Anyone using AM-21 OTA tuner w/HR-21?

[wesniner]

Have been happy with the HR-21 (other than it's not a TIVO) a decent set of features not in my much-loved old HR10-250. I had been told my local HD stations were imminent when I did my swap last year, and decided to ride-it-out and live without my OTA antenna connected to my HR21. (which is my only gripe on it)

Now they have a new stand alone tuner the AM-21, that connects to the HR-21 via a USB port on the back.

My thread search here turned up no info on this unit, I gather it's fairly new.

Is anyone here using it, and if so, any comments good bad or different as to how easily it integrates and how smoothly it seems to function? (I'm told by DTV it's like plugging a flash drive into your PC)

BTW - I got it essentially for free via the customer retention dept, it's $50.00, but they reimbursed me with a $10.00 per month credit for 5 months) If you've got an HR-21, and your locals are not available in HD yet, or you have an HDTV with no built-in tuner (both true in my example) you should have a good case.

WES

[mcbeevee]

The AM21 has been around for about 2.5 months. From what I've read, it has 2 atsc tuners so you can record 2 ota programs at the same time. It also integrates the local channel listings into the onscreen guide.

[hoorta]

Originally Posted by wesniner

Have been happy with the HR-21 (other than it's not a TIVO) a decent set of features not in my much-loved old HR10-250. I had been told my local HD stations were imminent when I did my swap last year, and decided to ride-it-out and live without my OTA antenna connected to my HR21. (which is my only gripe on it)

Now they have a new stand alone tuner the AM-21, that connects to the HR-21 via a USB port on the back.

My thread search here turned up no info on this unit, I gather it's fairly new.

Is anyone here using it, and if so, any comments good bad or different as to how easily it integrates and how smoothly it seems to function? (I'm told by DTV it's like plugging a flash drive into your PC)

BTW - I got it essentially for free via the customer retention dept, it's $50.00, but they reimbursed me with a $10.00 per month credit for 5 months) If you've got an HR-21, and your locals are not available in HD yet, or you have an HDTV with no built-in tuner (both true in my example) you should have a good case.

WES

I've had the AM-21 for about 6 weeks, and it's been flawless. Plug your OTA antenna into the AM 21, link it to the HR21 with a USB cable, and you're off and running. The instructions that come with the box are idiot proof. BTW, the AM 21's OTA gives me better reception than an old Toshiba HD box I was using.

Ditto about D* giving you one if your HD locals aren't yet on satellite. Wasn't about to miss recording some of the Olympics in HD.

[6201jimk]

The AM21 does work without any problems. One minor defect: it appears to pick up only local OTA channels that are in HD. I used to monitor the local weather radar channel where I live in Bethesda, MD. For example: Chan. 9 was the local SD channel from the satellite, Chan. 9.1 was the local HD channel OTA, and Chan. 9.2 was the local weather SD radar channel OTA. The AM21 does not receive 9.2. I readily admit that I am nitpicking!

Another minor problem: the AM21 only works with the HR21 DVR. It does not work with the H23 satellite receiver of which I have two. My work around is to connect the UHF OTA coax cable to the antenna input of my HD TV and switch from satellite input on the TV to antenna input when I want to watch a local HD channel. Not the best solution because the program guides are not integrated.

Originally Posted by wesniner

Have been happy with the HR-21 (other than it's not a TIVO) a decent set of features not in my much-loved old HR10-250. I had been told my local HD stations were imminent when I did my swap last year, and decided to ride-it-out and live without my OTA antenna connected to my HR21. (which is my only gripe on it)

Now they have a new stand alone tuner the AM-21, that connects to the HR-21 via a USB port on the back.

My thread search here turned up no info on this unit, I gather it's fairly new.

Is anyone here using it, and if so, any comments good bad or different as to how easily it integrates and how smoothly it seems to function? (I'm told by DTV it's like plugging a flash drive into your PC)

BTW - I got it essentially for free via the customer retention dept, it's $50.00, but they reimbursed me with a $10.00 per month credit for 5 months) If you've got an HR-21, and your locals are not available in HD yet, or you have an HDTV with no built-in tuner (both true in my example) you should have a good case.

WES

[texasbrit]

Originally Posted by 6201jimk

The AM21 does work without any problems. One minor defect: it appears to pick up only local OTA channels that are in HD. I used to monitor the local weather radar channel where I live in Bethesda, MD. For example: Chan. 9 was the local SD channel from the satellite, Chan. 9.1 was the local HD channel OTA, and Chan. 9.2 was the local weather SD radar channel OTA. The AM21 does not receive 9.2. I readily admit that I am nitpicking!

Another minor problem: the AM21 only works with the HR21 DVR. It does not work with the H23 satellite receiver of which I have two. My work around is to connect the UHF OTA coax cable to the antenna input of my HD TV and switch from satellite input on the TV to antenna input when I want to watch a local HD channel. Not the best solution because the program guides are not integrated.

The AM21 receives all ATSC subchannels whether they are HD or not. But like the HR20 DVR, it will only receive stations that are in its database. You can e-mail DirecTV and tell them the subchannel is missing, and also contact the station and tell them it is missing - maybe the station has not told Tribune, who produce the guide, that the subchannel is there.

Ther's a very strong rumor that the AM21 will be able to work with the receivers (H21/23) sometime later this year.

[dcaudle68]

So with a AM-21 hooked up could a person be recording up to 4 shows at the same time? 2 through the AM-21 (local antennae stations obviously) and 2 through the regular receiver? Thanks!

[stchman]

I have been reading the specs on the AM21. Since it does have (2) ATSC tuners can the HR21 record (4) different events simultaneously with an AM21 attached to it?

I get my HD locals through DTV, but (2) more tuners for recording would be awesome. Also there are some sub channels locally that DTV does not give.

Thanks.

[rawe24]

No, It can only record 2 programs at a time. They can be OTA, or from the Sat, or a combination of the two. But it can only record 2 programs. The only DVR that can record more than two at a time is Dish Networks Vip 622/722. They can record 3 programs at a time, as long as a OTA ant. is hooked up. (Boy, do I miss that feature.) The AM21 does work flawlessly and provides an excellent picture. The best part is the OTA signal provides a better picture and is about 3 seconds ahead of the sat feed.

[stchman]

Originally Posted by rawe24

No, It can only record 2 programs at a time. They can be OTA, or from the Sat, or a combination of the two. But it can only record 2 programs. The only DVR that can record more than two at a time is Dish Networks Vip 622/722. They can record 3 programs at a time, as long as a OTA ant. is hooked up. (Boy, do I miss that feature.) The AM21 does work flawlessly and provides an excellent picture. The best part is the OTA signal provides a better picture and is about 3 seconds ahead of the sat feed.

So there is no real advantage to getting the AM21 if DTV's supplied locals do the job. Is the PQ of the AM21 better than the DTV supplied HD locals? I find the PQ of DTV supplied HD locals very nice. DTV's supplied SD locals PQ suck, but so did DISH. I don't watch SD anymore unless I have to so SD is not much of a consideration.

Yes the vip622 being able to record 3 different programs is a great feature.

[dcaudle68]

Originally Posted by rawe24

No, It can only record 2 programs at a time. They can be OTA, or from the Sat, or a combination of the two. But it can only record 2 programs. The only DVR that can record more than two at a time is Dish Networks Vip 622/722. They can record 3 programs at a time, as long as a OTA ant. is hooked up. (Boy, do I miss that feature.) The AM21 does work flawlessly and provides an excellent picture. The best part is the OTA signal provides a better picture and is about 3 seconds ahead of the sat feed.

I am getting one even though my hd locals come through the sat on HR21. What I am wanting it to allow me to do is record 2 programs, either 1 sat, 1 OTA, or 2 OTA, and allow me to watch another program on sat at the same time the 2 recording are happening. Will this work or is my only option watching something that is already recorded?

[deadhead68]

Originally Posted by dcaudle68

Will this work or is my only option watching something that is already recorded?

No, that won't work. If you are already recording 2 channels, you will only be able to watch one of them or something previously recorded.

DeadHead68

[rawe24]

Originally Posted by stchman

So there is no real advantage to getting the AM21 if DTV's supplied locals do the job. Is the PQ of the AM21 better than the DTV supplied HD locals? I find the PQ of DTV supplied HD locals very nice. DTV's supplied SD locals PQ suck, but so did DISH. I don't watch SD anymore unless I have to so SD is not much of a consideration.

In my case the OTA PQ in HD is better than what comes through the Sat., Although this may be different for each individual. Many things factor into OTA quality, (i.e. Distance from brodcast station, type of Ant. in use, etc.) The only benefit of having an OTA w/the AM21 is:

1. You don't get your locals through D*.
2. You do not want the sat delay of 3-6 seconds. (Annoying during sporting games only.)
3. Better picture quality, assuming you have a good Ant. and are getting a good signal.
4. What happens if or when the Sat. stops broadcasting or falls from the sky?
5. On a more realistic note than #4, Often times Local stations have feed problems to D*, When this happens the OTA signal is always there. This occured very recently: KCRA 3 from Sacramento, had trouble on 9/22/08 (Office & ER Premier) with the signal to D*. The last half of The Office and first half of ER were just a black screen on D* for KCRA3 HD channel 3. Switch to OTA 3-1 perfect picture.

[panard]

Originally Posted by dcaudle68

I am getting one even though my hd locals come through the sat on HR21. What I am wanting it to allow me to do is record 2 programs, either 1 sat, 1 OTA, or 2 OTA, and allow me to watch another program on sat at the same time the 2 recording are happening. Will this work or is my only option watching something that is already recorded?

My tv receives the sat. signal over HDMI 1 so while I record two shows I watch a third one by switching the tv from HDMI to TV and watch one OTA. Works for me.

[Clever]

I think you are ignoring the most obvious reason/reasons for wanting access to over-the-air access to digital broadcasts.

1. Many, if not most, broadcasters are multicasting. they are offering 2, 3, 4 or more channels. In very few cases is DirecTV picking up more than the primary channel from any broadcasters. I work for a PBS station in Springfield, Mass for instance. In addition to our primary feed which is HD, we broadcast a channel that is all how-to and travel shows, another that is public affairs and science, and a third that's all kids shows. Most PBS stations do something similar. Several of the commercial stations in our market also offer 24 hr weather feeds and other things on their sub-channels and you can only pick them up with an over-the-air tuner.

2. Which leads to the next issue. DirecTV is not picking up all the channels in every market. In fact they have yet to pick up any PBS HD stations that I know of. That should be changing soon by an agreement that PBS had made with DirecTV, but they won't be taking any of our other sub-channels. So right now if you want to get PBS HD shows, your only choice is over-the-air. In many other cases they haven't reached agreements with one station or another and just don't carry them.

3. Directv determines what Nielsen market you are in, and that's how they determine what locals they will give you. In many parts of the country, you can be close enough to another market to get those stations over the air, that Directv won't give you. So for me for instance, I can pick up a whole set of stations out of Hartford CT and Albany NY that Directv won't give me because I'm technically in the Springfield/Holyoke Mass market.

4. So you will inevitably have access to more channels with the AM-21 and the more over-the-air stations in your area the more you'll have access to.

I've gotta comment also on the statements above that the quality of the over-the-air signal is somehow affected by the distance from the transmitter or type of antenna you have. You either get a Digital TV broadcast or you don't. Whether you can receive it or not is certainly affected by distance and antenna, but if you're getting a signal (i.e. a picture) they you're getting it in all its digital glory and there's no in between.

If Directv is taking the signal off air and compressing it from MPG2 to MPG4, that has to introduce some degradation. The over-the-air signal if you can get it, has to be better. Maybe not by much, but it has to be better. In some cases they are getting direct feeds by fiber or whatever in which case the difference would probably be pretty negligible.

[borromini]

Having PBS in HD is the big reason to get the AM-21. Too many good HD content not yet available thru D*.