HD Locals - Do I need to subscribe to the HD package?

[hinote]

I know that you don't need the HD package to get HBOHD is you subscribe to HBO. My question is do I need the HD package to get my locals in HD? I line the NYC area and get my SD locals as part of my Total Choice package.

TIA

[ebonovic]

Nope... HD Locals are not part of the HD Pack. You just need to subscribe to "Locals" on your account. And if you have the hardware and the availability... you get them.

[Robert Spalding]

of course if you hook an antenna up to it you'll get your local HD channels for free.

[Adam1115]

of course if you hook an antenna up to it you'll get your local HD channels for free. why bother paying for SD locals?

of course I am assuming you own the HD Tivo

A lot of assumptions in your statemenet.

That-

1) He can put up a large enough antenna to get locals.

2) That he wants a large antenna.

3) That he is close enought to get a good signal.

[thepackfan]

My reason is to have SD locals on other TV's

[IndyTom]

A lot of assumptions in your statemenet.

That-

1) He can put up a large enough antenna to get locals.

2) That he wants a large antenna.

3) That he is close enought to get a good signal.


Agreed. In our case, we get ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS, really well (but not perfect). The other networks - Fox, WB, UPN, misc. high # channels, etc., do not come in so well (in HD). My wife found this out early on when setting up a season pass for some of her favorite daily shows, only to find them freezing up on occassion, etc. For us, it's worth paying the extra $ each month for the SD locals not only to mitigate these issues, but to also provide locals for the other Non-HD devices in our home.

[hinote]

Thanks for all the replies. Good info.

You're correct in assuming that I subscribe to locals to have SD locals on my other Tivos. Got 4 of em. 3 running and 1 sitting on the shelf just in case. Only 1 HDTivo.

[DuffMan]

Just so I'm clear on this:

Even with the HD receiver, Directv does NOT offer locals in HD. The only way to get them is with an OTA antenna.

True statement?

[disco]

Correct...partially. DirecTV DOES offer locals in HD in the following markets:
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston (Manchester), San Francisco-Oak-San Jose, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington, DC (Hagrstwn), Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, & Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota). More markets coming March/April '06 and beyond. An MPEG4 HD receiver (H20 or HR20) and a 5LNB (AT9) dish are required to pick up these HD locals. These channels do NOT and will NOT work on HR10-250 DirecTV/HD TiVo's.

[ebonovic]

With this particular HD reciever

The HR10-250... You can NOT access the new Local-In-Local HD streams.

NY/LA are "grey areas", since their locals double as the National feeds.

You can Access those "national feeds" which are the big 4 networks, so you can pretty much get the same primetime programming as your "local"... but their is a waiver process.

the forthcomming HR20 (not TiVo Based) will be able to access the MPEG-4 Local-In-Local feeds.

[Robert Spalding]

A lot of assumptions in your statemenet.

That-

1) He can put up a large enough antenna to get locals.

2) That he wants a large antenna.

3) That he is close enought to get a good signal.


WHo says he needs a large antenna? I use a small indoor and get all my channels.

But thanks for blasting me in a public forum

[disco]

Name calling is against forum rules. Pull it back.

Adam was simply showing the short comings in your statement: "why bother paying for SD locals?".

[DuffMan]

With this particular HD reciever

The HR10-250... You can NOT access the new Local-In-Local HD streams.

NY/LA are "grey areas", since their locals double as the National feeds.

You can Access those "national feeds" which are the big 4 networks, so you can pretty much get the same primetime programming as your "local"... but their is a waiver process.

the forthcomming HR20 (not TiVo Based) will be able to access the MPEG-4 Local-In-Local feeds.


Ok thanks. I read the FAQ, which says:

"In order to receive digital local broadcasts in your home, you will need an antenna."

I had heard that some markets had HD local through Directv and just wanted to make sure. I'm in the Seattle area so it sounds like no Directv HD locals here yet.

So to make this *really* simple for a slow dude like me:

If I don't want to install an antenna, and I don't want to pay the extra $11 a month for the 4 or 5 HD-specific channels, then the only thing I get out of Directv HD is some HBO (because I already have the HBO package) in HD?

That doesn't seem very compelling to me - am I missing something? I'm not trying to be sold here or be a pain in the ass but I just love HD picture quality and want to make sure I know exactly what I do and do not get if I plunk down $400 for the Directv HD/Tivo.

Thanks guys!

[ebonovic]

Close...

You can "APPLY" to get the Feeds from LA (which are not the Seatle Locals, they are the LA locals)... there is no guarantee that you will get them though.

But if you can, then you will get the corresponding ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX programmig which is pretty much consistant with your TRUE locals during the primetime and most of the weekend.

[DuffMan]

Cool - can you point me to where I can find out more about this "application" process? Is it something you do through DTV?

[stevel]

Yes, you do it through DTV - just call and ask. The process is that they send a request for a waiver to each of your local network affiliates. Each can approve or deny at their own whim. Some locals deny everyone, period. There's no guarantee that you'll get all four networks (I got two out of four.)

[Robert Spalding]

I meant to say "why bother paying for HD locals" especially if you hook up an antenna.

[DuffMan]

Yes, you do it through DTV - just call and ask. The process is that they send a request for a waiver to each of your local network affiliates. Each can approve or deny at their own whim. Some locals deny everyone, period. There's no guarantee that you'll get all four networks (I got two out of four.)


Thanks Steve. As bad as I want HD, it still sounds like more pain than gain for now.

Thanks again all.

[stevel]

It's easy to apply for the waivers. Takes less than five minutes on the phone with DTV. Then you wait for a response. Can't hurt to ask.

[DuffMan]

It's easy to apply for the waivers. Takes less than five minutes on the phone with DTV. Then you wait for a response. Can't hurt to ask.

Ok, I'll check it out. Is there a particular phone menu path you traverse, or do you just zero out and talk to whoever?

[stevel]

I just talk to whoever comes on.

[Adam1115]

WHo says he needs a large antenna? I use a small indoor and get all my channels.

Nobody. But you said: "of course if you hook an antenna up to it you'll get your local HD channels for free." without mentioning that he needs to have an antenna appropriate to where he lives. My point was you have no idea if he can get locals, what it would take, or if he would be willing to do it!

You said he WILL get his locals for free, without any knowledge of where he lives and if he could get a signal.

But thanks for blasting me in a public forum

Blasting you? I'm not blasting anyone.. just commenting in a public forum.

[hoopsbwc34]

I have the same question about Showtime HD... do I need the HD package to get that channel?

[Robert Spalding]

Let it go dude.

[Dirac]

I have the same question about Showtime HD... do I need the HD package to get that channel?

Nope, just subscribe to regular Showtime and you get the HD channel. Same for HBO. You don't get ShoHD or HBOHD with just the HD package.

[hoopsbwc34]

Nope, just subscribe to regular Showtime and you get the HD channel. Same for HBO. You don't get ShoHD or HBOHD with just the HD package.
Thanks... I knew I didn't get it with the HD package, I just wondered if I cancel the HD package and keep showtime do I still get ShoHD.... Thanks for the help.

[JimSpence]

To reiterate. If you subscribe to Showtime you get the HD version. Nothing else is needed.

[wakramer]

I just inquired about the Seattle locals and they told me they're coming in April. Not sure if any of this is news but they also hinted they would provide replacement MPEG4 hardware as well.

Here is an excerpt from the email they sent me.

Thank you for writing. I apologize for the frustration you are experiencing, trying to get networks in HD.

After carefully reviewing your account, your local channels are broadcast out of the Seattle-Tacoma area. DIRECTV is opening up locals in HD in the Seattle area in April 2006. Therefore the HD distant networks are no longer available for your zip code area.

Customers who have DIRECTV HD equipment and want to receive local HD programming from DIRECTV will be eligible for an MPEG-4-capable receiver replacement after we launch local HD programming in your city. You can contact our Customer Installation Support Team at 888-355-7530 for further information and ordering.

We look forward to helping you get your locals out of Seattle in HD. Thanks again for writing.