Local Stations-Are They in HD over Satellite

[Stoofpilot]

I have been thinking about leaving Cable for either Disk or Direct TV. I have a question about my local TV stations. Currently, I get the HD version of my locals using over the air and a Trek antenna. Both Dish and Direct say they have my local stations yet are they providing it with a standard definition signal or will it be an HD signal like I get with over the air.

If it is standard, then how do you guys deal with getting it digital?

Thanks

 

[Nebugeater]

At this point it depends upon where you are at for locals in HD. Need that info first. Other than recording if you have a HD PVR stick with the over the air signal. It will give you the best picture.

 

[Former Cbandguy]

Local stations are in HD only if you subscribe to them and you have the necessary equipment to receive them such as the H20 receiver along with the 5 LNB dish from DirecTV. Other than that, subscribed local stations will be in digital format only which is also a good signal but not as good as HD.

If you have an OTA antenna, you should be able to receive local station HD signals usually within a 50 mile range of the transmitting broadcast tower. OTA signals are far much better than an HD signal through a satellite dish. The OTA signal is the best HD signal you can get with a good line of sight connection. I personally would stick with the off the air signal for locals. If you prefer premium pay channels in HD, then consider the proper satellite dish and receiver for such services.

 

[Stoofpilot]

Reply

Thanks for the answers. I was in a Best Buy-Magnolia store section in Raleigh last week looking at a Pioneer Elite and the sales rep told me basically the same thing. He gets a better HD signal using OTA than with either cable or satellite.