I need a new HDTV antenna...

[50]

Hello everyone, it seems I can barely break a 50% signal with my zenith silver star HD antenna, so I want to upgrade. First, does anyone know what color category the silver sensor falls into? According to this chart, I want to get either a blue or violet (I'd rather get the best and not have to worry about my signal). If I get a violet antenna, will it not work without a pre amp? I will have to run it over a 400-500 foot cable. Can anyone reccomend a good antenna? With the cost of RG 6 cable, I don't want to go over 150 dollars (I understand the MSRP on the site is high, but I searched on google and found better prices, around half). Thanks

 

[T2T III]

Check out something from Terk.

 

[50]

Also could someone else tell me what a diplexer is? Does anyone also know if it could be possible to take the cable going from the sattelite and the cable going from the antenna and use them in one cable? Or do I have to run 2 cables (one for sattelite one for antenna)? Thanks

 

[cliftonite]

I have this anntenna from Radio Shack and it works like a charm.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: 50
Also could someone else tell me what a diplexer is? Does anyone also know if it could be possible to take the cable going from the sattelite and the cable going from the antenna and use them in one cable? Or do I have to run 2 cables (one for sattelite one for antenna)? Thanks

you can use a diplexer. you'll need two of them, one to combine the signals at the dish, and then one to seperate the signals at your box. If you have more than one LNB plus the antenna, then you need a special type of diplexer-multiswitch.


herewss a good info link http://www.hometech.com/learn/dss.html

 

[50]

I think I'd rather get an outdoor antenna. I found out what a diplexor is, so my question is now, do I have to buy 2 of these? I plan to diplex both of the signals outside the house then do I need a diplexer inside the house? Thanks

EDIT:NM thanks Technokid


BTW does anyone know if a preamp is neccessary for the antenna? Also is a satellite signal amplifier neccessary? I read that for cable over 300 feet, it is reccomended.

 

[Gunbuster]

will have to run it over a 400-500 foot cable

:Q you live in a hole?

 

[50]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster

will have to run it over a 400-500 foot cable

:Q you live in a hole?

Well the original sattelite installer wrapped the cable literally around my house. Maybe I overexaggerated that, its more like 250 feet sorry. Anyways I won't need a cable if I can just use a diplexer. Thanks guys

 

[aphex]

How many miles out could the silver sensor reach towers?

 

[50]

Originally posted by: aphex
How many miles out could the silver sensor reach towers?

I really am not sure, all I know is if I got up off the couch the signal was lost, so I was just barely getting it.


BTW: how hard is it to install one of these? I assume I'll need a special kind of mount. I remember when I was planning on getting my sattelite dish on my roof, they told me I need a non penetrating roof mount and cinder blocks. Will I need the same thing here? Typically how much would it cost for someone to install this?

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: 50

BTW: how hard is it to install one of these? I assume I'll need a special kind of mount. I remember when I was planning on getting my sattelite dish on my roof, they told me I need a non penetrating roof mount and cinder blocks. Will I need the same thing here? Typically how much would it cost for someone to install this?

Here: Text they ahve antennas and the mount systems. you can also buy dilpexers from them.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: aphex
How many miles out could the silver sensor reach towers?

I really am not sure, all I know is if I got up off the couch the signal was lost, so I was just barely getting it.

If you go to http://www.antennaweb.org, it will show you how far away your digital stations are, and which antennas it reccomends for those distances.

 

[Apex]

For the love of all things good and wholesome, no Terk, please please please.

What's the distance you need? All UHF?

For something discrete, there's the Winegard Square Shooter. Good medium range antenna (30-70 miles). If you need something longer, there's the ChannelMaster 4228 (30-100 miles or so). Antenna's Direct makes an 8-bay unit which is slightly better than the 4228, IMHO (I tested them both in exactly the same location), but it's more expensive.

That's quite a long distance for the cable run. You'll want RG11, or at least quad shielded RG6.

Use a ChannelMaster 7777 amplifier. It's one of the best (high gain, extremely low noise).

More info:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/

 

[OutHouse]

You do not need a special antenna to get HDTV reception. the only thing you need is a HDTV set.

edit: that didnt sound right. My point is. HDTV is broadcasted using the same radio waves as regular tv. any antenna will pickup a HDTV signal, you just need a HDTV to see HDTV.

 

[arod]

The silvesensors are the best indoor antennas you can buy.... The only way to upgrade will be a larger antenna mounted outside somewhere. Have you tried adjusting your signal at all I know the silver sensors are VERY directional (they have to be pointed right at the broadcast antenna)

 

[50]

Hello all. I did go to that site and I was surprised to see all of the towers were within 10-20 miles from me. I've literally tried every single direction for my silverstar arod, I can't get a good signal. The website reccomends a RED antenna. All I will need is UHF also. Does anyone know the color rating on the silversensor so I can get an idea of what I need (in case the website is wrong). Maybe I'll check out a blue one just to be safe. Thanks everyone

 

[arod]

The silversensor should be able to tune any antenna within 50 miles (not sure of its raing exactly but people over at AVS use it for a reson)

 

[50]

well I'm not sure what the problem is then. Also I called an antenna installation place and if I were to get a winegard 7037 installed it would cost 375 (including a non-penetrating roof mount). I never knew antenna installation was this expensive, so now I'm not really sure I want to get an outdoor antenna.

 

[supermole]

Sounds like your problem may be your antenna location and the long cable run. The link below should help with both. The location of the antenna can make a big difference.

www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html

 

[Electrode]

I wouldn't waste my time, money or space on anything less than the Channel Master Crossfire 3671.

Personally, I use a Channel Master 4228 for UHF and a Jerrold VIP-307SR for VHF. Nice for when I want to watch the local news from a city 100 miles away.

 

[PCHPlayer]

I use a cheap $10 RCA antenna (similar to this one) that sits on the small ledge on the top of my DLP TV and it works great. Of course I live in L.A. which has good reception in most of the basin due to the transmitters being on top of a 8000 ft. (guess) mountain.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
Check out something from Terk.

heh heh


Check out this place:
http://www.starkelectronic.com/

Get thee a ChannelMaster or Winegard antenna.

 

[OutHouse]

nm