Getting HD OTA signals to computer?

[imaheadcase]

I want to watch HD from the "free OTA HD" channels on my PC here.

What tv tuner will let me watch HD channels? Is there one on market that lets me watch TWO at the same time? I don't care about analog.

What antenna do i need for such a feat? Would it need to be on roof? Attic?


Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself..I heard a rumor that some cable companies don't allow you to receive OTA HD channels, is this just BS or something to it?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

For over the air you need a TV tuner that tunes to ATSC signals. You distance from the towers will usually dictate the type of antenna you need. I can use a simple indoor antenna but some people need a much larger antenna.

If you have cable you can get a tuner that can use QAM for unencrypted HD channels.

 

[A5]

http://www.hdtvtunerinfo.com/besthdtvtuner.html

 

[imaheadcase]

So i guess no tuner has dual HD yet? That is odd and disappointing.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Enter your street address at AntennaWeb.org to calculate your distance from your local TV towers.

I've tested rabbit ears, amplified rabbit ears, 'old style' exterior antennas and amplified dish antennas. They all work about like you would expect. I prefer an amplified dish from Radio Shack (not a plug) for about $80. I'm in the process of remodeling my house and will build a **tower** for my antenna in an attempt to capture more than my current 49 ATSC/NTSC channels.

It is normally not recommended to place an antenna in an attic because of 'multipath' problems . . ..

It is not uncommon to have 2 (or more) ATSC/NTSC tuners in a box. This would allow you to watch one channel while you record another channel - or do PiP - 'Picture in Picture'. I use a Fusion RT5 Gold and a Fusion RT5 *lite* and they work great. The only 'bug' problem I have is with the timeshifting feature. I disabled the function. No problem.

HD recordings can eat up hard drive space . . . and your wallet. Prepare to lust for a large flat panel HD monitor like the Westinghouse 42" HD Display Model W4207 for $900 delivered from The Egg.

You know you want it

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I'm pretty sure you can use multiple tuners.

 

[imaheadcase]

Well i would rather have 1 for 2 HD signals, im surprised no one has made one yet.

My 24 inch Dell WS is perfect, I don't like big TV sets to watch moves/TV. I prefer smaller like 24 inch.

I don't want 2 tuners in case when 1 would work fine, I will just wait it out for a year to see if they put out a Dual HD tuner. Make it simpler.


HD hardrive space is not a problem, I got more than enough.

 

[drextremeops007]

heyheybooboo, is it safe to enter your particulars on that website? I have qualms in entering those details, dont wanna have more and more junk mails.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: drextremeops007
heyheybooboo, is it safe to enter your particulars on that website? I have qualms in entering those details, dont wanna have more and more junk mails.

You don't need to enter your email - or your street address - if I remember correctly. I think you may simply enter your zip code for a more *general* evaluation.

 

[L00PY]

There's a dual tuner device out there now. HD Homerun or something along those lines. Of course it's more than the price of two single HD cards, but it has two tuners.

I've got a $2.49 Ratshack antenna that gets 90%+ on a couple of channels and a silver sensor clone that pulls in everything broadcasting with halfway decent power. It's all in the location.

I also think that TVfool's tv antenna coverage site is much better than AntennaWeb's.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: imaheadcase
Well i would rather have 1 for 2 HD signals, im surprised no one has made one yet.

My 24 inch Dell WS is perfect, I don't like big TV sets to watch moves/TV. I prefer smaller like 24 inch.

I don't want 2 tuners in case when 1 would work fine, I will just wait it out for a year to see if they put out a Dual HD tuner. Make it simpler.


HD hardrive space is not a problem, I got more than enough.

I want 2 HD tuners too -- and I found one, but haven't bought it yet.

It's a Vbox Cats Eye 164e -- but needs a pci-e port (which is great for me, but not great if you have an old pc)

I started a thread in here asking about it, but it seems nobody has one.

If you buy one, PM me a review please.