HDTV Receiver

I am new to the HDTV. If you have a tv with the HDTV tuner built in, you still need a HDTV receiver to get HD channels from DTV, right? How much extra per month is the HD programming and how many channels are available?

http://www.dtv.gov/

I have the same question and I have checked the site www.dtv.gov listed and was unable to find the answer. Can I receive an HD signal from my standard Direct TV receiver with the HDTV tuner built into the television? Or do I need to purchase a HD Satellite Receiver to compliment the tuner in the TV?

I am new to the HDTV. If you have a tv with the HDTV tuner built in, you still need a HDTV receiver to get HD channels from DTV, right? How much extra per month is the HD programming and how many channels are available?

Yes, the tuner built into the TV will only pick up over-the-air signals (i.e. ABC, CBS, NBC). If you want to watch HBO-HD, Discovery HD Theater, ESPN-HD, etc, then you need an HD receiver from DirecTV to do it. The package is $10.99 per month I believe. That's not including how much DirecTV would charge for purchasing/switching to an HD receiver.

Available channels are:
ESPN-HD
Discovery HD Theater
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HBO-HD (if you already subscribe to HBO)
Showtime-HD (if you already subscribe to Showtime Unlimited)
HD PPV
Spice HD (on a PPV basis)

In addition, the HD receiver comes with an ATSC tuner so that you can get OTA channels. Or, you can use your TV's built-in tuner to get the channels. Either way, you will need an antenna (either indoor, in the attic or roof-mounted) to pick up the channels. The exceptions are CBS-HD and NBC-HD, which DirecTV will provide for free (if you already subscribe to a locals package) provided you qualify to get the channels (i.e. you are in an O&O market). Depending on your location you receive either WCBS (NY) or KCBS (CA), or WNBC (NY) or KNBC (CA).

*Whew* Hope that answers your questions! You should be able to find anything else you need here:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/HDTV.dsp :)

GRN is correct! Your built in tuner will only let you watch SD and HD over the air signals. Some people have stated that the over the air HD is better than the DTV HD. I have yet to get a OTA ant. I get my HD from DTV (NBC & CBS) east and west; and Fox HD for the games, hopefully.

Some people have stated that the over the air HD is better than the DTV HD.

I happen to agree with that. Maybe it's psychological, who knows?
:p

In any case, when I bought my house it already had an antenna on the chimney (Winegard I believe), so all I had to do was run a coax cable to the back of my receiver (my TV doesn't have a built-in tuner).

You don't get ABC-DT at all? Monday Night Football in HD is awesome!

Thank you!! That was the answer that I was looking for. I appreciate the help. :D

No, I do hot have an OTA ant. I use DTV. I can wait until early next year when they turn on all of SFO HD channels on their new bird.