direct TV/ OTA local

I signed up for DirectTV with my new super fancy 42" LCD. The LCD is
nice and I set it up today!! Bravo!

It did a search and found a bunch of local stations...I just have a
"rabbit ears" antenna. The HDTV signals come in but they're kind of
erratic, freezing up the TV for a second or so...it makes it
unwatchable.

DirectTV here, where I live, unfortunately doesn't offer local. So,
I'd have to shut off their system and get it OTA (like I'm doing now).

So what do you think? Is it a deal breaker? Do I need to cancel the
DirectTV installation and just get regular cable?

Somehow I thought that since my reception was "pretty good" before,
that it would still be good in HDTV. It hadn't occurred to me that
the slight fuzziness before would freeze up the HDTV signals
intermittently (probably 10% of the time it freezes for a second or
half a second).

kpb wrote:
I signed up for DirectTV with my new super fancy 42" LCD. The LCD is
nice and I set it up today!! Bravo!

It did a search and found a bunch of local stations...I just have a
"rabbit ears" antenna. The HDTV signals come in but they're kind of
erratic, freezing up the TV for a second or so...it makes it
unwatchable.

DirectTV here, where I live, unfortunately doesn't offer local. So,
I'd have to shut off their system and get it OTA (like I'm doing now).

So what do you think? Is it a deal breaker? Do I need to cancel the
DirectTV installation and just get regular cable?

Somehow I thought that since my reception was "pretty good" before,
that it would still be good in HDTV. It hadn't occurred to me that
the slight fuzziness before would freeze up the HDTV signals
intermittently (probably 10% of the time it freezes for a second or
half a second).

A weak analog signal gives fuzzy reception. A weak digital
signal gives reception that freezes up, as you have found out.
You need an outside antenna, most likely. Go to this site:
www.antennaweb.org. They will give you a good idea of the
type of antenna that will work best for you. Also, Directv
will likely have your locals in hd after the new satellite
is launched this spring. What is your zip code?

Chip

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kpb wrote:
I signed up for DirectTV with my new super fancy 42" LCD. The LCD is
nice and I set it up today!! Bravo!

Congrats on the new HD TV.

It did a search and found a bunch of local stations...I just have a
"rabbit ears" antenna. The HDTV signals come in but they're kind of
erratic, freezing up the TV for a second or so...it makes it
unwatchable.
DirectTV here, where I live, unfortunately doesn't offer local. So,
I'd have to shut off their system and get it OTA (like I'm doing now).

Why would you shut off the DirecTV system? I thought their DVRs and
STBs came with a ATSC tuner so you could use that to get the broadcast
locals. However, IIRC, their newest MPEG-4 capable DVR does not have a
ATSC tuner, but I may be wrong on that.

Regardless, your TV has multiple input options. There is no need to
"shut" off the DirecTV to switch to the internal ATSC tuner. You just
select a different input with the remote.

So what do you think? Is it a deal breaker? Do I need to cancel the
DirectTV installation and just get regular cable?

Somehow I thought that since my reception was "pretty good" before,
that it would still be good in HDTV. It hadn't occurred to me that
the slight fuzziness before would freeze up the HDTV signals
intermittently (probably 10% of the time it freezes for a second or
half a second).

Your antenna may have worked for analog stations on VHF, but is not
the right setup to pick up the digital signal which is currently on UHF
in most cities. Some of the stations may also still be at low power for
their digital signal. If you provide your zip code, we can provide some
advice on the right antenna setup to pick up your local digital
broadcast stations. If you want to look the stations up, start with
antennaweb.org, but I suggest you enter an antenna height of 100' or
more under options as antennaweb is over conservative on digital
reception using the default height.

Alan F

I am a subscriber but not a great fan of Direct TV: their service and
billing operations leave much to be desired.
However their HD receivers/HDDVDs are very good at receiving OTA hi def
signals in my experience.
If you were previously able to receive HD signals adequately with an indoor
antenna you should be able to do the same with the Direct TV receiver
without having to resort to an outside antenna. Direct TV could have/should
have offered to do this for you with an attachment to the dish, but this is
typical of their service.
Until Direct TV changed their HD system I receieved adequate OTA HD with
amplified rabbit ears and I live in a very fringe ex-urban area. Fortunately
they now carry the local network outlets in HD in this area on Direct TV.

On Jan 1, 5:05*pm, "flambe" wrote:
I am a subscriber but not a great fan of Direct TV: their service and
billing operations leave much to be desired.
However their HD receivers/HDDVDs are very good at receiving OTA hi def
signals in my experience.
If you were previously able to receive HD signals adequately with an indoor
antenna you should be able to do the same with the Direct TV receiver
without having to resort to an outside antenna. Direct TV could have/should
have offered to do this for you with an attachment to the dish, but this is
typical of their service.
Until Direct TV changed their HD system I receieved adequate OTA HD with
amplified rabbit ears and I live in a very fringe ex-urban area. Fortunately
they now carry the local network outlets in HD in this area on Direct TV.

Well thanks all for advice.

I'm more confused than ever.

DirectTV doesn't offer local channels over their satellite, but you're
saying they could somehow have a tuner which would pick them up OTA?
I'm trying to do that now with my tuner, pick up local DIGITAL HD
stations. I can pick up the local analog stations, they don't look
good though. The local Digital HD stations freeze up. I'm not sure
what DirectTV could add...other than putting an antenna somehow on the
roof next to the DirectTV dish. I asked them about that and either he
didn't get what I was talking about or didn't know if they could do
that...or maybe he thought I already had an outdoor antenna.

Another thing he said (DirectTV guy) that confused me is that there
will be NO OTA broadcast in digital after the 2009 cutoff date. I
thought there would be digital OTA broadcasts...that's why the gov't
is giving people money to pick them up and downgrade them for their
sets.

But no matter.

I signed up for cable TV. Expensive 39.95 + another 10.00 for a
digital box. This is for 6 months then it goes up about 20 a month.
There was something about a QAM tuner (my TV has one) and some people
were saying "just get regular digital service and the QAM tuner will
ferret out the HD stations". That sounds like a good idea...not sure
if that would work for me or not. I think there are only 7 or 8 HD
stations other than local.

AS you can tell, I'm kind of confused by the whole thing, but thanks
for all info.

My zipcode is 31906. Not sure what that'll do for you...I dont' think
I want to put a multi-hundred dollar antenna above my house.

kpb wrote:

Well thanks all for advice.

I'm more confused than ever.

DirectTV doesn't offer local channels over their satellite, but you're
saying they could somehow have a tuner which would pick them up OTA?
I'm trying to do that now with my tuner, pick up local DIGITAL HD
stations. I can pick up the local analog stations, they don't look
good though. The local Digital HD stations freeze up. I'm not sure
what DirectTV could add...other than putting an antenna somehow on the
roof next to the DirectTV dish. I asked them about that and either he
didn't get what I was talking about or didn't know if they could do
that...or maybe he thought I already had an outdoor antenna.

Another thing he said (DirectTV guy) that confused me is that there
will be NO OTA broadcast in digital after the 2009 cutoff date. I
thought there would be digital OTA broadcasts...that's why the gov't
is giving people money to pick them up and downgrade them for their
sets.

But no matter.

I signed up for cable TV. Expensive 39.95 + another 10.00 for a
digital box. This is for 6 months then it goes up about 20 a month.
There was something about a QAM tuner (my TV has one) and some people
were saying "just get regular digital service and the QAM tuner will
ferret out the HD stations". That sounds like a good idea...not sure
if that would work for me or not. I think there are only 7 or 8 HD
stations other than local.

AS you can tell, I'm kind of confused by the whole thing, but thanks
for all info.

My zipcode is 31906. Not sure what that'll do for you...I dont' think
I want to put a multi-hundred dollar antenna above my house.

The Directv guy gave you some bad information!
Analog tv is going away in Feb 2009, not digital.
It looks like the locals are very close to you,
the big four anyway. They are all UHF stations,
so a Channel Master 4228 would likely be your
best choice. It could go in an attic, but I would
suggest that outside is the best. The stations
are close enough to the same direction that you
shouldn't need to move it to get all of the channels.
The latest Directv models, HR21 and H21 do not have
ota tuners, but the HR20 and H20 do. Try to get those
if you can, but if not, just use the one in your tv.
A qam tuner will likely get the local hd channels
through your cable company, but the national ones
will require a subscription. Good luck!

Chip

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On Jan 1, 5:05*pm, kpb wrote:
snip
Well thanks all for advice.

I'm more confused than ever.

DirectTV doesn't offer local channels over their satellite, but
you're
saying they could somehow have a tuner which would pick them up
OTA?
I'm trying to do that now with my tuner, pick up local DIGITAL HD
stations. *I can pick up the local analog stations, they don't look
good though. *The local Digital HD stations freeze up. *I'm not
sure
what DirectTV could add...other than putting an antenna somehow on
the
roof next to the DirectTV dish. *I asked them about that and either
he
didn't get what I was talking about or didn't know if they could do
that...or maybe he thought I already had an outdoor antenna.

You think this little guy would look OK next to the dish? It's 16
inches across and UHF like the 4 DTV stations in your area.

http://www.winegard.com/offair/squareshooter.htm

Another thing he said (DirectTV guy) that confused me is that there
will be NO OTA broadcast in digital after the 2009 cutoff date. *I
thought there would be digital OTA broadcasts...that's why the
gov't
is giving people money to pick them up and downgrade them for their
sets.

One of the two of you didn't get it right at all. After the 2009
cutoff, the _analog_ transmitters will be shut off permanently. The
digital system is the repacement for the old analog and it will
continue until the next upheaval.

But no matter.

I signed up for cable TV. *Expensive 39.95 + another 10.00 for a
digital box. *This is for 6 months then it goes up about 20 a
month.
There was something about a QAM tuner (my TV has one) and some
people
were saying "just get regular digital service and the QAM tuner
will
ferret out the HD stations". *That sounds like a good idea...not
sure
if that would work for me or not. *I think there are only 7 or 8 HD
stations other than local.

$840 a year. I know others pay more but like Wes, I use OTA for HD and
paid $100 one time for the antenna - 3 years ago.

AS you can tell, I'm kind of confused by the whole thing, but
thanks
for all info.

My zipcode is 31906. *Not sure what that'll do for you...I dont'
think
I want to put a multi-hundred dollar antenna above my house.

Chip suggested antennaweb.org which uses your zipcode to look up
stations in your area. That's how I know there are 4 DTVs (close by,
too) in your area.

Happy New Year

GG

kpb wrote:
On Jan 1, 5:05 pm, "flambe" wrote:

Well thanks all for advice.

I'm more confused than ever.

DirectTV doesn't offer local channels over their satellite, but you're
saying they could somehow have a tuner which would pick them up OTA?
I'm trying to do that now with my tuner, pick up local DIGITAL HD
stations. I can pick up the local analog stations, they don't look
good though. The local Digital HD stations freeze up. I'm not sure
what DirectTV could add...other than putting an antenna somehow on the
roof next to the DirectTV dish. I asked them about that and either he
didn't get what I was talking about or didn't know if they could do
that...or maybe he thought I already had an outdoor antenna.

Another thing he said (DirectTV guy) that confused me is that there
will be NO OTA broadcast in digital after the 2009 cutoff date. I
thought there would be digital OTA broadcasts...that's why the gov't
is giving people money to pick them up and downgrade them for their
sets.

But no matter.

I signed up for cable TV. Expensive 39.95 + another 10.00 for a
digital box. This is for 6 months then it goes up about 20 a month.
There was something about a QAM tuner (my TV has one) and some people
were saying "just get regular digital service and the QAM tuner will
ferret out the HD stations". That sounds like a good idea...not sure
if that would work for me or not. I think there are only 7 or 8 HD
stations other than local.

AS you can tell, I'm kind of confused by the whole thing, but thanks
for all info.

My zipcode is 31906. Not sure what that'll do for you...I dont' think
I want to put a multi-hundred dollar antenna above my house.

First, as the others have already posted, it is analog broadcast TV
that goes away in February, 2009, not digital. The DirecTV guy is
seriously confused. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for an
OTA antenna setup at your range to the local stations.

Before I get into listing your local stations, a few points. One, the
cable company should provide the HD local broadcast stations as in the
clear QAM digital channels. However, this is only for the stations that
they carry; many cable companies do not yet carry all the locals as the
local stations are demanding extra fees for the rights to carry their
digital signal. You need to check exactly what HD channels your local
cable franchise offers; it is likely to be far fewer HD channels than
DirecTV has right now. You have to get a cable box or DVR or have a
cable card setup to get the national HD channels - ESPN-HD, Discovery
HD, HDNet, etc - from the cable company as those channels will be encrypted.

According to antennaweb.org, these are the following digital broadcast
stations near you:

* yellow - uhf WTVM-DT 9.1 ABC COLUMBUS GA 138° 14.1 47
* yellow - uhf WLTZ-DT 38.1 NBC COLUMBUS GA 104° 3.9 35
* yellow - uhf WXTX-DT 54.1 FOX COLUMBUS GA 100° 4.2 49
* lt green - uhf WLGA-DT 31.1 CW OPELIKA AL 309° 20.6 31
* red - uhf WRBL-DT 3.1 CBS COLUMBUS GA 138° 14.1 15
* blue - uhf WJSP-DT 23 PBS COLUMBUS GA 07-08 32° 30.2 23

The last 3 numbers on each row a direction, range in miles (from
the center of your zip code), and the actual broadcast channel. All of
these stations are currently on UHF. However, after the analog shutdown,
WTVM-DT ABC 9 will switch from UHF 47 to VHF 9. However, WTVM-DT is only
14 miles away, so many larger UHF antennas should pick it up on upper VHF 9.

You have stations in different directions: 100°, 138°, 309°, and the
closest PBS station at 32°. You need a multi-directional antenna or
something close to it for all of them. If the four closest stations are
all you need for ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, a good indoor antenna might do the
job. The Silver Sensor is a good UHF antenna design which is sold by
Terk, Philips, Zenith.

However, my recommendation in your case would be to try the Channel
Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie. See
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4221.html for a picture. I get
stations out to 46+ miles in 5 different directions with a CM 4221 in my
attic. Very versatile antenna that should be ok for picking up VHF 9 at
close range. The CM 4221 is around $25 on-line plus $15 shipping at
places such as solidsignal.com or warrenelectronics.com. You will likely
need to mount it in the attic or outside for the 20 to 30 mile stations.
See http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html for a lot of
useful antenna info. Lowes is a good place for antenna mounting gear and
RG-6 co-axial cables.

My advice is to get both the digital cable box and the antenna, even
if you have signed up for cable. The antenna is not expensive and is a
handy backup to the cable company.

Good luck,
Alan F

On Jan 1, 8:37*pm, wrote:

The Directv guy gave you some bad information!

Isn't that how the company makes money?

Analog tv is going away in Feb 2009, not digital.

On Tue, 1 Jan 2008 21:41:50 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Jan 1, 8:37*pm, wrote:

The Directv guy gave you some bad information!

Isn't that how the company makes money?


Actually, DirecTV makes money by not employing any service techs. They
are all either independent, or employees of some large service
company.... not DirecTV. Consequently, unless you can get a
recommendation from someone locally, your chance of getting one with
any real knowledge is really a crapshoot.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/