Anyone here get OTA HDTV?

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
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I bought a new tv that supports OTA HDTV. Doing some reading and think I am going to try the Zenith silver sensor in door antenna. According to http://www.antennaweb.org/ I am only 19 - 20 miles away from the originating signal and the reviews seem to thin kthis antenna can handle this distance.
Does anyone else have OTA? Anyone have a listing of what shows broadcast in HD?
 

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
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I hope so as well. Like I said, most of the reviews claimed 20 miles wasn't a problem and some even claimed 50 miles. Of course that could have been in a mostly flat area with no tall buildings, mountains, etc.
Either way, it was only 20.00 so I won't be out much if it doesn't work.
I'll check out the link you posted. thanks.
 

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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I have ota hdtv. The programming you get depends on where you live.

And indoor antenna just isn't as good as an outdoor antenna.
 

de8212

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Jan 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I've used the Silver Sensor to pick up stations about 18-20 miles away, reception was great.

I'm hoping to have the same results. Mine should be here thursday but it may be the weekedn before i hook it all up.

If it does have poor signal strength isn't there an amplifier or something I can use?
 

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: zephyrprime
I have ota hdtv. The programming you get depends on where you live.

And indoor antenna just isn't as good as an outdoor antenna.

Yeah but running cable through the attic or through the wall and mounting it outside just isn't something I want to do. Just not worth the trouble for me. So if this works it will be $20 well spent, if not, not too much of a loss.
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
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Originally posted by: de8212
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I've used the Silver Sensor to pick up stations about 18-20 miles away, reception was great.

I'm hoping to have the same results. Mine should be here thursday but it may be the weekedn before i hook it all up.

If it does have poor signal strength isn't there an amplifier or something I can use?

Yes, there are amplifiers/preamplifiers, but I've never used one myself so I don't really know how well they work for weak signals.
 

codeyf

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
11,854
3
81
I use OTA. Using a Channel Master 4221 mounted to my chimney. Get everything but Fox. If I spend some time tweaking the direction and height, I should be able to get that as well.

I tried the SS, didn't work for me. There are several channels in the 20-25 mile range but I still couldn't get them.

You will probably be best served by an outdoor antenna.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,060
889
126
Originally posted by: de8212
Originally posted by: zephyrprime
I have ota hdtv. The programming you get depends on where you live.

And indoor antenna just isn't as good as an outdoor antenna.

Yeah but running cable through the attic or through the wall and mounting it outside just isn't something I want to do. Just not worth the trouble for me. So if this works it will be $20 well spent, if not, not too much of a loss.

Why would you take a loss? It it doesn't work well, return it.
 

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: Muadib

Why would you take a loss? It it doesn't work well, return it.

Yeah, I could return it. I guess I just meant worst case scenerio I would be out 20.00.

Actually it was 25 shipped, so if I didn't like it and sent it back I would have to pay ~5 to ship it. So I would be out 10 (shipping) best case scenrio.

Either way, I am crossing my fingers it will work.
 

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
16,986
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Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I have a Silver Sensor. I can get stations ~45 miles away.

On flat land with little obstruction, perhaps ...

SS is a fine solution in a dense urban/metro scenario where the towers are fairly close (<20 miles)

Out here in the sticks the SS is as worthless as an empty soda can for reception.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
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Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I have a Silver Sensor. I can get stations ~45 miles away.

I also have one, and I'm lees than 15 miles from the ESB in NY. Some days I have great reception, and others it crap, constantly going in & out. If it was my only source of HD, it would have been gone. Thankfully, I have DTV.
 

sswingle

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
7,183
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We get OTA HD about 50 miles away. One station we get I believe 70 miles away, but thats harder to tune in.


Edit: I do NOT have the antenna you are talking about.
 

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
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Originally posted by: codeyf
I use OTA. Using a Channel Master 4221 mounted to my chimney. Get everything but Fox. If I spend some time tweaking the direction and height, I should be able to get that as well.

I tried the SS, didn't work for me. There are several channels in the 20-25 mile range but I still couldn't get them.

You will probably be best served by an outdoor antenna.

HOLY CRAP that is a big ass antenna!
 

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
16,986
1
0
Yeah the Channel Master's rock. But a lot of people are uncomfortable with getting up on the roof mounting the monster and many others simply can't (renters or apartments, et al).

I have a fairly cheap Radio Shack indoor HDTV model that does pretty well.
 

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: codeyf
I use OTA. Using a Channel Master 4221 mounted to my chimney. Get everything but Fox. If I spend some time tweaking the direction and height, I should be able to get that as well.

I tried the SS, didn't work for me. There are several channels in the 20-25 mile range but I still couldn't get them.

You will probably be best served by an outdoor antenna.

HOLY CRAP that is a big ass antenna!


The 4221?

Bah, that's not big. I wish I could use a nice compact setup like that.

My area is hilly. I traded up from the 4228:

ChannelMaster 4228 8-Bay

To the Antennas Direct DB8:

Antennas Direct DB8 8-Bay

plus, added a ChannelMaster Titan 7777 Preamp:

ChannelMaster Titan Preamps
 

Nitemare

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
35,461
4
81
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: codeyf
I use OTA. Using a Channel Master 4221 mounted to my chimney. Get everything but Fox. If I spend some time tweaking the direction and height, I should be able to get that as well.

I tried the SS, didn't work for me. There are several channels in the 20-25 mile range but I still couldn't get them.

You will probably be best served by an outdoor antenna.

HOLY CRAP that is a big ass antenna!


The 4221?

Bah, that's not big. I wish I could use a nice compact setup like that.

My area is hilly. I traded up from the 4228:

ChannelMaster 4228 8-Bay

To the Antennas Direct DB8:

Antennas Direct DB8 8-Bay

plus, added a ChannelMaster Titan 7777 Preamp:

ChannelMaster Titan Preamps

:thumbsup: for the CM 4228. I have that mounted on the back of some shelves in the second bedroom. Reception is crystal clear. I also have a motorola signal booster pulling on it.
 

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: codeyf
I use OTA. Using a Channel Master 4221 mounted to my chimney. Get everything but Fox. If I spend some time tweaking the direction and height, I should be able to get that as well.

I tried the SS, didn't work for me. There are several channels in the 20-25 mile range but I still couldn't get them.

You will probably be best served by an outdoor antenna.

HOLY CRAP that is a big ass antenna!


The 4221?

Bah, that's not big. I wish I could use a nice compact setup like that.

My area is hilly. I traded up from the 4228:

ChannelMaster 4228 8-Bay

To the Antennas Direct DB8:

Antennas Direct DB8 8-Bay

plus, added a ChannelMaster Titan 7777 Preamp:

ChannelMaster Titan Preamps

:thumbsup: for the CM 4228. I have that mounted on the back of some shelves in the second bedroom. Reception is crystal clear. I also have a motorola signal booster pulling on it.

The DB8 is definitely superior to the CM4228, though the difference is small. I had them both for a short period of time (VOOM provided the CM4228), and the reception signal quality was higher on the DB8 (tested with VOOM receiver, Samsung SIR-T165, Samsung SIR-T151, and LG LST-3510A). The CM4228 gets the price/performance ratio nod though. :)
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
1
0
Originally posted by: Muadib
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I have a Silver Sensor. I can get stations ~45 miles away.

I also have one, and I'm lees than 15 miles from the ESB in NY. Some days I have great reception, and others it crap, constantly going in & out. If it was my only source of HD, it would have been gone. Thankfully, I have DTV.
That's what you get for living in NY. :p Out here the only time I have a reception problem is if a cow wanders into the line of sight of the tower. ;)