I've had my Hopper for over a year now and would like to incorporate the OTA feature. I utilized OTA for years with my 722 and would appreciate any advice regarding it's use with the Hopper. What part do I need to order and is there instructions for connecting it to the Hopper? Will the OTA channels automatically show up on my menu like it did with the 722? Will the Auto Hop work with the OTA channels.? For those that use the OTA feature do you notice much difference in PQ? Any other information you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy
OTA Help Please
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You order the Hopper OTA adapter. You can get it via your my.dish.com account website and go to 'Order From Store' and look for the adaptor 'OTA Module-USB'. It costs $30. It integrates into your guide just like it did on your 722. You simply attach your antenna to one end of it and then plug the USB end into the Hopper. The Hopper will reboot and then you scan for channels. I believe Auto Hop works on the OTA channels provided they are the big 4, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC. My OTA PQ looks very similar (maybe slightly better) to my satellite version but it depends upon your area how much difference you will see. I think it is well worth it to have one provided you have an antenna to feed it with.
Nothing more to add other than I have two HWS's and have the module on each. It covers all my local recording between the two and you still have 3 sat tuners on the hopper. SS it pulls in is better than my tivo roamio did too.
OTA is a must for me because all my locals look noticeably better OTA.
OTA is a must for me because all my locals look noticeably better OTA.
One other thing. You can run the ota module through a usb hub. On each of my HWS's, I have 2 ehd, a laptop cooling mat and the ota module connected to the rear usb port through a powered hub.
I ran a test on an OTA channel to see if Auto Hop works for PTAT channels. I set an OTA timer for last nite's NBC program The Island. This morning the OTA program in My Recordings does not have the Auto Hop capability and the Satellite PTAT timer does.
I have done that many times, and many times it has worked. Are the NBC OTA and satellite the same channel number, such as 33 and 33.1??
Yes, NBC is on channel 5 in the St Louis area. My NBC timer was set on channel 005-01. I had thought PTAT OTA recordings Auto Hop worked too but I wasn't sure. It has been a long time since I had a PTAT OTA timer, so I tested it last nite.
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Yea, I have used it for a couple of shows. Specifically ones I do not want to lose at all when I forget to save them, so I just use my extra OTA tuner for them. Have never had an issue with the autohop on them, that is the only reason I know. When I found out they did autohop, is when I started using it a lot.
Well, I don't know what to say. Maybe something wrong with my system or it has changed. Not sure.
I have PTAT enabled on three Hoppers and have test OTA PTAT FOX, NBC, and ABC timers set for tonite. Will post back results in the morning.
Auto-Hop DOES work on OTA. I've been using it for years. Occasionally the satellite version will have autohop and the OTA version won't or vice versa but for the most part PTAT Auto-Hop works the same on both, including the 7 day CBS delay.
I sure remember it worked too. I was surprised when I tested it and it didn't. I must of caught it when it decided not to work for the OTA timer.
You guys seem like the logical people to ask this question. Is the PQ better on OTA than a Dish same channel? Theoretically the answer should be a resounding YES but I don't remember any difference at all from my 722. When I mentioned that on AVS Forum I was bombarded with ,"you need glasses", or "you must be sitting more than 20ft away". Either my OTA PQ sucks in Phoenix or my Dish signal is special. I do wear glasses and sit about 12 ft from my 75" 4K screen.
Your OTA in Phoenix probably WILL suck if the station has two or more sub-channels sharing their given bandwidth. In your case, with a direct feed to Dish, the sat channel probably will look better.
And my advice...stop going to AVS for advice!
Hadn't even noticed you were in Phx. PM me and I can come look at your system and see what's going on. I am in Mesa myself. The OTA stations should look just as good... And in Phoenix, you should be pointing towards south mountain as that is where the towers are. Drove past it everyday to get to Dish not so long ago.
