Will the DirecTV AM21 OTA Tuner work with a HDTV that is only HD Ready? (no built in ATSC tuner)?

Question

I have a nice hitachi that I dont want to sell right now and I was wondering if this AM21 device works with HD Ready TVs to receive/record HD Locals?

Answer 1

It looks like the tuner is designed to transfer it's HD signal over to the Direct TV HD box, so all you need is the HD connection from your Direct TV box going to your TV set.....

http://www.2000networks.com/directv_am21...

I have seen some of these units in my customer's homes....they work.

And they do record the local TV signals.

I SUGGEST a really GOOD antenna for that box, if you're some distance away from the transmitters. (10 miles or more)

http://www.antennaweb.org

http://www.winegarddirect.com/?OVRAW=win...

And

http://www.solidsignal.com/channelmaster...

Those are the best investments you can buy

Other than that, paying $5.00 a month for local TV station is just easier.....

Answer 2

for all TVs, even the ones equipped with the ATSC tuner, the receiver itself acts as the tuner for DirecTV programming. When you have an OTA antenna that's connected to a compatible receiver, the receiver will then also receive your local stations and then transmit them in a way your TV will be able to broadcast.

As for the locals, DirecTV provides them for as many markets as they can. There is really only around 4% of the markets they don't cover, but there's a lot to do to pick them up. First, they have to get the satellite space freed up for it (which the transition to the new HD satellites will help with) and then they have to get permission from your local affiliates.

In the meantime, have you tried calling about the Distant Network channels (from LA and NY)? Oftentimes a CSR can submit a waiver request on your behalf to your local affiliates, and if they approve it you can get the feed from LA or NY (so you wouldn't get local news or anything, but you could still get sitcoms and whatnot).