|
The digital signal parallels the analog signal and next February will replace it. Your digital tuner is all you need. Analog tuners will no longer work, and will be replaced by the converters. All that will work in urban areas, but in the boondocks, the reception could still be zero. With digital, reception goes from good to nothing, without the intervening, gradually deteriorating, "snowy" picture.
Directv HD signals require a new dish. The 18" round dish looks only at one satellite, which has no HD signals. You'll need the 5 LNB "Slimline" dish (or the bulkier AT-9 dish, which the Slimline replaced)that looks at FIVE satellites. Setting the dish up is more of a hassle, but after a few times is not that difficult. If you don't travel too far from home, the new dish will provide your local HD stations. Once outside the spot beam, usually several hundred miles wide, but shaped like an oval, so it's longer than it is wider, you'll need the DNS waiver, or if in one place long enough, you can "move" as Rich does.
|