722K OTA module installation question

[rhapsody]

I am curious, does the OTA module that you order with the 722K require an antenna that you would have on your TV inside your home? or would the OTA module connect to some external antenna that attaches to your dish that the installer puts on the roof?

Thanks so much

 

[Hall]

It works (requires) an antenna, either internal or external.

 

[rhapsody]

So if i purchase the OTA module with the 722k will Dish install the proper antenna? Or would that be something I would need to get?

 

[Hall]

Dish doesn't supply OTA antennas. They intend for the OTA module to be connected to an antenna the customer has or installs.

 

[CELDER]

Dose the OTA module work any better than when it first came out? I thought thet were having trouble with it. They said it was made in India.

 

[cditty]

The 722K itself is made in india according to my new boxes. This is the first exchange I have ever done that I got new receivers instead of remanufactured ones. It seems to be quite a bit faster responding than my 722's were. My ota modules will be here on Wednesday and I can't wait. I think the signal is a little lower than the integrated module, because it splits the signal, but I have such high signal that I don't see it to be a problem. I can't wait to be able to record two of my networks in HD at the same time. They did warn me of a reboot bug, that can occur if you are using both ota's and both sat's to record four programs at once. They just wanted to make me aware of it and also told me a fix is coming.

Lots of stuff is made in india now, it is becoming the new *made in china*.

It is bring your own antenna... I mounted one in the attic. If you buy one, the installer will probably do it for you for a tip.

 

[DishSubLA]

I am curious, does the OTA module that you order with the 722K require an antenna that you would have on your TV inside your home? or would the OTA module connect to some external antenna that attaches to your dish that the installer puts on the roof?

Thanks so much

If you are going to install the OTA module at the same time as the 722K, then please download the software to the 722K BEFORE installing the OTA module. Those who installed the OTA before downloading the software have reported problems. Those who followed the instructions that come with the OTA module had no problems. If your 722K is already installed, then you already have the latest software and can just install the OTA.

 

[rhapsody]

what kind of antenna would you suggest?
Also, what is real benefit of having an OTA antenna?
Are most of the local stations that you pay extra for been converted to HD yet with the transition?

 

[KAB]

what kind of antenna would you suggest?

AntennaWeb

Also, what is real benefit of having an OTA antenna?

If you split to TV, OTA is backup during storms that would perhaps knock out your sat signal. Also, less video compression with OTA, though perhaps not so noticeable.

Are most of the local stations that you pay extra for been converted to HD yet with the transition?

Yes, but it depends on where you are if Dish carries all the locals if any at all. Also, Digital does not mean everything broadcast is HD.

 

[rhapsody]

Are there any relatively inexpensive OTA Antennas you would recommend?

Also, how would i find out if Dish is broadcasting the local channels in HD format now after the transition?

 

[Hall]

Go to Antennaweb as already suggested. People can't recommend much without knowing details of where you live in relation to your local station's broadcast towers.

Go here, https://customersupport.dishnetwork.com/customernetqual/prepAddress.do, and input your full address information. If your locals are available from Dish in digital/HD, it will look similar to this:

 

[rhapsody]

Thank you.
It looks like about 5 of the locals are in HD for my market (knoxville, TN) per DishNetwork.

If i did want to get all the local DT channels, according to the antennaweb recommendation it states I should get a "Yellow" antenna ?? (see screen shot below).

 

[Hall]

I don't know what a "yellow" antenna means anymore, i.e. small, medium, large, etc, but being only 17 miles away, it shouldn't be too difficult to pick them up. I'd be tempted to try a simple indoor antenna first (at 17 miles, you should not need an amplified one). Go to Wal-Mart or someplace convenient and keep your receipt so you can return it if necessary.

Click on the button for "Street level map" and it will show you which way to point the antenna (unless you know what direction 100' is).

Your local NBC is on VHF though, so you'll need a UHF/VHF antenna. So is WMAK, in case you want to pick it up...

 

[rhapsody]

If i wanted to get something to go outside, and yet small would any of these work?

Winegard MS2002 Metrostar VHF/UHF Amplified Omnidirectional TV Antenna (MS-2002)
or
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...p?PROD=HDX1000

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...OD=AD-LACROSSE

RCA ANT800 Outdoor Digital Antenna (ANT800) | ANT800 [RCA]

 

[GaryPen]

I would stay away from RCA and Terk. Both are pretty crappy brands of antenna. Also, I had purchased a MetroStar, but cannot tell you if it worked well, as the F connector broke on it when I first connected the cable!

Your big problem is that you have 2 stations broadcasting in VHF, albeit "hi" VHF, 7 and 10. A UHF bowtie like the Antenna Direct DB2/DB4 or Channel Master 4220/4221 have a good chance of picking up channel 10 from only 17 miles away. But, 7 may be a problem.

I recommend buying one of the models I listed above. Buy it locally or from Amazon with its liberal return policy, so it's easy to return if it doesn't work. Just make sure it is aimed at 100deg magnetic using a compass, as that is where most of your stations are. (WBXX is in a different direction. But, it is so close you should be able to pick it up with a gum wrapper.)

Good luck.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I use a terk 44 clip on antenna made for satellite systems like DISH. Yes there is a lot of prejudice against the terk, as evidenced by the above post by Gary, but if you live within 25 miles from the broadcast towers, you should have no problems. I have used the terk 44 going on 6 years now since I got my first hd receiver. I have had no problems.

Now my local tv stations have had problems in the past but after last Friday , the reception has gotten stronger. Even my Dad , who is further away from the towers with the same setup as me, has gotten better reception now since the analog signal has been turned off. My local ABC digital channel /NBC digital sub channel went back to VHF and now I get 100% signal strength. My local Fox put up a new digital tower two weeks ago and my signal went up to the 80s from the 60s and 70s before. My local CBS station will move their digital transmitter to the top of the tower come August, which will improve reception in the whole area. This signal has been in the 90s. My point in discussing this is that reception will continue to improve as they tweak the transmitters and improve strength. So the terk 44 will work just fine for most in the 25 mile area of the towers and they are easy to install and you can install up to 4 receivers using the clip on terk.

I bought mine at Target a few years back. Do a google search and I'm sure you can find one if you wanted to try it.

 

[Hall]

I use a terk 44 clip on antenna made for satellite systems like DISH. ...but if you live within 25 miles from the broadcast towers, you should have no problems.

Those clip-ons are of little value if your dish points one direction and your local TV station towers are in a different direction though....

 

[Hall]

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...p?PROD=HDX1000

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...OD=AD-LACROSSE

RCA ANT800 Outdoor Digital Antenna (ANT800) | ANT800 [RCA]

Are those mangled for everyone else too ?

 

[Hall]

Your big problem is that you have 2 stations broadcasting in VHF, albeit "hi" VHF, 7 and 10. A UHF bowtie like the Antenna Direct DB2/DB4 or Channel Master 4220/4221 have a good chance of picking up channel 10 from only 17 miles away. But, 7 may be a problem.

I was going to mention that there is a couple of very popular antennas of the bow-tie/grid design that are UHF but often do a sufficient job of picking up "high" VHF stations. I wasn't sure of the models but those certainly sound familiar.

 

[MikeD-C05]

Those clip-ons are of little value if your dish points one direction and your local TV station towers are in a different direction though....

They are considered omni directional hall. My networks are all in different directions and I even get the Fox /Cw from Lake Charles , Louisiana.