HDTV Newb, antenna questions... -Updated 10/4-

[codeyf]

My OTA HDTV Chart

So, the recommended antenna is the Zenith Silver Sensor from what I've been reading. Based on my chart, what would it get me? I really want fox, but am assuming I'd need something a little more hardcore to get it since it's so far away...But I'm really not trying to break the bank. The ZSS is pretty cheap, and if it at least gets me ABC/CBS/NBC I'd be ok with it.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

I get jack squat. I get one network, in 3 flavors. 2 are the same, except 1 is close captioned and the other isnt. The third is actual HD and looks good, but it's the friggin PBS station!!!!!

The cheapie jensen multi-directional actually got the WB on top of those 3 PBS channels....

 

[nsafreak]

Should be able to get most of the channels on that chart with the possible exception of FOX. I'd look into getting a ChannelMaster Square Shooter, would probably be your best bet for the range.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Those are all UHF channels, which is good. I only have experience using the Silver Sensor at about 20 miles, so I'm not sure how it performs at about 35. It will largely depend on the terrain/buildings, and whether or not you have a good line of sight. Also, its orientation is a little off from the rest of the "main" locals, and the Silver Sensor is pretty directional - however, if you were able to pick up FOX by having the antenna aimed directly at that tower, the others will probably pick up since they're not too far off (and they're only 15 miles away). Just as a guess though, I wouldn't really expect to pick up FOX with the SS unless you're lucky...I have a ChannelMaster 4228 right now (huge antenna) and it still doesn't pick up what I need it to - but that's because I go to school in the middle of nowhere and the nearest big cities are about 75+ miles away.

 

[codeyf]

Cool, good enough I guess for < $20.

I was able to have a relative in Hawaii pick up that HDTV receiver on clearance from Radio Shack and ship it to me. Had the $10 off coupon from the entertainment book, and because it was an open box they doubled the warranty

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: codeyf
Cool, good enough I guess for < $20.

I was able to have a relative in Hawaii pick up that HDTV receiver on clearance from Radio Shack and ship it to me. Had the $10 off coupon from the entertainment book, and because it was an open box they doubled the warranty

:thumbsup:

I too feel the pain of not being able to receive FOX in HD...the local station here is completely useless (they don't broadcast in HD, only digital 480i, but no one can pick up the signal even at <5 miles anyway because it's so weak)...the cable company isn't much better (although they do carry CBS and PBS in HD - and NBC if I can ever figure out where they moved the channel to)...for the others, I'm just out of luck. I'd have to pick them up OTA out of either Waco (~77 miles to the towers) or Houston (~88 miles, opposite direction).

The Silver Sensor will be great for you with those short distance signals though.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Those are all UHF channels, which is good. I only have experience using the Silver Sensor at about 20 miles, so I'm not sure how it performs at about 35. It will largely depend on the terrain/buildings, and whether or not you have a good line of sight. Also, its orientation is a little off from the rest of the "main" locals, and the Silver Sensor is pretty directional - however, if you were able to pick up FOX by having the antenna aimed directly at that tower, the others will probably pick up since they're not too far off (and they're only 15 miles away). Just as a guess though, I wouldn't really expect to pick up FOX with the SS unless you're lucky...I have a ChannelMaster 4228 right now (huge antenna) and it still doesn't pick up what I need it to - but that's because I go to school in the middle of nowhere and the nearest big cities are about 75+ miles away.

have you tried it with a pre-amp?

I've got the 4228 as well and am extremely happy with it.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: codeyf
Cool, good enough I guess for < $20.

I was able to have a relative in Hawaii pick up that HDTV receiver on clearance from Radio Shack and ship it to me. Had the $10 off coupon from the entertainment book, and because it was an open box they doubled the warranty

:thumbsup:

I too feel the pain of not being able to receive FOX in HD...the local station here is completely useless (they don't broadcast in HD, only digital 480i, but no one can pick up the signal even at <5 miles anyway because it's so weak)...the cable company isn't much better (although they do carry CBS and PBS in HD - and NBC if I can ever figure out where they moved the channel to)...for the others, I'm just out of luck. I'd have to pick them up OTA out of either Waco (~77 miles to the towers) or Houston (~88 miles, opposite direction).

The Silver Sensor will be great for you with those short distance signals though.

From your profile I assume your in CS. (that fox comment made me think there was someone else that was in my exact situation with them). I have cox cable here and nbc is on the channel it always was on (730 i beleive).

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Those are all UHF channels, which is good. I only have experience using the Silver Sensor at about 20 miles, so I'm not sure how it performs at about 35. It will largely depend on the terrain/buildings, and whether or not you have a good line of sight. Also, its orientation is a little off from the rest of the "main" locals, and the Silver Sensor is pretty directional - however, if you were able to pick up FOX by having the antenna aimed directly at that tower, the others will probably pick up since they're not too far off (and they're only 15 miles away). Just as a guess though, I wouldn't really expect to pick up FOX with the SS unless you're lucky...I have a ChannelMaster 4228 right now (huge antenna) and it still doesn't pick up what I need it to - but that's because I go to school in the middle of nowhere and the nearest big cities are about 75+ miles away.

have you tried it with a pre-amp?

I've got the 4228 as well and am extremely happy with it.

I actually did order a preamp, but it was DOA and the company didn't have any more in stock so I just sent it back for a refund...

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: codeyf
Cool, good enough I guess for < $20.

I was able to have a relative in Hawaii pick up that HDTV receiver on clearance from Radio Shack and ship it to me. Had the $10 off coupon from the entertainment book, and because it was an open box they doubled the warranty

:thumbsup:

I too feel the pain of not being able to receive FOX in HD...the local station here is completely useless (they don't broadcast in HD, only digital 480i, but no one can pick up the signal even at <5 miles anyway because it's so weak)...the cable company isn't much better (although they do carry CBS and PBS in HD - and NBC if I can ever figure out where they moved the channel to)...for the others, I'm just out of luck. I'd have to pick them up OTA out of either Waco (~77 miles to the towers) or Houston (~88 miles, opposite direction).

The Silver Sensor will be great for you with those short distance signals though.

From your profile I assume your in CS. (that fox comment made me think there was someone else that was in my exact situation with them). I have cox cable here and nbc is on the channel it always was on (730 i beleive).

Yep, I'm in College Station. I just have a PC HDTV tuner though, not a cable box (so unless they're suddenly encrypting the NBC-HD channel, I should still be getting it).

Edit: I'm pretty sure they changed which physical channel it was on, because I'm no longer even getting a signal on the channel that I used to - even on encrypted channels I get a signal level, it just doesn't show a picture.

 

[codeyf]

What retailers carry the SS?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: codeyf
What retailers carry the SS?

B&M retailers? I bought mine at Sears...not sure who else might have it locally to you.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: codeyf
What retailers carry the SS?

Fry's B&M has it for $49.99 or you can order it for $19.99 from Amazon.com

 

[krmarks]

I have a SS on the first floor of my 2 story home, which has a lot of buildings near it and I am 31-40 miles out from most of the towers.....and I get all the local channels except cbs(freq 3) which almost no one gets even with a large antenna. Try the SS from amazon for 20 bones and get a preamp if needed.

 

[codeyf]

Well, tonight is the night. Scheduled for delivery by UPS today. Too bad it's a day late for MNF

 

[codeyf]

Bump for update!