Local programming in HD

[stl]

I currently have Direct TV satellite service. I recently tried to upgrade to Hd programming. It was a no go, because I have a big oak tree right in the line of site of the HD satellite. They said I was just barely getting standard programming. My options are to cut down the tree, (not gonna happen) or switch to the local cable company. I had cable for a number of years, and the customer service is horrible. I really dread gong back to them. Can I keep my satellite programming and use an antenna to get local programming in HD. At least I will be able to watch games and the news in HD. Is there some sort of antenna splitter that can be used. Will I have to change the input selection on my tv every time I want to watch something in Hd If I can pull this off it will save me a few bucks in the long run, but more importantly I won't have to switch to the dreaded cable company. Thanks

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Local programming in HD

Hi STL -

Well, it kind of depends.

If your TV has a digital tuner built in to it (which I would guess you do because you're trying to get HD), all you really need is an HD antenna.

If your TV doesn't have a digital tuner built in, you'll need to pick one up at Walmart or Best Buy. They are relatively inexpensive.

You have options for how to run the antenna to your TV. If you don't want to run new coax you can get a couple of multiplexers (buy them at the hardware store, they are much cheaper there then an electronics store). The multiplexer will combine or uncombined the signal from your satellite dish and antenna. So, outside the house, you'll have a multiplexer connected to both signals. Inside the house, you'll have another multiplexer that splits the signal back out to antenna and satellite.

Alternatively, you could just run coax directly from the antenna to the TV.

To watch the antenna, you'll just need to change channels on your TV from whatever input your satellite box plugs in to (HDMI, composite, component, s-video, channel 3...whatever) to whatever channel you want to watch.

Good luck with it.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Local programming in HD

don't confuse local digital broadcast with local digital HD broadcast.
not all digital broadcast is in HD according to the letter we got from the local station.

 

[Pony]

Re: Local programming in HD

don't confuse local digital broadcast with local digital HD broadcast.
not all digital broadcast is in HD according to the letter we got from the local station.

At this point. its still pretty much just the primetime shows and sporting events in HD. The rest is digital SD. Its still noticeably better than anolog broadcast though.

STL, take a look at the back of your Direct TV box. There may be an extra coax input that is for an external antenna. If thats the case, you can hook up an antenna to that to receive local channels digitally.......in HD when they are broadcast that way. I have seen and set up Direct TV boxes that way......since at one time they didn't even off local channels through the dish.

 

[stl]

Re: Local programming in HD

At this point. its still pretty much just the primetime shows and sporting events in HD. The rest is digital SD. Its still noticeably better than anolog broadcast though.

STL, take a look at the back of your Direct TV box. There may be an extra coax input that is for an external antenna. If thats the case, you can hook up an antenna to that to receive local channels digitally.......in HD when they are broadcast that way. I have seen and set up Direct TV boxes that way......since at one time they didn't even off local channels through the dish.

There is another input on the box that is labeled off air in. Would that one work?

 

[Pony]

Re: Local programming in HD

There is another input on the box that is labeled off air in. Would that one work?

Yes it should.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Local programming in HD

An antenna will pick up local HD on-air broadcasting just fine.
I made this one and seems to be good for about 20 miles or so...
www.metacafe.com/watch/762088coat_hanger_hdtv_antenna_better_than_store_bought_amazing/
There is no such thing as an HD antenna. The frequencies are VHF and (mostly) UHF. You can go to www.antennaweb.org, put in your zip code and see who's broadcasting in your area and how far they are from you.

Can't you just move your dish a few feet to either side?

 

[Pony]

Re: Local programming in HD

An antenna will pick up local HD on-air broadcasting just fine.
I made this one and seems to be good for about 20 miles or so...
www.metacafe.com/watch/762088coat_hanger_hdtv_antenna_better_than_store_bought_amazing/
There is no such thing as an HD antenna.

This is true......but I would definately get a powered/amplified one at the very least. It can easily be the difference between no picture and a great picture.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Local programming in HD

I assume you mean a pre-amp. This requirement depends on how far away you are from the broadcast and how good/bad your antenna is to start with. The right antenna is paramount. If you don't have a good antenna, everything else is just damage control. An amplifier would come into play downstream depending on your cable type, run and splits.
As illustrated, I'm picking up stations perfectly fine with a few coat hangers.
You will either have a great picture or a pixelated picture and/or hesitation.
I hope to mount two yagis on the roof when the weather breaks. (One pointing towards each of the two cities I'm in the middle of.)
BTW, each of the local broadcasters in my area have at least one (some four) HD (sub)channels.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Local programming in HD

I have this setup in the attic of my garage and I am getting perfect, reliable, HD/DT signals. The signal is run down into my family room where is it is split four ways. One to the TV and three to the DVR. I am about 30 miles from the transmitter..

I have the equivalent of the DB4 bundle.. Although I bought the pieces seaparately.. Very small foot print and easily installed in the garage attic..

http://antennasdirect.com/bundles.html

 

[JB]

Re: Local programming in HD

Have to make some assumptions about your TV receiver(s), but we have very close to the same situation.

I have 2 HD recievers. The big 55" Sony has a Direct TV HD reciever plus an antenna input. The 20" Polaroid here in my office has antenna input only.

When I had the upgrade to the latest HD satellites I had the dish put in a different location to avoid the tree that the old dish could see through, and I had a booster amp put on the long-range Radio Shack antenna that I have been using for 20 years.

I am about 60 miles from the transmitters for "local" broadcast and get very good reception. All of my "local" stations broadcast 1080 HD signals. The picture quality is slightly better than the DirecTV for the same programming because it has gone through two less "conversions".

Locate the new HD dish somewhere else, put a booster on your antenna and you will get local and DirecTV HD signals very well.

Good luck.

 

[stl]

Re: Local programming in HD

The Direct TV installers could not find a line of sight anywhere on the roof fot the HD signal.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Local programming in HD

Ouch.
I knew you were going to come back with that.
Sounds like my yard. In my case, there are simply too many trees. Even if I went up on top of the roof.

Check this out
www.dennysantennaservice.com/1136892.html

JB - curious, what kind of antenna do you have? 60 miles is pretty good run.
I've been contemplating a Winegard, but they are huge and 40 miles would be good enough for me.

 

[stl]

Re: Local programming in HD

I took a cheapo indoor antenna off my old analog tv in the basement, and hooked it up through the direct tv box. I got 11 digital channels, about six of them are in high def, all in 1080i except one. I just have to change my signal input every time. The only problem is that when I go back to regular satellite programming, the picture looks terrible compared to the high def.

 

[JB]

Re: Local programming in HD

The Direct TV installers could not find a line of sight anywhere on the roof fot the HD signal.

So, forget the roof. Put up a pole and mount the dish on that. A phone/power type should do the job.

mthieme, I have had the antenna for too long to quote make and model. I got it at Radio Shack back in the early 80s. It was advertised as a 'long range" model good for 120 miles or some such figure. It is mounted about 30' up on a pole attached to the side of my house.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Local programming in HD

Don't forget to properly ground any antennas!!!