HD Locals in Atlanta

[youngdr]

I am trying to get up to speed with HD Locals in Atlanta, but am having trouble finding all the info.

Basically, what do I need to receive HD Locals over the sat in Atlanta?

Is the H20 receiver the only one that will receive HD Locals? Do I need a new dish?

Finally, do I need to subscribe to the HD package?

TIA!

[Guindalf]

You should be able to get the OTA HD signal if you're actually IN Atlanta, so the HR10-250 would suit you.

Satellite channels are available in MPEG-4 here and you would need the H20 and a 5 LNB dish to get them - no DVR yet, so it is all live, I'm afraid, unless you can use the first option.

You do NOT need to subscribe to the HD package to get HD locals.

Hope this clears things up a little for you.

(I'm 90 miles NE of you, so no OTA for me!)

[HomieG]

I am about 32 miles from the Alanta TV towers, further from a couple of them too. I have the Channel Master 4228 in my attic. The relative signal strength on my TV is 98 on most channels, with the lowest being 90 (Channel 30's DTV signal). All the Atlanta stations now have their DTV signals at high power, except Channel 8 (GPTV/PBS). Their DTV signal is not on-air...they are still wrestling with the powers that be at Stone Mountain. Channel 11 local news currently is the only local news in HD. While Channels 17 and 30 have their DTV signals up, I've yet to see any HD programming on either. Happy to answer any specific questions.

If you get the HR10, you will have to get the locals OTA. It has two ATSC tuners built-in, so the functionality of dual record is there. The HR10 will not work with the DirecTV HD feed (MPEG-4). Besides, I hear the quality of the local stations in HD over DirecTV is pretty bad.

[TCG]

My HR10-250 just arrived and DTV installer is coming out next week. DTV said he would be installing a 3 "LNB" dish. In earlier conversation, DTV said I would need a 5 LNB dish. Doe this matter one way or another for the non-local HD programming DTV will deliver? Also, my current SD Dtivo has two lines from SAT and I pla to install HDTivo in same room...will I need one additional SAT line since HD Locals are coming in on my Antenna coax line? I have two other standard receivers in the house. Is it the multi-switch that determines the qty of receivers that can be connected to the dish?


Thanks!
Tom

[Guindalf]

You need two additional lines from the multiswitch in order to watch one satellite channel and record another (or record two at once). There is just one coax input to the two ATSC tuners. You can only view one source at any one time.

The 3 LNB dish will work for everything but the new satellite locals (the MPEG-4 stuff). You will still get OTA and all of the HD package programming.

The 5x8 multiswitch that is usually provided by the installer will run up to four dual-tuner receivers (two lines each), eight single tuner receivers or a combination, so if I counted correctly, you'll be using six lines.

[Aaron Campagnon]

I just got HD TIVO in SOuth Atl.
I live right where 675 and 75 come back together on the south east side.
According to the web I am 30-40 miles away from all the local towers. With the cheapo ant provided by d* I am able to get all the locals ota (2,5,8,11,36,46,69)
Of course I have a fairly clear look at the North west (needed to "see" the towerrs) but I am in a vally so it isnt perfect. YOu should be very happy if you get a good signal.

[UGARx]

Channel 11 local news currently is the only local news in HD.

Isn't the CM 4228 UHF only? I thought NBC was VHF. I have a RadioShack cheapo UHF antenna and live in Dunwoody North (< 30 miles from towers) but have issues with consistent reception (trees all around me), although much better since I attached it to the chimney. I bought the 4228, but realized it would probably be no better than what I had since it was only UHF.

[kdonnel]

Isn't the CM 4228 UHF only?

It is officially UHF only but has good gain on high VHF channels as well. I don't have any issues with NBC(digital channel 10) and the 4228 35+ miles from the transmitters.

When/If GPTV starts broadcasting it should not have a problem picking up digital channel 12 either.

[HomieG]

It is officially UHF only but has good gain on high VHF channels as well. I don't have any issues with NBC(digital channel 10) and the 4228 35+ miles from the transmitters.

When/If GPTV starts broadcasting it should not have a problem picking up digital channel 12 either.

Same here. In fact, even WXIA/NBC analog on Channel 11 looks great with the CM4228 at 32 miles here to their tower. And Channel 8/GPTV analog also looks great.

[UGARx]

Thanks...that's really helpful. My RadioShack special won't even sniff NBC. I'm kicking myself now b/c I had to watch The Office in Low-Def last night.

Looks like I'll be trucking it up to Fry's this weekend.

[mrdbdigital]

The only HD programming I've seen on WTBS over the air was some of last season's Atlanta Braves games, which were gorgeous, BTW.

WPBA was broadcasting only the PBS HD net when they first put their DT on the air, but have since gone into simulcasting their SD programming. I have not seen any HD programming since that time, either.

db

[dagap]

Ditto here. Alpharetta, some 30ish miles from the towers. CM4228 in the attic gets everything.

[Matrix585]

I'm also in Alpharetta and have the Channel Master 4228 hanging in my attic. All HD local channels come in great. HR10 seamlessly incorporates the OTA & satellite signals.

I did have to chuckle after making the plasma investment along with amp and dvd update for hdmi inputs along with the HR10 Tivo ($299 w/ $100 rebate back in Sept last year from D retention line) that to get network HD I would have to put up rabbit ears.

I was worried about the brady bunch chimney antenna, but the 4228 is quite invisible in the attic.

I'm still upset that D dropped Tivo....I've never been brand loyal until Tivo. But since 90% of my HD viewing is OTA, looks like I should be fine for quite sometime.

[UGARx]

I'm also in Alpharetta and have the Channel Master 4228 hanging in my attic. All HD local channels come in great. HR10 seamlessly incorporates the OTA & satellite signals.

I did have to chuckle after making the plasma investment along with amp and dvd update for hdmi inputs along with the HR10 Tivo ($299 w/ $100 rebate back in Sept last year from D retention line) that to get network HD I would have to put up rabbit ears.

I was worried about the brady bunch chimney antenna, but the 4228 is quite invisible in the attic.

I'm still upset that D dropped Tivo....I've never been brand loyal until Tivo. But since 90% of my HD viewing is OTA, looks like I should be fine for quite sometime.

Is this a directional antenna? I have a 60's ranch and the attic is tight already. I remember the 4228 being a big daddy.

I think we both got the same deal on the HR10...I jumped/crawled back to D* from Comcast (1 month) in August. The wife despised the Comcast DVR. Gotta say thought the OTA has been anything but easy....alot of trees here in Dunwoody.

[dagap]

Is this a directional antenna? I have a 60's ranch and the attic is tight already. I remember the 4228 being a big daddy.

Yes, it's directional. About a 4x4' square grid with bowties on one side.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4228.html

Mine's hanging from a rafter, not taking any floor space whatsoever.

Someone said that Fry's at Gwinnett Place mall carries the 4228, but I don't know for sure.

[HomieG]

The CM4228 is pretty close to 40" x 40".

[Matrix585]

It is big and was a bit of a balance to get through attic door, but its very light.

I went to Depot and bought a large dowel (closet rod I think) and a couple u brackets. Hung the rod from a cross beam and the antenna on the rod.

I've had perfect reception in Alpharetta through trees, houses and storms.

You're much closer to all the OTA sources in Dunwoody so I can't imagine you'd have any problems. An hour in the attic and you'll never realize you're watching over rabbit ears again.

[TCG]

I bought the cm4228 too...Rad Shack/Cumming...$60. You need a compass to point in right direction. It comes with 2 U clamps...I'm going to mount it with piece of pvc pipe, using string right now. I'm getting excellent reception. The hardest part is running the coax...if going thru walls, floors, etc. I also got a 100ft coax (2 stry house) from Rad Shack ...$25 with connectors already installed. Good luck!

[UGARx]

Had the RadioShack 24.99 UHF mounted to the chimney for about a month or so to improve my reception on all my UHF channels (except NBC which is VHF). I remember kdonnel saying that the 4228 had good gain on high VHF channles. So, for S&Gs I tried NBC on the RS special and walla! I had NBC in HD w/out any problems... :up: Giddy-up!

Couldn't believe I was watching SD all this time when I had HD OTA.

Location, location, location!

Thanks kdonnel & everyone for the info.

[bwillet]

I bought the cm4228 too...Rad Shack/Cumming...$60. You need a compass to point in right direction. It comes with 2 U clamps...I'm going to mount it with piece of pvc pipe, using string right now. I'm getting excellent reception. The hardest part is running the coax...if going thru walls, floors, etc. I also got a 100ft coax (2 stry house) from Rad Shack ...$25 with connectors already installed. Good luck!

Do you get all the HD channels well in Cumming? I live around 20 and Bethelview and am trying to get the HD scoop before making the plunge. I have a nice big attic in a tall 2 story, with really good southern exposure. I'd love to put the antenna in the attic, but was worried about signal quality being as far north as I am. Your input is appreciated!

[rlj5242]

Do you get all the HD channels well in Cumming? I live around 20 and Bethelview and am trying to get the HD scoop before making the plunge. I have a nice big attic in a tall 2 story, with really good southern exposure. I'd love to put the antenna in the attic, but was worried about signal quality being as far north as I am. Your input is appreciated! The parent forum has way more information than we can provide here. Find your DMA here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241).

-Robert

[gt4651c]

Do you get all the HD channels well in Cumming? I live around 20 and Bethelview and am trying to get the HD scoop before making the plunge. I have a nice big attic in a tall 2 story, with really good southern exposure. I'd love to put the antenna in the attic, but was worried about signal quality being as far north as I am. Your input is appreciated!

I live in Cumming (near Post and Kelly Mill) and I get all the channels with the CM 4228 in the attic and a pre-amp. You should be fine. My home-run is in the basment so that added quite a bit of cable length from the attic to the basement and then to the TV, so I needed the pre-amp.

[TiVoPrince]

Gwinnett Mall area
CM4228 on pole (attic too tight) and I get fabulous reception. Driving eleven ATSC tuners from a cheesy Open House +5db amp. When they build the new towers of babel out here I'm probably going to be in multi-path hell though...