OTA and hdtv

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hey guys,

At last, this afternoon, my Radio Shack VXR-120 was installed on top of my roof. A neighbor of mine offered his help and he did it for free. :) I have also tested my signal and my rotor was really of BIG help. However on channel 3(I'm in IL), I do see some color white pixels. It's very minimal though. Is this evident on your screens too?

Anyways, my post is really about HDTV. I can't wait to see digital broadcast on my Mitsubishi 48313. I still can't figure out how it works. I know that I need to buy an OTA setup box. But I saw on some of the threads here before that digital signal is either you get the signal or no signal at all which is totally different from analog signal.

1. So, how do I know that I am pointing my antenna to the proper position to capture that HD signal?
2. What OTA stb would you recommend if my hdtv is mits 48313? Affordable too.

Thanks in advance.

Neil

[LeeS]

Hi Neil,

Do I recall from one of your posts that you have DishNetwork?

If you don't have Dish or Direct, are you thinking about a SAT system?

With Dish we are limited as far as receiver choices go. If you are a new customer you can get a deal that includes the 811 receiver.

With Direct there are lots of choices of receivers some are HD with HD OTA receivers and others are SD but include a HD OTA receiver in them.

Or are you thinking about an OTA only receiver?

Which way are you leaning?

Lee

We can get to the other questions when we get the receiver nailed down. :)

[Ratman]

1. So, how do I know that I am pointing my antenna to the proper position to capture that HD signal?


Refer to www.antennaweb.org for the general direction(s) of the x-mitters in your area.

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hi Neil,

Do I recall from one of your posts that you have DishNetwork?


Yes, I am the one who has Dish Network. You have a very sharp memory! :)


If you don't have Dish or Direct, are you thinking about a SAT system?

SAT system? Wow, this is new to me. Sounds interesting. I actually noticed SAT TAB window in titantv.com. I was wondering what it was.


Or are you thinking about an OTA only receiver?

Which way are you leaning?

Lee

We can get to the other questions when we get the receiver nailed down. :)

For now, I am thinking of just getting an OTA receiver. I saw Motorola HD100 on one of the threads. Anyways, I will wait for your recommendation.

Thanks Lee.

Neil

[LeeS]

By SAT system I meant DishNetwork or DirectTV.

You have Dish Network so you are almost there. What type of Dish satellite antenna do you have? Dish 500?

You can upgrade to an 811 receiver for $150-200, cheaper than buying an OTA only receiver and you can get HD from Dish and OTA. The HD is $10 a month or $120 for the year, overall still cheaper than buying an OTA only.

This is the way I went but get other recommendations though.

Right now the HD on Dish is limited but I feel it will get better soon. I do watch DiscoveryHD Theater a lot, HDNet too. If I had a HD PVR I would be watching a lot more HD off OTA. I work nights so I don't get to watch prime time OTA HD.

Like Ratman said, check antennaweb.org. Compare the digital stations to the analog ones. Usually the transmitters are co-located, ABC digital will be at the same location as ABC analog. With a rotor it won't be hard to get the antenna pointed in the right direction.

Lee

[v1rtu0s1ty]

By SAT system I meant DishNetwork or DirectTV.

You have Dish Network so you are almost there. What type of Dish satellite antenna do you have? Dish 500?

You can upgrade to an 811 receiver for $150-200, cheaper than buying an OTA only receiver and you can get HD from Dish and OTA. The HD is $10 a month or $120 for the year, overall still cheaper than buying an OTA only.

This is the way I went but get other recommendations though.

Right now the HD on Dish is limited but I feel it will get better soon. I do watch DiscoveryHD Theater a lot, HDNet too. If I had a HD PVR I would be watching a lot more HD off OTA. I work nights so I don't get to watch prime time OTA HD.
Lee

Hi Lee,

Are you saying that I can connect my external OTA antenna coaxial cable to 811 dish network receiver?

Thanks.

Neil

[57U]

Please use the "post reply" or the "quick reply", when the quote adds nothing to your post and you're simply replying to the post above yours. Thanks,

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Lee,

What is HD PVR that you mentioned?

Thanks.

Neil

[Ratman]

If I had a HD PVR I would be watching a lot more HD off OTA.

The keyword is if...
:)

[summerfun]

Please use the "post reply" or the "quick reply"
What is the difference between the "post reply" and the "quick reply"? I always use the "post reply" except for quoting, am I missing out on something? I tryed both and they seemed to do the same thing, just a different editor. To that point, why would you not just always use the "post reply"? The "quick reply" doesn't seem to be quicker.

[kevinw]

Lee,

What is HD PVR that you mentioned?

Thanks.

Neil

Towards your earlier question, Yes you a can hook up an antenna to your 811 and have HD. All your stations broad cast from the Sears Tower.

The PVR is a Dish 921
http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=31

[57U]

The "post reply" is a link that takes you to a separate page to make the reply - this takes longer than the "quick reply" which is always at the bottom of the page ready to use and doesn't require an extra step and extra time. Downside is no smilies.

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hey Ratman,

Don't stare at me like that. :)

Anyways, looks like I'm going with Lee's advice. I called Dish Network, and upgrade cost $199 but I have to get their $9.99 HD package.

Can you say that most of this HD receivers provide the same quality?

Thanks.

Neil

[summerfun]

this takes longer than the "quick reply"
Guess I never had a speed issue with "post reply". The screen comes up as fast as I can hit the button. Everything seems so much faster since the software was upgraded.

[57U]

One extra click, a few extra seconds, times 6000 posts = 5-10 hours of my time. Small things add up. (my connection and computer are not as fast as yours)

[summerfun]

(my connection and computer are not as fast as yours)
Must be, because I can't even measure the speed it takes for it to come up. It must be milliseconds. Basically it is instant.

[Ratman]

Maybe you have a faster PC, but 57U has better speakers!
nanny, nanny, poo-poo!

Use post or quick... adding unnecessary 'quotes' wastes storage space.

[kevinw]

Anyways, looks like I'm going with Lee's advice. I called Dish Network, and upgrade cost $199 but I have to get their $9.99 HD package.

Can you say that most of this HD receivers provide the same quality?

Thanks.

Neil

I feel the 811's HD quality is as good as any other STB out there. It is my 3rd box.
What I do not like about the 811 is a dark SD video. Which is moot if you use the DVI or components exclusively and the constant acquiring signal issue.

[LeeS]

Thanks guys for taking care of Neil. Just getting up. Working nights is the pits. :)

Neil, looks like the guys got all your questions taken care of. :)

I like the 811 for HD (or SD) but I have an old 501 pvr that I watch SD on. I watch very little live TV, I recored and watch later. IF I had a 921 I could record the HD also. 921 = $1,000. :(

I use the 'Post Reply' and manually do any quotes I need. Keep 'em short (oops I mean keep them short). :D

I have a fast connection and fast computer, but a slow brain and fingers that just do whatever they want.

Lee

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hey Lees,

You've been very helpful to me from the time I joined. :)
I also would like to thank everyone for their inputs.

I really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Neil