Blond question re OTA

[w84mike]

I'm not really a blond, but I do have a question. :)

I'm adding an OTA antenna to my HR20-700 next week. Seems to me it's like adding a third tuner, but the new tuner has access to channels the other two tuners don't. Given that it's like a third tuner, does this mean that I can record three shows at once - one from the OTA and two from the other two tuners? Or does the HR20 have a two-show-at-time limitation, regardless of the source?

Told you it was a blond question. :lol:

Thanks in advance for the help!

[hilmar2k]

I'm not really a blond, but I do have a question. :)

I'm adding an OTA antenna to my HR20-700 next week. Seems to me it's like adding a third tuner, but the new tuner has access to channels the other two tuners don't. Given that it's like a third tuner, does this mean that I can record three shows at once - one from the OTA and two from the other two tuners? Or does the HR20 have a two-show-at-time limitation, regardless of the source?

Told you it was a blond question. :lol:

Thanks in advance for the help!

Nope, you can record a total of 2, any combination of satellite and/or OTA.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm not really a blond, but I do have a question. :)

I'm adding an OTA antenna to my HR20-700 next week. Seems to me it's like adding a third tuner, but the new tuner has access to channels the other two tuners don't. Given that it's like a third tuner, does this mean that I can record three shows at once - one from the OTA and two from the other two tuners? Or does the HR20 have a two-show-at-time limitation, regardless of the source?

Told you it was a blond question. :lol:

Thanks in advance for the help!

There is actually 4 tuners. Two OTA's and two SAT tuners.

But you can only record two programs at once. It does not matter what two. Two SAT, two OTA's, or one of each.

And if you are recording two programs you cannot watch another live program. You can watch a program from "my playlist".

[Coffey77]

A good question and one that's been asked quite a few times.

You would think that would be the case that you can record 3 possibly or record two and watch a third but there are only 2 tuners recordable at a time within the HR20. You can record two and watch one of the two or you can record one and watch the other tuner - OTA/SAT makes no difference. :)

[w84mike]

There is actually 4 tuners. Two OTA's and two SAT tuners.

I see how I get two SAT tuners from two cables going into the box, but how do I get two OTA tuners when I only have one OTA cable going into the box?

Feeling blonder and blonder.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I see how I get two SAT tuners from two cables going into the box, but how do I get two OTA tuners when I only have one OTA cable going into the box?

Feeling blonder and blonder.

The one OTA line controls both tuners.

[hilmar2k]

I see how I get two SAT tuners from two cables going into the box, but how do I get two OTA tuners when I only have one OTA cable going into the box?

Feeling blonder and blonder.

The OTA line is split internally.

[machavez00]

There are "5" tuners if you have VOD. You can record 3 and watch a recorded show, or so I've been told.

[ATARI]

Anticipating the next question here: You can still watch an already recorded show, while recording two others at the same time.

[cb7214]

There are "5" tuners if you have VOD. You can record 3 and watch a recorded show, or so I've been told.

don't confuse the man more :D

[ATARI]

There are "5" tuners if you have VOD. You can record 3 and watch a recorded show, or so I've been told.

You beat me to the punch -- plus threw in VOD to boot.

Good job ;)

[Stuart Sweet]

Regardless, you can only decode and store two streams at the same time plus the VOD stream.

[kiddk1]

so is it worth it to connect my ota antenna if I am getting local HD for free (for now) from DTV?

[bwaldron]

so is it worth it to connect my ota antenna if I am getting local HD for free (for now) from DTV?

Only if there are OTA channels you need (weather subchannels, non-network stations, etc.). Or if you want to watch during rain fade outages.

[w84mike]

so is it worth it to connect my ota antenna if I am getting local HD for free (for now) from DTV?

In my case (Los Angeles area), I will get HD content on PBS over OTA which I don't get from D*. Looks like a lot of other content is offered over OTA here as well, but PBS has a lot of programming I like, however the PBS SD feed I get from D* mostly looks like crap, so I'm looking for improvement there.

[philslc]

so is it worth it to connect my ota antenna if I am getting local HD for free (for now) from DTV?

PBS and CW broadcast HD OTA in my area. Neither are available here yet on DTV.

[Coffey77]

I'm 60 miles out from Chicago and I have OTA and love it. White Sox don't come in HD on Ch. 26 but they do on 26.1! YEEEEESSS!! :D

[daveriv]

so is it worth it to connect my ota antenna if I am getting local HD for free (for now) from DTV?

One benefit is you can split the OTA signal into your HR20 and your TV directly. So you can record 2 things and still watch OTA on the other input. I found myself doing this alot recently with football starting - I can record some things and still watch the local broadcast of the game on my TV tuner.

[hasan]

....and it is more than likely that you will have better picture quality OTA than delivered via the limited bandwidth available via D*. You also are less likely to have rain fade / precip fade on OTA than via the sats.

There are many advantages to OTA with the HR20. If you can get OTA by simply connecting an antenna, you'd be shortsighted not to do so.

[Kansas Zephyr]

I see how I get two SAT tuners from two cables going into the box, but how do I get two OTA tuners when I only have one OTA cable going into the box?

Feeling blonder and blonder.

The sat receiver needs to send a voltage/tone to tell the LNBs at the dish which sat/transponder to send back to get the desired channel. That's why each sat tuner needs (until the SWM) it own connection to the LNBs.

The OTA cable has every channel that is/can be broadcast, all available, simultaneously, all the time. So, a single cable can provide all the OTA channels to as many tuners, as you like. As long as there is enough signal to drive every tuner.

[kiddk1]

thanks

[steve053]

The OTA line is split internally.

Hmmmm.....when I run the test my HR20 tells me there are two OTA tuners, but only one is working? Is there something wrong w/ my HR20? or am I having a blonde moment?? :eek2:

[Stuart Sweet]

Are you saying that it says "OK, 0%" on ATSC tuner 2? Because that's actually just fine. Or are you saying that ATSC Tuner 2 fails, because that's not ok.

Try tuning to an OTA channel, hitting record, then tuning to another OTA channel. If it lets you do this, and the picture looks ok, you're golden.

[TigerDriver]

Anticipating the next question here: You can still watch an already recorded show, while recording two others at the same time.

I got my HR20 installed recently and am not too familiar with it yet, although I'm a DirecTivo veteran.

Tonight I was recording two football games and tried to watch an already-recorded program. I got a message telling me to choose between the two football games.

What's up with that?

--------------
Joe

HR20
HDVR2
DSR-7000
HD10-250
********
Samsung 56" HLS5687WX
Onkyo TXSR705
Channel Plus 5545 4-channel modulator
Harmony 880
Many Powermid IR repeaters

[Knon2000]

I got my HR20 installed recently and am not too familiar with it yet, although I'm a DirecTivo veteran.

Tonight I was recording two football games and tried to watch an already-recorded program. I got a message telling me to choose between the two football games.

What's up with that?

--------------
Joe


The message about choosing between the games sounds like you were actually trying to change the channel, while both tuners were active. Most likely you hit channel up or something while going into the list.
Anyway, yes, you can watch a recorded program while both tuners are working.
I do it all the time.
Kevin

[gtr986]

On a somewhat related topic, I will be swapping out my boxes for HR20s in the near future. If my research is correct, SWMs aren't widely available yet. Currently, I have two cables running to my HR10-250. I don't care to run a third cable if SWMs will be available soon. Since I've read diplexing is a no-no with the HR20 paired with a regular multiswitch, my question is this.... Can i use my two cables to feed just one SAT line and one OTA line into an HR20 and record two programs at once? Seems like I read that this is not possible on the HR10-250 due to the way it configures its 'virtual' tuners. If it is possible on the HR20, logic would tell me i could record one SAT and one OTA program simultaneously, possibly two OTA programs simultaneously, but not two SAT programs simultaneously. Am I on the right track? I'm just debating on whether or not I want to take the plunge now or wait until SWMs are available.

Thanks!
gtr986

[Sirshagg]

On a somewhat related topic, I will be swapping out my boxes for HR20s in the near future. If my research is correct, SWMs aren't widely available yet. Currently, I have two cables running to my HR10-250. I don't care to run a third cable if SWMs will be available soon. Since I've read diplexing is a no-no with the HR20 paired with a regular multiswitch, my question is this.... Can i use my two cables to feed just one SAT line and one OTA line into an HR20 and record two programs at once? Seems like I read that this is not possible on the HR10-250 due to the way it configures its 'virtual' tuners. If it is possible on the HR20, logic would tell me i could record one SAT and one OTA program simultaneously, possibly two OTA programs simultaneously, but not two SAT programs simultaneously. Am I on the right track? I'm just debating on whether or not I want to take the plunge now or wait until SWMs are available.

Thanks!
gtr986
:welcome_s

Yes. You would then be able to record 2 OTA at the same time, or one OTA and one Sat.

[bt-rtp]

:welcome_s

Yes. You would then be able to record 2 OTA at the same time, or one OTA and one Sat.

Recommend two (2) satellite and one OTA coax feeds to the HR20. Using less will cause many concurrent viewing and recording limitations.

[Sirshagg]

Recommend two (2) satellite and one OTA coax feeds to the HR20. Using less will cause many concurrent viewing and recording limitations.

Yes, that wouldbe recommended, but can't be done with only two cables and no diplexing (yet). The SWM will take care of this once it's released.

p.s. I have a very similar situation excaept I have two HR20's and only 4 cables.

[gtr986]

Yes, that wouldbe recommended, but can't be done with only two cables and no diplexing (yet). The SWM will take care of this once it's released.

p.s. I have a very similar situation excaept I have two HR20's and only 4 cables.

Thanks for the replies guys! I understand that both SAT inputs are ideal for full functionality. I was just trying to figure out if I could make do until SWMs are released. Most of our recordings are OTA anyhow, so i don't anticipate too many conflicts. Thanks again!

gtr986

[Milominderbinder2]

You have your answer above. You can only record two tuners at once.

The funny part is that if you would have looked in your manual for this answer on page 6 you would have found this:

Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a second LNB on the satellite dish antenna, giving you the ability to watch and record up to three programs at once (two from the satellite, and one from the Off -Air In).

Or on page 19:

You can record up to three programs at once (two satellite and one from an off-air antenna).

I offer this just for the fun of it. :) We all know very well that the HR20 can only record from two tuners at a time.

What this really shows is the value of DBSTalk.

- Craig

[Sirshagg]

You have your answer above. You can only record two tuners at once.

The funny part is that if you would have looked in your manual for this answer on page 6 you would have found this:

Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a second LNB on the satellite dish antenna, giving you the ability to watch and record up to three programs at once (two from the satellite, and one from the Off -Air In).

Or on page 19:

You can record up to three programs at once (two satellite and one from an off-air antenna).

I offer this just for the fun of it. :) We all know very well that the HR20 can only record from two tuners at a time.

What this really shows is the value of DBSTalk.

- Craig

It's probably an issue only for people coming from the HR10. On the Tivo unit if you had OTA and only one sat connected you could still record only one thing at a time.

[tkrandall]

Hmmmm.....when I run the test my HR20 tells me there are two OTA tuners, but only one is working? Is there something wrong w/ my HR20? or am I having a blonde moment?? :eek2:

Well, in my case, I had the same message with my new -100 unit back in July. It said OK, but had 0% signal strength on tuner 2 while tuner 1 showed signal. It was indeed a bad tuner because sometimes the OTA woudl come in and sometimes not. I was able to validate it was a bad tuner by switching among 3 stations like this and getting these type results:

2-1 good signal/picture
5-1 searching for signal message
11-1 good
2-1 seacrching...
5-1 good
11-1 searching...

This forced the unit to alternate between the two tuners in a repeatable fashion.