Directv HD Receiver for only Off-Air

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I currently subscribe to DirecTV and am interested in receiving only the
off-air digital channels. That is, I have no plans to subscribe to
DirecTV's HD programming at the moment.

I see the pricing for a standard over-the-air receiver (like the Motorola
HDT101) is roughly the same as that of a DirecTV Receiver/HD Tuner (like the
Samsung SIR-TS360) - $299.99.

Is there some kind of "gotcha" like the over-the-air functionality doesn't
work independantly of the DirecTV functionality?

I'd like to get the Samsung and if I choose to do so in the near future, I
can subscribe to the DirecTV HD programming.

Any thoughts?

-Joe

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Joe" <heltibrand@NO_SPAMkarpel.com> wrote in
news:10oikaaa3t5so82@corp.supernews.com:

> I currently subscribe to DirecTV and am interested in receiving only
> the off-air digital channels. That is, I have no plans to subscribe
> to DirecTV's HD programming at the moment.
>
> I see the pricing for a standard over-the-air receiver (like the
> Motorola HDT101) is roughly the same as that of a DirecTV Receiver/HD
> Tuner (like the Samsung SIR-TS360) - $299.99.
>
> Is there some kind of "gotcha" like the over-the-air functionality
> doesn't work independantly of the DirecTV functionality?
>
> I'd like to get the Samsung and if I choose to do so in the near
> future, I can subscribe to the DirecTV HD programming.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> -Joe
>
I have the Samsung with Zero problems. I do not subscribe to the HD
programming.
I get all the locals as well as HBO in HD

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

SaltiDawg (saltidawgNOSPAM@users.sourceforge.net) wrote in alt.tv.tech.hdtv:
> But is it not a requirement that you have ANY active DirecTV account (HD
> or SD) in order for the OTA digital receiver to work?

Nope, not for "standard" DirecTV HD receivers. The HD DirecTiVos have some
differences in that they require you have DirecTV and TiVo service to
enable all the features, but can still receive OTA on them without any
DirecTV subscription.

You *do* need a functional access card in the HD receiver, but it does
not need to be subscribed, and you don't even need the satellite input
connected.

The only caveat is that you do need the receiver hooked to the dish if
you want the guide data.

> (This is the way
> it is with Echostar HD receivers.

Yep, and that's a real PITA.

--
Jeff Rife |
SPAM bait: | http://www.nabs.net/Cartoons/OverT [...] ternet.jpg
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov |
spam@ftc.gov |

DirecTV receivers will scan and state that there is a # of channels scanned in, but if the box is not active it will NOT display the video or audio from the off-air channels.

No way to use an H20 or H21 series receiver for only off-air.