F*CK. ** I am so p'd off. I just called DirecTV and asked if I could watch regular channels (FOX, CBS, ABC, PBS) on HD without the HD package... they said NO. Why would I need to request the HD package? SHouldn't those come in HD already without needing a "package" and just with the regular digital receiver? Time Warner said that I didn't need to order the HD package, but that with the regular HD receiver (their highest available), I could watch regular HD channels. This sucks. Basically, I am trying to get sh*t for free (HD channels). I can understand if I can't get ESPN HD, but I could get ABC13 HD programming for free with my HD receiver already. Go figure. I guess I will watch the 1 game from FOX in HD on my receiver already, and switch to NFL Sunday ticket on DirecTV when I want to watch something else. Anyone know how to go around this with DirecTV's cards? Nothing illegal... just a little "reprogramming" ?
You can still get your local HD's through the off air antenna....they just won't be integrated with your reciever and show up in your guide. I have an HD receiver that picks up all the sattelite HD channels, and an off air antenna plugged into the receiver that picks up my local HD. They have a new dish/receiver that will pickup local HD without the OTA antenna, but they don't have a DVR version of it yet. It's not an issue with reprogramming a card, it's that the non HD receivers dont support OTA antennas (I think.) I have an HR10-250 receiver, which is the HD box w/Tivo . It also lets me record and watch two different programs at the same time, which kicks ass! NFL Sunday Ticket is the greatest thing ever. Note that to get all of the games in HD though, you have to buy the Superfan package as well, which is an additional $99. I called and complained and they quickly gave me Superfan for free though. If you are an NFL fan there really is no competition, as long as you dont mind paying for it. I've been a DirecTV customer for 5 years now. I love it.
Hold on. Before anything, thanks for that Harrisment. Those are good tips. Also, I was wondering what happened with their regular broadcasts through the FOX stations on Satellite... will I be able to see those on the receiver in standard, or HD? I am already getting those with a HiSense HD receiver and an amplified antenna alone. You mean I could plug that into their receiver? I didn't understand that off-air antenna you explained. I am not sure if you're saying I can receive the Satellite's HD channels or not. did you have to buy their HD package for this? on their ordering site, there is a REBATE (not free upgrade) for the HD DVR. Are you sure about that? The package they're selling right now, I think, has the HD stuff... man, I need to ask SO MANY QUESTIONS... Sorry about that, mate, I know you're NOT their salesman.
found this on wikipedia "DirecTV also broadcasts some of the NFL Sunday Ticket in HD for an additional fee. This service is only available to customers that purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket Super Fan for an additional $99. Local stations (CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX) broadcasts transcoded in MPEG-4 are currently being rolled out in major markets. Where not available through satellite, local HD channels can be received over the air using an antenna for free of charge with an over the air HD tuner." Sucks
The last part is misleading, WhoMikeJames. "where not available through satellite..." is saying that you can get the HD channels only where you can't get them through satellite, but the truth is you can get HD channels without cable or satellite in places where there is a satellite reception. Which part sucks, WMJ?
Any ideas if my apartment may not face the right direction for satellite? My apartment does not allow me to put a dish on the building. I am stuck with Phonoscope cable!!!! It is horrible. I only get the local channels in HD, and I have a 62" TV!!!!!!!! Anyone have any ideas on how to get out of this dilemma?!?
WMJ, I thought you were an insider of DirecTV and were about to tell us some dirt... BenignDMD, take a look at http://www.directv.com/learn/pdf/12429_00_AntennaManual_1D.pdf#5 (PDF). You may want to do a long pole with the satellite. A funny story: http://69.57.134.83/~lotd/blog.php (June 29 entry)
Ok, I'll try to answer these. Right now you have two real options if you get HD through DirecTV. You can get the HR10-250 receiver which is what I have. It is an HD MPEG-2 receiver w/Tivo (DVR.) The newest receiver is the H20, which is an HD MPEG-4 receiver (but no DVR.) The difference between MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, is that with MPEG-4 you can receive the local HD channels through your sattelite dish, without the need for an addtional antenna. Currently I have the MPEG-2 receiver, with an indoor antenna plugged into that sits on top of my tv, mainly because I can't live with not having DVR capabilities. I'm almost positive that the HD DVR they are offering a deal on right now is the HR10-250, because the MPEG-4 HD DVR have not been released yet. Word is though that once those are released DirecTV will upgrade the HR10-250 owners for little or no cost. I purchased the HD package so I don't know about your other question. Basically I think if you just want local HD through the off air antenna you wont need to purchase the HD package. If you want any HD channels directly through your sattelite, you will have to purchase the HD package. BUT you should be able to negotiate with them and get the HD package for free, at least for 6 months. When I originally signed up for HD back in December I got HD package free for 6 months, Showtime HD free for 6 months, and half off my HBO for 6 months. I hope that helps!
I use roadrunner (earthlink). DirecTV for tv, Timewarner for internet, and SBC for phone. I've got all the bases covered.
Harrisment, that is some RICH info. Thank you much, sir. I will try to ramble about how much Cable is so appealing because I could watch HDTV without an extra package. I could, however (but I won't tell them) , watch prime time local channels with my receive, so even if I can't get their HD stuff for the 6 months you mention, I will not cry about it. Sweet stuff. Thank you. SBC DSL (the $26 one, not the fastest...)
