[jeff1]

I have an antenna that receives the OTA HD Dallas channels at about 85% strength. As routed through my hr20, they seem to be higher quality than those received from Directv. Is there any reason for me to continue to pay directv for their locals. If it drop them, will I still receive the OTA channels and be able to record them on my dvr? Thanks.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

If you only have 1 receiver... And you are getting all the locals you want via OTA..

Then no.

 

[wmschultz]

Okay, this is somewhat HR20 related. Yes, you can still record them. The APG will
still have the data for you so you can just record that way.

But to drop the locals you have to drop back in a package. Make sure the channels
you miss out on, will be okay with everyone in your family (assuming there is more than you.)

 

[wmschultz]

Actually, I don't see any way you can get out of paying for locals, as they are part of each bundle.

 

[jeff1]

Sorry, I didn't realize that the locals are included in the packages now. I used to receive my locals OTA before getting my first directv w/ tivo dvr. I then had to add them from directv to record them. I had assumed they were still an added cost. It is cumbersome going through the guide with 3 to 4 channels of each network. I was thinking I could drop the programming and remove them from the guide. Thanks for input.

 

[wmschultz]

You can drop then from your guide.

Just set up a favorites and don't select the SAT provided locals on it. That is what
I do, and then in case of an "emergency" I can always tune to the SAT locals.

 

[glennb]

But to drop the locals you have to drop back in a package. Make sure the channels
you miss out on, will be okay with everyone in your family (assuming there is more than you.)

I don't think that's really true.

I haven't tried this yet but I thought I read the basic packages include local channels but you can call DIRECTV and say - I don't want/need my local channels and they'll remove them from your package and take $4 - $5 off your monthly bill.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

The packages are just not listed... you can drop your Locals if you really want to save the $5 or so per month.

 

[btmoore]

I can think of 2 reasons I have not canceled my locals package.

Bugs in the OTA database causing 771 errors on one of the stations. So the only option way to record that channel is to keep the local package.

Secondly due to additional bugs in the HR20 I need to keep the SD DTiVo as a backup for when the HR20 fails.