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+--- Thread: Favorite digital TV antenna (/showthread.php?tid=86450)
Favorite digital TV antenna - Black - 10-22-2009
Is there anything like a favorite ATSC TV antenna out there?
I tried one from Monoprice but it's pretty mediocre; the phillips MANT- models seem to get high praise but are pricey . . .
Thanks for any recs.
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - freeradical - 10-22-2009
There is no such thing as a "digital" antenna.
Unless the transmitter frequencies have changed dramatically, or the polarization of the transmitters antenna has changed, any old TV antenna will work.
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - Black - 10-22-2009
freeradical wrote:
There is no such thing as a "digital" antenna.
Unless the transmitter frequencies have changed dramatically, or the polarization of the transmitters antenna has changed, any old TV antenna will work.
OK, anyone have a favorite antenna?
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - freeradical - 10-22-2009
If you have a strong signal, rabbit ears will work. If not, you need an outdoor mast, the higher the better. If you're trying to DX stations,it's nice to have a motor to point your antenna towards the transmitter.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvantennas.html
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - Filliam H. Muffman - 10-22-2009
Budget? Do you have a roof to mount it on? What reception zone are you in? VHF, UHF, or both?
This UHF antenna has a good reputation. http://www.summitsource.com/antennacraft-4-bay-uhf-antenna-hdtv-outdoor-tv-aerial-for-local-offair-digital-hd-four-bay-signal-fringe-reception-light-green-zone-part-g1483-with-50-ft-coax-cable-p-8517.html
Fry's has a similar model. I do not know how they compare.
http://www.frys.com/product/5834763
Any ol' antenna *might* work... - RAMd®d - 10-22-2009
...IF the signal is strong.
The reality is that some stations transmit in the VHF band and some in the UFH band. And unless the signals are strong enough, the correct antenna makes a difference.
It might help you to now which band your favorite stations transmit in.
In the OAK/SF Bay Area, a pare of old Terk amplified rabbit ears with a built in UHF loop gives me really good reception of about 60% of my station, and fair for the others. I expect better UHF antenna will improve reception a lot.
Re: Any ol' antenna *might* work... - Black - 10-22-2009
RAMd®d wrote:
...IF the signal is strong.
The reality is that some stations transmit in the VHF band and some in the UFH band. And unless the signals are strong enough, the correct antenna makes a difference.
It might help you to now which band your favorite stations transmit in.
In the OAK/SF Bay Area, a pare of old Terk amplified rabbit ears with a built in UHF loop gives me really good reception of about 60% of my station, and fair for the others. I expect better UHF antenna will improve reception a lot.
Yes, this is my experience too-- can't ask a question some nights though without someone assuming you must be a blank slate.
Re: Any ol' antenna *might* work... - Black - 10-22-2009
It's for indoor; the monoprice model has no "ear"-- I have a cheapy GE with one ear I bought from Microcenter that does much better.
Budget-- under $50? I want it for an EyeTV I'm purchasing that has FM, so it should do ATSC/FM if possible.
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - gabester - 10-22-2009
There's an issue with two of the three classic broadcast TV stations, ABC, CBS or NBC in Chicago. One of them is transmitting in VHF so you basically have to live on the north side of the city to get the signal and/or have a huge honkin' external house antenna. The other significantly reduced their power output after the DTV transition, so.... you have to have a huge honkin' house antenna. The third station comes in just fine, as does Fox, PBS, and a bunch of other stuff that is sometimes pretty good classic TV syndication.
I think the classic broadcasters really just expect everyone to get cable or AT&T UVerse or Satellite so that they don't have to foot the bill for broadcast transmission anymore; then they can relicense the spectrum to the wireless companies.
g=
Re: Favorite digital TV antenna - Black - 10-22-2009
The CBS affiliate and the ABC affiliate both suck.
Usually if I can get one I can't get the other.
Gonna go with a $50 Philips (MANT-510?).