HD Locals on DirecTivo through Cable?!

[ayemac]

Hopefully, someone has stumbled across a solution for this.

I have an HR10 and live in a smaller market. As a result, even though I pay for and receive what few HD channels I can receive through DirecTV, the HR10 and three LNB limits me to a certain range of HD channels. The smaller market means I'm not even on the radar to receive locals in HD. That, ultimately, is the issue.

I've tried every type of antenna from powered to simple rabbit ears for OTA through the DVR. NBC might come in for a bit then pixelate (sp?) on me. If I turn the channel to CBS or ABC, one might be better than the other. I can manipulate the antenna somewhat, but it only affects the other channels in a negative way. Frustrating is putting it lightly.

A friend said recently, "Hey, since you have cable Internet and phone, try and connect your coax feed from cable to your TV and rescan." Sure enough, I was pleasantly surprised to see a few HD locals in the 114-2, 115-1 and 116-1 range.

The part I'm struggling with is trying to receive these through my HR10. I'm guessing that it's simply not possible. I've rescanned the OTA through my DVR, but no dice. The OTA channels I normally receive are 3-1, 10-1 and 12-1. Those have no signal now and the 114-2 to 116-1 range simply do not come in. Ugh.

I've since reconnected the antenna to receive the OTA, but my goal is to somehow receive the locals in HD through my cable passed through my DirecTivo HR10 unit, thus resulting in no more pixelating!!! On a side note, I am receiving an HR20 unit and 5 LNB dish come Sunday. Maybe that will resolve the issue.

Thanks in advance.

[rlj5242]

Digital channels on cable are broadcast in quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) while OTA is in 8-level vestigial sideband modulation (8VSB). The ATSC tuner in the HR10-250 will only tune in 8VSB. There's absolutely nothing you can do to get digital channels from cable into your HR10-250.

The HR20 won't help either since it does not have a QAM tuner either.

Go to antennaweb.org and put in your address. Copy/paste your digital channel information back here and we can give you a hand with antenna selection. If you are within about 60 miles of the towers, there's a good chance of getting HD if you are willing to put out the effort and money.

By the way, this part of the forum is for standard def DirecTivos. The next section down covers the HR10-250. The former parent forum of Tivo Community, AVS Forum, is the best source of HD information on the web.

-Robert

[John T Smith]

DTivo HD - the HR10-250 Forum
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...splay.php?f=36

[ayemac]

RLJ ~ I think this is what you're after. Thanks for the heads up on what forum to use. Also, I appreciate a clear answer as to why I can't receive the channels. Excellent answer.

Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* yellow - uhf KSAS-DT 24.1 FOX WICHITA KS 335° 7.5 26
* yellow - uhf KSNW-DT 3.1 NBC WICHITA KS 333° 7.3 45
* yellow - uhf KSCW-DT 33.1 CW WICHITA KS 334° 9.2 31
* yellow - uhf KAKE-DT 10.1 ABC WICHITA KS 333° 7.8 21
* yellow - uhf KWCH-DT 12.1 CBS HUTCHINSON KS 323° 31.1 19
* lt green - uhf KMTW-DT 36.1 MNT HUTCHINSON KS 347° 18.4 35
* red - uhf KPTS-DT 8.1 PBS HUTCHINSON KS 322° 31.3 29

[phox_mulder]

Originally Posted by ayemac

Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* yellow - uhf KSAS-DT 24.1 FOX WICHITA KS 335° 7.5 26
* yellow - uhf KSNW-DT 3.1 NBC WICHITA KS 333° 7.3 45
* yellow - uhf KSCW-DT 33.1 CW WICHITA KS 334° 9.2 31
* yellow - uhf KAKE-DT 10.1 ABC WICHITA KS 333° 7.8 21
* yellow - uhf KWCH-DT 12.1 CBS HUTCHINSON KS 323° 31.1 19
* lt green - uhf KMTW-DT 36.1 MNT HUTCHINSON KS 347° 18.4 35
* red - uhf KPTS-DT 8.1 PBS HUTCHINSON KS 322° 31.3 29

7 miles, 9 miles, an indoor antenna should get them no proglem.
A rooftop antenna might be neded for the 31 mile away one, maybe the 18 mile one
The red one is in the opposite direction, so might be a problem (but it's only PBS .

Just a clarification, you want a UHF antenna, not VHF which Rabbit ears are more designed for.


phox

[ayemac]

I did have one of the local affiliates recommend a few antennas recently. In fact, he suggested that I come by and borrow the company's for a bit to see if it would work.

The models (I may not be exact) he suggested were:

* UHF 4-Bay Screen antenna model 4221 (this is the one I can borrow)
* A smaller version called model 4220
* UHF Yagi CM 4305 (this is the one he has)

Thoughts re: these? The best luck I've had so far is using a powered set of rabbit ears with what I believe is a UHF middle piece. Oddly enough, I have to suspend it from the top of my entertainment system, which is about seven feet off the ground. Odd, unattractive, but effective (somewhat).

I hate this. In an ideal situation, either Wichita would have locals in HD or I could pump my cable line through. I know Wichita will receive them eventually, but this is enough to make me drop DTV (even though I won't - I love the NFL Ticket too much!).

My other issue is 1) mounting yet one more piece on the outside of my house and 2) running yet one more coax along the siding. I can probably use a diplexer on each end as I've had luck with those in the past.

This is most likely my last post tonight. Thanks for the info. I'll check back tomorrow.

[rlj5242]

The 4 bay UHF or the $30 UHF outdoor antenna from Radio Shack are good choices. My Rat Shack antenna is installed in my attic and I'm 25 miles from the transmitters. If you decide on an attic install, make sure you don't have a foil barrier on your roof or it will block signals.

Originally Posted by ayemac

this is enough to make me drop DTV (even though I won't - I love the NFL Ticket too much!).

DTV = digital television - What you are trying to pick up via antenna. D* - The accepted abbreviation for DirecTV in dozens of satellite based forums.

-Robert

[ayemac]

DTV = Digital TV
D* = DirecTV

Good to know. Can you tell I haven't posted here before? )

Ideally, I'd place an antenna in my attic. The problem is that I just don't see a way to get it down into my basement.

I might try the 4221. See if I can find someone locally who can install it for a nominal fee. I could do it - but I want it done right.

Thanks all for your assistance!

[phox_mulder]

Originally Posted by ayemac

I might try the 4221. See if I can find someone locally who can install it for a nominal fee. I could do it - but I want it done right.

It's so much funner to attempt to do it first yourself.

Falling off ladders and drilling holes through electric wires is something you just have to experience.

Then you can find a pro to do it right.


phox