Can I get High Def over the air

[jtk1925]

Sorry if this is a stup question, but I have been looking all over this website looking for information. I have Dish Network, and I have the HD receiver. Is it possible to get HD by using an antenna?

[mjones73]

As long as you have stations broadcasting digital and HD within range of you, yes. Check antennaweb.org and post your results here for further help.

[timber]

Below are the results i have obtained from antennaweb.org, I currently have the Comcast Moto dual DVR.
Can i pick up a simple HD antenna from rat shack, connect it to my Motorolla STB and have local HD feed?
Is it that easy?

yellow - uhf WWJ-DT 62.1 CBS DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 44
* yellow - uhf WTVS-DT 56.1 PBS DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 43
* yellow - uhf WKBD-DT 50.1 UPN DETROIT MI 19° 14.9 14
* yellow - uhf WXYZ-DT 7.1 ABC DETROIT MI 31° 15.0 41
* yellow - uhf WDWB-DT 20.1 WB DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 21
* yellow - uhf WJBK-DT 2.1 FOX DETROIT MI 39° 15.3 58
* yellow - uhf WDIV-DT 4.1 NBC DETROIT MI 37° 16.8 45
* lt green - uhf WADL-DT 39.1 IND MOUNT CLEMENS MI 58° 31.5 39
* violet - uhf WNWO-DT 24.1 NBC TOLEDO OH 185° 41.9 49
* violet - uhf WPXD-DT 33 PAX ANN ARBOR MI TBD 288° 36.2 33
Note:

[mjones73]

Below are the results i have obtained from antennaweb.org, I currently have the Comcast Moto dual DVR.
Can i pick up a simple HD antenna from rat shack, connect it to my Motorolla STB and have local HD feed?
Is it that easy?

yellow - uhf WWJ-DT 62.1 CBS DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 44
* yellow - uhf WTVS-DT 56.1 PBS DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 43
* yellow - uhf WKBD-DT 50.1 UPN DETROIT MI 19° 14.9 14
* yellow - uhf WXYZ-DT 7.1 ABC DETROIT MI 31° 15.0 41
* yellow - uhf WDWB-DT 20.1 WB DETROIT MI 47° 15.8 21
* yellow - uhf WJBK-DT 2.1 FOX DETROIT MI 39° 15.3 58
* yellow - uhf WDIV-DT 4.1 NBC DETROIT MI 37° 16.8 45
* lt green - uhf WADL-DT 39.1 IND MOUNT CLEMENS MI 58° 31.5 39
* violet - uhf WNWO-DT 24.1 NBC TOLEDO OH 185° 41.9 49
* violet - uhf WPXD-DT 33 PAX ANN ARBOR MI TBD 288° 36.2 33
Note:

No, the Motorola STB doesn't have an ATSC tuner built in, you don't think the cable company is going to give you a method to receive channels other then through them do you? :)

[timber]

Your right,I should know better.
We are talking about comcast here.
What would be the cheapest way to go about receiving these OTA channels?
A STB that has ATSC tuner built + antenna = OTA ?

[mjones73]

Your right,I should know better.
We are talking about comcast here.
What would be the cheapest way to go about receiving these OTA channels?
A STB that has ATSC tuner built + antenna = OTA ?

Yes, you just need an ATSC tuner and the proper antenna (a UHF model in your case) for your location. If you can do with component inputs, the US Digital unit at Walmart for $199 works nicely. You can take a shot at getting a used activated Voom box off e-bay too.

[timber]

Thank you for your quick response.
You have been a lot of help.

[jtk1925]

My manual says I can receive OTA digital channels, but it also says I must have the appropriate programming, but it doesn't say what "appropriate" means.

[kevinw]

My manual says I can receive OTA digital channels, but it also says I must have the appropriate programming, but it doesn't say what "appropriate" means.
an antenna onyour roof pointed in the correct direction.
From these results you may get OTA with an indoor antenna..
* red - uhf KWBQ-DT 19.1 WB SANTA FE NM 42° 13.6 29
* red - uhf KRQE-DT 13.1 CBS ALBUQUERQUE NM 43° 13.6 16
* red - uhf KOAT-DT 7.1 ABC ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.7 21
* red - uhf KOB-DT 4.1 NBC ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.6 26
* red - uhf KLUZ-DT 42.1 UNI ALBUQUERQUE NM 43° 13.6 42
* red - uhf KNME-DT 35.1 PBS ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.6 35
* red - uhf KTFQ-DT 14 TFA ALBUQUERQUE NM 01-06 337° 22.5 14
* red - uhf KASA-DT 2.1 FOX SANTA FE NM 42° 13.7 27
* red - uhf KASY-DT 50.1 UPN ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.6 45
* red - vhf KCHF-DT 10.1 FMN SANTA FE NM 357° 47.8 10
* blue - uhf KAZQ-DT 17.1 IND ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.7 17
* blue - vhf KNMD-DT 9.1 PBS SANTA FE NM 42° 13.6 9
* violet - uhf KNAT-DT 24.1 TBN ALBUQUERQUE NM 42° 13.7 24

[jtk1925]

Actually, I am in Phoenix.

[kevinw]

Actually, I am in Phoenix. Well hepl meout and change your location. Go to www.antennaweb.org type in your adress


3.1 IND PHOENIX AZ 168° 11.9 24
* red - uhf KTVW-DT 33.1 UNI PHOENIX AZ 168° 11.9 34
* red - uhf KPPX-DT 51.1 PAX TOLLESON AZ 167° 11.8 52
* red - uhf KPAZ-DT 21.1 TBN PHOENIX AZ 167° 11.8 20
* red - uhf KPHO-DT 5.1 CBS PHOENIX AZ 167° 11.9 17
* red - uhf KPNX-DT 12.1 NBC MESA AZ 168° 11.9 36
* red - uhf KSAZ-DT 10.1 FOX PHOENIX AZ 167° 11.9 31
* red - uhf KUTP-DT 45.1 UPN PHOENIX AZ 167° 11.9 26
* red - uhf KNXV-DT 15.1 ABC PHOENIX AZ 168° 11.9 56
* red - uhf KASW-DT 61.1 WB PHOENIX AZ 167° 11.9 49
* red - uhf KAET-DT 8.1 PBS PHOENIX AZ 168° 11.9 29
* red - uhf KDTP-DT 39 DAY PHOENIX AZ TBD 168° 11.9 39
* violet - uhf KUAT-DT 6.1 PBS TUCSON AZ 121° 108.5 30
* violet - uhf KMSB-DT 11.1 FOX TUCSON AZ 121° 108.6 25
* violet - uhf KTTU-DT 18.1 UPN TUCSON AZ 121° 108.6 19
Still applies indoor should work..

[jtk1925]

Thanks for your help, but do you know if the 811 will work for OTA? Like I said, my manual indicates I can receive OTA, but the disclaimer is I must have appropriate programming for my account.

[Ratman]

All you need is the dish connected to the receiver and aimed at the satellite. No subscription required AFAIK.

[kevinw]

Thanks for your help, but do you know if the 811 will work for OTA? Like I said, my manual indicates I can receive OTA, but the disclaimer is I must have appropriate programming for my account.
Yes the 811 will work for OTA. The 811 will not get DISH HD unless you subscribe.
I would have thought you some HD programming subscribed to in order to get the 811??

Dish has HDnet,DiscoverHD,ESPNHD, TNTHD, HDNET Movies for 9.99 for an extra 5 dollars you get the VOOM Hd channels providing you have the additional SAT pointed at the 128 or 65.1 Satelite.
UNFORTUNATELY YOU WOULD HAE TO PAY FOR THE EXTRA DISH because none of your locals are on it.
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/hdtv/index.shtml

[jtk1925]

Thanks again. Yes, I do subscribe to the Dish HD. I am not familiar with the VOOM HD channels. What are they? I do have the extra satellite already, as my wife had to have the Brazilian channel.

Unfortunately, DISH does not offer any local HD channels, that is why I am looking at OTA.

[kevinw]

Thanks again. Yes, I do subscribe to the Dish HD. I am not familiar with the VOOM HD channels. What are they? I do have the extra satellite already, as my wife had to have the Brazilian channel.

Unfortunately, DISH does not offer any local HD channels, that is why I am looking at OTA.
www.voom.com

[Ratman]

All you need to do is hook up an antenna the reciever to get OTA (since you already have an active Dish connection).

[beau2424]

so if i am already a directv watcher(not subscribed to hd yet) and have just bought a samsung hd directv receiver, can i get the local channels in hd without getting the directv hd package. i am just looking to get the local channels so i can watch my cowboys this fall. i will eventually subscribe to hd later but wondering what do i need to do now. i know that i need to buy an external antenna to get locals. is that all i need right now

[Ratman]

Yes... check your manual for connections and setup.

[jtk1925]

Cool. I hooked up a cheapo rabbit ear antenna and bam!, I had most the locals. I can definitely see the difference between OTA locals and the locals from SAT, but how do I know it is HD? I looked at titan TV, and it shows what shows are supposed to HD, but really seemed like all of the locals were in HD. I watched NBC last night, and shows like JOEY appeared to be HD even though it wasn't listed as being in HD on titantv.com. Anybody have any insight into this?

[Ratman]

Sometimes TitanTV is inaccurate...

But... if Joey was 16:9, then it was HD.