Question re: Limited OTA success and the HR10-250

[jabd]

I have tried three different HD OTA receivers had mixed results. I have tried a Samsung SIR-TS160, a standalone Samsung HD box, and the tuner built in to my Sony 42A10.

In my frustration, I even signed up for a promotion with Adelphia to get my local HD and compare their service to D*. I realized quickly that the Adelphia DVR leaves alot to be desired. I would rather stay with D* and I am a huge fan of Tivo.

I would like to test a HR10-250 to see if I can get a reliable signal but don't want to get into a new commitment with D* in order to test it.

So my question is, if I buy a HR10-250 on Ebay, do I have to activate the box with D* in order to test the OTA tuner?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fgsilva]

The receiver will work fine without being connected to a satellite or without D* service. BUT it WILL NOT record unless you're with D* and pay their DVR fee.

I have tried three different HD OTA receivers had mixed results. I have tried a Samsung SIR-TS160, a standalone Samsung HD box, and the tuner built in to my Sony 42A10.

In my frustration, I even signed up for a promotion with Adelphia to get my local HD and compare their service to D*. I realized quickly that the Adelphia DVR leaves alot to be desired. I would rather stay with D* and I am a huge fan of Tivo.

I would like to test a HR10-250 to see if I can get a reliable signal but don't want to get into a new commitment with D* in order to test it.

So my question is, if I buy a HR10-250 on Ebay, do I have to activate the box with D* in order to test the OTA tuner?

Thanks in advance.

 

[raymo721]

Being an old Army Commo troop. Your reciever is only as good as your antenna.--Ray

 

[jabd]

Being an old Army Commo troop. Your reciever is only as good as your antenna.--Ray

I have used the same antenna in the same position for each receiver. My new Sony TV had the best performance. I don't know enough about it to explain why. The other two were made by the same mfg. Perhaps Samsung and Sony have different designs??

 

[dragon002]

The receiver will work fine without being connected to a satellite or without D* service. BUT it WILL NOT record unless you're with D* and pay their DVR fee.

i could be wrong, but i think you are mistaken.

yes the ota portion will work with the sat coax unscrewed. but the unit has to be activated first. other than that it is a brick. there are numerous posts on this site about this subject. this aint voom.

 

[Fgsilva]

you may be right. I could see OTA while I waited for D* installation and my hd tivo wasn't connected to the sat; but the unit had indeed been previously activated.

On a related note: I have an indoor amplified radio shack antenna that I split between the HD TIvo and an 811. I'm getting great reception with the HD tivo for the OTA (signals in the 80s for most channels) but only 50s for the 811!

i could be wrong, but i think you are mistaken.

yes the ota portion will work with the sat coax unscrewed. but the unit has to be activated first. other than that it is a brick. there are numerous posts on this site about this subject. this aint voom.

 

[Ricknau]

Jabd,

What do you mean by "limited success" and "mixed results"?

I have used the same antenna in the same position for each receiver.

But if it's a crappy antenna...

Don't those receivers have an OTA signal strength meter? That's where you have to start. If the siganl is weak (and I'll bet it is) then you need a better antenna and/or amplifier.

BTW, I can't swear to it, but I beleive my box had OTA coming in before the installer called in to activate it.

 

[Jimbo]

As for any OTA antenna .....

The HIGHER the better ....

If you have an antenna on the roof, it will do much better than indoors.

Unless you are very close to your towers.

I would love to have a tower system for my OTA , but cannot afford the cost.

So mine is strapped to the end of the house on a pipe with a rotor approx 30 ft up.

If I recall correctly, If you have a D* receiver (newer ones) you have to have a dish attacthed and pointed in order to get the set up to continue, in order to get to the OTA antenna section, unfortunatly...
With the older receivers it was not nessasary to have a signal.
Also, if the receiver has already been activated, at some time, the OTA will work fine without you re-activating it.

Jimbo

 

[raoul5788]

As for any OTA antenna .....

The HIGHER the better ....

If you have an antenna on the roof, it will do much better than indoors.

Unless you are very close to your towers.

I would love to have a tower system for my OTA , but cannot afford the cost.

So mine is strapped to the end of the house on a pipe with a rotor approx 30 ft up.

If I recall correctly, If you have a D* receiver (newer ones) you have to have a dish attacthed and pointed in order to get the set up to continue, in order to get to the OTA antenna section, unfortunatly...
With the older receivers it was not nessasary to have a signal.
Also, if the receiver has already been activated, at some time, the OTA will work fine without you re-activating it.

Jimbo

Outside is better than inside, but higher is not always better than lower, almost always better, but not always.

 

[Jimbo]

Outside is better than inside, but higher is not always better than lower, almost always better, but not always.

Well, My thinking was that if you are trying to get HD from an OTA antenna you are generally looking for a UHF signal to be picked up from the antenna, and seeing the towers are usually a distance (as in miles) away, the higher the antenna the easier it is to clear trees and other obsticles that could cause issues.

I personally will stick to my post

Jimbo

 

[raoul5788]

Well, My thinking was that if you are trying to get HD from an OTA antenna you are generally looking for a UHF signal to be picked up from the antenna, and seeing the towers are usually a distance (as in miles) away, the higher the antenna the easier it is to clear trees and other obsticles that could cause issues.

I personally will stick to my post

Jimbo

That is absolutely (almost) always true. Sometimes the signals are stronger at a lower altitude (but not normaly).