5 LNB dish and HR10-250...is this all I need?

[Special---K]

Trying to go through all the info on this site but can't seem to get a clear answer on this.

If I have the new 5LNB dish and an HD Tivo....am I set to watch and record everything including OTA channels? Do I still need a OTA HD antenna?
What exactly is the point of the 5LNB dish over the 3?


thanks

[stiffi]

Depending on where you live you may still need an OTA antenna. Only certain markets have had the MPEG 4 feeds rolled out.

And that brings us to the point of the 5 LNB dish. The new satellite, which houses most of the new HD local networks, is broadcast in MPEG 4, which can only be picked up with the 5 LNB dish.

If you note where you live, someone may be able to be more specific.

[Special---K]

I live in San Francisco, CA

I'm just trying to determine what can and can't read MPEG 4 signals

I know my dish can, but can my Tivo?
I read somethign saying that SF has both MPEG 2 and 4 feeds but I'm not sure what that means for me

thx

[judson_west]

What I do know is that the TiVo can't read MPEG 4 signals. If your locals are in MPEG 4 through DirecTV, which I believe they are, then you will need an antenna to get the OTA MPEG 2 signals to your TiVo.

[AstroDad]

Short answer: if you want to record HD locals you need the OTA. Only LA and NY can get locals by satellite that can be recorded with the HR10 (barring a waiver for you to pick up the LA and/or NY feeds)

This will change whenever DirecTV starts leasing the HR20

[T1V0]

At this time you have no need for a 5-lnb dish since the HD TiVo isn't compatible with MPEG-4. So if you want HD locals, OTA is your best bet. But when the new HD-DVR comes out, you will need the 5-lnb dish for MPEG-4 locals so you wont have to worry about a further dish upgrade at that time.

[Special---K]

ok, that clears it up

thanks for the help guys

[samberger]

since you're in sf, get a cheap indoor antenna from radio shack. assuming you have a hd tuner in your tv you'll be able to plug the antenna into the hr10-250 and get the hd version of the locals.

[tfederov]

I thought I read somewhere that diplexers wouldn't work with the new dish. Is that correct?

[rminsk]

I thought I read somewhere that diplexers wouldn't work with the new dish. Is that correct?It should work fine. You have to add the diplexer after the output of the 6x8 switch.

[A J Ricaud]

It should work fine. You have to add the diplexer after the output of the 6x8 switch.

As long as you are not using an MPEG-4 receiver.