Change in Sage Setup

[ChaOConnor]

Good morning! I currently have SageTV running w/ HD-200 and love it. Only problem is Comcast is my provider and when I got rid of my DVR from them (don’t need it anymore, I’ve got Sage!) and tried to save a few bucks on my cable bill, they must have found a way to block all HD content, to include the QAM stuff! They way it works for me (Boston, MA area), to get HD programming you have to use their HD Box, which is BS because all I really want is the QAM service and don’t want to pay for the “privilege” of paying for QAM HD. I could get it if I had an antenna, but I live in an apartment building so I’m stuck w/ terrestrial lines.

So I started looking around and DirectTV is running some great deals and it would be cheaper to switch to them and I could get my HD back. My question is this, I have a Hauppauge 2250 which is currently being fed by just a coax from my wall. If I get DirectTV, can I get HD content in a QAM like format from the DirectTV? Or do I have to go plunk down more money for an HD-PVR and loop it out of a DirecTV box and use something like an IR Blaster to change the channels?

I’m thinking if I move to DirectTV, I’m going to save some money on the month to month, but have to pay for new equipment. I’m not sure what to do, I just know I hate Comcast and I wish Verizon would get their FiOS installed in my area!!! Let’s say Verizon get’s their act together, anyone have luck w/ them and SageTV? Do I need to use their converter box as well, just like I would (I suspect…) for DirecTV? Was my 2250 a poor choice?

Any insight you may provide would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

EDIT: Also, i'm using Vista Ultimate 64 Bit if that matters...

[paulbeers]

If you go DirecTV, the only way to get your HD channels is to go the route of the HDPVR. If you use the coax out (if it even has a coax out), it will only be 480i.

[HelenWeathers]

Have you tried to pick up your locals via antenna? Even vhf/uhf rabbit ears work where I live for all my network broadcasters. The 2250 has the ATSC tuner built in.

[ChaOConnor]

Thanks for the inputs. Helen, are any of them in HD?

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

Thanks for the inputs. Helen, are any of them in HD?

All of mine are HD, except for a few of the subchannels and foreign language stations. I only have the HD ones picked in my guide.

[ChaOConnor]

Great thanks! Any suggestions on what antenna? I see bunch of them out there, but what have you found that works?

[HelenWeathers]

I had to get a uhf/vhf combo antenna because some of my stations are uhf and some are vhf. I bought one at Radio Shack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2131034

Try an inexpensive one first just to see what you can receive.

[ChaOConnor]

So do you have that antenna from RadioShack? How does that work, if Sage tunes to a channel to record, is there a way to have the antenna rotate to where it needs to be to receive the channel?

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

So do you have that antenna from RadioShack? How does that work, if Sage tunes to a channel to record, is there a way to have the antenna rotate to where it needs to be to receive the channel?

I have used that RS antenna. Fortunately all of the towers in my area are in the same direction from my house. So I didn't use the rotation at all. The amp is nice though. I needed it to get some of the stations that were not full power yet.

I am now using an outdoor antenna diplexed in with my DirecTV feeds. But my neighbor across the street still uses the RS one (gave it to her) and she gets everything I do.

Try with plain rabbit ears first and see what you get. Go from there.

EDIT: The rotation wouldn't be practical for use with the 2250s internal tuners. If signals come from different locations you'll need an omnidirectional antenna.

[ChaOConnor]

Thank you for the advice, it's much appreciated!!!

[Taddeusz]

It sounds like they snuck a filter into your line which had the effect of blocking all the digital channels. Personally, I would call and complain. You should be able to receive your local channels unencrypted.