Hi,

I have a question. I have direct TV with the standard receiver. I have a HDTV and would like to get local channels in High Def. Is there a way to mount an antenna in the attic or on the roof and use Direct TV's cables to run the HD signal in to my TV? Would I have to have a HD receiver are are there ways to use splitters and carry two signals on the same cable? Thanks for your help.

Chris

Can be done with older D* HD STBs. It cannot be done with the new H20 or HR20 (MPEG4) because the saltellites use the same frequencies as OTA (I'm over-simplifying this).

You can use diplexers on each end of the run to join then split the OTA signal and Directv signal. You of course need an ATSC tuner to tune digital OTA broadcasts also.

From the PM I received.
I'm not technical by any means. Are you saying tie in to where the dish cables split to the line in cables, then split the signal off BEFORE it runs in to the receiver??? Is that what you mean?? Thanks for your help and replies.

I mean add a diplexer into the line coming out of your dish to join the OTA feed and sat feed together and another diplexer between the line and your Directv receiver to split the OTA feed back out. You would hook the OTA feed to your TV if it has a built in ATSC tuner or you will need to purchase an ATSC tuner to use with the TV for OTA digital reception.

Diplexers look like splitters with one side marked satellite and the other marked OTA.

There is an example of one here with a diagram of how they work - http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SPDX100

If you list the make and model of your TV, we can help determine if it has a tuner in it if you are not sure.

Thank you very much...my TV has a tuner...I just need to get the OTA signal to it without letting the Direct TV feed interfere. Thanks again!

Chris

This diplexing approach works well for the round dish or the 3-lnb dish but will not work if (when) you move to the 5-lnb dish - actually it will work today but as soon as the new DirecTV 10 and 11 satellites start transmitting later this year the diplexing scheme will fail. This is because these two satellites will generate signals which will come from your dish on the "b-band", this frequency band overlaps OTA so you won't get either the new satellite signals or OTA, they will interfere with each other.
Just bear that in mind when (if) you consider moving to DirecTV HD......

I got my Exterior antenna for HD and hooked it up inside and it worked great. It was against my front door on the floor! I was looking forward to even better results when I moved it outside. Inside, I hooked directly to the air in on my TV. Outside, I used two diplexers and ran it in on my Direct TV cable and it's almost like I don't have an antenna. What's the problem??? Do Diplexers work in reverse? (On the Direct TV end) I can't believe I am loosing that much signal running in on the same wire my Direct TV runs in on. (approx. 50' more) The only thing different now is additional coax, and two diplexers...already mentioned. Is there a fix???

Thanks,
Chris