HR10-250 & OTA

[gigascott]

Hello Everyone,
I recently bought a HDTV and have been researching about the best way to get local HD channels. I have seen posts about adding a OTA antenna to get local HD channels. But one thing that I haven't seen clarified is how the Tivo HD receiver deals with a OTA antenna input. I current have two satelitte inputs and can switch between the two satelitte tuners and record from the two tuners, but what happens when I plug in the OTA antenna? Can I configure my Directv HD receiver to accept this as an additional line. So, effectively I will have three lines and can switch and/or record from any of the three lines? I would love to use a OTA antenna to get local HD channels but would hate to be able to record the channels with the Tivo.

Also, if anyone would like to recommend a good indoor antenna to try out, that would be great. I know that I need to look more online to do more research, but any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-gigascott

[stiffi]

You plug the antenna directly into the receiver. It then integrates the channels into your lineup. You still only can watch 2 programs at once, though.

You will have 3 lines into the HR10-250, but only 2 tuners enabled.

Oh, you can record anything the receiver receives, Directv SD, HD, and OTA SD, HD.

[DubC]

Also, if anyone would like to recommend a good indoor antenna to try out, that would be great. I know that I need to look more online to do more research, but any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-gigascott

The distance you are from the broadcast antennas will determine what type of antenna to buy. Go to www.antennaweb.org , type in your address and zip, and then it should tell you how far from the broadcast antennas you are. Tell us what your results say........

[gigascott]

stiffi, so when I attach the OTA atenna, I will have to go through the setup again so that it recoginzes the OTA antenna. Once I do that I will have the additional local HD channels listed. Is this correct? Then based on what I want to record, the receiver will use either one of the two satelitte inputs or the OTA antenna, right?

DubC, I used that website and for the channels I would like to get it shows:

Red-Uhf 5.1 127° 21.4 miles 53 freq
Red-Uhf 11.1 128° 21.3 miles 52 freq
Red-Uhf 17.1 127° 21.4 miles 55 freq
Red-Uhf 50.1 127° 21.4 miles 49 freq

Additional channels, that I would like are listed as:

Yellow-Uhf 4.1 288° 17.3 miles 59 freq
Violet-Uhf 22.1 127° 21.4 miles 57 freq

What do the different colors mean? It is possible for me to use an indoor antenna?

Thanks for your help guys.

-gigascott

[beartrap]

I've had good success with this antenna: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TD-DB4

It also comes in a larger (8 bay) and smaller (2 bay) version, that can be tried depending on your distance (and other factors) from the transmitting antenna. Note that is UHF only, so if any of your local digital broadcasts are in the VHF range (not likely), you should consider a different antenna. I've had excellent experience with vendor (Solid Signal) through several online orders. Good luck.


ETA:
I use this antenna indoors, mounted on the wall of a second story walk-in closet that has a high ceiling. It has a dedicated line (i.e., not diplexed) into the HR10-250.

[Indiana627]

gigascott,

I am about the same distance from my broadcast towers as you are from yours. I use this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=3394455&type=product&productCategoryId=cat08081&id=1051384457031) Terk indoor antenna and it works great.

Once you connect your antenna to your HR10, you'll probably have to re-run the setup so the HR10 knows to look for the off air channels (mine's been hooked up to my antenna since day 1 and I don't remember exactly how the setup worked, but it steps you right through it). Once that is done, it will integrate your OTA channels right into your on screen guide. Mine looks like:

2 (SD from D*)
2-1 (HD from antenna)
4 (SD from D*)
4-1 (HD from antenna)
etc.

You can then hightlight a show from the antenna and hit select to watch it or record to record it or set up a season pass. Once you get the antenna setup, the HR10 works exactly the same as it did without the antenna. With the antenna, you'll have a total of 4 tuners (2 sat and 2 OTA (even though there's only 1 line going into the box from your antenna, there is an internal spliter to give you 2 OTA tuners)), but you can only use 2 of them at a time. So you can record 2 OTA shows at the same time, 2 sat shows at the same time, or 1 OTA show and 1 sat show at the same time. You won't be able to record 2 shows (from any source) and watch a 3rd live show (though you can watch a recorded show while recording 2 shows).

The only caution is that the OTA tuners in the HR10 aren't the best so you may have trouble reliably getting some of your OTA channels. I hope this helps.

[RS4]

You should see a corresponding color on the box when you go to the Home Improvement store or Radio Shack to get the antenna. That color tells you what to expect from your antenna. If you truly want the violet, then make sure that color is on the box. You also need to determine how high up to put the antenna and if you need a rotor or not. It looks like one of your stations would require the antenna be turned. My experience was the higher off the ground (I read that 30 feet was a good number), the better chance of getting the stations - although that may not be true in your area.

Once you've gone through the setup, you will see the new channels, plus you'll also see local channels on the 'channels I receive' area, so you can filter out channels you don't get well. You'll also see the channels in the transponder signal test area - there will be a new section for testing OTA signal strength.

I love the HD from my OTA. The football games are awesome.

[smak]

stiffi, so when I attach the OTA atenna, I will have to go through the setup again so that it recoginzes the OTA antenna. Once I do that I will have the additional local HD channels listed. Is this correct? Then based on what I want to record, the receiver will use either one of the two satelitte inputs or the OTA antenna, right?

DubC, I used that website and for the channels I would like to get it shows:

Red-Uhf 5.1 127° 21.4 miles 53 freq
Red-Uhf 11.1 128° 21.3 miles 52 freq
Red-Uhf 17.1 127° 21.4 miles 55 freq
Red-Uhf 50.1 127° 21.4 miles 49 freq

Additional channels, that I would like are listed as:

Yellow-Uhf 4.1 288° 17.3 miles 59 freq
Violet-Uhf 22.1 127° 21.4 miles 57 freq

What do the different colors mean? It is possible for me to use an indoor antenna?

Thanks for your help guys.

-gigascott

It looks like you may have problems with 4-1, since it seems like it's in a different location then the other channels, and maybe in a different direction.

21 miles though is probably close enough that you can use an indoor antenna. Mine are around 17 miles, and I use an indoor antenna and get a solid 90 on most channels.

-smak-

[gigascott]

smak,
Which indoor antenna do you use? Thanks for the info.

-gigascott