[Stephens24]

Hello,

About to become a new D subscriber, going to order an HDDVR with the AM21 addon. There are no locals available from D*, but I can receive FOX and NBC OTA, the rest will have to be Distant Locals.

My question is what about my other SD Tv's that I have? Will I not get NBC or FOX on these TV's through the standard receiver since I can get them OTA? It seems stupid not to have NBC or FOX on the rest of my TV's. What options do I have to get them on my SD TVs?

 

[Brandon428]

You can't get your SD locals from Directv? Or do you mean you just can't get your HD locals?

 

[boba]

WWW.DTV2009.GOV and order 2 converter box coupons.

 

[Brandon428]

WWW.DTV2009.COM and order 2 converter box coupons.

Yeah,what he said.

 

[tonyd79]

According to this page (http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/addressform.aspx), you are eligible for ABC, Fox, PBS and the CW DNS in SD and ABC and Fox HD.

You will need an antenna for CBS and NBC. As long as analog exists, you should be able to use your TV's tuner. After analog goes away, you will need a tuner of some type, either a converter box (with the govt coupon) or a DirecTV HD box with OTA tuner especially if you want to DVR on the same box.

You may be able to get HD locals for all until DirecTV starts to provide coverage in your area if you get a friendly CSR, but it is unlikely as they are getting tougher on distant local availability.

And you can always apply for waivers from your local CBS and NBC stations, but doubtful they will grant the waivers. But it can't hurt to try.

Finally, you could get lifeline cable if cable is available.

 

[Tiger62]

Do your other SD tvs have atsc tuners? If so, just split your OTA antenna signal to feed them as well as the AM21. Or, better yet, use a distribution amplifier to feed these multiple devices. Of course, if your SD tvs are analog, you'll also have to add a converter box for each one.

 

[Stephens24]

WWW.DTV2009.GOV and order 2 converter box coupons.

Wow I didnt even think of that. Ok let me see if I have this straight.

1. Since my local NBC and fox stations broadcast in HD OTA that probably means they carry the SD DTV signal already correct?

2. So I assume there is a way to hook up a standard Directv box to the converter box?

Thanks for the help

 

[Tiger62]

Wow I didnt even think of that. Ok let me see if I have this straight.

1. Since my local NBC and fox stations broadcast in HD OTA that probably means they carry the SD DTV signal already correct?

2. So I assume there is a way to hook up a standard Directv box to the converter box?

Thanks for the help

Pretty sure your Directv receivers will have an OTA pass-through for the OTA signal.

 

[Justin23]

Why would he need a converter box? All of D*'s receivers are already digital, correct?

J

 

[Stephens24]

Man im confused now Im coming from digital cable and Im a young pup so I dont remember the OTA days of watching TV.

 

[Brandon428]

You can get DNS channels and for the ones you can't get via satellite just get a HD antenna to catch the rest.

 

[Stephens24]

You can't get your SD locals from Directv? Or do you mean you just can't get your HD locals?

I dont get any locals (SD or HD)

 

[tonyd79]

What is your closest "big" town (meaning a market DirecTV has)? You may be able to "move" there (meaning give that as your service address).

From a spot beam map, looks like Pittsburgh is your best bet....

 

[Stephens24]

The Charleston-Huntington DMA (which through my cable providers uses their all there networks) about 60-70 miles away. If I could somehow do this it would be ideal.

 

[Kansas Zephyr]

Wow I didnt even think of that. Ok let me see if I have this straight.

1. Since my local NBC and fox stations broadcast in HD OTA that probably means they carry the SD DTV signal already correct?

2. So I assume there is a way to hook up a standard Directv box to the converter box?

Thanks for the help

A digital OTA signal can be received on a ATSC tuner only.

For example, if you are using an old analog TV, either a DTV converter box, or a DirecTV HD-DVR with an ATSC tuner (HR20 or HR21 w/AM21) will take the OTA, down-convert it, and display it via S-Video or Composite Video output on the old TV.

If you are using DirecTV SD IRDs (using RF output...i.e. channel 3 or 4), most have a pass-through. So, when it's placed in stand-by, or turned off, the OTA (or cable) signal(s) will pass only out of the RF output (not the S-Video or Composite jacks). But you will also need a DTV converter to have an analog RF output for your old TVs to "see". So, if you get a converter box, you can have it upstream of the D*'s RF input, and when the IRD is off, or in stand-by, use the converter box on the same channel to send down-converted OTA to the old TV.

 

[Stephens24]

A digital OTA signal can be recived on a ATSC tuner only.

For example, if you are using an old analong TV, either a DTV converter box, or a DirecTV HD-DVR with an ATSC tuner (HR20 or HR21 w/AM21) will take the OTA, downconvert it, and display it via S-Video or Compostite Video output on the old TV.

Where I get confused is, If I use a converter box for my ota channels how do I get the rest of the Directv channels through the standard receiver?

 

[Kansas Zephyr]

Where I get confused is, If I use a converter box for my ota channels how do I get the rest of the Directv channels through the standard receiver?

If you are using DirecTV SD IRDs (using RF output...i.e. channel 3 or 4), most have a pass-through. So, when it's placed in stand-by, or turned off, the OTA (or cable) signal(s) will pass only out of the RF output (not the S-Video or Composite jacks). But you will also need a DTV converter to have an analog RF output for your old TVs to "see". So, if you get a converter box, you can have it upstream of the D*'s RF input, and when the IRD is off, or in stand-by, use the converter box on the same channel to send down-converted OTA to the old TV.

 

[arxaw]

Channel 3/4 method:
Connect Antenna -to- OTA antenna DTV "coupon" converter box -to- DirecTV box -to- TV. Tune TV to channel 3 or 4.
Turn the DirecTV box on or off to jump between DirecTV & OTA.
(Leave the OTA DTV converter box turned on all the time.)


Audio/Video Input method:
If the TV has two audio/video inputs, connect each box to a separate Input on the TV. Switch between the two inputs with the TV remote.

 

[brockley]

Your regular SD TVs will receive OTA fine right now, they just need to be connected to an antenna as previously stated. If you have a new SD DirecTV box it might not have a place to connect the antenna coax (OTA) so you will need to go directly to your TV tuner coax input. It should be labeled antenna. The tuner is already built into your tv. Like other have also stated, come 2009, you will need to buy a converter box but that is still 4 months away so in the meantime just hook the antenna feed directly up to your tvs. The converter box should have all the right inputs to connect to your tvs. Then follow the instructions above to use them.

 

[arxaw]

Don't wait until the last minute to buy a converter box. Get one now (if you can find one), in case you have unforeseen problems with connecting the box or reception.

Also, there may be converter shortages, come February. No one knows.