How are the D* HD Receivers with OTA?

[vampz26]

Ok...I have to admit that prior to this discussion, I had no clue that the AM21 even existed, and was clueless about how my brother's HR21 could receive OTA, so basically I should be thanking everyone here who I normally fight with.

Anyways, given that I do most of my DVR recording via OTA, I'm sure you can see why the concept of requiring an external unit for OTA does not appeal to me. However I readily admit that the reason I DO most of my DVR recording via OTA is because Dish's HD-lil quality...well...in no uncertain terms...sucks.

I also must admit that from a business sense, I do respect D*s model here. In order to mass-distribute an expensive piece of hardware at minimal cost you need to cut back on certain things, and since OTA isn't necessarily required or even used by many subs, it makes sense to eliminate the feature. And I do respect the fact that they do make an option available to those that DO choose to enjoy OTA, and then defer the extra costs onto them via the extra component. Granted the all-in-one solution provided by Dish works well for me, but I can see where the HR21 + AM21 solution is very viable.

With that being said, I readily admit that D* HD-lil is vastly superior to the same offering by E*. I've seen HD-lil at my brothers, specifically Fox Football, and honestly could not believe the quality, and argued with him about it no different than any of you here have grown accustomed too.... Granted we did not have OTA to compare it too...but there is no denying the 'wow' factor. It looked good.

I'm going to attempt to talk him into getting the AM21 and see how it works for him, and see for myself how it all operates. And I know he could readily use it. That way I can see for myself as to whether or not I can live with this option or not...

Guys, Many Thanks! :up

 

[Ronnie-]

Honestly vampz, speed aside (for some), it should integrate to the point you wouldnt be able to tell it was an add on unit (as far as the guide and such).

Hope he gets one for you to try out though:up

I have to agree with you on D* locals. They have been GREAT since the new sats. In some cases they look better than my OTA channels (some have excessive sub channels)

 

[gadgtfreek]

I'll agree that directs hd lils do look a little sharper than dish, but ota is still great. I just ordered the am21 for my hr22 because I want to get back into using my ota for some things. If you don't have ota options, then the directv lils should be good enough for most. You should try and get the 22, it's been a good dvr, looks great, and has excellent space.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Honestly vampz, speed aside (for some), it should integrate to the point you wouldnt be able to tell it was an add on unit (as far as the guide and such).

Hope he gets one for you to try out though:up

I have to agree with you on D* locals. They have been GREAT since the new sats. In some cases they look better than my OTA channels (some have excessive sub channels)

That's what I've mostly read, is that the add on just makes the dvr feel like an hr20, which always worked great for me. For$50, and it being so slim makes the am21 almost a no brainer if you want ota.

 

[uncrules]

Ok...I have to admit that prior to this discussion, I had no clue that the AM21 even existed, and was clueless about how my brother's HR21 could receive OTA, so basically I should be thanking everyone here who I normally fight with.

Anyways, given that I do most of my DVR recording via OTA, I'm sure you can see why the concept of requiring an external unit for OTA does not appeal to me. However I readily admit that the reason I DO most of my DVR recording via OTA is because Dish's HD-lil quality...well...in no uncertain terms...sucks.

I also must admit that from a business sense, I do respect D*s model here. In order to mass-distribute an expensive piece of hardware at minimal cost you need to cut back on certain things, and since OTA isn't necessarily required or even used by many subs, it makes sense to eliminate the feature. And I do respect the fact that they do make an option available to those that DO choose to enjoy OTA, and then defer the extra costs onto them via the extra component. Granted the all-in-one solution provided by Dish works well for me, but I can see where the HR21 + AM21 solution is very viable.

With that being said, I readily admit that D* HD-lil is vastly superior to the same offering by E*. I've seen HD-lil at my brothers, specifically Fox Football, and honestly could not believe the quality, and argued with him about it no different than any of you here have grown accustomed too.... Granted we did not have OTA to compare it too...but there is no denying the 'wow' factor. It looked good.

I'm going to attempt to talk him into getting the AM21 and see how it works for him, and see for myself how it all operates. And I know he could readily use it. That way I can see for myself as to whether or not I can live with this option or not...

Guys, Many Thanks! :up

Just one more thing you need to think about in regards to recording via OTA or HD LiL from D*. Any OTA recording will take about twice as much hard drive space as HD LiL from D*. OTA is MPEG-2 and HD LiL is MPEG-4. With the smaller hard drive of the HR21 (half the recording space of the HR22) that can be a consideration. If you get a HR22 it is less of a concern.

 

[vampz26]

Honestly vampz, speed aside (for some), it should integrate to the point you wouldnt be able to tell it was an add on unit (as far as the guide and such).

Hope he gets one for you to try out though:up

I have to agree with you on D* locals. They have been GREAT since the new sats. In some cases they look better than my OTA channels (some have excessive sub channels)

Oh believe me, I'm not passing judgement here...its just that I would like to see one in action first, if possible...

My bro is getting one...just called him. He doesn't think D* gets WCIU in HD here in Chicago, and since thats the 'overflow' channel for Cubs/Sox/Bulls games when there are scheduling conflicts, he thinks its worth the 50 bucks to get them in HD. I don't blame him...

Does the AM21 pick up the sub-channels as well that are available via OTA? Some networks here in chicago have 24 hour local weather and so forth that is available via OTA and is useful...

 

[gadgtfreek]

I think the hr21 yields about 30 hours of ota, and the 22 would be 50 or so.

 

[Ronnie-]

Sorry if I made it sound like you were. I knew you werent:up

I dont have the AM21, I have the HR-20, but it gets the subchannels, I would imagine the add on does also

 

[uncrules]

Does the AM21 pick up the sub-channels as well that are available via OTA? Some networks here in chicago have 24 hour local weather and so forth that is available via OTA and is useful...

If the sub channels are in D*'s database of channels then yes it will. Since the HR2x boxes don't have channel scanning capability, D* relies on a database they have to tell them what OTA channels are available per each zip code.

With the AM21 connected I get these channels in my market

2.1 (Local CBS) HD
2.2 (Local CBS weather sub channel) non HD
2.3 (Local CBS overflow only active for NCAA tournament games) non HD
2.4 (Local CBS overflow only active for NCAA tournament games) non HD
8.1 (Local Fox) HD
12.1 (Local NBC) HD
12.2 (Local NBC weather sub channel) non HD
16.1 (Local ION) non HD
16.2 (Local ION) non HD
16.3 (Local ION) non HD
16.4 (Local ION) non HD
20.1 (Local CW) HD
26.1 (Local PBS) HD
26.2 (Local PBS) non HD
26.3 (Local PBS) non HD
26.4 (Local PBS not active if HD program active on 26.1) non HD
26.5 (Local PBS not active if HD program active on 26.1) non HD
45.1 (Local ABC)
48.1 (Local My Network TV)

Here's how OTA look in the D* channel guide. The OTA channels are black.

 

[Rey]

Does the AM21 pick up the sub-channels as well that are available via OTA? Some networks here in chicago have 24 hour local weather and so forth that is available via OTA and is useful...

yes it does. that's one of the reasons why I have one. the other being if I'm in the middle of a huge storm I can still watch something live.

 

[vampz26]

If the sub channels are in D*'s database of channels then yes it will. Since the HR2x boxes don't have channel scanning capability, D* relies on a database they have to tell them what OTA channels are available per each zip code.

With the AM21 connected I get these channels in my market

2.1 (Local CBS) HD
2.2 (Local CBS weather sub channel) non HD
2.3 (Local CBS overflow only active for NCAA tournament games) non HD
2.4 (Local CBS overflow only active for NCAA tournament games) non HD
8.1 (Local Fox) HD
12.1 (Local NBC) HD
12.2 (Local NBC weather sub channel) non HD
16.1 (Local ION) non HD
16.2 (Local ION) non HD
16.3 (Local ION) non HD
16.4 (Local ION) non HD
20.1 (Local CW)
26.1 (Local PBS) HD
26.2 (Local PBS) non HD
26.3 (Local PBS) non HD
26.4 (Local PBS not active if HD program active on 26.1) non HD
26.5 (Local PBS not active if HD program active on 26.1) non HD
45.1 (Local ABC)
48.1 (Local My Network TV)

Here's how OTA look in the D* channel guide. The OTA channels are black.

Thanks. No channel scanning, thats fine...but will it allow you to add a physical channel if you know what that channel is, and then map the logical? Like for example, WLS channel 7.1 and sub-channel 7.2 here in Chicago, are actually broadcast on physical channel 52. Can one assign channels using the physical channel frequency if they know what it is?

 

[rad]

Thanks. No channel scanning, thats fine...but will it allow you to add a physical channel if you know what that channel is, and then map the logical? Like for example, WLS channel 7.1 and sub-channel 7.2 here in Chicago, are actually broadcast on physical channel 52. Can one assign channels using the physical channel frequency if they know what it is?

No you can't, if it's not in D*'s table they sent the box you can't force it. But they've been good about keeing things up to date. Two of our stations added subchannels and within a couple days D* have the box up to date.

 

[rich67]

will a am 21 work with a D10-100?

 

[rad]

will a am 21 work with a D10-100?

No