Do I need an OTA HD Ant to get CW with DirectTV with LNB5 satellite and HR20?

[headshotwi]

Ok I just signed up for DTV today.  Switched from TWC.  I am being told that since I am getting the HR20 HD DVR and the new LNB5 Satellite I do not need a seperate OWA HD antenna to get broadcast HD stations like CW which DTV does not carry and be able to record them on my DVR.  Is this true?

Anyone confirm this for me?

[digdugm]

if you want  24 and 18 and 36 in HD you need an antenna.

[jjallou]

if you want  24 and 18 and 36 in HD you need an antenna.

And CBS 58 in HD :bang:

[steve053]

Ok I just signed up for DTV today.  Switched from TWC.  I am being told that since I am getting the HR20 HD DVR and the new LNB5 Satellite I do not need a seperate OWA HD antenna to get broadcast HD stations like CW which DTV does not carry and be able to record them on my DVR.  Is this true?

Anyone confirm this for me?

As the other posters stated -
- You do need an antenna to receive 10, 18, 24, 36 and 58 in HD.
- You can integrate the OTA antenna w/ the HR20 and all of the above (including sub channels) will be available in HD via the HR20 guide.  This is nice as you don't have to switch inputs when moving between DBS and OTA.
- You can record the OTA just like any other DBS channel.
- Depending on where you live you may be able to use an indoor antenna, or you may have problems with some of the channels via OTA.  It really depends.

[headshotwi]

direct tv is telling me that the new lnb5 dish has an integrated antenna to get broadcast hd locals so I dont need to buy an antenna.  once again im getting conflicting information.

[bradsmainsite]

Its a known fact that the CSR's they hire don't even know there own product.  What a shame.  Gives the whole industry a black eye.

Anyway to answer your question no there is NOT an integrated antenna in the 5 lnb dish (wow that is really far out there), and the only locals you get in HD from the dish for Directv is ABC, CBS, NBC.  Just look at their own website and do a check for your local channels punch in your zip code and it will show right on their own site the only HD locals are 3 maybe 4 right now, and no 18, 24, 36 and 58 are not any of them.

Like the others have stated there  are many choices for OTA antennas to help you get those free with no compression (unless they multicast)for the best picture quality and ALL the locals.

[headshotwi]

that really makes me angry.  

Do you think I should get a mounted antenna for the roof or a indoor one?  I REALLY wanted to get it all taken care of when I have my dish installed next weekend.  I was even willing to pay DTV for the outdoor antenna and the installation and setup of it.

What do you guys recommend?

[qawsed]

that really makes me angry.  

Do you think I should get a mounted antenna for the roof or a indoor one?  I REALLY wanted to get it all taken care of when I have my dish installed next weekend.  I was even willing to pay DTV for the outdoor antenna and the installation and setup of it.

What do you guys recommend?

I'd recommend cancelling with D* and going back to TWC.  Who wants to play the "antenna" game in 2007?  I'd also recommend doing a little research before you sign a 2 year contract.

[headshotwi]

OK FINALLY I talked to someone who gave me this answer.  let me know what you guys think.

The reason that they can't install the OTA antenna is because they are now deploying the HR21 HD DVR and the new HR21 does NOT allow you to integrate OTA channels in to the DVR/GUIDE.  That was a feature of the HR20 and it was taken out of the HR21.  He gave me the number of the installation company and said I could ask them what DVR they plan to install and if I get the HR20 then I can buy an OTA HD antenna and hook it up myself.

I would imagine this will **** OFF a LOT of people since DTV only offers 3 HD locals in Milwaukee.  Anyone have the new HR21 DVR?

[Tom Snyder]

I just had an install guy out last weekend to set up an HR20 and he said the HR21 should be hitting the streets in November or December.  So you'll probably get an HR20, too.

As far as the OTA, an antenna isn't that big a deal.. take it from those of us who have been getting our local HD OTA for almost a decade. The closer you live to the towers, the easier it will be to find a solution. Where do you live?

D* will be passing thorugh all the locals in HD soon.. the only question mark is 58, and that's not D*'s fault... that's 58 management playing hardball to try and get a different deal than the other locals.

[headshotwi]

I just had an install guy out last weekend to set up an HR20 and he said the HR21 should be hitting the streets in November or December.  So you'll probably get an HR20, too.

As far as the OTA, an antenna isn't that big a deal.. take it from those of us who have been getting our local HD OTA for almost a decade. The closer you live to the towers, the easier it will be to find a solution. Where do you live?

D* will be passing thorugh all the locals in HD soon.. the only question mark is 58, and that's not D*'s fault... that's 58 management playing hardball to try and get a different deal than the other locals.

How soon will they be passing through 18 and 24?  like 07?  or mid 08?  I just can't miss recording smallville in hd.

I just can't fathum how those dtv people can't give me an accurate straight answer.

[bradsmainsite]

How soon will they be passing through 18 and 24?  like 07?  or mid 08?  I just can't miss recording smallville in hd.

I just can't fathum how those dtv people can't give me an accurate straight answer.

Not the highest paid position in the world.   You get what you pay for as the old saying goes, and in this highly competitive business they do it to themselves.

Real smart is it not?:bang:

[steve053]

I just had an install guy out last weekend to set up an HR20 and he said the HR21 should be hitting the streets in November or December.  So you'll probably get an HR20....

I don't know about that.  I've read a couple of current posts at dbstalk where they are expecting an HR20 and get the HR21.  One guy in SanFran went to a number of local BM only to find HR21's.  Finally found one HR20 on the shelf.

[gparris]

Not the highest paid position in the world.   You get what you pay for as the old saying goes, and in this highly competitive business they do it to themselves.

Real smart is it not?:bang:

Hey, it could be worse, you could have got someone from a call center in India, where their "english" can be more difficult to understand.:rolleyes:

IMHO, the H21 & HR21 rollout is a bit premature for even Directv, since many locations do offer all the HD channels locally (some none at all)
-and the D11 satellite that is supposed to fix that is not up and running yet.

The H*20's not only get you the local HD channels Directv does not offer (yet), but integrate the OTA it receives into your guide for quick access and recording.
Hope this H*21 series doesn't become a problem and a routine headache for installers and HT planners in the near future, if H*20s become more scarce.