Cheapest way for me to get OTA HD

[trevor0323]

Hey guys I have reading up a little about OTA HD and decided I would like to give it a go.

Right now I have a Syntax 32 in LCD HD Ready TV (No HD Tuner) It is hooked up to my PC and is being used as my monitor. We used to get cable tv but recently switched to Dish Network so we only have one tv in the living room that we watch. From what it sounds like a tuner card and decent indoor antenna would be the best route for me. I checked on that OTA signal site and I a bunch of stations are within my zip code (53211). My computer has a PCI-E slot and AGP slot but the PCI-E has a 7800GT in it.

Let me know what you guys think I should do as it would be nice to get free hd in my room.

 

[bloodthirster]

Get a Dish HD box. They have built in HD tuners.

 

[trevor0323]

The Dish Network box is for our TV which is downstairs in our living room. My PC and TV are upstairs in my bedroom so I dont think this is an option. My roommate handles all the bills and crap from Dish Network. Would it be possible to rent an HD Box from them for my room but not pay for regular channels?

 

[Mitch101]

First look how far away you are so you know what size and how many antenna you will need. (I know you did this already but someone else might want to)
http://www.AntennaWeb.Org

If less than about 20 miles an omni directional antenna should do well.

Anything more than 25-30 miles consider a standard uhf directional antenna.
Anything about 60 degrees off will most certainly require a second antenna.

I use a ATI HDTV wonder but If I had to do it over again I would probably get a DVICO Fusion5.

Becayse I dont assume I will use Media Center I may use something like Myth TV or Sage.

 

[Tegeril]

Just for the record, HVR-1600 works wonderfully with Media Center and I get some amazing stuff with my DB-2 antenna - it's definitely the best indoor-tolerable "omni" antenna.

 

[bloodthirster]

Get a USB HDTV tuner. I think you can rent the HD boxes from DISH.

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: bloodthirster
Get a USB HDTV tuner. I think you can rent the HD boxes from DISH.

I also have an HVR-950... (USB HDTV tuner). Just as happy with it as my HVR-1600s. Hauppauge makes some good stuff and OP should look at there stuff.

 

[trevor0323]

Thanks Guys, I went with the HVR-1600 from Circuit City for 69.99 AR. The USB HVR-950 would have been more convenient but I wanted the remote. I noticed it was also on sale for 59.99 AR, (pretty good deals at CC these days I guess).

Im assuming this won't interfere with my PCI-E card and that the HVR-1600 is just for tuning TV signals. Also what antenna do you guys think I should get, I tried to figure out some stuff on that antennaweb site but I don't understand it to much. My zip is 53211, and I dont think I can have an external antenna because I rent, however I am on top floor of my house and the attic is connected to my room. I was thinking to get a decent indoor non directional antenna because it looks like most of the sources are pretty close to me.

 

[randym431]

Glad to hear happy people with their hvr-1600. i just sold my ati hdtv wonder and got the 1600, mostly cause vista supports the 1600. Havent hooked it up yet. The ati hd wonder never worked well. And then when ati dropped vista support, that was it for the hd wonder.

 

[etech]

If you have cable, check your model number on your 1600

"Note: the product code can be found on the tuner label on WinTV-HVR-1600. Product codes 74021 and 74041 support QAM, while product codes 74031 and 74551 do not."



http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?p=253017

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=847022&page=1&pp=30

 

[trevor0323]

What is QAM? Also what antenna would you recommend, it will have to be indoors

Would that DB2 antenna work well? It looks pretty huge, I suppose I could mount it up in the attic because the entry is right above my computer.
Heres my antenna web list

DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* yellow - uhf WCGV-DT 24.1 MNT MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 25
* yellow - uhf WJJA-DT 48 IND RACINE WI TBD 330° 1.3 48
* yellow - uhf WISN-DT 12.1 ABC MILWAUKEE WI 325° 3.5 34
* yellow - uhf WITI-DT 6.1 FOX MILWAUKEE WI 335° 8.5 33
* yellow - uhf WDJT-DT 58.1 CBS MILWAUKEE WI 324° 3.5 46
* yellow - uhf WVCY-DT 30.1 REL MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 22
* yellow - uhf WVTV-DT 18.1 CW MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 61
* yellow - uhf WTMJ-DT 4.1 NBC MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.6 28
* yellow - vhf WMVS-DT 10.1 PBS MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 8
* yellow - uhf WMVT-DT 36.1 PBS MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 35
* yellow - uhf WPXE-DT 55.1 ION KENOSHA WI 333° 1.9 40
red - uhf WMVT 36 PBS MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 36
red - vhf WMVS 10 PBS MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.9 10
red - vhf WTMJ 4 NBC MILWAUKEE WI 333° 1.6 4
red - uhf WVTV 18 CW MILWAUKEE WI 334° 1.9 18
red - vhf WMKE-CA 7 BOX MILWAUKEE WI 217° 2.8 7
red - uhf WVCY 30 REL MILWAUKEE WI 324° 1.4 30
red - uhf WDJT 58 CBS MILWAUKEE WI 324° 3.5 58
red - vhf WITI 6 FOX MILWAUKEE WI 340° 1.4 6
red - uhf WCGV 24 MNT MILWAUKEE WI 324° 1.4 24
red - uhf WYTU-LP 63 TEL MILWAUKEE WI 324° 3.5 63
red - uhf WMLW-CA 41 IND MILWAUKEE WI 324° 3.5 41
red - vhf WISN 12 ABC MILWAUKEE WI 326° 3.4 12
red - uhf WPXE 55 ION KENOSHA WI 193° 21.9 55
red - uhf WJJA 49 IND RACINE WI 175° 15.2 49
blue - uhf WWRS 52 TBN MAYVILLE WI 311° 40.8 52
violet - vhf WBBM 2 CBS CHICAGO IL 173° 82.1 2
violet - uhf WFLD 32 FOX CHICAGO IL 173° 82.1 32
violet - vhf WMAQ 5 NBC CHICAGO IL 174° 83.4 5
Note:

 

[Aikouka]

You're about 2 miles from them. Personally, I use a decent Philips indoor antenna and I'm about 10 miles away.

Here's the model that I have:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-...atOid/-12886/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Literally it's just sitting on my floor and not even facing the right direction and I still get signals without a problem. The only thing I can't do is stand in front of the antenna at a certain angle or my density blocks the signals. Which isn't a problem since I'm sitting down watching them anyway.

 

[trevor0323]

Looks like a pretty decent one, im just worried because it is highly directional and it looks like the station groupings are north and south for me

 

[zylander]

Ive seen cheap OTA HD PCI tuners on ebay for like $20-$30 bucks, now Im not sure how good they are but thats probably the cheapest you will find.

QAM is unencrypted digital HD, you get that through your existing cable line.