Well, I'm going to go ahead and get Dish Network's free HD receiver. I didn't realize it can also be used to get OTA HD channels. I am so pumped! Anyway, my local Dish Network provider is back logged on these receivers, but he thinks he can get me one soon. He mentioned that he'd install the antenna that I need to get OTA HD signals right on the dish itself (which will probably be on my roof) for $150. This includes installation and the antenna itself. Should I be asking him if he carries a certain brand of antenna? Is there an indoor antenna that I could simply buy and install myself? I would assume an outdoor antenna would be the best way to go. I guess fox and PBS are OTA in HD right now so I want to get set up with the best possible way of retrieving those signals.

Thanks ...

Huh, funny ... now I called Dish Network itself to inquire on their HD package and found that they include the antenna with the HD receiver package. Another thing they told me that my local provider didn't was that when you purchase the HD receiver you are forced to pay $9.95 for the HD channels that are currently available, and as more channels become available you will have to pay for those as well. Not that I am complaining, but it would have been nice to be told this by my local provider. Also, the HD receiver package requires a super dish which is actually larger than the normal mini dish. This might be good news at it may improve the quality of the SD channels. Can I trust that whoever Dish Network is having install my system that they are using a good OTA antenna?

You do not have to have the super dish to get high def. I have a 921 and get the high def package and showtime hig def movies.I have the dish 500. They moved most of the high def channels over to the 110 satellite. Also, my understanding is that you can't even get a super dish at this time..

Huh, I don't know. The guy at Dish Network said I'd be getting a super dish which is a little bigger than their normal dish. So, what am I to believe?

Maybe they have released them? I just know that they were on hold..

Depending on where you are, Super Dish is required for local channels. None of these are in HD. All of the HD programming on DishNet is now at 110 with the exception of CBS-HD which is at 61.5 and 148. You have to qualify for these channels. Not many do, although I do. The size will not help your picture at all. It is large because the locals are on a atellite at either 105 or 121 and they are a different technology than the rest. They have a very weak signal and require a larger dish to receive it.

I live in Houston, tx so the super dish is not required for locals. Like you stated it depends on where you live. I use a xium indoor antenna for all of my local high def programs.

Where do you hook the indoor antenna up to? Straight to some connection on the t.v.?

I have a 921 on the back is a atsc antenna input for off-air analog/digital high def broadcasts. You didn't say which receiver your getting but if its the 811 I would think that it would be the same?

Justin: The dish clip-on OTA antennas are not very good antennas. But that is answering the wrong question. A coat hanger is a good antenna if it does what you want. The clip-ons tend to be satisfactory if you are within 10 miles of the tower, and they might work well to 20 miles if your house is on a hillcrest. Wait and see what the installer does. If you see dropouts on any of the stations you want then don’t pay him anything. For success, $150 is not unreasonable. The antenna itself is probably $20, but the cost of a separate cable run or diplexers, parts and labor, dwarf that of the antenna. If you want to do it yourself, you can find advice at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html . Fox will not be airing any HD until about September.

For those of you out there that have the CM 4228, how far can you get a signal? I live in Northern Kentucky right across the river from Cincinnati. I get all the Cincinnati Channels with rabbit ears. Was wondering if it would be worth it to expand and get the Dayton, OH channels as well. Possibly even have the distance for Lexington or Louisville. Dayton is about 45 miles. Any info would be great.

Sounds like a Ken question...

How far will a 4228 reach, assuming 1000kW stations? I would say:

90 miles if the 4228 can see the transmitting tower.
60 miles if there are no significant hills in the way.
20 miles if there is a 200 ft hill in the way.
5 miles if there is a 1000 ft hill in the way.

Tom, if, when looking in the direction of Dayton, your 4228 can see a horizon that is at least a half mile away then your chances are good. Kentucky is hilly and Ohio is flat, so the terrain close to your home will determine it. I doubt you will get the Dayton CBS station, because they use a directional antenna and you are in a null. ABC and NBC are 100kW omni-directional stations. It’s a $200 gamble. Good luck.

I’m going to retrench somewhat. (I didn’t adjust for power correctly.) If your antenna has an unobstructed view of things in Ohio then you have good hope of success. Otherwise I would bet against you.

Ken,

Thanks for the response. I am not sure whether I am going to give it a shot or not. It is probably 50/50. Thanks though for the info.

Here is a bone head question. I have a HD set top box from Motorola from my cable through Insight. My TV does not have a built in HD Receiver. Is there a way for me to hook up an antenna to run through the STB?

No, you will not be able to attach an antenna to your cable STB. You will be required to add another HD STB to do what you want.