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M
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
Here's the deal. I've had the 5lnb dish and one HD-DVR (all from DirecTV) for about 9 months or so. I'm taking delivery of a new plasma for my bedroom on Friday and called DirecTV today to add another HD-DVR. Here is what I was told:

They can ship me out a HD receiver (no DVR) for 19.95 (shipping costs) and I can just swap out the boxes. But, if I want an additional HD-DVR they are offering me the unit for $99.00 (with a two year agreement) PLUS an install fee of $99.00 to "run a second line from the dish" (plus shipping costs of course). Is the "second line" thing on the up and up or am I getting my chain yanked? The customer service rep said the "second line" had to do with being able to watch one program while recording another.

Please help with advice. Thanks!!
26 Replies · 9505 views
vurbano
I own an HR10-250. So far it has gotten me and HR20-100 (for shipping cost) and an HR21-100 for free, about a year apart. As well as a Zinwell WB68 for free. I just keep activating it back on the account in a different room a few months after D* upgrades it and then D* upgrades it again a few months after that.:D Of course I run my own cables. If I ever had to pay a dime upfront to lease this stuff I would have been gone in a flash. No way will I ever pay anyone a dime for the right to have their box in my home so that they can sell me programing and charge me monthly for that box as well. IMO, with all due respect only a knucklehead would do that. But before anyone jumps on me I am also someone who has never ordered a PPV in his 44 years on this planet. I believe we are called "tight wads".
mark40511
I got the SWM installed for free! I couldn't believe it....And it works beautifully....It wasn't easy though.....The original installer got in my attic, said he couldn't run another line.....He told me to then call DTV in 2 weeks to a month and ask for them to finish the install with SWM, that he didn't know much about it but that was the only way I could get the full benefit of these 2 HD DVR's.................about two to three weeks later, I called and got a complete run around, although everyone I spoke with was friendly, passed me to supervisors until finally they scheduled an installer to come out........He comes out prepared to run the additional cables...........see's it can't be done..............then tells me that SWM is the only option in my case, that they have them in their warehouse, he will call his boss, then call me back.............He sent me a voicemail telling me to call DTV and ask for an upgrade workorder with SWM technology and if they give any trouble to call back............I did just that.........The guy on the phone had zero clue what I was talking about......He three way called the local office, the operator at the local office, he and I were all on the phone and the local operator and Direct CSR were ready to put in the order for her to send someone out.....He said my acct had been sent to a case manager and he couldn't do anything............they would call me back in 4 hours.............They never did but at this point! I just was too tired to deal with it..........A week later, still no call....So I finally emailed Ellen explaining my situation.........got a call the next day, explaining to the nice gentleman everything............He explained that the SWM technology wasn't approved for my area, that he was sending an installation supervisor to evaluate my install..........That was scheduled.........2 men showed up......An installation supervisor and his assistant......They got in the attic.......thought they were going to be able to run the lines and decided they couldn't.........called someone else who showed up an hour later and the SWM was installed within 15 min's......For anyone who thinks this is complaining ..........I'm not.........Just sharing my experience.
skottey
I am also someone who has never ordered a PPV in his 44 years on this planet. I believe we are called "tight wads".

Tight wad, not at all.

I too NEVER order PPV. I do however spend lavishly on myself and have a giant collection of DVD/HD-DVD/bluray discs, CDs, have both cable and DirecTV's premier pak with two HD-DVRs... I just am not a PPV person. It has nothing to do with being a tight wad. I already have three DVRs nearly full of movies and shows (including a cable DVR) and there is nothing I have to see bad enough to order PPV. I either buy it on disc or wait for it to hit the premium channels. There is no in between with me. I am a collector, and have been known to see a movie for the first time on a premium channel and then run out and buy the disc. I am just not a PPV person. Having that said, I am annoyed that my favorite provider is running around saying they have 130+ channels of HD when they do not. 30 channels of PPV do not count as HD nationals. No way.
NutFlush920
I personally bought the SWM LNB setup. I paid over $200 when I bought it on ebay a few months back. I highly reccomend going this route. I like only having 1 line into the home and only 1 line to each DVR. The only drawback I can see is 8 turner max but you can daisy chain the SWM8 from what I have read to add more tuners.
mark40511
Well, I only have 2 HD DVR's in the entire house so no big deal on my end.
vurbano
Tight wad, not at all.

I too NEVER order PPV. I do however spend lavishly on myself and have a giant collection of DVD/HD-DVD/bluray discs, CDs, have both cable and DirecTV's premier pak with two HD-DVRs... I just am not a PPV person. It has nothing to do with being a tight wad. I already have three DVRs nearly full of movies and shows (including a cable DVR) and there is nothing I have to see bad enough to order PPV. I either buy it on disc or wait for it to hit the premium channels. There is no in between with me. I am a collector, and have been known to see a movie for the first time on a premium channel and then run out and buy the disc. I am just not a PPV person. Having that said, I am annoyed that my favorite provider is running around saying they have 130+ channels of HD when they do not. 30 channels of PPV do not count as HD nationals. No way.
Wow.. you are like me. I have terrabytes full of movies in HD extracted from my old HR10-250 and collect bluray movies. I also have 2 new D* HDDVR's. I would rather save the money from 4 PPV's and buy one movie and own it forever. I too watch a movie in the theater or premium channel and then go buy it. PPV channels are worthless to me too.
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.


Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp
Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp
15 Replies · 183 views
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comfortably_numb
I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...


You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.
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dishstaller
Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx
I'm fortunate and don't take any medications. A couple years ago I had to take some antibiotics and used the GoodRx app. Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher. She said they aren't supposed to tell customers when they see they are being screwed.
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navychop
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
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Bobby
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.
K
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.
Those are two of the three I take.
comfortably_numb
Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher

Walmart and Sam's pharmacies have "zero rated" prescriptions lists where generics are $4 (or less). If yours are on that list, then of course GoodRx isn't going to help. Also, GoodRx isn't always the cheapest discount program. For me, the cheapest is usually Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs.
R
My wife and I both take Gabapentin for nerve pain. With our Medicare Plan D plan it use to be free. Now we have to pay for it. Yesterday my wife got her prescription at CVS and the pharmacist dug around and got the cost cut in half with what he said was RX. I am guessing this was GoodRX.
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NYDutch
Here in NY State, if you're 65 or older you're eligible for the state's EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) Part D supplement that limits your maximum co-pay to $20. The co-pays range from $3 to $20 depending on the tier. The Part D included with my Advantage plan has many tier 1 drugs at no co-pay.
jamieh1
· posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum
Looks like DTV made a deal. I'm now getting it on ch 650. The tv promise slate is gone.
0 Replies · 4 views
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.

In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.

5 Replies · 149 views
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dishstaller
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.
S
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.
people are moving to fiber, which is better up and down and also not Comcast.
dishdude
people are moving to fiber, which is better up and down and also not Comcast.
Losing 144,000 internet customers surprises me more.

Cord cutting 2.0. Not just fiber, 5G is really taking a toll on the cable companies.
AZ.
AZ.
Cord cutting 2.0. Not just fiber, 5G is really taking a toll on the cable companies.
I agree, for $35 it aint perfect but just as reliable as my cable was. And that was twice as much and still rising
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ncted
Comcast called fiber pricing "irrational" because the ROI is over three years. What is irrational to me is Comcast internet is based on lines they put in the ground decades ago at this point, for the most part. Is copper that much more expensive to maintain?
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
149 Replies · 3872 views
navychop
Years down the road
R
Years down the road
Looks like Charlie Ergen will never give up satellite TV. The reason Echostar 25 the most poweful DBS satellite ever built at 110 location already. Also Echostar 26 another super satellite on order for 119 orbital location will be ready in 15 months. he will have 110/119 for another 20 years. Dish will be the only satellte company left. The reason for rural areas and some people like satellite easy to operate and change channels in seconds.
Mister B
Looks like Charlie Ergen will never give up satellite TV. The reason Echostar 25 the most poweful DBS satellite ever built at 110 location already. Also Echostar 26 another super satellite on order for 119 orbital location will be ready in 15 months. he will have 110/119 for another 20 years. Dish will be the only satellte company left. The reason for rural areas and some people like satellite easy to operate and change channels in seconds.
I hope these new "most powerful" satellites will mean that DISH can provide every channel that can be sourced in HD in HD. I do not like the fact that two of my favorite channels (Start and H&I) are SD. I was also very disappointed after installation that METV has to be streamed from my internet connection. Finally, I dropped the locals upon seeing that my local CW channel is in blurry letterboxed SD when it has been HD OTA for years.
zippyfrog
I hope these new "most powerful" satellites will mean that DISH can provide every channel that can be sourced in HD in HD. I do not like the fact that two of my favorite channels (Start and H&I) are SD. I was also very disappointed after installation that METV has to be streamed from my internet connection. Finally, I dropped the locals upon seeing that my local CW channel is in blurry letterboxed SD when it has been HD OTA for years.
This piece gets me - the fact that Dish has removed SD channels from satellite completely in the name of "HD upgrades". I pay for satellite TV, not streaming...I don't see why they couldn't leave the SD version of the channels on Satellite then put the HD streaming version like they have for other channels.
navychop
This piece gets me - the fact that Dish has removed SD channels from satellite completely in the name of "HD upgrades". I pay for satellite TV, not streaming...I don't see why they couldn't leave the SD version of the channels on Satellite then put the HD streaming version like they have for other channels.

CONTRACTS!
T
CONTRACTS!
At this point one can only ask whether any live ch's are still distributed in SD. Other than maybe "classics" ch's that run only older stuff
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S
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
At this point one can only ask whether any live ch's are still distributed in SD. Other than maybe "classics" ch's that run only older stuff
Personally, I would HATE to see a SD Channel at this point.
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Jimbo
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
Mister B
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
The following is from Reddit. -
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/s/orzHBkmqQW


gemini.webp

There appears to be a new DIRECTV Gemini OTT box, the C81KW-650.

The FCC listing is partially available, and a Geekbench entry confirms it uses an Amlogic S905X5, a solid SoC for a set-top box.

I also see 4GB of RAM, and the manufacturer is SEI Robotics.

DIRECTV C81KW OTT Box - Android TV Guide

Ok found a picture of the Box too on Reddit:


View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/comments/1twlex0/comment/opzeqi1/
23 Replies · 947 views
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Scott Greczkowski
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
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b4pjoe
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
My guess it is like the 2 previous boxes where you can turn it off/on but requires a reboot once you make the change for the change to take effect. Not sure if there is some limitation in the hardware that won't allow it to change automatically to what is in the content like other devices do. Even DIRECTV satellites own C61K changes on the fly.
Tom Speer
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price model, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrange model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disable all HDR.
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b4pjoe
I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price mode, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrannge model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disble all HDR.
I agree with that. The 2 LGs that we have Gemini's on looks far better with HDR enabled then it does with HDR off.
R
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.
That would be a deal-breaker for me. The Rokus default to having it on all the time but it's easy enough to change that to native. If the content is HDR it goes on. Otherwise, no.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68590 Replies · 2676903 views
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long_time_Dish
Take Me To Heart - Quarterflash
ClarkGable
Take Me To The River - Talking Heads
long_time_Dish
Don't Take Me Alive - Steely Dan
H
TAKE On ME-A-Ha
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ClarkGable
On Broadway - George Benson
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
I've always been super interested in things space related so this is a pretty cool event coming up. Nov 18, 2026 early in the morning, Voyager 1 will reach the distance of one full light day from Earth. Took almost 50 yrs. I was 13 when it launched.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gjHK3clOwIw?feature=share
2 Replies · 66 views
Foxbat
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Bruce
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
IMG_2175.webp
Bobby
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
This thread is a place to discuss the 4K events that appear on channel 540. We are getting, at this point, one college football game a week. Let's hope there is more coming.
1936 Replies · 299657 views
Foxbat
Which is what is interesting, I see the 4KFox channel on 148-01 but we're not subscribed to our Locals. So why it's coming in is puzzling. I thought that maybe it was a perk for Dish subscribers for the MLB Postseason.

I set a Timer for the Indiana - Ohio State game on Saturday. I'll take advantage of it while I can.
Foxbat
I set a Timer for the Indiana - Ohio State game on Saturday. I'll take advantage of it while I can.
Even though it didn't work out for the Hoosiers, this event recorded and I was able to watch it in full 4K HDR.👍🏻
MLB, Rays at Brewers, Friday 10-23, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.
Timer is set to Record the Series. Thanks, Bobby!
long_time_Dish
No NASCAR in 4K on Sunday? Bummer...
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Jim5506
No NASCAR in 4K on Sunday? Bummer...
It's on Prime.
long_time_Dish
It's on Prime.
Ah, ok, thanks!
Foxbat
The World Series Game 1 quality was excellent, the Dolby Surround put us in the seats. Thanks, Dish!
jcrandall
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum
So...DirecTV advertises the Choice package with 95+ bonus channels for Satellite customers. You don't want 90+ of the 95...

Excluding PPV, premium networks, infomercial, shopping, religion, and non-English programming, there are 7 channels on satellite that are not on streaming:
NFL Network, MavTV, FE TV, Free Speech, NASA, INSP, and Pursuit. I'm pretty sure a couple of those are public interest that they have to carry to meet an FCC quota on satellite.

I hope they get called out for this advertising because that is ridiculous. One big network, NFL, will probably get added to streaming when their next agreement comes up, and the rest are likely very low viewership.

What about streaming, what do you get extra with the Choice package that isn't on Satellite:
Two stations - one of which is an internet TV - Fox Weather, and Heros & Icons (a diginet). Nothing special here to look at either.

If they cleaned up a couple of their agreements, added a few public interest stations to streaming, they could probably have their lineups match. It's close now, if you take out all the garbage on satellite that they earn money on. If they can sell infomercials on satellite, why can't they on streaming, seems like a miss. A bigger miss, including those stations in the "bonus channels just for satellite customers." Pretty sad marketing right there.

1681344805401.png


Attached is a comparison sheet of satellite vs streaming for the three main packages if anyone is interested.

MOD EDIT: See Post #3 for an up to date list of what channels are available on sat but not on streaming/internet, see Post #21 for an up to date list of what's available in the app for streaming customers, but not for sat customers.
241 Replies · 31755 views
M
Well, this is awkward. Today the Miami Heat announced that their games in West Palm Beach this season will be aired on WTCN Channel 43, the Sinclair independent... and the station which DTV Stream downgraded from HD to SD a few weeks ago. Makes you wonder if the Heat is aware of this.

I did find the WTCN Chief Engineer (Bill Macbeth) and he said he knew nothing of what DTV Stream had done. Will look into it and get back to me.
harshness
One might get the impression that what DIRECTV does, or doesn't, is becoming far less consequential than it used to be.
M
One might get the impression that what DIRECTV does, or doesn't, is becoming far less consequential than it used to be.
K
WPLG/10 Miami is now available to stream customers

The CW stations WCWW/25 South Bend and WBKP/5 Marquette are testing on the stream server

Last week they also added a bunch of CW stations that are still not available to sat customers:
WETM-DT/19 Elmira
WJET-DT/25 Erie
KLFY-DT/11 Lafayette LA
KARD-DT/15 Monroe
WVBT-DT/44 Norfolk
WTWO-DT/3 Terre Haute
WFXV-DT/34 Utica
KFDX-DT/4 Wichita Falls
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M
Well, that was fast ! DTV Stream brought back WTCN's HD signal today.

I have to assume the station signing up a week ago as the Miami Heat affiliate here (to carry their games) did the trick. NBA magic !!!

Or the station engineer took care of the problem after hearing about it.
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N
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
My OTA is not working anymore. This started after the latest update. I have the OTA dongle with a OTA antenna that I've been using for years. My hopper does not recognize the dongle anymore and when I go to the OTA setting, it has a screen that says to plug a dongle into the USB. I tried unplugging and plugging back, in the same usb port and other ports. The Hopper does not recognize it. Anyone have same issue?
203 Replies · 5414 views
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B
Anyone heard any updates on this, I'm still having the issue so thought I'd check in.
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Almighty1
Anyone heard any updates on this, I'm still having the issue so thought I'd check in.
No updates but if you can get DISH Technical Operations to roll you back to H710 or earlier even though H708 would be best because it also eliminates another problem like in this comment, you will also no longer have the problem as long as you don't update manually or forced to any new version until the problem is fixed as the problem started in H711 and still exist in H712 and H713.
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dishstaller
Installed an off-air antenna a couple days ago for a customer who had just cancelled his Dish service. He had a dual off-air adapter and gave it to me. Cool. I'll keep it on the truck....might come in handy. Got to admit I don't watch anything as far as live tv goes anymore. Even if we have severe weather, our local channels will have a live feed on Youtube.
navychop
In other news, it was announced that the software fix for the two tin cans and a string will not be forthcoming. A hardware fix is required. However, that fix will let you receive stations from a gazillion miles away.

Truck roll charges may apply. Two year commitment required.
brittanygarden
Hi all. If you were using a single tuner USB OTA adapter that is no longer working, please PM me. Thanks. :)
Jim5506
Hi all. If you were using a single tuner USB OTA adapter that is no longer working, please PM me. Thanks. :)
I have the dual tuner OTA adapter currently connected, but I have 2 of the single tuner OTA adapters that I can quickly connect - neither is seen by my H3.