DTV Converter Boxes & Digital Sub-Channels

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

Although I have DirecTV, I am thinking of (Unless I get an HDTV) getting a DTV Converter box when DirecTV makes them available to its customers.

My question is do these boxes also include any digital subchannels that might be included or must I still wait until such companies decide they're gonna decide to GET OFF THEIR ARSE & carry any of the digital subchannel offerings by stations and cable/satellite channels?

Just wondering before I start inquiring from DirecTV and get the corporate spin from their customer service robots if you know what I mean

Cheers

Pat

 

[jal41]

With a few exceptions for DT2 CW and MyNetworkTV affiliates, DirecTV does not generally carry any digital subchannels.

If this box is designed to recieve signals OTA, then you will, since the subchannels are a part of the DTV signal.

Since DirecTV carried locals via the satellite, offering a box to recieve local OTA sounds odd, unless you are in a market that does not have locals carried on DirecTV, or they are offering them for TV's that are not hooked up to the DirecTV system.

 

[Robnoxious]

My line of thought is if you live in an area that has the capability to receive OTA signals those will always be the least compressed signals you can watch. It won't kill you to have an antenna set-up around just in case your sat bird or cable goes tits up for a spell anyways. Direct-TV, Dish, or cable all compress their signals to the limit thereby giving you less than a satisfactory picture IMHO. Upconverting/downconverting also plays a major role here.

The sat comps and cable comps are not in anyway required to feed you your local subchannels. Some might but that's only done as a courtesy.

Bunny ears are far from dead.

 

[ansky212]

Hi everyone:

Although I have DirecTV, I am thinking of (Unless I get an HDTV) getting a DTV Converter box when DirecTV makes them available to its customers.

Why do you need a converter box if you have Directv? Do they not carry local channels in your area? Most newer Directv receivers have an antenna input built in so you can just connect an antenna - but if you have an older receiver you likely won't be able to do that. For example, I have the HR20 DVR with an antenna plugged in so that I can receive digital subchannels.

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

With a few exceptions for DT2 CW and MyNetworkTV affiliates, DirecTV does not generally carry any digital subchannels.

If this box is designed to recieve signals OTA, then you will, since the subchannels are a part of the DTV signal.

Since DirecTV carried locals via the satellite, offering a box to recieve local OTA sounds odd, unless you are in a market that does not have locals carried on DirecTV, or they are offering them for TV's that are not hooked up to the DirecTV system.

First off, to answer someone else's question, I live in Denver proper, which is, as you know, the 18th largest market (Or somewhere around there). As such, I get all the networks on seperate stations. That's not my question though.

Looking past February 17, 2009 we all know that broadcasters are gonna wanna fill the new spectrum they have with programming. Be it programming they produce themselves or programming from some network that doesn't have very much penetration (America One for example).

Or try this....

Next May, Denver will electing a new Mayor since our current one is term-limited and is on his last term now. Now you just know that the network stations (e.g. CBS O&O KCNC 4) likely won't bother with partnering with either KRMA 6 or KBDI 12 as they have in the past and will no doubt do this November. Instead, they will either stick Election coverage on their primary channel and network offerings on one of their subchannels or vice versa.

My question is if I DO NOT wind up landing an HDTV before the analog cutoff date, would the new box I get from DirecTV allow me to watch the subchannels AS WELL AS the primary channel of a particular station or would I need a HDTV with "true blue" HDTV service from DirecTV (Or name your carrier here) for that?

I ask because I know some of you in smaller markets who don't receive The CW, MyNetwork and (In some cases) one or more of the the Big 4 networks have a leg up in this area.

Hope that clarifies where I'm going with this....

Cheers

Pat

 

[tripinva]

Your post confuses me. DirecTV boxes don't have antenna inputs for the most part, and the satellite companies only carry the main feed from each station in most cases.

If you want the subchannels, you'll want to pick up a converter box somewhere. No need to rush off and buy a new TV.

- Trip

 

[ansky212]

DirecTV boxes don't have antenna inputs for the most part,

That's not true. I have been a Directv customer for 4 years and all 3 Directv boxes I have owned during that time had antenna inputs. In fact, their newest HD DVR model has an optional antenna module that you can choose to buy if you want it. The thing is, if you want to view digital subchannels with a directv box, you will need to get one of their HD boxes and they require that you sign up for HD service if you get one of those boxes. If you don't want HD service from Directv, but still want to view digital subchannels, then you will need to pick up a separate converter box from your local electronics store.

 

[tripinva]

Key word: optional. And I recall their non-HD boxes don't have antenna inputs. (May be incorrect, I don't have satellite to know for sure)

Plus you're a slave to their guide service, no actual channel scans on their boxes. If new subchannels show up, you could end up waiting or if they're temporary, might not even be able to see them if you're using DirecTV's box. My mind is going to State College PA, where WJAC has a translator on channel 42, and nobody with DirecTV can see it there whether they have signal or not because DirecTV won't add it, and you can't make it scan for it.

- Trip