Going HD halfway

[nitsudima]

I'm thinking about getting an HDTV soon, but I have a question about getting HD OTA signals on a TV without a built-in HD tuner. Sure I could get a D* HD receiver, but I really have no desire to pay an extra $11 a month for D*'s current HD package. Until they vamp up their offerings, I'm really only interested in getting my locals in HD.

So, with an HD Ready TV, can I do this, or do I have to subsribe to the D* HD package? Will they sell (or lease I guess, as of today) an HD receiver or Tivo to a customer without requiring that I get the HD package?

I know I could just get a stand alone (non-D*) HD tuner, but if I can avoid spending the money on that I'd like to. Plus, it might be a hassle to hook up with my existing HDVR2 anyway.

[aztivo]

What TV are you looking at?? Is it HD ready or HD built in?? With Built in all you need is an antana and you just change the imput to watch OTA

[Arcady]

I have an HR10-250 and I don't subscribe to the HD package. HD OTA locals and HBO HD work fine with both my HDTV projector and a standard TV set. There is no requirement to get the HD package.

[DavidS]

I was required to get the HD package in order to get the rebate when I bought my HD-Tivo. Now, with all of the rules changed with the weird leasing program, who knows what you will be told.

[rifleman69]

I'm thinking about getting an HDTV soon, but I have a question about getting HD OTA signals on a TV without a built-in HD tuner. Sure I could get a D* HD receiver, but I really have no desire to pay an extra $11 a month for D*'s current HD package. Until they vamp up their offerings, I'm really only interested in getting my locals in HD.

So, with an HD Ready TV, can I do this, or do I have to subsribe to the D* HD package? Will they sell (or lease I guess, as of today) an HD receiver or Tivo to a customer without requiring that I get the HD package?

I know I could just get a stand alone (non-D*) HD tuner, but if I can avoid spending the money on that I'd like to. Plus, it might be a hassle to hook up with my existing HDVR2 anyway.


Your locals aren't a part of the HDpackage from DirecTV. They're "free".

[nitsudima]

Your locals aren't a part of the HDpackage from DirecTV. They're "free".

Yes, of course OTA channels are free. I'm interested in hooking up an antenna to get them while still keeping my regular Total Choice package. I have no interest in D*'s HD package at the moment, but I wasn't sure if I could use the HD Tivo with my HDTV (with no built-in tuner) without subscribing to anything else.

I think I will explore external tuners for the time being since the new HD DVR is due out later this year, and there's no way I'm going to "lease" an HD Tivo from D* for $499 in the meantime.

[rifleman69]

Yes, of course OTA channels are free. I'm interested in hooking up an antenna to get them while still keeping my regular Total Choice package. I have no interest in D*'s HD package at the moment, but I wasn't sure if I could use the HD Tivo with my HDTV (with no built-in tuner) without subscribing to anything else.

I think I will explore external tuners for the time being since the new HD DVR is due out later this year, and there's no way I'm going to "lease" an HD Tivo from D* for $499 in the meantime.



To get the rebate, the HD package must be ordered (it's free for three months), but otherwise you're correct. The HR10-250 can just be used as a slower non-HD DVR if that's what you want it to be (besides your locals OTA).