Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - antenna and directv feeds

I've been reading on this forum and trying to figure out how to go about running an ota antenna feed with directv feed to our tvs.

Its a new house - prewired with two coax going to the main TV and one coax to the bedroom TV. We plan on upgrading to directv HD with a dual tuner HD DVR. No prewiring for antenna (forgot about it).

I think I read that the new HD dishes (with 5 feeds, I forget the name) allow you to run the antenna to the dish, which combines the signal with the satellite signals. Is that correct? If so, would I need to split the signals out on the other end or does the DVR/reciever do that?

Help!!!

You need a switch known as a diplexer. It mixes the OTA with the sat signal. You need a compliment at the other end to slite out the OTA from the sat.

http://sadoun.com/Sat/Order/Switches/Splitters.htm

thanks, joed. That's how I did it in our current house. Sounds like the change to HD doesn't change the hook ups.

You'll need to put the BBCs on before your diplexers or the Ka signals will overlap with the OTA.

I've posted this question on another forum and those folks (as well as the people who are installing our sound system) tell me that I cannot combine the HD sat feed with OTA antenna feed. Not sure why.

Is this what the BBC is supposed to take care of?

I'd hate to go through all the trouble and cost of running the antenna coax to the basement, hook up all the diplexers and bbc's and then have it not work.

To make it more complicated - the sound guy tells me that in January or February D* is coming out with some fix with a new multiswitch that WILL allow combining the OTA feed with the sat feed. So should I just wait and live without an antenna for a few months after we move?

ARGHHHHH

This is the best source of info for DirecTv. Here is a big thread dealing with the issue.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=62299

It should work as long as the runs aren't excessively long. The post BBC signal is higher freq and attenuates a little faster.

Whether you wait for Feb for a possible solution is your call. I usually try to run a separate wire if possible, for the most flexibility. Especially now the HD DVRs need network and phone lines for all the bells and whistles.