Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with directv

Is there a good third-party TV guide website that interfaces with DirecTV?

nitsuj — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:48:55 -0800

Is there a good third-party TV guide website that interfaces with DirecTV? I have DirecTV, and currently use their website's TV guide to see what's showing, and schedule stuff to record directly to my (DTV-provided/branded -- not Tivo) DVR. Problem is, their guide mostly sucks -- I can't specify which channels I want to see; the default shows all channels, most of which I don't care about.

Is there a good third-party TV guide website that will allow me to customize the list, as well as set programs to record directly to my DVR?

Can I convince DirecTV to upgrade me or should I switch to Dish?

chndrcks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:20:59 -0800

Should I stick with DirecTV or switch to Dish? OR: Can I get DirecTV to upgrade my receiver for free? (I've read this previous question but there are some differences in options and preferences)

I've had DirecTV since 2005 and have always been happy with their service, but I'm looking into upgrading to HD and can save a not insignificant amount of money with Dish (Comcast is more expensive).

DirecTV has a reputation for good customer service, which is important to me and is part of the reason I chose DirecTV when first signing up. We've been thinking about upgrading to HD-DVR, and to do so we would have to get a new receiver - we currently have an old DirecTiVo receiver (from 2005). I've called DirecTV twice and the best (they say) they can offer me is the receiver for $200. In addition, adding the HD package ($10/month) will bring our monthly cost to around $77.

With Dish, we can get the channels that we want, plus their HD and DVR for $67-$77 (depending on which package we go with) a month and we wouldn't have to pay the $200 for the new receiver. Also, we would get a -$15 /month promotion for the first year.

The biggest sticking point right now is the $200 for the receiver. I've been happy enough with DirecTV that I wouldn't mind the extra per month cost (there are more channels, even if they're not on our 'must have' list - and their customer service at least until now has been good).
Is there a way I can convince DirecTV to upgrade my receiver for free or less than $200? Here are the ways I'm a good and bad customer for DirecTV:
Pro:
-Customer for 4 years
-First upgrade in 4 years (first person I talked to said this would help)
-I've had premium channels (HBO) in the past
-I've referred a friend (did the actual referral so DTV knows)
Con:
-No current premium channel subscriptions
-Last summer and this summer we put the satellite on vacation mode (so we didn't get or pay for service for ~4 months each year)

I thought my next step would be to call directv and tell them I'm thinking about switching to Dish, is there something else I should try first? Should I tell them that I'm thinking about switching because I can get the free receiver?

If they still won't budge - should I switch to Dish? My concerns are:
-Customer Service
-DVR cool features
-DVR ease of use

I've never experienced Dish's customer service, but for some reason I have a bad impression of it (probably just a sense I've picked up from the internet). Those of you who have it - how is the customer service? How does it compare to DirecTV?

How is the DVR service? I get the impression that neither will live up to the DirecTiVo that I have right now - is one significantly worse than the other?

Does either offer cool ways to connect my service with my computer? (e.g. an easy way to stream shows from my DVR to my computer) It looks like I can schedule recordings from the web or iphone with both, but does one company offer other features that the other doesn't?

DirecTV, DishNetwork or uVerse?

tippiedog — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:56 -0800

Dish Network, DirecTV or uVerse? We are a family of four living in suburban Austin, Texas. Our local cable service has changed hands two times in the last few years and is now owned by Suddenlink. We've had cable (with their provided DVR, a Motorola 6400 series) and internet with them for years, and have not been particularly unhappy until recently. With one of the buyouts, they removed some channels that we like (BBC America primarily) from our package and we really don't want to pay more for them.

But here's the big problem: I knew the DVR was not anywhere close to TiVo in functionality, but it did the job. In the last two weeks, however, they REPLACED the OS on the DVR (and cable box for our non-DVR TV, but that has less of an impact) and as a result, our DVR has lost some significant functionality and is practically unusable. That really pisses me off!

We're thinking of going elsewhere for TV and I would like your feedback.

NOTE: Our neighborhood was recently wired for AT&T uVerse, so that's an option, in addition to satellite.

Based on recent threads, it looks like MeFites generally prefer DirecTV over Dish, but Uverse is so new, I'm not seeing much about it on the green.

Here is some relevant info about us:

I'm not unhappy with my cable internet service; I don't see any reason to change it from Suddenlink unless there's a big bundling advantage

We have landline phone service with AT&T; we have tried Vonage and Suddenlink's VoIP but had voice quality problems (which may indicate that our internet service isn't that great; see first bullet item above)

We don't care a whit about sports on TV

We currently subscribe to basic cable + the big package of miscellaneous stuff: SciFi, Discovery, Comedy, TBS, etc., which is about what we would like to keep

We live by the DVR, so it's a must whichever way we go. Obviously, DVR usability is an issue

We get movies via NetFlix, so don't want to want to pay for premium movie channels

We watch primarily PBS, documentaries, some re-run sitcoms, etc.

We have one HDTV (with the DVR) where we do about 95% of our TV watching. We have a second, small analog TV in a study that hardly gets used for anything but gaming; we don't need a DVR for it

I'm a Comcast customer is looking to expand my TV horizons.

bamassippi — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:27:25 -0800

I'm a Comcast customer is looking to expand my TV horizons. The wife and I are looking into DVR options. We currently use Comcast (Seattle, WA) w/HD channels and, due to our apartment complex, do not have the option of Dish/DirecTV.

I would prefer a TiVo HD recorder due to TiVo's position in the market ad an industry leader. What successes/failures/thoughts do you have on TiVos current DVR technology

Is Comcast's DVR technology worth it? Obviously, the month-to-month payment is more wallet-friendly than the investment of a TiVo, though I didn't know if the end result was any better.

Thoughts?

DirecTV technical help needed

crapmatic — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:02:09 -0800

Somewhat technical question about DirecTV equipment. Any DirecTV aficionados in the house? I have ONE DirecTV box (this model). We just moved to another state, so I uprooted my DirecTV simple round dish and installed it at the new location (I decided not to do the movers connection as I figured they'd yoke me to a contract). This dish used to get my DirecTV programming the Dallas local channels just fine, but after I "registered" the new location with DirecTV, I lost all my local channels except for something called "Ion" on 62. I worked with a DirecTV representative, and not only will the box fail to get the new channels; we found the DirecTV signal meter cannot even be scrolled out of any satellite except 101.

So the agent says I will need a 3 LNB unit. He said it would be free and they'd send an installer over. So the installer shows up. The installer wants $75 for a pole mount. No, I'm not paying $75 for a pole when there's a perfectly good oak stump outside that I'm using, and I don't want a dish stuck to the house. I asked him to just leave the equipment, and he said no, he's responsible for it. Sigh. I declined the install, and he left. So I'm going to finish the job or give up.

Anyway I want to clarify a couple of issues:

* How does hooking up ONE DirecTV box to an oval 3 LNB unit instead of a round 1 LNB improve my reception? Would this actually give me access to other local channel spot beams? I thought 3 LNBs were designed for 3 receivers in a house.

* Should I just order a 3 LNB off eBay? Do these require any kind of complicated adjustments like polarity, etc, or is it just point and go?

Homebrew PVR with HD?

joshuaconner — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:30:33 -0800

Just switched from cable to DirecTV (7 HD channels on cable just wasn't cutting it), and we have a Mac Mini we'd like to use as a DVR. Possible? Practical?

I need a code.

LoriFLA — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:50:14 -0800

I am trying to program my Bose (Cinemate) remote to control my DirecTV H20 receiver. I've tried all the DirecTV codes that Bose has listed.

Does anybody know what code for the H20 will work for the Bose remote?

Thanks so much.

Gremlins In My TV Broadcast Signal

jonson — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:32:23 -0800

DIRECTV/Fox Broadcasting Error I'm getting tiny weird checkerboard pattern errors flicking up on my screen for one or two frames at a time, all in different seemingly random locations every few seconds during every Fox broadcast (Simpsons, NFL, etc - not Fox News). I have an LCD TV & DIRECTV's new (non-Tivo) DVR. Does anyone have any idea about what's going on? It's not really a problem, since they're so small & they disappear in a heartbeat, but it's just quirky & I'm curious about it.

I need help installing my 5LNB dish for DirecTV service.

nickerbocker — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:19:21 -0800

I need help installing my 5LNB dish for DirecTV service. Hi! I'm temporarily living with the folks and intend on moving soon. I can get my dish installed for $50 only once a year, and the second time in a year costs $199. I'll save the $50 install for my new home and if I can't get this to work at my folks place then I'll just live without (which kinda sucks because I still have to pay for it due to a 2 year commitment).

Anyway, I need help. I can point it in the right direction (azimuth) with the right tilt and elevation as is specified in the manual. All that I get are "0"'s when I check the signal strength of all satellites and transponders. I can check the individual signals of the transponders but am not sure of the best method and approach to do this.

I've been searching online but all I find is people rambling with no specific step-by-step instructions.

Here are my questions:

1. Can I check the signal strength of the 101 deg satellite and transponder 1 and just worry about that one?
2. Will I start hearing some noise coming from the set once I am zero'ing in on the right trajectory?
3. is there a very narrow room for error? If I'm pointing in "about" the right direction shouldn't I receive at least some signal strength from somewhere? Or is it all going to be 0 signal strength and then after a quarter of a degree adjustment all of a sudden BAM perfect signal?
4. Once I'm pointing in the right Azimuth, which should I try adjusting first for better signal quality? Elevation?

Is this even worth while?

I have a pretty basic compass for the azimuth and a very percise digital protractor for the elevation. I'm not sure how to measure my tilt other then just going by the number on the dish for that particular bolt adjustment.

Oh yeah....1 more thing. When I was moving my dish from my old place to my folks house and carrying it up the ladder (dang that thing was heavy) at one moment it I was pushing the thing up against the receivers against the wall. Upon examination, it does not look like anything broke from this... however I'm worried that the receivers are slightly off-center and that is why I'm having so many problems.... :(

Thanks for your help

Best PVR for a DirecTV subscriber?

owen — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:22:52 -0800

PVRFilter: Please save me from my VCR. I'm a DirecTV customer, wondering what my best option is. DirecTV PVR receiver? Tivo? Or something else?

Caught Between an HD Rock and a Hard Place...And a Hard Place

JLobster — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:34:08 -0800

I have just moved from Berkeley, CA to Austin, TX and have to move my TV service with me. We were using DirecTV in Berkeley and I was perfectly happy with my (hacked) HR10-250 HD TiVo unit. Now I am faced with a choice. D*, cable or Dish? What service do I go with if I want to have TiVo and HD? I seem to be screwed in one way or another. More inside... I called D*'s Mover's Connection and they will only install the 5 LNB dish for free, which according to them, does NOT work with the HR10. So if I want HD and a PVR, I have to go with their HR20, which by many accounts has gotten terrible reviews with a few "ehs" thrown in. Then there's the whole "HDlite" controversy.

If I go with Time Warner Cable, I can get their crappy HD DVR or I can get the TiVo series3 with two cable cards. HOWEVER, I will not get all their extended national HD feeds for some technical reason that no one wants to explain, plus I will be paying more per month and that's without the TiVo monthly service added in. Add in the fact that I also have to spend around $500 for the hardware and it is not attractive either. If I can upgrade my cable cards in the future to get those extra national feeds, this would be the way to go, even with the extra price. I don't want to pay extra for a (semi-?)crippled setup.

Option 3 is Dish. I never liked them, their DVR or more recently, the fact that they are owned (or at least pushed) by AT&T. I do hear that their HD is the best quality.

I would like to stick with a TiVo interface because it is easy to use and my wife, while very technical, does not like unintuitive interfaces or massive retraining.

What to do? What to do? If it matters, I live in the Milwood subdivision in the Northwest part of Austin.

Can my landlord prohibit me from installing a satellite dish?

soonertbone — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:13:29 -0800

Can my landlord prohibit me from installing a satellite dish on my apartment's property? I live on the first floor in an apartment building with six apartments. I'm wanting to get Directv but was recently denied permission by the rental company. At first, they tried to deny me permission because it would be damaging to the building. When I explained that there are a few ways that I could install the dish without having to mount it to the building, they then changed the argument: Now, they say that allowing me to install it would "be setting a precedent for everyone else that wishes to have satellite service as well."

Two questions:
1) Is this allowed? It seems like such a screwy reason for denying me permission that I feel like it has to be challengeable in some way.

2) If it's not allowed, should I challenge it? I've always had good relations with all my landlords, and I'm hesitant to raise too big a stink about it. What might happen if I do?

Help me find the best TV and/or Internet solution(s) for a multi dwelling unit

twiggy — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:49:06 -0800

I need help with crafting a multi-dwelling (Condo) solution for TV and/or Internet service The short version: 24 unit condo looking for both business and technical advice on serving TV and/or Internet to all units in the most cost effective manner possible.

The long version:

I need help with both the technical AND business / search aspects here because google has not been my friend. I can't seem to find companies that specialize in providing TV or internet to multi dwelling units. However, I know they exist because my condo building currently has a contract with a company for DirecTV installations which requires we buy equipment from them if we want Satellite TV. Therefore, while everyone else gets free DVRs and other stuff, we have to pay hundreds of dollars (they quoted me $350) to get set up.

Individual units can opt for Comcast, but not Dish Network because there is no Dish Network satellite on our roof.

Details on that from a technical perspective: Not all units face the right direction to have their own dishes, and the condo has rules against mounting dishes to the masonry so basically a lot of the units absolutely have to connect to the big dish on the roof. Since we (currently) have an exclusive contract with this one DirecTV contractor, we're stuck.

What I want to know:

1) Is it realistic to expect to find some kind of a discounted deal on TV and/or internet service for a 5 story condo building with 24 units if we can get with some company on it?

2) From a technical perspective, this current company insists that the reason we need to buy hardware from them is that it requires special tuners to work with the dish on our roof. Is this true?

3) Is it technically feasible to install our own dish(es) on the roof and just let people sign up for DirecTV or Dish Network on their own? Do both companies require you point your dish in the same direction - allowing us to save on costs there by using one dish to serve people options?

4) This stems from the fact that Comcast is a godawful nightmare for myself and several of our residents, but the ridiculous up front costs from this company, and being limited to DirecTV and not Dish, is causing us to seek out alternative solutions.

5) Does anyone have an inside track on what the deal is/will be with WiMax? Sprint is supposed to roll it out in Chicago within the next year, but nobody knows: Is this just going to be cell-phone-internet stuff, or will people actually sign up for WiMax like they do DSL / Cable internet?

While a group discount would be great, we'd also be happy just to have a technical solution where people could sign up for Dish, DirecTV or Comcast just like everyone else can and for the same prices. Paying this premium for boxes just because they connect to a shared dish seems to be a wasteful expense, and being locked out of Dish as an option is unattractive as well.

Why does my UltimateTV box insist on connecting to WebTV?

RossWhite — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:23:30 -0800

I own one of the old Ultimate TV boxes for DirecTV. A few days ago, when the power winked out, the box rebooted and began trying to connect to WebTV. No matter what we do, the box wants to connect to WebTV, and won't let us view the menu for viewing our television programs. Why won't my UltimateTV box ignore its WebTV imperative and let me watch TV any more? I've since tried restarting the box and unplugging the box, but each time that the machine restarts, it tries to connect to WebTV. I called DirecTV's tech support, but they transferred me to the "UltimateTV support group," which never took me off hold. I waited over an hour but finally hung up since I only have a cell phone and was paying for the minutes.

I appreciate that some readers will think I should buy new hardware but that's not an option. This is clearly a software issue anyhow.

Thanks in advance, hive mind!

Ditching DirecTV for Broadcast?

carterk — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:04:39 -0800

Can I ditch Satellite and just use (free) broadcast TV? Here’s the thing- I spend about $50 each month for DirecTV, and primarily watch major network shows. I’m wondering if I could get 95% of what I want for free if I installed a good antenna and bought a new television capable of receiving digital (hell, maybe even HDTV) signals.

While I don’t need HDTV or the very best picture (hey, right now I’m watching a 10 year old magnavox, dig?), ghosting, static, or the inability to get one of the major networks would be a deal killer (ok, I don’t need the CW). I live on top of a hill, about 8 miles from downtown Seattle.

Some specific questions:

The guy at Circuit City claimed that broadcast HDTV signals would not have the clarity I’d get from cable or satellite transmissions. True?

Could I buy a recent model used (non-HDTV) TV and still receive digital signals? How long has digital capability been built into sets?

I have Tivo and cannot ever go back. Assuming I can’t buy the new HD Tivo, does using conventional tivos in any way further complicate my plans? I must have at least one dual tuner or two single tuner boxes.

And while I deeply appreciate all the detailed answers you want to give me., I would equally appreciate pointers to primers on the web that will further educate me on these topics. Except don’t just tell me to go to avsforum, unless you can be more specific- I’ve spent a couple hours there already without finding out what I need.

Comcast vs. DirecTV in Seattle Eastside?

frogan — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:32:56 -0800

Comcast vs. DirecTV in Seattle Eastside? I'm moving soon and need advice on telephone, internet and television. Need advice and a best plan of action. I currently have DirecTV+ TiVo, DSLExtreme and SBC phones in SoCal. I'm fairly happy with this arrangement.

I'm moving to Sammamish, WA and need to re-evaluate my set-up.

DirecTV has a promotion in which they will install a dish at the new house in exchange for keeping their service for one year. A similar service on Comcast seems to be about the same price (give or take), but Comcast does not have a channel lineup currently available on their site.

Moreover, Comcast also offers all-in-one packages of television, cable-based broadband and telephone services. This seems like it could be very good or very painful.

* Anyone have any experience on the all-in-one Comcast service?
* Does inclement weather in the Seattle area ruin satellite service very often?
* Any other general pieces of advice?

XP Media Center & DirecTV DVR connection/set-up

Mrs. Smith — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 08:37:17 -0800

Need help connecting my DirecTV DVR and my new laptop with Windows XP Media Center. I would like to make this a wireless connection, if possible, so I don't have to be near the TV to watch a program. (It seems pointless to me to have to plug in my laptop to my TV to watch my TV.)

The computers are networked, running on an SBC/Yahoo! DSL connected router...all XP computers.

I would like to be able to watch and record TV on my laptop. (I'm not as interested in using the laptop as a giant remote control.)

I would also like to be able to burn a DVD on my laptop of programs that I've recorded on my DVR.

Any help and/or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know much at all about Media Center Edition at this point, so any tips or tricks that you would like to pass along would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

MythTV + DirecTV..anyone?

spifl — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 15:15:07 -0800

I would like to build a MythTV system to work with DirecTV. My questions are around the interface to the DTV receivers. Has anyone here done this? (Questions inside) 1) I want to record at least two things at once so I assume that means two receivers. Which receivers work best for this? I'd like them to be controlled (channel changes) serially and not to use any sort of IR blaster.

2) With two receivers, I assume you need two satellite access cards from DTV. This just means paying for a receiver in 'an extra room' I'm guessing?

3) Processor requirements for recording two things at a time and watching a third thing?

4) Best video out to display on a 50" plasma with component in?

Thanks!

spifl

Broadcast HDTV reception problems

putzface_dickman — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:28:06 -0800

How can I fix my broadcast HDTV reception problems? I just bought a used DirecTV set-top box that receives ATSC, or broadcast digital, signals. I found a deal on a Toshiba DST-3000[pdf]. I picked it because it was the cheapest I found that received DTV. I get through the setup fine, scan for channels, and it finds only a few of the 8 analog signals available and only one of the 6 digital signals available. When I tune to the signals it did detect, or look at the signal strength meter on the setup display, there's basically nothing except for one channel where I can almost make out that there's a picture.

I'm using standard, unpowered VHF/UHF rabbit ears which allow me to get every local analog channel when I connect it via coax to either the VCR or TV's tuner. I've chained the digital receiver to the VCR, to the TV via coax. I've also tried using RCA connectors all the way. Nothin'. Whether the digital receiver is turned off or on if it's in the chain and I try to use the VCR or TV tuner I can't get any of the channels that I normally get clearly with this set of rabbit ears. This is true of both VHF and UHF. The farthest broadcast tower is no more than 10 miles away. The rest are about 6 miles.

I bought this box because I read that even crappy reception rendered great pictures with DTV, plus I'd add some PBS channels. There's no DirecTV Dish attached. I don't want cable or sattelite. I don't want to spend $200 plus on a purpose built ATSC receiver when this $70 box should have the same functionality.

I've looked at this previous question.

Can I use a Direct TV dish as the antenna for my Sirius receiver?

poppo — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 12:24:09 -0800

Can I use a Direct TV dish as the antenna for my Sirius receiver? So, I have Sirius and I get spotty reception at home. Their FAQ says I should have my antenna facing a Northwest direction. Now, of course I can run the cable across the house to the Northwest side, drill a hole to the outside, etc etc, problem solved.

However, it just so happens that I have an unused DirecTV dish already mounted on the Northwest side of the house, and it's already cabled through the house. It would save me a lot of work if I could just use this as my Sirius antenna.

Can I just splice together the cable running from the dish to the cable that needs to go into my Sirius receiver? I'm pretty sure they're just both copper inside.

FYI, I am not a DirecTV subscriber so the dish is at the moment unused.

For answerers who have seen neither a DirecTV dish nor a Sirius antenna but may be able to answer, here are what they look like:

The DirecTV dish:
http://prosatellitesupply.com/images/DirecTV_PHASE_3_DISH.jpg

The Sirius antenna:
http://www.directed.com/audio/sirius/images/acc_windowsill.jpg

Trouble setting up Tivo

ebeeb — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:32:58 -0800

I am trying to set up my non-DirecTV TiVo to a DirecTV box. The Tivo is asking me what type of cable I have connected: a) IR Cable, b)serial cable MPG, c) serial cable APG. Have looked around online (and tryed calling DirecTV) and can't seem to find which cable I have. How can I tell? Do I need to purchase a new cable? Currently using the coaxial cable that connected the DirecTV box to my television. Thanks for your help!

Dish or DirecTV? Best bang for the buck

bh — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 10:00:46 -0800

Dish Network or DirecTV? Which plan? I am looking to replace my cable connection with a satellite TV.

What I want: three rooms, at least one DVR (two would be better, three would be much better), SD only, all channels except the movie channels, low price.

What I don't care about: Sports.

I was a happy Dish Network customer for a while, but I switched to cable in the new house because of the cable modem. Because of price hikes, I'll come out ahead if I can find a satellite option for about $75/month or under. I'm currently leaning towards Dish with two boxes (one is a DVR with support for 2 TVs, the other is a regular box that supports one TV).

Firewire out would be a plus, but isn't required.

I would also like to take advantage of any holiday specials that might be offered. Dish has a current deal for a free Sirius radio, but I already have one. Long term commitment (18-24 months) is no problem, because I don't plan on switching to HDTV for at least two more years.

Suggestions?

Wiring between floors

ajpresto — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 06:44:00 -0800

There is a ton of information at Tivocommunity about DirecTv and DirecTiVo and the requirements of having two actual lines coming into the box and not using a splitter. My question is: How do I run this second line? I have one line coming to the back of my TV now which had been split at one point but I want to run a whole new line and add a line. I'm leery of taping two lines of coax to the end of the old line and just pulling like hell. But, will this work? Alternatively, any advice on pulling cable in the space between floors? I'm afraid the cable is stapled down and when I go to pull something that is considerably larger than just one cable, I will run into some problems.

Anyone ever heard of a digital music receiver for DirecTV?

mathowie — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 17:52:14 -0800

I've finally noticed and started enjoying the digital music channels that came with my DirecTV setup. But it's kind of silly to use my home theater system and DirecTV receiver just to hear some music. Does anyone know how I could hack this kind of satellite music playback into a separate stereo system? Anyone ever heard of a digital music receiver for DirecTV?

How do local channels on satellite TV work?

Kosh — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 16:46:45 -0800

During a vicious thunderstorm last night, our DirecTV satellite lost the signal for all of our channels except the local ones. This has also happened before. What I'm wondering is, how are these channels delivered? I would think they're not part of the main signal because otherwise they'd just go out with everything else during inclement weather. Googling doesn't get me much (even the HowStuffWorks article on how DBS works sort of glosses over how local channels get beamed to your house) except mentions in DirecTV FAQs about how "federal law" allows them to offer local channels in certain areas.

Does this law require Comcast or other cable providers in the area to allow DirecTV/DISH/etc. to piggyback on their cable signals to deliver local channels? Does the dish have some sort of powerful antenna in it (because the local channels look like they're cable-quality)? I'm really puzzled as to how it gets from the source to my house, since as I understand it, satellite TV is a fairly passive medium because the signal blankets the continent and things are largely the same across the nation for subscribers. Yet somehow they're able to supply local information (though there's still no local version of the Weather Channel.)