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Off-the-air channel implementation

Discussion in 'DIRECTV Programming' started by cuibap, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. Jun 14, 2009 #1 of 8
    cuibap

    cuibap Legend

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    Sep 14, 2006
    Why did they implement OTA channels in a way that DTV has to update on their end before we can see it? Why can't they just let the tuner scan available channels in the area and let the user choose which one to display/hide like all the TVs on the market? Of course they want to display the guide too but if the guide is not available for a specific channel the so be it. I'd rather watch the channel without the guide than nothing to watch at all.
     
  2. Jun 15, 2009 #2 of 8
    Tom Servo

    Tom Servo Icon

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    Mar 7, 2007
    I guess, because, you know... It would make too much sense?

    Honestly, I dunno why DirecTV took this route. I live in a weak-signal area and sometimes distant stations come in - I'd like to be able to directly tune those but I can't with the D* receiver. So I'm gonna have to break down and get one of those digital converter boxes instead.
     
  3. Jun 15, 2009 #3 of 8
    dodge boy

    dodge boy R.I.P. Chris Henry

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    Can DirecTv update the firmware on the AM21? I have wondered this myself...
     
  4. Jun 15, 2009 #4 of 8
    Stuart Sweet

    Stuart Sweet The Shadow Knows!

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    Jun 18, 2006
    Yes the firmware on the AM21 can be updated but there has been no reason to do so.

    I would not hold my breath for channel scanning. There have been other threads about this, going back years, and the decision was made a long time ago. DIRECTV prefers to maintain the database themselves. We mere mortals can guess why, but in the end it is very unlikely to change.
     
  5. Jun 15, 2009 #5 of 8
    BattleZone

    BattleZone Hall Of Fame

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    DirecTV simply decided that since they are expected to provide the guide data, it would make much more sense to do it the way they've done it. And, honestly, about 2 weeks after the transition, most folks will never think about it again, because local channels don't change that often.
     
  6. Jun 15, 2009 #6 of 8
    gcd0865

    gcd0865 Legend

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    Jul 23, 2008
    I need at least 1, really 2, more zip codes on my AM21 to get all available channels. Hope they provide a firmware update for the AM21, so I can stop switching over to the tv's tuners for the other stations...
     
  7. Jun 15, 2009 #7 of 8
    dodge boy

    dodge boy R.I.P. Chris Henry

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    I get ION and all their "Theme" channels: Qubo, life, etc on my TV but only 1 of the AM21....

    With the internet or phone connection it could scan and then call in and get guide info for the OTA channels you receive. Digital channels broadcast channel info, call letters and stuff.

    I think when my contact is up I am going to get a DTV PAL DVR and go strictly OTA...
     
  8. Jun 15, 2009 #8 of 8
    bonscott87

    bonscott87 Cutting Edge: ECHELON '07

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    If OTA channels are missing then see what Zap2It says. If they are not listing the channel then Tribune has no guide data for it (thus DirecTV doesn't list it). So contact your local offending station and make sure they submit guide data and channel info to Tribune (including their sub-channels) to get it corrected. There have been several posts here where someone has contacted their local station and they never realized they needed to let Tribune know they had a new sub-channel. 2 days later it shows up on DirecTV. :)
     

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