

If your stations are at full power, and if you are anywhere near the stick, this could work for you.:)

[Michael D'Angelo]

How far are you from the towers? Try an indoor solution, like a Silver Sensor, before an outdoor antenna.

If your stations are at full power, and you are anywhere near the stick, this could work for you.:)

He could use a indoor. I actually used a indoor and he is about the same distance as I am from the towers. He actually is probably a mile or two closer.

[GaryGnu]

DirecTV will install a OTA for you. I believe the OTA is $49 and I am not sure how much they charge to install it.

If you don't mind me asking. What don't you like about the DIRECTV locals? I assume you are talking about the MPEG4 HD locals. I have the Baltimore HD locals and they look just as good as when I used a OTA to get them. I actually removed my OTA a couple of months ago.

I should have said so, but I was wondering if DirecTV would install it for free.

I still get that buzzing sound on the locals. Its totally random, and very annoying. I've heard it on all 4 networks now.

I also like having a backup. I can't miss any Ravens games!

[Michael D'Angelo]

I should have said so, but I was wondering if DirecTV would install it for free.

I still get that buzzing sound on the locals. Its totally random, and very annoying. I've heard it on all 4 networks now.

I also like having a backup. I can't miss any Ravens games!

I have not heard the buzzing sound in months.

As far as the Ravens games go I can understand that. I would go crazy if I was not able to watch the game. I would just try a indoor antenna to see if that works for you.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Do you have HD? The HD locals on DirecTV are wonderful.

[Stuart Sweet]

I should have said so, but I was wondering if DirecTV would install it for free.

I still get that buzzing sound on the locals. Its totally random, and very annoying. I've heard it on all 4 networks now.

I also like having a backup. I can't miss any Ravens games!

If you're getting it frequently, try turning Dolby Digital off. It could be a problem on the local broadcaster's side, with the way DIRECTV's encoders are set up.

[JLucPicard]

The only way I think they would install it free is if they at least charged for the antenna. And even if they charge for the antenna, I doubt they would install free as it is really kind of unnecessary if you have the equipment to receive your HD locals via the satellite.

I don't know that first-hand, and I won't even begin to guess what may be possible on this playing CSR roullette. If I were you, though, I would expect to be paying for it.

[vernonator]

Let me ask this....if you go the antenna route do they have to run another line or can they multiplex it on one of the satellite lines and split it at the wall plate?

[GaryGnu]

Do you have HD? The HD locals on DirecTV are wonderful.

Yes, I have HD. I'm having the audio problems on the HD local channels.

[GaryGnu]

I have not heard the buzzing sound in months.



Heard it on ABC 2 for the first time the other day, while I was watching The Nine recorded on my HR20.

[tonyd79]

Where in EC are you? I am in Dorsey Search (Columbia) and get all of Baltimore with a cheapo RCA UHF loop stuck on top of my TV (and my condo is ground level). If you have any elevation at all, you should be able to get 2, 11, 13, 45, 54 easily. MPT and 24 are a bit tricky.

[terryfoster]

Heard it on ABC 2 for the first time the other day, while I was watching The Nine recorded on my HR20.

Watching "The Nine"? When did you record that?

[spidey]

only reason I keep OTA is for local weather and alt broadcasting sub channels and local PBS in HD

[JeffBowser]

If you can get your OTA from an indoor loop, by all means do so, it will be much cheaper and easier. I do not believe DirecTV will install an antenna for you, either for love or for money. Diplexing is possible, but there are a number of gotcha's and some question as to if it will work post September. Especially ff all you want is a single TV hooked to antenna, I'd try the indoor route first, and you won't have to worry about diplexing and cable runs.

[MRinDenver]

If you can get your OTA from an indoor loop, by all means do so, it will be much cheaper and easier. I do not believe DirecTV will install an antenna for you, either for love or for money. Diplexing is possible, but there are a number of gotcha's and some question as to if it will work post September. Especially ff all you want is a single TV hooked to antenna, I'd try the indoor route first, and you won't have to worry about diplexing and cable runs.

It is my understanding that diplexing was possible with the HR10, but not with the HR20. Is there new information on this? I mean, I've never been wrong before!;)

[JeffBowser]

Ah, well, I dunno there - I, unfortunately have mindset that only seems to think in terms of the new satellite, and the H20 and HR20 series boxes. Others would be able to answer on the HR10 better.

[joed32]

The one they install is nothing to brag about. They installed one for me when I bought my 1st HR10 and I had to replace it with an antenna that was good for my area. If you're just worried about 1 channel for the football games then indoor might work very well for you.

[MRinDenver]

The one they install is nothing to brag about. They installed one for me when I bought my 1st HR10 and I had to replace it with an antenna that was good for my area. If you're just worried about 1 channel for the football games then indoor might work very well for you.

An you can snag a Silver Sensor at BB for $30 bucks, no waiting for the installer or running another wire down your wall. Try it!

[JLucPicard]

I think diplexing does work with the HR10s. The problem is with the H20 and HR20, in September they will begin utilizing the low range bands and those frequencies are in the same range as the OTA signals. Because you can't mix those signals (low-band sat and OTA) and have things work properly, any diplexing becomes much more complicated and possibly not at all practical.

[MRinDenver]

I think diplexing does work with the HR10s. The problem is with the H20 and HR20, in September they will begin utilizing the low range bands and those frequencies are in the same range as the OTA signals. Because you can't mix those signals (low-band sat and OTA) and have things work properly, any diplexing becomes much more complicated and possibly not at all practical.

That is my unerstanding as well, thought I did not have the technical reasons at hand.

[GaryGnu]

Where in EC are you? I am in Dorsey Search (Columbia) and get all of Baltimore with a cheapo RCA UHF loop stuck on top of my TV (and my condo is ground level). If you have any elevation at all, you should be able to get 2, 11, 13, 45, 54 easily. MPT and 24 are a bit tricky.

I'm off of Ilchester Road, east of you. I have a clear shot to the north (where the signals are coming from). I'm definitely going to try the indoor antenna.

[GaryGnu]

Watching "The Nine"? When did you record that?

ABC aired 2 more episodes a couple weeks ago.

[GaryGnu]

I wanted to follow up on this. I bought a middle on the line antenna from Best Buy (RCA I think) that was just useless. There was no way I could position the antenna to get even one HD local station for more than a few minutes.

[DishCSR]

I'm unhappy with the DirecTV locals (Baltimore). I want to install an antenna, so I can get the OTA channels. Any chance DirecTV will install the antenna for me?


the only way to get an ota is to get one along with an hd recvr upgrade, it then will cost 99.00 add'l or 49.00 (this changes very frequently) last time i setup an hd upgrade with ota it was 99.00 for the ota, but it frequently changes back and forth from 49.00 to 99.00 this is the only way to get dtv to install an ota , we do not setup ota installs ala carte.....

: )

[joe diamond]

Ellicott City is in a valley.

An OTA solution may not work for you. Forget the free part. They will charge you $5.00 to talk to them. Try antennaweb.org. Enter your address and they may have a solution but I bet the indoor stuff wont work for you.


Joe

[Stuart Sweet]

The DIRECTV-approved OTA antenna is a little wire loop that goes on the top of the dish. It may not be adequate for your area, or it might. Go to www.antennaweb.org and you can see what kind of antenna will work for you.

[GaryGnu]

Ellicott City is in a valley.

An OTA solution may not work for you. Forget the free part. They will charge you $5.00 to talk to them. Try antennaweb.org. Enter your address and they may have a solution but I bet the indoor stuff wont work for you.


Joe

Downtown Ellicott City is in a hole. But I live in the suburbs at the top of the hills. I've been to antennaweb.org. I've got a contact who installs antennas. I'm going to give him a call.

[mchaney]

I used to live in Ellicott City not far from you and then Eldersburg. If you have a chimney/attic mount antenna, you can receive locals from both Baltimore and DC from where you are. I've never had much luck with indoor antennas although my sister who lives in Westminster on a hill can get both Baltimore and DC with a powered set-top dealie from Radio Shack. A lot depends on your elevation and what is around you.

Mike

[joe diamond]

Downtown Ellicott City is in a hole. But I live in the suburbs at the top of the hills. I've been to antennaweb.org. I've got a contact who installs antennas. I'm going to give him a call.
=======
Gary,
You are in Action Antenna land. They know the territory!

Joe