HD Locals in Hartford CT, Not OTA?

[analogkid12]

I just received my new HR10-250 HD Tivo. I asked the installer where I should place an OTA antrenna to get the best reception. He said in this market (Hartford CT) I did not need to use an antenna as the HD locals came directly from Directv.

I have seen no info on this, and I thought that locals in HD were only in mpeg-4 from directv. If I understand it correctly, the hr10-250 only handles mpeg-2. I am still waiting for my HD TV (on back order) so I have no way of testing this.

If I do need an OTA antenna, if so, which one? I would prefer an indoor antenna, but would be able to do something mounted to the side of the house if need be. Here is the info from antennaweb.org for my location:

DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* yellow - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 119° 4.5 31
* yellow - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 122° 4.5 35
* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 71° 6.8 33
* yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 119° 4.5 45
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 72° 7.0 46
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 WB WATERBURY CT 119° 4.5 12
* red - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 199° 20.6 10
* red - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 37° 27.5 11
* blue - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 199° 20.6 39

I am really only interested in getting the top 5 uhf channels that are all less than 8 miles awayand maybe wtnh (vhf)abc that is 20.6 miles. Thanks for your help...

[gfb107]

Actually, you can test whether you are receiving the HD channels, by setting the HR10-250 to downconvert everything to 480i. It won't look like HD, but it'll look better than standard SD.

[wyatt9696]

the hr10-250 WILL NOT receive the mpeg 4 locals(launching 6/28 )

you'll need an h20 standard hd receiver for those. you do need an ota antenna to get reception of the hartford area locals available ota.

[patg25]

You need to install the antenna to tivo HD shows. If you do not want to install the antenna than you won't be able to record HD shows. The MPEG4 recorder is still under development.

You didn't say where you are located, but you should be able to receive WTNH without any problems, being only 20 miles away. However, you will very likely need to rotate the antenna

[LannyM]

the hr10-250 WILL NOT receive the mpeg 4 locals(launching 6/28 )

So, I'm assuming you're receiving locals in HD? Can you confirm only CBS and NBC?

[wyatt9696]

So, I'm assuming you're receiving locals in HD? Can you confirm only CBS and NBC?

you will get only the 2 locals as you stated. no agreements as of yet with the others. you need an h20 receiver to get the locals through the dish. as i said, the hr10-250 will not receive these. but you can get all 4 locals ota with either receiver.

[patg25]

In addition, you can get WNBC from NYC in HD over Satellite.

[LannyM]

Thanks for the responses.

I've been told by installers at Tweeter that in my location, HD OTA is dicey at best, and I can't do a big antenna due to Historic guidelines.

What is the likelihood of getting a waiver signed by WTIC or WTHN to allow for the East Coast network feeds? They haven't retuned my calls.....

[tase2]

Thanks for the responses.

I've been told by installers at Tweeter that in my location, HD OTA is dicey at best, and I can't do a big antenna due to Historic guidelines.

What is the likelihood of getting a waiver signed by WTIC or WTHN to allow for the East Coast network feeds? They haven't retuned my calls.....
0% :(

[hancox]

analogkid12 - I would go the attic route with a bigger antenna (CM 4228, if you can). There is enough pick-up on the back side of it, combined that it picks up VHF 10 fine, that you might be in luck.