Need help selecting an OTA HDTV receiver

andy.teich@fli · 06-20-2005, 10:38 PM

Hello,

I need help selecting an HDTV tuner for OTA reception. I have Direct TV system now that is getting OTA signals very well in the Portland OR area. I want to add another TV but only want to receive OTA signals. Here is what I would like help with:

1). What is a good OTA receiver to buy? I'd like one with with both DVI (HDMI) and Component outputs.

2). Can I buy any Dish Network or similar receiver that has HD OTA capability off E-Bay for example and just use the OTA part, or will it have to be "activated" by Dish Network? I saw the same Dish Network HDTV 811 receiver that I have now for sale on E-bay and if I could use just the OTA portion of it without having to activate it, that would be fine, can this be done?

3) I have an antenna that looks like the type used in the 50's (V-shaped), but it had "Digtal Ready" on the box, it works very well in my attic, with a rotor connected to it, but will need to by another one for a new location where the new TV will be going - any suggestions, or should I stick with what I know works?

Any knowledgeable feedback would be appriciated

Thanks,

Andy

ucrazy51 · 06-21-2005, 09:58 AM

I can speak for the Dish 811 HD receiver...

It has a very weak OTA tuner. I use one of my antenna inputs on TV instead of the 811's antenna input and receive 100% better quality picture. A little inconvenience switching inputs, but worth the difference in quality.

This is the only shortcoming I've found with the 811 though.

06-20-2005, 10:38 PM	#1
andy.teich@fli Buckyshoes Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3	Need help selecting an OTA HDTV receiver Hello, I need help selecting an HDTV tuner for OTA reception. I have Direct TV system now that is getting OTA signals very well in the Portland OR area. I want to add another TV but only want to receive OTA signals. Here is what I would like help with: 1). What is a good OTA receiver to buy? I'd like one with with both DVI (HDMI) and Component outputs. 2). Can I buy any Dish Network or similar receiver that has HD OTA capability off E-Bay for example and just use the OTA part, or will it have to be "activated" by Dish Network? I saw the same Dish Network HDTV 811 receiver that I have now for sale on E-bay and if I could use just the OTA portion of it without having to activate it, that would be fine, can this be done? 3) I have an antenna that looks like the type used in the 50's (V-shaped), but it had "Digtal Ready" on the box, it works very well in my attic, with a rotor connected to it, but will need to by another one for a new location where the new TV will be going - any suggestions, or should I stick with what I know works? Any knowledgeable feedback would be appriciated Thanks, Andy

06-21-2005, 09:58 AM	#2
ucrazy51 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 12	I can speak for the Dish 811 HD receiver... It has a very weak OTA tuner. I use one of my antenna inputs on TV instead of the 811's antenna input and receive 100% better quality picture. A little inconvenience switching inputs, but worth the difference in quality. This is the only shortcoming I've found with the 811 though.