AM21 + HR34 = OTA happiness :)

[Mr Tony]

Well got my (second...sold the 1st) AM21 today...with one of my locals not in HD (an Independent station) and now one of the shows I like is in "HD" (actually its stretchovision) so the sat version sucks (cuts off a lot) + getting MeTV on a subchannel I needed to get one.

I like the fact it "scans"...sort of.
You still type in 1 or 2 zip codes to load the "list" but if you dont get a station OTA in the market it doesnt show and it adds others. It shows "regular schedule" in the guide if the station isnt in "the list" from D*

Here is what I mean
Per the D* base these stations load in the AM21...the ones in BOLD I can pick up OTA (the Minneapolis market is huge so some we dont get)

KWCMDT 10_1
KWCMDT2 10_2
KWCMDT3 10_3
KWCMDT4 10_4
KAREDT 11_1
KAREDT2 11_2
KCCWDT 12_1
KTCIDT2 17_2
KTCADT 2_1
KTCADT2 2_2
KTCADT3 2_3
KTCADT4 2_4
KAWBDT 22_1
KAWBDT2 22_2
KAWBDT3 22_3
KAWBDT4 22_4
KAWBDT5 22_5
KAWBDT6 22_6
WUCWDT 23_1
WUCWDT2 23_2
KFTCDT 26_1
WHWCDT 28_1
WHWCDT2 28_2
WHWCDT3 28_3
WFTCDT 29_1
WFTCDT2 29_2
WCCODT 4_1
KPXMDT 41_1
KPXMDT2 41_2
KPXMDT3 41_3
KSAXDT 42_1
KRWFDT 43_1
KSTPDT2 45_5
KSTPDT 5_1
KSTCDT 5-45
KSTCDT2 5_4

I also added a 2nd market (which is just 2 stations)
But when I was done it showed only the bold ones and the following
KSTCDT3 5-3 (MeTV)
WUCW 23-3 (Country Network)
and the low powered religious stations
16-1 thru 5
25-1 thru 5
33-1 thru 7
50-1
62-1

sweet
(now what happens when you have stations available from a 3rd market....does it load those too?)

 

[digiblur]

It loads them in but you have no guide data for them.

 

[Mr Tony]

but how does it know what stations since there cannot be a 3rd zip loaded? Or does it just "scan" (in essence) for stations nearby?

 

[Mr Tony]

oh and if I read right....still only 2 tuners can be used for OTA?

 

[digiblur]

oh and if I read right....still only 2 tuners can be used for OTA?

Correct. There are only two tuners inside.

If you have access to a station that is not in the first or 2nd zip code it scans in as regular programming or something like that. Much like a missing station that is not in the DB of the first or second zip code.

I have access to 3 markets with my OTA setup and my 3rd market scans in but no guide info. Not that it matters for me since I have no need for a 3rd PBS station.

 

[Y2J]

oh and if I read right....still only 2 tuners can be used for OTA?

I take it you can only record 5 channels at once...so if you are recording 2 OTA channels then you can only record 3 satellite channels at the same time...do I understand that correctly?

 

[Mr Tony]

correct....5 tuners total on the HR34...you dont add anything tuner wise by getting a AM21
The HR21-24 and R22 when added still maxes at 2 tuners

 

[Y2J]

Iceberg,

Thanks for the reply. One more question for you...I am going to switch from Dish to DirecTV soon....I am getting a HR34 and for the 2nd receiver I'd like a HR 24. Is there anyway to guarantee I get a HR24 for the 2nd receiver or is it always random as far as what receiver they will send me? Also, do they send new equipment for new subs are will I be getting reman. units?

 

[Mr Tony]

If you request the Home Media Center (HMC) then you'll get the HR34...no other option

as for the 2nd receiver if you ask for a DVR it could be a HR21,22,23,24......with the HD Guide in all of those now the difference is minimal (hard drive size usually)

 

[whitewolf8214]

ty everyone for update on am21 with hr 34 im going to get an am21

 

[Styler1]

How did you do this Ice?. I am in Eden Prairie (the one that bought your first AM-21) and would like to get MeTV. Does THIS TV from the KSTP/KSTC mux appear?.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Love my AM21N with the 34. Having a combo of 5 tuners total, including 2 OTA, is pretty cool. I regularly record 2 OTA and 2 Sat at the same time.

 

[Mr Tony]

sort of

5-1 shows fine and has guide
5-4 shows ThisTV and has guide info
5-45 shows fine and has guide info for 45
45-5 shows fine and has guide info for those reruns of news and TCL

5-3 only shows now but says "Regular Programming" so only the HR34 could "scan" it in...so I still have to set manual timers.

I wish MeTV had guide info......
and 23-3 (Country Network) shows on the "scan" along with EWTN (16), TBN (25), 3ABN (33), Cornewrstone (50), Daystar (62) and HSN (which is on 43 so it logs as KRWF which is a satellite of 5 out in Redwood Falls but also on 43)

 

[Mr Tony]

also I noticed on the HR34 the AM21 wont power off when I hit power

 

[digiblur]

also I noticed on the HR34 the AM21 wont power off when I hit power

That's a bug? I just thought it stayed on since it was external. Doh!!

 

[Mr Tony]

When I had one on the R22 it powered off when the R22 was turned off

If you were timer recording something OTA (if I remember) the blue light on the AM21 would go on but the receiver stayed off

 

[johnny58259]

I have a h 23 and the am 21 won't power off either when I cut off the receiver