OT: Directv and HDTV local channel question

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:07 pm

Sorry for the mini threadjack, but on a sidenote ,it looks like the MLB extra innings package is going to have a "superfan package" for $ 39 as an add on. I hate paying extra for what should be free but I'll probably suck it up and pay it,as I love baseball. At least its not quite as bad as the price for the football extra.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... Id=3160003

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:14 pm

snaz16 wrote:Sorry for the mini threadjack, but on a sidenote ,it looks like the MLB extra innings package is going to have a "superfan package" for $ 39 as an add on. I hate paying extra for what should be free but I'll probably suck it up and pay it,as I love baseball. At least its not quite as bad as the price for the football extra.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... Id=3160003

That's pretty cool. The Strike Zone channel sounds pretty good as well as a few HD games more per week.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:14 pm

NFL superfan was free last year for anyone who had it the year before.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:33 pm

AVSForum has a couple of long threads about it.

So does dbstalk.com.

I heard recently they're backlogged. Some people wanted to get two and they wouldn't let them have more than one.

Yeah the mileage may vary.

In my case, I had little choice. No reception so the only way to get HD channels was through the MPEG4 channels and I wanted an HD DVR.

It's worked out so far but I wouldn't mind other choices.

Oh the one other thing nice about the HR20 is you can use RF mode instead of infrared. So you don't have to worry about pointing it directly. You can even use it from another room like you're in the kitchen and you hear the commercials are over, you can pause it until you get back into the room.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:43 pm

bdunn13 wrote:NFL superfan was free last year for anyone who had it the year before.

I'm not sure thats quite true. I've had the football and baseball packages for 3 yrs. and it wasn't until I called customer retention(thanks J Diehl)and suggested that as a good customer I should not have to ante up for Superfan. I'm sure unless I call back and barter some more when football season comes around ,that extra $99 is going to show up on my bill this year.
They did email me a couple of weeks back and gave me a choice of $5 a month of my bill, or 6 mos. of Showtime, or 2 free PPV a month for 6 mos. I opted for the Showtime(Although HBO would have been sweet with the Sopranos coming in April). I would have rather they give me that baseball superfan add on. I will dicker with them when I call to upgrade the baseball package.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:56 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Jon,

What antenna would you recommend? Also, I know absolutely nothing of installing an attic antenna, so it'd probably be a rather cumbersome process. Is there that much of a difference in terms of reception by placing it in the attic than placing it directly behind the tv?

Thanks.

This is the one I use, and that I've installed for family and neighbors (mostly 10-15 miles further from the towers that you):

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display ... D=SCM4221A

You can get it locally for $22 at Skywalker Communications in O'Fallon (Bryan/HWY70).

http://www.skywalker.com/

To order it, just call their 800 number and then pick it up at their warehouse location in O'Fallon. I live only 5min from there and could pick one up for you if you want to hook up for a tennis rematch soon.

In my brother's house in St. Peters, he didn't even put his in the attic. It's sitting in his unfinished basement and it picks up everything just fine, even out here. Most of the indoor/settop UHF "HD" antenna that you'll find in the retail stores (other than the Zenith Silver Sensor) are overpriced and garbage. There's nothing special about "HD" antenna's, you just need a UHF only antenna. The ChannelMaster 4221 that I linked above is nice because it's going to be overkill for you at your distance from the towers and once you set it, you can literally forget it.

Danimal wrote: Also thanks for the lead on the Colorado guy, I bought all my theatre equipment for my screening room from him. Spent about 10K total, but it ended up saving me about 4-5 grand. Got the Sony 1080P projector, Stweart Firehawk screen and a whole sound set up with a Denon HDMI switching receiver. Now I just need the basement to be finished to enjoy them, Drywall starts tomorrow!

That's awesome, can't wait to see pics. John is great to deal with, glad you got a killer deal from him just like I did.

As for the HD Tivo, DirecTV isn't providing them anymore (only supporting their DVR service). Not sure where you'd get your HDMI output fixed, I know the units as a whole are a hot item on eBay since they don't make them anymore and the alternative (DirecTV's HD DVR) is less than desirable for those of us that can do OTA HD.

wco - the new software updates for the HD Tivo (6.3c) have fixed the missed recordings issue that happend for a people a few months ago, and the speed of the menu's is exactly like my SD Tivo (ie. fast). Same with Season Pass stuff... very fast. Before the upgrades, it would literally take 5 minutes for it to crunch through any Season Pass updates.

snaz16 wrote: I'm sure unless I call back and barter some more when football season comes around ,that extra $99 is going to show up on my bill this year.

You bet, just wait until April/May when the NFL Sunday Ticket autorenewal starts kicking in again. All we'll need to do is call into retention to cancel the Sunday Ticket package (not your entire service), and I'm sure they'll credit us the $99 for SuperFan again.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:52 am

I did some comparison last night while watching the tournament.

I have HD locals from Charlotte via DTV and mpeg4, I also get all the tournament games via DTV and I have OTA tuner in my Sony 60 SXRD XBR2 which I use a 15 bucks directional Zenith antenna with.

I was watching with my fiance and I asked her to look closely.. then I changed the over to OTA and asked her which one looked better.. she said "this one." And she was right. It was not even close. The OTA looks soooo much better than the directv mpeg4 feeds. You could see artifacts and pixelation on the dtv feeds. They need to up their bit rate ALOT.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:01 pm

Jon,

Thanks very much for the suggestions. If Skywalker is open this weekend, I might just drive out there and pick up the antenna you mentioned. Last night, on a whim I picked up a Radio Shack indoor/outdoor antenna and attempted to set it up. Well, either I didn't set it up correctly or the antenna is garbage, but it didn't make a darn bit of difference.

By using an OTA, I'm assuming I still use the same local channels, however if set up correctly, they'll transmit in HD barring the program I'm watching (college basketball) is HD? Meaning, there aren't any different local hd channels I need to switch to, correct?

This has been a frusturating experience to say the least. I might just chance it and see how the Directv DVR works.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:42 pm

On a related note, does anyone know what it costs to get Direct TV's DVR service? And do I need really need the HD one? We already have a HD receiver, but no Tivo or DVR. I think it's something like $5 per month, but is that all I pay? DO they need to switch out my HD receiver for a
new receiver with the DVR?

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:56 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Jon,

Thanks very much for the suggestions. If Skywalker is open this weekend, I might just drive out there and pick up the antenna you mentioned. Last night, on a whim I picked up a Radio Shack indoor/outdoor antenna and attempted to set it up. Well, either I didn't set it up correctly or the antenna is garbage, but it didn't make a darn bit of difference.

By using an OTA, I'm assuming I still use the same local channels, however if set up correctly, they'll transmit in HD barring the program I'm watching (college basketball) is HD? Meaning, there aren't any different local hd channels I need to switch to, correct?

This has been a frusturating experience to say the least. I might just chance it and see how the Directv DVR works.

They are on a different frequency... To find out the frequencies you can use the link I posted for you earlier in the thread.

BD

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:08 pm

JackB1 wrote:On a related note, does anyone know what it costs to get Direct TV's DVR service? And do I need really need the HD one? We already have a HD receiver, but no Tivo or DVR. I think it's something like $5 per month, but is that all I pay? DO they need to switch out my HD receiver for a new receiver with the DVR?

Dude, you really have ISSUES with reading don't you. Jon already answered this about as clearly as can be stated:

If you can't get local OTA HD/digital signals due to your distance from the towers, I guess you could get the standard mpeg4 HD box from them and output that to a standalone HD Tivo (although the monthly fee is much greater on the standalone boxes, whereas with DirecTV we pay only a flat $5.99 DVR for the entire account and can have as many Tivo's or DVR's as we want (I have 3... two HD Tivo's, one SD Tivo, all getting Tivo service for only $5.99). I think on the standalone boxes is somewhere around $12.99/month per box.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:47 pm

Yes, I read the whole thread and it never answers my particular questions.

Have you ever considered that I don't understand this technical stuff as
well as you do, you pompous, intolerant, elitist jerk. Why do you feel the need to jump in EVERY TIME someone posts something that you "don't approve of"? HOW MANY TIMES DOES JARED HAVE TO TELL YOU TO STOP TRYING TO POLICE THIS FORUM??? YOU are the one who has MAJOR ISSUES.... you miserable, constant bug-up-his ass, patronizing, punk. I am so done with you....you will never change, you are a cerified a-hole for life. Here is the Db Cycle: act like an ass.....apologize.....act like an ass.....apologize.....act like an ass.....apologize.....act like an ass.....apologize.....etc. etc. etc.

I know Jared is probably going to lock this thread now, but I know you will read it before he does, because you monitor this place every 2 minutes. What he really should do is have some balls and ban your ass. He has asked you probably a dozen times now to stop "thread policing", but you just can't resist pointing out crap and annoying the sh*t out of everyone.

Well, I said my piece. I will never respond to anything you say again and will ignore you from this point on. I would advise everyone else here to do the same and maybe you will go away.

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Dude, you really have ISSUES with reading don't you. Jon already answered this about as clearly as can be stated

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:23 pm

Not every time, just when you make a fool of yourself...which is often, so it probably seems like I jump on everyone. And this isn't thread policing, it's thread filtering...just wish we could turn you on or off...but we can't. So here we are. Ignore me then...I don't know why you give me the giggles all the time by trying to defend yourself. You do a horrible job of it btw. This is fun. More, more!

Post by **Jared** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:10 am

Jack,

Please try and read threads a little more carefully after asking questions, so that they don't become redundant. And if DB gets on your case, just calm down and PM me first.

DB,

When people ask what you think are stupid questions, don't be a jerk about it. If you can't tolerate those questions from Jack, then head to the Mensa forums.

Parker_BC · Post by **Parker_BC** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:45 am

Some things never change.

You will not see anymore hd games than you did at the end of last year....and for 40 bucks more.

I can attest directv is absolutely the worst hd provider you can get. If there any other options, go with them.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:45 pm

Parker_BC wrote:I can attest directv is absolutely the worst hd provider you can get. If there any other options, go with them.

Not if you want baseball and football.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:54 pm

Jared wrote:When people ask what you think are stupid questions, don't be a jerk about it. If you can't tolerate those questions from Jack, then head to the Mensa forums.

What's wrong with the Mensa forums? I'm top 5 poster there too!

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:03 pm

I know there are haters out there, but I love D*TV. Baseball, football, fox sports packages, etc... I can't wait for some Extra Innings! The HD signals look great,too.

Go Salukis!

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:55 pm

Parker_BC wrote:Some things never change.

You will not see anymore hd games than you did at the end of last year....and for 40 bucks more.

I can attest directv is absolutely the worst hd provider you can get. If there any other options, go with them.

Aren't you banned for life?

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:34 pm

Parker_BC wrote:Some things never change.

You will not see anymore hd games than you did at the end of last year....and for 40 bucks more.

I can attest directv is absolutely the worst hd provider you can get. If there any other options, go with them.

I'm not sure that's accurate. I'm working with the Disney Channel on their upcoming HD D*TV launch, and D*TV's disclosed their HD plans for August (using their new birds). The amount of bandwith is going to mean simply more of everything.

Customer service? Well, that's another matter.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:41 pm

F*CK DirecTV!!!!

I'm cancelling this bullshit, overpriced, piece of SH*T service.

I upgraded to the Premiere package, which is supposed to get me just about every channel they offer. 2 nights in a row I sit down with my brother in law (visting from NY) to watch the Rangers game.

Program guide says it's showing on FSNY, part of my Premiere package. Tune to it and I get "Not available in your area". Game also listed on SS (Sports South), tune to that channel and get NADA. Call DirecTV and they tell me it's blacked out on FSNY because it's on SS, but I'm not elligible for SS so I'm screwed.

Tonight. Game listed on MSG; also listed on NESN. Both in PREMIERE package I pay more than $100 a month for.

NESN has black out "Not available in your area" message; MSG says I'm subscribed to channel. I call DirecTV and they say "sorry, games blacked out". Not sure why.

Of course it's playing on NHL Center Ice, but I'm not paying more for another f*cking package to see a game that's on 2 channels I already pay for and NOWHERE ELSE and yet I'm blacked out.

All this on top of the POS performance of the HR20 in comparison to the good old HD Tivo, the gargantuan 5 LNB dish, and crap customer care. I can get Digital Cable for a LOT less, while I may get less programming etc. I will PAY less and get what's offered, NOT pay MORE and get nothing.

I've been a DirecTV customer for 10+ years.

I needed to vent.

On hold for cancellations now; offering them the opportunity to give me Center Ice for free or lose me as a customer.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:59 pm

That's true of all the major sports and has nothing to do with D*. The NBA, the NHL and MLB all have these same policies. You can't watch the live games on the local sports cable channels that are not in your local area; you have to get the Center Ice-type package. Often, the replays are freely available.

Think about it: who would buy the package if they could just get the D* sports pack, which includes all the local cable sports channels, and see the games live? Uh, no one, that's who. The leagues have the right to restrict these things however they see fit, since they own the rights to the games. So they black these games out on all the cable sports channels that are not in your local area, and force you to buy the package for your out of town games.

If you want to vent your anger, direct it at those responsible (the individual leauges), and not D*.

Parker_BC · Post by **Parker_BC** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:35 pm

Danimal wrote:
Parker_BC wrote:Some things never change.

You will not see anymore hd games than you did at the end of last year....and for 40 bucks more.

I can attest directv is absolutely the worst hd provider you can get. If there any other options, go with them.
Aren't you banned for life?

That would hardly seem fair considering there are a few in this thread who are more deserving.

Post by **Jared** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:45 pm

Funny...I was thinking about not re-banning you. However, no one currently on these forums has caused nearly the problems that you have in the past. And even though some of the people in this thread have been banned in the past, none of them have, after being banned, have repeatedly created new usernames in order to avoid the ban (see rtractor2, trebek6, ProfessorSports, Grecco, ParkerCanStillSeeU).

So yes, you are still most deserving, out of anyone currently on these forums, of a ban. And I'm pretty sure, by your last post, that your attitude hasn't changed. And I don't have the time or desire to deal with the problems you create. So you're banned again. (No IP ban though, so feel free to read the forums if you want.)

Oh, and I'd like to remind the forums that I reserve the right to ban anyone posting from foreign proxy servers.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:18 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Jon,

Thanks very much for the suggestions. If Skywalker is open this weekend, I might just drive out there and pick up the antenna you mentioned. Last night, on a whim I picked up a Radio Shack indoor/outdoor antenna and attempted to set it up. Well, either I didn't set it up correctly or the antenna is garbage, but it didn't make a darn bit of difference.

By using an OTA, I'm assuming I still use the same local channels, however if set up correctly, they'll transmit in HD barring the program I'm watching (college basketball) is HD? Meaning, there aren't any different local hd channels I need to switch to, correct?

This has been a frusturating experience to say the least. I might just chance it and see how the Directv DVR works.

The antenna you picked up at Radio Shaft was probably garbage, just a guess. Or, maybe you weren't aiming it properly. Checkout antennaweb.org for aiming help. I have one that I paid $14.99 for back in 2000 when I got my first HDTV and it still works like a champ (it's a set-top double bow-tie design from the Shack).

By using OTA, you won't be tuning in the same channels. Right now, OTA, the regular/SD channel for CBS/KMOV is on channel 4 (VHF band). With the digital variety of the same channel, KMOV-DT is technically channel 56-1 on the UHF band. However, most OTA receivers built in the last few years will change the "real" UHF channel display to the more user friendly variety that you're used to. In this case, KMOV-DT would show up as 4-1 in the guide.

Here's the St. Louis digital OTA lineup (all are UHF stations):

26 - KPLR (CW)
31 - KDNL (ABC)
35 - KSDK (NBC)
39 - KETC (PBS)
43 - KTVI (FOX)
47 - WRBU (MyNetworkTV)
56 - KMOV (CBS)