DIRECTV Product Reviews and Ratings - Satellite Systems - DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner from Abt Electronics

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DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner image

(based on 37 ratings)

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Brand: DIRECTV

Located in: TV & Video, Satellite Systems

DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner - AM21/ Watch HD Channels That Are Broadcast Locally/ Dual ATSC Tuners/ Small And Lightweight Design/ For DIRECTV HR21 And HR21 PRO Receivers/ Black Finish

More information for the DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner

Review Snapshot®

Avg. Customer Rating:

4.7 stars

(based on 37 reviews)

100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:

Easy to set up(29), Good value(26), High-quality picture(30), Simple controls(27)

Best Uses:

Home(23), Television(16)

Describe Yourself:

Casual user(5), Enthusiast(22), Power user(8)

Easy setup/quality picture

By Bob of the ranch

from Salinas, CA on 6/9/2011

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Setup, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Was this a gift?:

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

well written and easy to follow instructions and illustrations.

Works as advertised

By DirecTV HD Addict

from Lincoln, NE on 6/7/2011

Pros:

Easy Controls, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

Difficult To Set Up

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

The AM21 integrates very well with my HR22-100 receivers both in the guide and recording. The AM21 required booting up the AM21 and the HR22-100 twice before it was fully functional. You program the AM21 by entering the zip code of the adjacent market and DirecTV downloads the OTA station list. Powering up the HR22-100 also powers up the tuner. When my first AM21 performed so well, I immediately ordered another one for my second HR22-100 receiver!

Service & Delivery comments:

Delivery was very prompt and the units arrived in excellent condition. I had no occasion to use customer service.

I would buy this product again

By Bear

from Gurnee, IL on 1/24/2011

Pros:

Easy To Setup, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

None

Best Uses:

Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Was this a gift?:

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I use this product with a Directv HR22.

Service & Delivery comments:

Delivery was prompt.

Works great!

By Lee

from Denison, TX on 9/9/2010

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

It works as advertised! Easy enough to set up and interfaces seemlessly into the Direct TV receiver. I now have all the local channels that Direct TV couldn't or wouldn't give me. Love it!

The only downside is it only works for one tv ... :(

Good solution when DirecTV can't

By Never Easy

from Bowling Green, KY on 8/23/2010

Pros:

Easy To Set Up, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

When DirecTV can't get you local/major networks this box helps a little.

The box/sat-receivers should be programmed to provide the OTA channels thru your home network (or DECA) to the other receivers, BUT NO, you need to buy an AM21 for each receiver.

DIRECTV OFF-AIR TUNER

By WOODY1956

from Talladega, ALABAMA on 8/22/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

VERY GOOD TUNER.

"Excellent addition to your Direct TV"

By BK from Mokena

from Mokena, IL on 8/18/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Unit worked as expected. I replaced my Sony HD300 Satellite unit with the new Direct TV HD DVR unit Model HR24NC. Still wanted to use my over the air antenna for locals. All over the air stations merged seamlessly into the HR24 NC receiver. When you lose the satellite due to weather you just go to the over the air station. All functions of the DVR work with the over the air signals

great product

By Joe C

from Cloquet, MN on 7/12/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Also works great with the HR22 model

I Would Buy Again Without Question

By ahanson3

from Hermantown, MN on 7/1/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I am currently using the AM-21 with a HR24-500 HD DVR leased from Directv. I am using it in conjunction with a roof top antenna for local channels because the HR24 does not have an off air HD tuner. Signal strength on all my local channels is 100% with the AM21. It picks up all my local channels, but it should be noted that the AM21 only looks for channels previously programmed in by Directv. Picture quality for live broadcast and recording with the product is excellent. There is a slight hesitation while the AM21 finds and feeds the signal to the HR24, but it is very minimal and does not detract from the viewing experience. In reality it is no different than previous Directv receivers with a built in OTA HD tuner.[...]

Great product[...]

By Mac Dad

from Louisiana on 6/8/2010

Pros:

Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Works great

Directv Off-Air Tuner

By chilwil

from Hermiston OR on 4/22/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

It works great with my dvr direct tv. Vary esay to use. looks great

great, will purchase from you again

By anozira

from phoenix, az on 4/15/2010

Pros:

Easy To Set Up, Good Value

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

the product works great and it was easy to setup. [...]

AM21

By HJJ

from Dallas on 3/31/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

This is a great add on for the new DVRs from Directv that do not have built in OTA. I was most concerned with the reproduction of the same picture quality and digital sound. I have been very impressed with both areas.

The only thing I did not like was the cumbersome power cord daisy chain connection with the HR2x DVRs. Why not just use the power independently on it's own plug and only have the USB cable connected to the DVR. Maybe there is a reason technically for this but I thought it was an odd setup.

I would buy this product again and again

By Steelerfanmike from Harmony NJ on 3/4/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

None

Best Uses:

Near any Digital signal

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Idiot proof!!! Very simple to use...

Integrated off air for Directv

By Jebntex from Houston, TX on 2/16/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Easy and seamless component to record and view off-air broadcast on Directv HD DVR. Directv's website list the product at higher price[...].

Works Well

By Skillet

from Cincinnati, OH on 1/7/2010

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Dorm Room, Home, Office

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

This tuner was easy to set up and use. Unfortunately, depending on what market you are in, it may or may not be able to receive all potentially available channels. It depends on whether DirecTV has programmed it to look for all available channels in your market or not. If a channel has been left out, you cannot manually add it. The tuner does a good job pulling in a signal, but it's not quite as good as some of the digital tuners I've used in TV's and other devices. Another potential drawback that I have read about, although not yet experienced firsthand, is that if your main DTV signal goes out (due to rain, snow, etc.) you will not be able to watch channels on the off-air tuner either since it is fed through the DTV receiver. Other than that, I would give this tuner and overall recommendation of good.

Over the Air - WHY NOT?

By DesignerMan

from Amarillo, TX on 12/15/2009

Pros:

Dual tuners are great, Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, Plug and Play

Cons:

Must run setup twice, Some signals very weak

Best Uses:

Home, Office

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

My 32" Toshiba Regza has onboard digital tuner. I used an OTA antenna splitter - one to the HDTV, and one to the AM21. Using TV input, I can toggle between AM21 and HDTV, if satellite is lost to bad weather. Local channels are always visible.

[...]

By jessla

from Williamson NY on 12/15/2009

Pros:

Good Value

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

[...]

AM21 Review

By Tim

from Atlanta, GA on 12/9/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Channels come in crystal clear & are integrated into my DirecTV DVR menu. I am using it with the HR23-700 and have had no issues.

Works Perfectly

By Bobjfs

from Denver, CO on 12/4/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

None

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I use this product to view local, off-the-air television stations.

As you know, the newer DirecTV DVRs do not carry an off-the-air tuner. When snow, rain, or ice storms are particularly bad, making the satellite dish unusable, I use this tuner and an indoor antenna to watch local TV.

After it was out of the box, the tuner took all of one minute to install. Plug it in. Connect it to the DVR via a USB cable. Connect the antenna. That's it. Running the "Antenna Set Up" routine through the DVR takes the longest.

The tuner works perfectly, and Abt's was the best price I found online.

Good Product. Works As Advertised.

By brianfour4

from Danville, PA on 11/2/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

None

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

[...] It is easy to set up. Works as advertised.

Works like a integral part of the DVR

By swilson

from New Braunfles TX on 10/22/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Simple USB plug into the DTV DVR.
Pulls in all the OTA Content that my older Sat reciever did. COnfigure your OTA zip code in the normal DTV setup screns and you are done.

Does exactly what I wanted.

By madmaxaz

from Yuma, AZ on 10/16/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Use it to run local stations thru DirecTv receiver to be able to record, pause, etc.

Great local channels

By Gary D

from Broken Arrow, OK on 10/5/2009

Pros:

Easy To Set Up, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I got the adm21 to use with my new dtv hr22 recorder.The recorder cannot access local digital channels that dtv doesn't carry. dtv will not sell this device if they carry local cannels in your area. [...] the device that easily hooks up and provides your digital channels.Absolutely no problems!

Also works with H21 receiver

By Vance

from Raleigh, NC on 8/28/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

This unit when added to a Directv HiDef receiver
creates a seemless intrgration of off the air and satellite channels. It includes the local channels in the guide and in most cases provides program information. I have bought 2 of them so far.

Works as Advertised

By Skyham

from Nashua, NH on 8/21/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Works well, easy to complete the one time setup, otherwise you wouldn't know it is there. Tuner sensitivity seems on the high end compared to earlier generation tuners.

I NOW RECEIVE LOCALS IN HD - THANK YOU!

By FredWeb

from SE WA on 7/7/2009

Pros:

High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Television

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I now receive ABC, NBC, FOX & CBS in brilliant HD as DirecTv does not provide locals in HD yet in our area. I am ready for football season!

good working produce

By John

from Olympia, Wa on 7/6/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

works well, however, as with most off air tuners, need to be able to manually select a channer without having to scan for new channels and then loosing some of the older channels that are no signal at the moment.

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Worth it, maybe?

By Kipp

from Chicago on 2/24/2009

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

A nice addition but why did DirecTV remove the OTA tuners from their recieviers to begin with??
Originally they had them intergrated. A nice money maker, thanks!
The only thing that makes it worth -while is the fact that the guide has it intergrated. Most TV's/monitors have the reciever built in but you would have to switch the source to view the OTA channels, not to mention no dvr functions.
btw picture quality for any OTA HD is superior to DTV's due to DTV's mpeg compression of their HD channels. OTA can also be grabbed with any simple rabbit ears no special antenna needed.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

works well with the hr22

By HD viewer

from alexandria, la on 2/13/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I set this unit up with DirecTV's HR22, and didn't have any problems.

I like it

By mmasongo

from Wilmington, NC on 1/26/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I am totally satisfied with this product. The off-air stations programed seamlessly into the DTV lineup. Easy to set up, just follow directions.

Service & Delivery comments:

Delivery was prompt and in accordance with retailer's promise. Product arrived in good condition.

Works like a charm

By Electronic Junkie

from Scott Depot, WV on 1/20/2009

Pros:

Easy To Set Up

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I get all of my local channels in HD now. This tuner integrates the local HD channels into the guide. I got it just in time to see my Steelers roll through the playoffs in HD.

Does Exactly What It Is Supposed To!

By Mike

from Cincinnati, OH on 1/8/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Very easy set-up. Integrates off-air signal into DirecTV menus flawlessly. You can record off-air programs, read program descriptions, and see upcoming programs just like the channels on DirecTV! As far as I can tell, you can add up to 2 metropolitan areas at a time, so the device will look for channels from 2 different markets if you live between areas (such as Cincinnati and Dayton).

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner

By Andy of Jandy

from Royal Palm Beach FL on 1/6/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up

Cons:

Takes a while to program

Best Uses:

Home, Television, To DVR OTA Programming

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

A necessary addition for DIRECTV HD service, if you want to receive local channels over the air (OTA) and record shows from those channels with the HD DVR. Very easy to connect to the HD DVR/Receiver. Takes some time (10-15 mins) to program the OTA stations, but once programmed, they show up on the DIRECTV guide. Works fine with the HD DVR.

Great Product! Performs as advertised!

By Hasomf

from Wilmington, NC on 12/1/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

I use this unit as an off air tuner to bring in all of my local HD channels. It does a great job!

Great Addition

By Rickaren

from Indiana on 11/6/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Received a replacement new HR22 DVR at no charge from DirecTV for my defective HR20. Since the HR22 did not have OTA tuners ( a must for true HD viewing)I checked out reviews on this DirecTV AM21 and found rave reviews. I must agree, better results than any I have ever had on ANY DVR OTA since 1999 and presently have both DISH and DirecTV HD. A must purchase and very cool looking too!

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Great Tuner

By Average Joe

from Gainesville, FL on 10/22/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner:

Easy set-up and great integration with HR-21 DVR from DirecTV. This tuner with my set-top antenna provides enormously superior signal strength and reception relative to my previous HR10-250 DVR with the same antenna and built-in OTA tuner.

Customer Reviews about the DIRECTV Black Satellite Off-Air Tuner at Abt Electronics