I picked up a Dish 811 receiver a few days ago. I do not however subscribe to Dish Network. My intention is to use the HD Tuner in the Dish 811 receiver and connect my rooftop antenna to it. Then connect the Dish 811 to my HD-Ready TV via the DVI connection, so that I can get all of the OTA channels in the Chicago area.

However, I just cannot get this to work. There are 3 inputs on the back (Satellite, 8VSB TV Antenna, and Remote Antenna). Should I connect my antenna to the 8VSB TV Antenna input or the Remote Antenna input?

Looking through the setup menu, I don't see how to scan for local channels. I see a scan for either Sattellite mode or QAM mode.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The 811 will not work for OTA without a connection to a properly aimed (Dish Network) dish. The antenna goes to 8VSB connection, the dish to the Satellite connection. The Remote Antenna is for use with the 811 remote control, but is not needed.

Also, I've heard Dish will be disabling the 811 for any use, not sure if this has already happened. Check DBSDish.com.

Ken,

Thanks for the quick reply. It looks like I just wasted a few hours of my time trying to get this to work.

Any recommendations on what HD Tuner to buy for OTA that also has a DVI output?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095

Ken,

Thanks for the quick reply. It looks like I just wasted a few hours of my time trying to get this to work.
Note that a subscription to Dish is not required, just a connection to a properly aimed dish.