How do I Install Direct TV Local Channel Dish?

One of the perks that came with the switch to digital TV in the U.S. is that it gives free, over-the-air local TV stations the ability to broadcast more material within their assigned radio frequency bandwidth. For viewers this means more free local TV channels. The downside is these extra local channels are not picked up by cable and satellite service providers. To receive these extra local channels you must install a local channel dish with your satellite receiver. This "local channel dish" is really just an ordinary indoor TV antenna along with a converter box, if the TV is analog.

Things You'll Need

• TV antenna
• Digital converter box
• 75 Ohm coaxial cable

Instructions

Installation of Local Channel Dish for Digital TVs

1. Insert the end of the TV antenna's coaxial cable into the "Off-Air In" terminal on the back of the DirecTV receiver and twist the cable's screw-on connector clockwise to secure it to the terminal.

2. Turn on the TV.

3. Press the "Menu" button on the TV's remote control to open its menu options. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to highlight "Channel Setup."

4. Enter the "Channel Setup" menu. Select the "Auto" or "Automatic" channel setup option.

Installation of Local Channel Dish for Analog TVs

1. Insert the end of the TV antenna's coaxial cable into the "Antenna In" (or "Ant. In") terminal on the back of a digital converter box.

2. Use an independent coaxial cable to connect the "RF Out" terminal (possibly labeled "Out to TV" or "TV Out") on the back of the digital converter box to the "Off-Air In" terminal on the back of the DirecTV receiver.

3. Connect the digital converter's power cable to the power terminal on the back of the box, then plug the cord into a wall outlet or, preferably, a power strip.

4. Turn on the TV and digital converter box. Set the TV's channel to channel 3.

5. Press the "Menu" button on the digital converter box's remote control. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to highlight "Channel Scan." Press "Enter," "OK," or "Select" on the remote control to initiate a channel scan.

Tips & Warnings

• To watch local channels using a digital TV, turn on the TV but leave the DirecTV receiver turned off. Use the TV's channel buttons to find the local channel you want to watch.

• To watch local channels using an analog TV, turn on the TV set and digital converter box but leave the DirecTV receiver turned off. Be sure to keep the TV tuned to channel 3. Use the digital converter box's channel buttons to find the local channel you want to watch.

References

• DirecTV: Receiver Manual