I am new here so please bear with me if this is explained somewhere, but I have done some searches and can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm wondering if it is possible to record (in hd) from OTA broadcasts and DBS or cable. Do DVRs record from OTA sources? Do you need to have an a\b switch to then record from DBS or cable? I'm not looking to record from both sources at the same time, but I'm planning to go with a sattelite service and locals OTA. I want to be able to record network TV in HD if possible.

Both satellite providers have built in OTA tuners in their HD-DVRs. so yes, they fully support DVR recording of OTA and Sat signals. They even mix the two together in their guides to the point were it is nearly seamless between using OTA and DBS.

I am new here so please bear with me if this is explained somewhere, but I have done some searches and can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm wondering if it is possible to record (in hd) from OTA broadcasts and DBS or cable. Do DVRs record from OTA sources? Do you need to have an a\b switch to then record from DBS or cable? I'm not looking to record from both sources at the same time, but I'm planning to go with a sattelite service and locals OTA. I want to be able to record network TV in HD if possible.

With cable, the buy-to-own DVRs generally have 2 RF inputs. One for cable and the other for OTA. The Tivo's have this and so do the old Sonys.

As for the rented cable boxes ... you would probably watch/record the local HD stations on their channel. This would work well, unless your cable company doesn't offer all of the local HD stations.

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