Directv AM21 OTA tuner

[julesism]

Anyone in the DFW area (or anywhere really) with DirecTV have the AM21 addon ATSC tuner? It's my understanding that it does not scan for channels so I'm curious as to what the OTA line-up looks like. My folks live out in Lavon and have an older rear projection 16:9 TV without a built in ATSC tuner. My father misses access to 8.2 for WX. They recently switched from Dish and have an attic mounted antenna that worked great on the 722 they had. I'm thinking about picking an AM21 up for them, as long as it's not missing the "big" sub-channels. Thanks in advance.

 

[fredcantu]

For that purpose wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to get a standard digital TV converter box and plug it into one of the free inputs on the TV?

 

[gbranch]

Correct, the AM21 does not scan for channels like a traditional STB. It will only receive the channels that Directv programs into the guide for your zip code(s). I don't live in DFW, so I don't know what channels are in the EPG, but I have heard that a phone call to Directv is sometimes all that it takes to get a missing channel added.

The AM21 allows you to enter in up to 2 zip codes for a primary and secondary market (if available). For instance, in Longview we can receive both Tyler and Shreveport OTA channels, so I have my tuner setup for Tyler primary and Shreveport secondary so I can receive both markets.

In response to fredcantu, the only real advantage to having an AM21 is to have the extra channels integrated into the Directv EPG, and being able to record them on the HD-DVR. The downsides are the aforementioned inability to scan, the tuner sensitivity is only so-so, and the signal level meter is a real pain to access as there are multiple menus you have to navigate to get to it.

I believe that you also must pay the $10/month HD access fee for the AM21 to function.

 

[JHBrandt]

For that purpose wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to get a standard digital TV converter box and plug it into one of the free inputs on the TV?

That's assuming he doesn't want to record the weather on 8.2 Anyhow, I don't think it's any cheaper - I've seen the AM21 offered for about the price of a typical converter box - but it'd be easier and would save the HD access fee.

 

[w9wi]

For that purpose wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to get a standard digital TV converter box and plug it into one of the free inputs on the TV?

Standard converter boxes don't do HD.

 

[JHBrandt]

For that purpose wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to get a standard digital TV converter box and plug it into one of the free inputs on the TV?

Standard converter boxes don't do HD.

True - although if he's just interested in 8.2, HD isn't an issue

Nevertheless, if one already has the DirecTV DVR and is paying the HD access fee anyway, the AM21 is a bargain for an HD receiver. Standalone HD STB's can cost nearly $200, and HD DVR's are even higher (either initially or after several months of subscription fees).

 

[gbranch]

I bought my AM21 for $50 w/free shipping via the Directv website. Quite a bargain. Just make sure that your father's Directv receiver will support it. They were designed for the HR2x series HD-DVR's, except the HR20 which has a built in ATSC tuner. I don't know if they will work with the new Directivo units, and they will not work with the standard def DVR's (Rxx's) or the HD (non-DVR) receivers (Hxx's).

 

[julesism]

Thanks for all the feedback. fred, I've thought about your suggestion already. I'm not sure if HD or the ability to record matters but one reason why I've considered not going that route is to keep them from having to switch inputs, juggle remotes, and whatnot. I love my folks, but they are not as tech-savy as us They just switched to DirecTV so hopefully they have a current/up-to-date model. It is a HD-DVR. I will double check all this before purchase. Thanks again everyone!

 

[mmnassour]

You may want to check out the new version of the tuner, the AM21N. I have read several reviews that say it does scan.

 

[LibertyNT]

What happened to the integrated tuners?
I have one left that has this.

 

[mmnassour]

The only DirecTV DVRs that had integrated tuners were the HR20 series. Everything since that requires the external box. I just exchanged my 20s today for the HR24. MUCH faster. The other day, one of my 20s was downloading a program from the net, recording one off D, and playing back a third. It STOPPED, dead cold. Not even a red button reset would fix it, I had to pull the plug.

At that point, it was either 24s...or go to DishNetwork.

My AM21Ns are due from Amazon on Wednesday. Got Direct to pick up the tab for one, and give me enough programming credits to make up for the other. Nice deal.

 

[fredcantu]

Those of us who want more OTA than Directv provides via satellite are the few and the proud. They keep costs down with tuner-less boxes.

 

[mmnassour]

I tell you one thing....If I was in charge of retrans negotiations for a station like KVUE or KEYE that had an investment in subchannel programming, one of my demands would be that every satellite subscriber would get an OTA antenna and tuner at no cost whatsoever.

Those subchannels need all the viewers they can get to become established...they don't need tuners from which they're deliberately excluded.

 

[gbranch]

You may want to check out the new version of the tuner, the AM21N. I have read several reviews that say it does scan.

According to the folks over at dbstalk, the AM21N does not scan. The main reason for this being that Directv can't guarantee the reliability of EPG data for every station, and they don't want to field calls from upset customers because the guide data may be incorrect on some stations. They get their guide data from Tribune Media Services, so if a station is not listed with Tribune, it does not get put in the Directv OTA database.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=193520

 

[mmnassour]

Apparently, some say the box WILL scan with the new HR34, but not with the older boxes, at least that's what it says later in the thread.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=203573&page=3

Typical DirecTV chaos! ;D

At any rate, I'll know how it works with my HR24s shortly.

 

[JHBrandt]

According to the folks over at dbstalk, the AM21N does not scan. The main reason for this being that Directv can't guarantee the reliability of EPG data for every station, and they don't want to field calls from upset customers because the guide data may be incorrect on some stations.

Lamest. Excuse. Ever.

I can't blame them for not trusting station EPG's, but this is like killing a fly with a nuke. "We can't let you scan, because you might scan a station with a bad or no EPG, and you might call us to ask why some listings are wrong. So we'll just cripple our equipment and have you call us and ask why you can't get Hot TV, even though you get it fine with a standalone converter box."

They should just use TVGOS, and if that info isn't available for a station, just put an asterisk on the listing with a disclaimer at the bottom of the guide. Good grief.