Local Channels optional

[TheKrell]

Still had all OTA data next day, just like when I was on Flex.

Even on PBS? One wonders why I don't.

 

[dishcomm]

I have a question...If one is dropping their locals from their satellite service, then why they hell do that care about a guide for channels they don't watch?
Of is this for those who will use OTA and want Dish to give them a guide anyway?
The way I see it is if a user drops the subscription and does not use the OTA module then they should not get to see locals on their guide.

 

[Hall]

The way I see it is if a user drops the subscription and does not use the OTA module then they should not get to see locals on their guide.

Duh.... They don't

 

[comfortably_numb]

I have a question...If one is dropping their locals from their satellite service, then why they hell do that care about a guide for channels they don't watch?
Of is this for those who will use OTA and want Dish to give them a guide anyway?
The way I see it is if a user drops the subscription and does not use the OTA module then they should not get to see locals on their guide.

I use OTA and expect Dish to give me guide data. They sell and market the dongle/adapter and it is a win win for both Dish and the customer.

 

[TheKrell]

I use OTA and expect Dish to give me guide data. They sell and market the dongle/adapter and it is a win win for both Dish and the customer.

And furthermore, I claim the PQ is better with OTA than it is with satellite delivered locals. And and you don't get much if any subchannels via Dish, but you do with an antenna. And and and you don't get rain fade with OTA locals. this is especially important when the weather is so bad you really really need to see what's happening on your local station.

 

[comfortably_numb]

And furthermore, I claim the PQ is better with OTA than it is with satellite delivered locals.

This is true. A couple of my locals broadcast at a bitrate of almost 19 mbps. Due to bandwidth constraints, Dish can't deliver that.

 

[KAB]

And furthermore, I claim the PQ is better with OTA than it is with satellite delivered locals. And and you don't get much if any subchannels via Dish, but you do with an antenna. And and and you don't get rain fade with OTA locals. this is especially important when the weather is so bad you really really need to see what's happening on your local station.

Agree with all above except PQ. There just isn't any diff, at least not with out Indy locals!

 

[TheKrell]

Agree with all above except PQ. There just isn't any diff, at least not with out Indy locals!

Yeah, some locals are doing exactly the same thing that Dish does, by cramming more and more over compressed channels onto one carrier.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Yeah, some locals are doing exactly the same thing that Dish does, by cramming more and more over compressed channels onto one carrier.

CBS is usually obsessive about their OTA picture quality, but I see that KAB has 3 sub channels on his CBS affiliate WTTV.

 

[Hall]

This is true. A couple of my locals broadcast at a bitrate of almost 19 mbps. Due to bandwidth constraints, Dish can't deliver that.

Dish uses MPEG4 so in all reality, they don't need anywhere near the same amount of bandwidth to display equal (in theory) or comparable quality.

Agree with all above except PQ. There just isn't any diff, at least not with out Indy locals!

I can see a difference between the Dish locals and the OTA locals but I can't say one is better quality than the other. My eyes prefer the Dish locals, to be honest.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Dish uses MPEG4 so in all reality, they don't need anywhere near the same amount of bandwidth to display equal (in theory) or comparable quality.

I can see a difference between the Dish locals and the OTA locals but I can't say one is better quality than the other. My eyes prefer the Dish locals, to be honest.

I think it depends on the market and how those locals are delivered to Dish.

 

[dare2be]

I think it depends on the market and how those locals are delivered to Dish.

And how bitstarved the OTA locals are, especially the subchannels.

 

[pattykay]

I use OTA and expect Dish to give me guide data. They sell and market the dongle/adapter and it is a win win for both Dish and the customer.

Furthermore, if you look in the online store when you log into your mydish account, you will see that Dish is now also selling OTA antennas. (The same type they gave away for free during the Tribune dispute.)

 

[Hall]

But they're still not selling the OTA dongle. They do acknowledge it finally though !

Receiver models Hopper/Wally/722k/222k require a separate Over-the-Air Adapter to connect Over-the-Air Indoor Antenna to DISH receiver. Over-the-Air Adapter sold separately and requires professional installation. Please call 1-800-333-DISH for more information.

I added the bold part myself.

 

[comfortably_numb]

But they're still not selling the OTA dongle. They do acknowledge it finally though !
I added the bold part myself.

LOL @ professional installation. All you have to do is plug the thing into a USB port

 

[Jim5506]

LOL @ professional installation. All you have to do is plug the thing into a USB port

NO. The K models of VIP receivers have a port on the back where the removable internal tuner is inserted, not a USB external tuner.

OTOH, all you have to do is remove one or 2 screws and plug the module into the port on the back (receiver unplugged of course) and replace the screws..

 

[pattykay]

LOL @ professional installation. All you have to do is plug the thing into a USB port

True, but the quoted phrase is being applied to both types of OTA adapters. I could see Dish preferring professional installation for the older OTA module that goes inside the ViP222k/ViP722k. I have also installed that type myself, though.

 

[Hall]

Heh, I didn't catch the 722K reference either. No doubt they want you to call so that someone with a 722K doesn't order a USB dongle or someone with a Hopper doesn't order the MT2 plug-in module. Either way, what does Dish do, point you to companies like Dish Depot ?

 

[comfortably_numb]

NO. The K models of VIP receivers have a port on the back where the removable internal tuner is inserted, not a USB external tuner.

I didn't catch the "K" reference, but you're right.

 

[pattykay]

I didn't catch the "K" reference, but you're right.

Well, for full clarification, the ViP211k does not use any kind of OTA adapter. The OTA tuner is built-in. The quoted list left out the ViP211z, which can only use the original single-tuner USB adapter.