HR20 & AT9 Install

[dslomski]

Hopefully soon I'll be switching from Charter to DirecTV.  I'd like to prepare as much as possible for the install by running new cables and phone lines.

How many cables does the HR20 receiver need from the dish?  I only have one at my TV now, and no phone line.  I'd like to do everything from the sat, but looks like I'll need an outdoor antenna to grab CBS.

Cables for Sat - ?
Cables for ANT- 1
Phone Line - 1
Ethernet - ?

Thanks,
DAVE

[murdoc]

HR20 is a single tuner right?  If so it needs 1 SAT and 1 OTA.  If it turns out that it has dual tuners you will need 2 SAT and 1 OTA.  A phone line is recommened but not necessary.

If you're switching from cable to sat., D* should be installing your equipment and running new lines.  The coax from Charter is probably RG-59 and will not work for sat. signals.  You will need quad-shielded RG6 installed.

[Bebop]

RG-59 should work. My HR10-250 is using the TW coaxial cables that are 20 years old.

[ktk0117]

The HR-20 has two tuners, you'll need at least two. The third line would be if you had an antenna, you would also run it, however the OTA function on the HR-20 is not activated as of yet, so you could put that off for now.

DTV will give you locals from Milwaukee, and you get CBS, but as for now it is not High Def. It is the only major netowrk in Milwaukee that via DTV is not delivered HD. But is in contract to be delivered hopefully this year, but doubtful. ABS, NBC will be HD.

Run single cables for every other single SD box you going to have as well.

The dish you'll get can have 4 lines coming from it, so if you have the need for more than 4, they'll install a multi-tap so you can go beyond that if need be.

[gparris]

The HR-20 has two tuners, you'll need at least two. The third line would be if you had an antenna, you would also run it, however the OTA function on the HR-20 is not activated as of yet, so you could put that off for now.

DTV will give you locals from Milwaukee, and you get CBS, but as for now it is not High Def. It is the only major netowrk in Milwaukee that via DTV is not delivered HD. But is in contract to be delivered hopefully this year, but doubtful. ABS, NBC will be HD.

Run single cables for every other single SD box you going to have as well.

The dish you'll get can have 4 lines coming from it, so if you have the need for more than 4, they'll install a multi-tap so you can go beyond that if need be.

My brother recently bought a HDTV with his 5.1 surround setup and asked me why he didn't get CBS in HD, so I found out the local station demanded money just like Sinclair does TWC for CW and My24TV...there wasn't anything wrong with his HDTV reception.
Now he is holding out for the HR20 for when it is able to record OTA to compensate for the CBS mess.
Some cities like Atlanta and 3 others actually have FIVE local HD channels - they include the CW in HD, too...pity us in Milwaukeeland with just 3. :rolleyes:

[dslomski]

The HR-20 has two tuners, you'll need at least two. The third line would be if you had an antenna, you would also run it, however the OTA function on the HR-20 is not activated as of yet, so you could put that off for now.

Thanks for your help, but I'm not sure if that's correct.  I dowloaded the HR20 manual, and the box shows only 1 SAT in and 1 OTA in.  So the box must split the signel inside for each tuner.?

DAVE

[Bebop]

Look at the manual again, there are two SAT INs and one OTA with an internal splitter.

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[Chinatown]

The HR-20 has two tuners, you'll need at least two. The third line would be if you had an antenna, you would also run it, however the OTA function on the HR-20 is not activated as of yet, so you could put that off for now.

DTV will give you locals from Milwaukee, and you get CBS, but as for now it is not High Def. It is the only major netowrk in Milwaukee that via DTV is not delivered HD. But is in contract to be delivered hopefully this year, but doubtful. ABS, NBC will be HD.

Run single cables for every other single SD box you going to have as well.

The dish you'll get can have 4 lines coming from it, so if you have the need for more than 4, they'll install a multi-tap so you can go beyond that if need be.

Just called "D", as to the availablity of OTA with the HR 20...........Said it will be up and running December 1st.............

[dslomski]

Look at the manual again, there are two SAT INs and one OTA with an internal splitter.

I'm a dope.  I downloaded the H20 (non DVR) manual.  That clears it up.  

Good news on the OTA, its not October which we thought, but hopefully that stick with this date.

Thanks,

DAVE

[borghe]

Dec 1st is the official line from D* on OTA. Earl at DBSTalk insists that it will be much earlier and Dec 1st is simply D*'s "if all else fails" date. So if you are ok without OTA until Dec 1st, cool beans, you should be pleasantly surprised. If you need OTA before then, it's coming, just no firm date on it.

Looking at some of the things they plan on doing with the HR20 next year, I am actually pretty excited about it. Broadband VOD, higher level of interactivity on interactive channels, DirecTV 2 Go laptop output (assuming HD is included in this as well being they specifically mentioned the HR20), 30 additional HD channels by March 2007, etc. All they need to do is figure out a way to link it with my iPod (c'mon DirecTV/Apple.. make it happen) and I'll be set for TV.

[ktk0117]

Dec 1st is the official line from D* on OTA. Earl at DBSTalk insists that it will be much earlier and Dec 1st is simply D*'s "if all else fails" date. So if you are ok without OTA until Dec 1st, cool beans, you should be pleasantly surprised. If you need OTA before then, it's coming, just no firm date on it.

Looking at some of the things they plan on doing with the HR20 next year, I am actually pretty excited about it. Broadband VOD, higher level of interactivity on interactive channels, DirecTV 2 Go laptop output (assuming HD is included in this as well being they specifically mentioned the HR20), 30 additional HD channels by March 2007, etc. All they need to do is figure out a way to link it with my iPod (c'mon DirecTV/Apple.. make it happen) and I'll be set for TV.

What would the "DirecTV 2 Go laptop output" do?

Is it so you can watch TV on your laptop, or is it for internet access?

[borghe]

presumably it would be for watching video on your laptop, similar to Tivo2Go.