Chances are, if you found this article through a search, you know all about the DIRECTV AM21. However, before I answer the question you’ve searched for, I want to bring everyone else up to speed on the AM21, what it was, and why someone would ask this question.
In the beginning…
In the beginning, there was the HR20, and the HR20 was the beginning. The HR20 wasn’t the first DIRECTV HD DVR, but it was the first one that all of today’s hardware can trace its roots back to. DIRECTV’s first self-designed HD DVR debuted in August, 2006 sporting some heavy duty hardware (for the time.) A generous 300GB hard drive, a modern user interface, and a built-in ability to use an RF remote headlined the spec sheet at the time. Along for the ride was a built-in ATSC 1.0 tuner, for those folks whose local areas didn’t have high definition service yet.
That was all well and good, but contemporary accounts said that the HR20 cost over $600 to make at a time when it was being put out there for $299, $199, or even free. Obviously some cost cutting needed to be done.
The AM21 and its HR21 DVR
DIRECTV’s immediate response to the HR20’s high cost was the HR21. Looking identical to the HR20 but in black, it had next-generation components that were less expensive to manufacture. It had the same capabilities as the HR20, save one: it had no built-in over-the-air tuner. The feeling was that people who wanted one would just have to buy one separately.
The AM21 was a slick, black box that sat on top of the HR21 (or any DIRECTV models HR21-HR24.) Inside was a low-cost ATSC tuner board and a lot of empty space. The AM21 itself had a fairly short service life. Introduced in 2008, it was hard to find by 2013 as DIRECTV filled out its local channel roster over satellite.
State of the AM21 today
The AM21 is officially listed by DIRECTV as “deprecated.” That means simply, if it works for you, great. If it doesn’t, don’t bother them about it. There’s a small but loyal group who still embrace their 15-year-old hardware with both hands. I’ll admit that when I had the AM21, I liked being able to tune and record subchannels in addition to all the main channels.
And now, to the question at hand
Simply put, the AM21 will not pick up ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. ATSC 3.0 as a standard was not finalized until this year, and it’s still in a test phase. On the other hand, the hardware from the AM21 dates back to 2005. It can’t be modified to receive ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, period.
DIRECTV has no hardware that will receive ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, and there has been no announcement of any future hardware to receive ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. I would be very surprised if there ever is any DIRECTV-branded product that receives ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. It’s as simple as that.
I know that this is not the answer that a lot of people want to hear, but I am just the messenger here. I have heard over and over that the number of people who have DIRECTV satellite and who want ATSC 3.0 is probably less than 1,000. That’s not enough to take on an engineering project, even if the only thing that they’re doing in El Segundo is putting a driver for a third-party box. (Note that there really isn’t a third-party box that even comes close to being able to be compatible here.)
Is there another option?
Frustratingly, we’re still in very early days with ATSC 3.0. The only broadcasts are test broadcasts, and the overwhelming number of them aren’t in 4K. There are two devices on the market that will pick up ATSC 3.0 signals, and both are priced out of the mainstream. Plus, both will require upgrades or replacement in order to work with future encryption requirments. For those who were hoping for full adoption of ATSC 3.0 and the end of ATSC 1.0 by 2025, that’s very bad news. The current authorization for ATSC 3.0 tests expires this summer, and it’s hard to know what the way forward will be until the FCC comes up with its plan for the future.
In the meantime…
Yes, it’s not good news for fans of DIRECTV over-the-air ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. But if you’re looking for current DIRECTV hardware, TV antennas, or anything else to live your best digital life, call the experts at Solid Signal! The number is 888-233-7563, or fill out the form below, or just shop now at Solid Signal!
