Duke Game Situation/Discussion for DirecTV Subscribers

[DarthCat]

If you have DirecTV, there is a way to see the game in Chicago AND record it on your DVR. I have just finished setting up my own receiver, and after doing so, the Northwestern @ Duke game appeared right where is should on the guide and is now set to record.

Before the latest satellite dish upgrades for DirecTV, you likely used to get your HD local channels through an off air antenna. I built my house in 2005, and an off air digital antenna was put in the attic and a DirecTV dish on the side of the house. Back then, the HD locals came through the off air antenna into the DirecTV box on the antenna coax input, and the rest of the DirecTV programming came through two other coax cables from the dish. On the DirecTV guide, it all looked the same so it didn't really matter where either signal was originating.

A handful of years ago, when I was getting some type of DirecTV upgrade, they changed the dish and the wiring, and told me all locals, HD included, now came through the satellite dish and the off air antenna wasn't needed anymore. A couple of newer HD DVR receivers I got didn't even have a off air antenna input. I never thought about it or missed it, until seeing that the NU @ Duke game would be on something called UTOO in Chicago, aka 26-2. My DirecTV guide only had one channel 26. The U!

Well, went into the basement and dug out an old DirecTV receiver that had that off air antenna input and swapped it out with a newer receiver. I then called DirecTV and re-activated it. Then I ran a coax that was attached to the off air antenna, which had been dangling unused for years (insert your own joke here), into the back of the DirecTV receiver I had just re-activated. I went to Settings and Antenna Initial Setup, and it found a crap load of 'extra' local channels that are not appearing on the DirecTV guide. Among them, four additional channel 26s, 26-1, 26-2, 26-3 and 26-4. I selected 26-2 and waited for the guide to update. A few minutes later, when it was done, I went to the guide for 9/19 at 11:30 am on 26-2, and lo and behold, there is Northwestern @ Duke.

I have tested recording off the channel, and all is good. Seems I am set to go.

So, if you have DirecTV and still have your digital off air antenna, just a few steps and you're set to see/record the game next week.

 

[MRCat95]

Yikes, my head just exploded!

Another likely much easier option for DirecTV users is to download the WatchESPN app on your smartphone, Apple TV, Smart TV, BluRay player, Roku, etc. Make sure you set up your DirecTV account login (email and password) so you can login to the app. You can likely do that at Directv.com if you didn't do it when you first set up your directv service. You need to know your cable/satellite provider and your cable/satellite login (usually your email) and your password.

From the WatchESPN app, you get ESPN3 where you can live stream the game.

If you have DirecTV, you're over the age of 40 and have no idea what the hell I just wrote (and you at least have the Internet in your house or a smartphone), ask the nearest millennial for help!

 

[DarthCat]

Oh, no question. It was an ordeal. My issue is that I cannot watch the game until probably about halftime, as my son's football game and then baseball (yes, baseball) practice go until about 1pm. I had to find some way to get it on a DVR to watch it from the beginning.

 

[spartcat]

For Amazon and Kindle Fire people: Now if I can only remember my DirecTV password.....

in addition to the multiple platforms it is currently accessible on, the app is now available on Kindle Fire Android devices (Fire HD 8.9” 4G LTE Wireless, Fire HD 8.9”, Fire HD and Fire).
The WatchESPN app is free to download and delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Goal Line/Buzzer Beater to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider anywhere on the go.

 

[LACatFan]

DirecTV here in LA carries KDOC (channel 56 on my guide), which surprisingly will be picking up the coverage of the NU @ Duke game this Saturday.

 

[FloridAlum]

I hate to say this, but in South Florida it is a CBS network game . Everyone gets the game, cable or no cable,satellite or no satellite,