[Earl Bonovich]

Just about 4 months ago, DBSTalk was able to bring you the first images and discussion on the HR20. Well... now it is time to do it again.....

There is only one way to get this image on an HR20:

Which means... The ATSC-OTA tuners are now enabled.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

Here are just a few tidbits about the ATSC-OTA tuners

1. OTA - Over The Air
2. ATSC - Advanced Televisions Systems Committee
3. The usage of the feature will require the installation of an appropriate OTA antenna. It is not recommend that you diplex your OTA signal into your SAT signal.
4. You can split the OTA signal to provide the signal to more then on HR20 (or device)

Even though the manual states, with OTA you will be able to record three things at once. This is not correct.
The HR20 with OTA will only be able to record TWO recordings at once maximum

Some important websites:
Antenna Web to help you find an appropriate OTA antenna
AVSForum's OTA FAQ
AVSFroum Local Reception forum

Just because it is via OTA-Digital; Doesn't mean it is in HD

 

[Earl Bonovich]

The HR20 Antenna setup is "wizard" based, it will walk you through all the steps.

Before you start the setup:

1) Make sure your OTA Antenna is setup and is connected to the HR20
2) You have about 10 minutes to complete all the setup procedures

--------------
To get to the setup window, while watching LIVE programming.
Hit Menu then Setup

From the main Setup Screen, Highlight Sat & Ant, hit select.

This will result in this screen: Satellite Dish & Antenna Setup

Highlight Antenna Setup, and hit Select.

This will take you into the Antenna Setup Wizard

 

[Earl Bonovich]

From the start of the wizard highlight Initial Setup and hit select.

Enter your ZIP code for your area, after entering the last digit... it will start to search

The HR20 will now search for your local market.
This step CAN take a few minutes. Mine lasted for about 3 minutes, but I have been told it can take up to 5. Don't hit cancel, unless you have let it go for at least 10 minutes.

Note: If it fails to find your local information; Hit the back button. And try again. If it still fails, try another near by zip code. If it still fails, exit out of the wizard and start over, as it may have failed retrieving the local mappings... If it still fails, then a reboot may be in order.

After the search for the Primary Local Area, the HR20 will report it's findings. At this point, you can complete the setup, or continue to search for a secondary market.

If you select Secondary Market, you will be taken to the zip code screen for Secondary Local Market. Enter your Zip code and hit select.

After you have hit DONE on either the primary or secondary search results; the HR20 will now process the Advanced Program Guide Data. This step will take about 1 - 2 minutes

When it is complete, you will be taken back to the Antenna Setup Menu

At this point the unit will search, then return the results

Click on DONE to continue, or use the back button to make any changes.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

At this point, your HR20 has the information about your local OTA situation.
However... that is based on a static list of information, and doesn't take into account the specifics of YOUR setup.

So, you need to tweak it a bit.

If you know which stations you CAN'T receive, you can remove them from your list.

Highlight and Select Edit Off-Air Channels

This will then display a list of all the OTA stations in your area, defined by your Primary/Secondary Locals.

In this menu, Highlight a channel and hit select to remove/add it from the list.
You can also: Add All or Remove All.

You an also highlight and click Signal Meter to test the signal for the channels in your area:
WBBM-DT (Where I am located, this channel is VERY difficult to receive via OTA.. VHF-3)
WMAQ-DT

Since I know I can't receive WBBMDT, I deselected it from the list.

You are done with the Antenna Setup click on Done to continue.

When you return to the menus, click on Exit to return to LIVE TV.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

The Guide....

If you are like me, you have a favorites list setup.
If so, then when you go into the guide now, you will not see your OTA stations.

You will need to tweak your favorites list, or go to the ALL option on your favorites. Hit Menu to access your favorite settings.

Once you do that, you will now see the OTA's listed in your guide

OTA channels will have their "number" listed in a dark grey. And are most notable in the format: :Channel - SubChannel" such as 5-1

Channel 5-1 WMAQ.... is the same as 5 WMAQ (MPEG-4)

The guide order in most cases will be this per channel:
SAT Provided MPEG-4
SAT Provided MPEG-2
OTA Channels and Sub Channels

(WTTW in Chicago has more then 1 sub channel... it has 3)

This listing for WTTW shows a very good reason WHY OTA is important, even with out "HD" involved.
If you look, my Channel 11 (SAT Provided SD version of the WTTW), is showing one show.
If you look, my Channel 11-1 is showing a very different show. 11-2 is showing the same as Analog 11
Then 11-3 is showing another completely different show.... so OTA is important, even with out HD involved.

To directly enter an ota channel.
On your remote: Hit the base channel "5" then the dash button (lower left of remote), then subchannel "1"

 

[Earl Bonovich]

OTA / ATSC is now setup on your system.

If you want to change any of your Series Links to use the OTA versions, you will have to recreate them new. Do note, OTA versions will take up more space on your hard drive then the SAT versions.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

Discussion thread for the setup of ATSC and OTA on the HR20:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=71767

If you haven't registered with DBSTalk to join the discussion, please CLICK HERE.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

Ohh... forgot to close the thread... oops.

The original replies, have been moved to the discussion thread.