What is a good over the air antenna for HD?

[OdiN]

I'm thinking of dropping cable TV and just doing OTA HD for whatever.

Upside: Cheaper. I really dont' watch much TV. I do enjoy my sports in HD though.

Downside: Less sports. No DVR.

I can't get sat. here. Ugh. I wish they would do an a la carte type thing where you can pick channels you want and just pay for those. That'll never happen though.

 

[EvilYoda]

You can always go crazy and make one of those super huge ones that go on your roof...those'll pull anything in. I use a cheapie but goodie Zenith Silver Sensor (works great for me), but look into Terk if you want something nice.

 

[coldmeat]

How well do these things work? I'm just curious. I don't imagine I would pick up anything here. These signals are only broadcast in main cities right? I live about 70km from downtown Toronto for half the year and about 80km from Ottawa for the other half. I can't set up a huge antenna on my roof because I rent.

 

[OdiN]

I need something that would work indoors if possible.

I'll check out that Zenith.

 

[Muadib]

Before you get the Zenith, checkout this site.

 

[Semidevil]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Before you get the Zenith, checkout this site.

Question: I went to the site and listed my address and it gave me all the stations with the respective distance. Most of mine are 20 miles or less.

how am I suppose to use this information? Is there a link somewhere that tells me the best antenna choice?

 

[SlickSnake]

Phillips Antennas

Phillips makes HDTV antennas that actually work, unlike many off brands you never heard of that don't work and then break soon after you buy them. Plus, they have a great warranty service that works too, if it does break.

I have one of these US2-MANT410 and one of these SDV2950/27 and I think the SDV2950 is one of the best outdoor HDTV antennas you can buy, but it is a highly directional model. You may need a more omnidirectional one they sell.

The Mant410 has an updated version the Mant510 that you may want to try if you are wanting just an indoor antenna with a bit more range. I would recommend turning off the power supplies to any powered antenna when not in use, because this appears to be the part that most often fails in a powered antenna.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Semidevil

Originally posted by: Muadib
Before you get the Zenith, checkout this site.

Question: I went to the site and listed my address and it gave me all the stations with the respective distance. Most of mine are 20 miles or less.

how am I suppose to use this information? Is there a link somewhere that tells me the best antenna choice?

It should have given the antenna type needed for each channel. They are clickable, and will give the type of antenna you need.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: OdiN
I'm thinking of dropping cable TV and just doing OTA HD for whatever.

Upside: Cheaper. I really dont' watch much TV. I do enjoy my sports in HD though.

Downside: Less sports. No DVR.

I can't get sat. here. Ugh. I wish they would do an a la carte type thing where you can pick channels you want and just pay for those. That'll never happen though.

There are actually at least 2 options for OTA DVR

1. Echostar is coming out with one this December (end of the month?) http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972197 It's about $300 or so, and there are no subscription fees
2. You can get a TIVO and either pay monthly for the guide date, or spend around $300 for a lifetime subscription IN ADDITION to the cost of the equipment. Refurbs are supposed to be pretty cheap
3. E-bay. There were three OTA DVRs made by different companies (Sony, LG, and I can't remember the other one). Some of them can ONLY get the guide data through an analog signal, which will no longer work after the digital transition after February. There has been some speculation on avsform that the Sony can still get the guide data from the digital signal, but Sony officially says that it can't... so it's kind of iffy.

Anyway, if you need a DVR right now, I'd go with a TIVO. If you can wait, you can try the echostar when it comes out, but it's questionable on how good the quality will be on the unit. I would avoid the other options as there isn't a guarantee the guide data will work after February.

 

[Pliablemoose]

You could always build/buy a pc based DVR-Windows Media Player does a pretty good job...

A HD TIVO with a lifetime sub is likely the least expensive route though.

 

[zzuupp]

I cheaped out: WatchHDTV home

The scheduler is just like a VCR was. For example, It's set up to record channel 43 @ midnight every Sunday morning for thirty minutes. If nothing changes, it's Spike. Last weekend, I got the 6th inning and then some.

 

[Oyeve]

I use a rabbit ear set thats over 20 years old. I capture around 20 HD channels in NY