How to hook HD OTA to Directv's HD DVR?

[newbeestl]

Is this easy to do? Or do I need to hook it directly to my tv? Can I DVR OTA locals? Will the Directv installation guy help me out? Thanks!

 

[NutFlush920]

Is this easy to do? Or do I need to hook it directly to my tv? Can I DVR OTA locals? Will the Directv installation guy help me out? Thanks!

It honestly depends on what model HD DVR you get from DirecTV if you will have OTA right on the receiver or if you will need an external unit for OTA reception.

In either case, you would run a line for OTA to the location of the receiver. If you have built in OTA on the reciever you would connect the line to OTA In and if you don't have built in OTA you would connect the line to the external unit then, connect that to the reciver. After OTA setup (through the reciever) guide data will be included in the standard guide and you will be able to record OTA onto the HD DVR receiver.

HR20 models have built in OTA tuners
HR21 models require an AM21 external OTA tuner box (around $50 extra)

 

[Jimbo]

What Nutflush said :up

Also, another thing you can do is SPLIT your OTA line and run one into the DVR and the other into your TV tuner.

Jimbo

 

[raoul5788]

What Nutflush said :up

Also, another thing you can do is SPLIT your OTA line and run one into the DVR and the other into your TV tuner.

Jimbo

Assuming you get hd locals from Directv, why would you split the ota line? If your signals are marginal at all, you may not have enough signal strength at either tuner.

 

[Jimbo]

Assuming you get hd locals from Directv, why would you split the ota line? If your signals are marginal at all, you may not have enough signal strength at either tuner.

Seeing he mentioned OTA I presumed that he does NOT get the locals from D*.

Jimbo

 

[raoul5788]

Seeing he mentioned OTA I presumed that he does NOT get the locals from D*.

Jimbo

If he is really in the St Louis dma, he gets them from Directv.

 

[Jimbo]

If he is really in the St Louis dma, he gets them from Directv.

Why ???

When Toledo HD finally gets turned on, I will still be getting them from my OTA set up, why pay extra money for something that you already get for free ?

Jimbo

 

[littlebill]

Why ???

When Toledo HD finally gets turned on, I will still be getting them from my OTA set up, why pay extra money for something that you already get for free ?

Jimbo

any word when this might be?

 

[tds4182]

How to hook HD OTA to Directv's HD DVR

Assuming you get hd locals from Directv, why would you split the ota line? If your signals are marginal at all, you may not have enough signal strength at either tuner.

During periods of rain fade, I use the OTA feed to my television for the local channels, primarily during primetime, and to check the weather sub-channels.

To each his own!

 

[darrencp22]

I think the time has passed to even mention HR20s when someone asks this question. I doubt very much anyone is going to get one of these, especially with the HR22 out.

 

[Ira Lacher]

I must have one, because that's what I have done in Des Moines to get my local channels in HD. Just upgraded to HD in July too. Very satisfied.

 

[newbeestl]

During periods of rain fade, I use the OTA feed to my television for the local channels, primarily during primetime, and to check the weather sub-channels.

To each his own!

This is exactly what I want to do. Thanks for the replies! :up

Oh, and I'm hoping to get an HR22. Will the OTA plug into that then show up on my guide? How will I watch OTA when my Directv goes out?

 

[NutFlush920]

With the HR22 you will need the external OTA tuner box (AM21). The cost of the box is $50. It will connect to the HR22 via USB cable. The OTA channels will show up in the DirecTV guide on the reciver. The OTA channels in the guide are typically marked by a different color and show up like 2-1 or 2-2 whereas the satellite channel is 2 and doesn't have sub channels.

When you have rain fade and satellite signal is gone you will see "searching for signal" on the channel. If you go to an OTA channel in the guide you will have picture providing the OTA signal is good.

 

[shibby191]

Why ???

When Toledo HD finally gets turned on, I will still be getting them from my OTA set up, why pay extra money for something that you already get for free ?

Jimbo

Locals are included in your package, you won't be paying extra for them. You're already "paying" for them basically.

 

[Jimbo]

any word when this might be?

By the end of the year is the standard reply, but I think I heard sometime in September last. :up
Where abouts are you Little bill ?

Jimbo

 

[Jimbo]

Locals are included in your package, you won't be paying extra for them. You're already "paying" for them basically.

Actually I'm not paying for them, I called them and had them removed, strangly it cost you $ 5 p/m for the locals, but they credit you only $ 3.

Jimbo

 

[harshness]

If he is really in the St Louis dma, he gets them from Directv.

Unless the OP is interested in KETC HD, WRBU HD or any of the subchannels that aren't available LIL.

 

[newbeestl]

Unless the OP is interested in KETC HD, WRBU HD or any of the subchannels that aren't available LIL.

I believe PBS could be included in that list as well.

 

[scottie_h]

Here's a pic of the AM21 stacked on top of the D* receiver:

 

[harshness]

I believe PBS could be included in that list as well.

That would be the KETC reference.