[RMBittner]

Is an AM21 an OTA antenna? Or is it an accessory that allows a customer-supplied OTA antenna to be integrated into a DirecTV setup?

If it's the latter: Do DirecTV techs ever install antennas along with satellite dishes (even for an additional fee), or is that something that a customer would have to handle separately? And would you then need a separate AM21 for every D* receiver in the house? (If so, how do you order them? I've been all over the D* site and can barely even find a mention of an AM21, let alone what they cost or how you can add them to a new-customer order.)

Thanks.

Bob

 

[TBoneit]

The AM21 is an OTA tuner that connects to the DVR.

To get OTA you'll need the AM21 & an Antenna.

Not to mention if you want OTA at each location you will need to feed the signal from teh antenna to each location as well as have a AM21 at each location.

Do you TV sets not have an Digital tuner? Or do you want to be able to record OTA at each location?

Good Luck

 

[hasan]

Is an AM21 an OTA antenna? Or is it an accessory that allows a customer-supplied OTA antenna to be integrated into a DirecTV setup?

If it's the latter: Do DirecTV techs ever install antennas along with satellite dishes (even for an additional fee), or is that something that a customer would have to handle separately? And would you then need a separate AM21 for every D* receiver in the house? (If so, how do you order them? I've been all over the D* site and can barely even find a mention of an AM21, let alone what they cost or how you can add them to a new-customer order.)

Thanks.

Bob

The AM21 or AM21N is an OTA TUNER, that requires an antenna to receive OTA broadcasts. Yes, you need a separate AM21 for every satellite receiver you want to be able to receive OTA broadcasts. The AM21 series are NOT stand alone tuners, they require a DirecTV sat receiver or dvr to work.

If you have whole-home-dvr, where you can watch a DVR's content on another HD-DVR or HD receiver, then you can have just one AM21 and watch what you recorded on the HD-DVR with the AM21 connected to it, on any of the other HD Receivers or HD-DVRs.

I'll let others comment on how to find the AM21 on the D* site.

I have two of the AM21s and both have worked nicely for several years. One is on an HD-DVR and the other is on an HD-Receiver.

 

[CCarncross]

you have to have a qualifying receiver on your acct...sign-in to your online acct, go to acct overview, my equipment tab, then accessories. If you have an H21/HR21 or higher, you have the option to order one from the website, they are $50. you will need one for each receiver if you want OTA at that location. I have 2 HR22, and an HR20, so I have 2 of them(1 for each HR22)...they work fantastic.

 

[RMBittner]

Very helpful! Thanks, everyone.

Bob

 

[nike5580]

You can also order them from Amazon for $45.

 

[CCarncross]

You can also order them from Amazon for $45.

+ shipping unless they have one of those deals running...I believe that the D* price includes shipping, and its like 1-2 day fedex as well.

 

[billsharpe]

+ shipping unless they have one of those deals running...I believe that the D* price includes shipping, and its like 1-2 day fedex as well.

Amazon, I believe, has free shipping for orders over $25, but it's ground shipping and usually takes a week or so, depending upon how far you are from the warehouse that ships it.

 

[HoTat2]

... I have 2 HR22, and an HR20, so I have 2 of them(1 for each HR22)...they work fantastic.

Just to be clear;

I'd say the AM21/Ns work well for the design limitations DIRECTV places on the DVR firmware which actually controls them.

On the pre-HR34 receivers at least.

No OTA scanning
No further channel additions to its down-loadable database.
Inaccuracies in the channel database that make take a long time (if at all) to correct.
Low Power DTV channels removed from database.

Etc.

:nono2:

 

[ejbvt]

I got my AM21 for free when I ordered Directv from a retailer.

Also, if you want to watch something live in a room without an AM21, do this:
Note: You must have a DVR and MRV/Whole-Home/whatever it's called.

1. Go to the receiver with the AM21.
2. Tune to the program you wish to view via the AM21.
3. Press record.
4. Go to ANY whole-home-connected receiver in your home and select the program from the list. You will be able to watch it live.