Suggest an HD antenna

[dmw16]

I've finally had my fill of comcast and their insane prices. So I am getting direct TV instead. But now I need an HD antenna for my HD locals (aka football ). Does anyone know of any sites that review them or can recommend one over another? I'd be willing to use an indoor if I can (I am close to both Baltimore and Wash. DC) but could put up a small outdoor. Thanks for the help.

 

[Apex]

Start here:

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Figure out the distance you are from the towers for the channels you want to watch. Also, figure out the widest angles between the tower for the channels you want to watch. Lastly, figure out if you need UHF only, or both UHF and VHF.

Then, report back.

There's absolutely NO WAY we can give you a good recommendation without this info. Without it, it's just shooting in the dark.

 

[Pantoot]

Antennaweb.org

Chances are you can swing a deal with your sat operator that includes an OTA antenna as well.

 

[dmw16]

Longest distance is 21 miles (all channels I must have are yellow, a few are green). Towers are between 61* and 220* and I am being told to get a yellow or yellow/green.

thanks.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Longest distance is 21 miles (all channels I must have are yellow, a few are green). Towers are between 61* and 220* and I am being told to get a yellow or yellow/green.

thanks.

basically get a nice UHF antenna.

$50

 

[dmw16]

what makes a nice one? cost? just curious what i should look for. and can i get away w/ an indoor?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Longest distance is 21 miles (all channels I must have are yellow, a few are green). Towers are between 61* and 220* and I am being told to get a yellow or yellow/green.

thanks.

Distance is great, you can use practically anything.

However, that's quite a wide angle. There's a chance you may need to turn the antenna. You can do so either manually, or with a programmable rotator:

Programmable Antenna Rotator

Since you didn't say, I'm going to assume UHF only.

For inside the home, 'there are a bunch of good choices, depending on your own ability to handle size/ugliness.

Really really good choice for non-multipath environments, but a bit ugly, and not the cheapest at $49:

Antennas Direct DB2

Also kinda costly, but much nicer looking:

Winegard SquareShooter SS-1000

You really don't need anything amplified at that distance.

If you really want to go cheap, the Zenith ZHDTV1Z (which practically everyone seems to own) MAY work at that distance. It's called by a bunch of different names, most commonly Silver Sensor:

Zenith ZHDTV1Z

Here's some good info:

HDTV Primer Commercially Available Antenna Comparison

 

[dmw16]

The one looks like a baking rack.

 

[Fenixgoon]

the Zenith ZHDTV1Z is a great antenna. i use it with my HDTV Wonder and get great reception, although ATI MMC leaves a bit to be desired (it works, but it definitely could be better). anyway, great antenna, and VERY small

 

[amol]

I use the Zenith Silver Sensor (I guess it's the same as the ZHDTV1Z)

 

[dmw16]

Just atop the TV?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: dmw16
The one looks like a baking rack.

Indeed, but it's extremely hard to beat its performance (considering price/size/etc).

Check out the net gain:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/GainUHFnet.gif

L is the DB2
M is the SquareShooter SS-1000
I is the Silver Sensor

All in all though, it's really about what you need in your situation.

I'm using a huge DB-8 (pretty much the best antenna commonly available, upgraded from the ChannelMaster 4228) plus a ChannelMaster amplifier. What's necessary for one location is overkill for another.

 

[Isocene]

Yall mind helping me out too? I also got tired of paying $135 a month for internet and hd cable from Time Warner and canceled my stuff 2 weeks ago.

Here are my results:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Isocene/hd.JPG

I guess all I need are those basic channels? I live in an apartment on the second floor, nothing tall around me. Would I be able to put one of these guys on the balcony?

Is the reception good?

Is 9 miles too far?

 

[JBT]

I picked up a $7.99 rabit ear Antenna from K-mart it works GREAT!!! ~95% signal stregth with the towers about 12 miles away.

 

[GhettoFob]

Zenith ZHDTV1

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Isocene
Yall mind helping me out too? I also got tired of paying $135 a month for internet and hd cable from Time Warner and canceled my stuff 2 weeks ago.

Here are my results:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Isocene/hd.JPG

I guess all I need are those basic channels? I live in an apartment on the second floor, nothing tall around me. Would I be able to put one of these guys on the balcony?

Is the reception good?

Is 9 miles too far?

You really want to focus on the DT channels. You have:

KVUE-DT (ABC): 202 degrees, 8.9 miles, frequency 33
KNVA-DT (MNT): 202 degrees, 8.6 miles, frequency 54
KLRU-DT (PBS): 197 degrees, 8.5 miles, frequency 22
KEYE-DT (CBS): 202 degrees, 8.9 miles, frequency 43
KAKW-DT (UNI): 316 degrees, 25.3 miles, frequency 13
KXAN-DT (NBC): 202 degrees, 8.6 miles, frequency 21
KNCT-DT (PBS): 2 degrees, 38.5 miles, frequency 38

If you're looking at getting ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBX, you got it made. The Silver Sensor should easily work.

 

[Isocene]

I have a panasonic 50px50u which has:

"Built-in NTSC and ATSC TV Tuners
The TH-50PX50U includes an integrated ATSC tuner that pulls HDTV signals (480p, 720p, 1080i) right out of the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming."

So that means all I gotta do is buy that silver guy and I can keep him inside my apartment pointed in the right direction with some kind of cable(that comes with the antenna) connected to my tv and I'm going to get super clear reception?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Isocene
I have a panasonic 50px50u which has:

"Built-in NTSC and ATSC TV Tuners
The TH-50PX50U includes an integrated ATSC tuner that pulls HDTV signals (480p, 720p, 1080i) right out of the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming."

So that means all I gotta do is buy that silver guy and I can keep him inside my apartment pointed in the right direction with some kind of cable(that comes with the antenna) connected to my tv and I'm going to get super clear reception?

Your TV has a built in HD tuner that can receive over the air signals.

Whether the Silver Sensor works or not for you depends on your location relative to the local HD towers.

Edit: Bah, notice who posted. Yeah, most of the channels that carry HD you should easily be able to pull with the Silver Sensor.

 

[LS20]

anybody know whether big chain B&M carry the silver sensor? cant find it on CC or BB website.

 

[lokiju]

I just got this one.
I've read all over the place that it's just about the best for the money HD antenna.

Haven't even received it yet though.

 

[xchangx]

Can you get the HD locals through Directv?