HD Receiver question and basics (1 Viewer)

[Robert Zawacki]

Hey guys,

Thanks for help understanding HD Tuner and such in previous questions. I have one more problem I don't know how to get around, and I have gotten 3 different answers from Best Buy, Circuit Cit, and Ultimate Electronics.

I currently have normal Direct TV dvr, 2 inputs from satelite. I want to keep the dvr (New HD Dvr too expensive). If I buy a Direct TV HD Receiver for $299, how can I run them both? Splitter? I have been told I Need to buy a 3input satelite and run into a splitter, have 2 go to dvr and 3 go to New HD receiver. Have dvr go onto video 1 and HD Receiver go into video 2. This sounded logical to me. Other 2 places said no way, you can only have 1 or the other. My TV comes on Saturday and I was hoping to have everything I need to start with so I can get off to a great start.

Thank you

 

[Robert_J]

You need a Phase III satellite dish - This is a dish that points at DirecTV's three main satellite locations. The core programming, some locals and HD come from the 101 sat position. The 110 satellite position carries some HD and foreign language programming. The 119 satellite position carries more locals, more foreign language and more HD. These type dishes have four outputs. More than enough for your DirecTivo and HD receiver. You will have to run a third cable from the dish to your TV though. You can't split satellite signals.

Have you called DirecTV to see if they are running any deals? Customer retention is your friend. Last spring, long-time customers were getting an HD receiver for $99. REALLY good customers (high monthly bills) were also getting the Phase III dish ($60 value) and installation thrown in.

-Robert

 

[Robert Zawacki]

I still dont understand, my dvr needs 2 inputs, HD receiver needs 3 inputs, without splitting where do they all come from if the satelite has only 4????

 

[Robert_J]

Your HD receiver has one input for the satellite and one for the antenna. I was just explaining your satellite wiring needs. Depending on the size, your antenna can sit on top of your TV and plug directly into the antenna input. If you need a larger, outside antenna, you can run a separate cable or you can combine satellite and antenna on a single cable with diplexers.

-Robert