satellite TV plus local channels

I currently have an attic antenna that does fine for local channels, but we're going to add a satellite dish. I hope to avoid paying the extra $6 for local channels, and keep using my antenna. But my question is whether I'll be able to merge them together so that I can switch between the two using just a remote. I'd hate to have to get up and flip a switch on a box somewhere to switch between the two.

TIA

 

All the satellite boxes I've seen have an antenna input, so all you would need to do is hit a button on your remote to switch between antenna and satellite.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

As long as your TV has A/B inputs (e.g., SAT & ANT), you plug both sources into the separate inputs into the TV. Then, you only need to switch A/B inputs on your TV remote to receive either SAT or ANT input. However, there may be some issues as to which remote (TV or satellite receiver) does what and changes which channel.

Or, get a satellite receiver that has an ANT input in addition to the SAT input and you can switch your channels from SAT to ANT without any effort using only the satellite receiver remote (e.g., enter 200 for DISH CNN or 004 for NBC4). Both signals (SAT & ANT) plug into the satellite receiver and only one output cable goes to the TV -- both inputs are combined so there's no switching between input sources. Not all satellite receivers have this capability, so check or ask first.