Yeap, I agree. Well, I should say, on the Hopper this is definitely the case. They (Dish) have seemingly linked the OTA module (it's a different design but the intent is the same) to requiring a programming package that includes HD programming. Yes, to Dish, "OTA" means "HD".
Do you get any HD channels in that package ? I'm too lazy to check....
If it doesn't include any, you might not get OTA programming. This was discussed, and confirmed, in another thread and I recall that with the "Smart Pack" this is definitely the case.
Only locals are available in HD either Welcome or Smart packs.Yeap, I agree. Well, I should say, on the Hopper this is definitely the case. They (Dish) have seemingly linked the OTA module (it's a different design but the intent is the same) to requiring a programming package that includes HD programming. Yes, to Dish, "OTA" means "HD".
Do you get any HD channels in that package ? I'm too lazy to check....
Well, we have been getting AXS for three years now, so that is one heck of a long freeview. Also, the Weather Nation freeview was originally listed as ending in June, and we continue to receive it, even though it is no longer listed as a freeview.
No, they do not function as OTA-only. (You lose access to the OTA channels if the receiver does not have any EPG data from the satellite.) However, the deactivated receivers do continue to work for OTA (without guide data) and free preview channels if you keep them hooked up to the satellite signal. If you keep a receiver unhooked from the satellite signal too long (or keep it unplugged from AC power too long) it will get completely de-authorized, and it will not function for anything until you call Dish to reactivate it.
I was mostly agreeing with DishSubLa. However, I was also clarifying that, as long as the receiver stays connected to the satellite signal, and has not been completely de-authorized (in other words, it still works for free previews), then it is actually better than an OTA-only receiver, since it gets the free preview channels in addition to the OTA channels, even without a satellite subscription.
At least with the Welcome Pack you get some programming. With the TiVo, you get no programming that you couldn't get without a TiVo.
Also, TiVo has almost ( I say almost only because there can be a channel I am unaware of) ALL the OTA EPG data for ALL the sub-channels, unlike Dish that still has no EPG data for SEVERAL English language sub-channels such as Buzzr, Decades, Movie, Grit, Escape, MeTV, and many more, at least for the LA DMA. For OTA only, TiVo wins hands down, and the lowered Lifetime fee makes it economical in the long run and with the lowered price for the Roamio OTA, it beats out even Channel Master DVR+ in terms of economy, and not just TiVo having more tuners and an affordable whole home or secondary room solution that is independent: The TiVo Mini. Channel Master recommends a Slingbox, but that takes away independent viewing in the main room and as great as Slingbox is, it is a diminished experience watching in a second room compared to the Mini, which is more like a Genie or Hopper client. To be fair, Slingbox is great to view remotely and for one to view channels they can't get at their location.
