TV antenna vs cable?

[Jersey mike]

has anyone tried (any of) the new HD TV antennas.

I"m wondering if they work well, how the reception is and which broadcasters are actually out over the air

[sutterhome]

try antennaweb or a similar website.will tell you how much antenna is needed for you.no such thing as hd antenna just a marketing ploy any old  style tv antenna will work.Better quality than dish or cable, but just locals and local network.not a compressed signal compared to cable or dish.free but location dependant. outside chicago there must be 60 plus channels availible

[CaribouHunter]

I have it and love it, in both my home and my RV.  Cost is ZERO!  I've saved about a thousand bucks since I switched, and get about 20 or 25 channels.  In my RV, I have to do a channel scan in what ever town I stop over in for the night.  The quality of reception is superb but the channel diversity is somewhat lacking, don't get ESPN or FOX for example, only on cable.  My home antenna is about the size of a pencil, and my RV is a little bigger, and on top.   

[dreamaker]

Its true about HD Antennas, its just marketing crap. So called HD antenna is just a High Gain UHF antenna with an amplifier, if you go in that direction, stick with brand names, allot people make claim about their antennas, but many are just China crap, made to look high tech. I have a Antenna Direct DB8, range of 70 mi, but some time I get more. I use a rotor that give me more options, even Canada channels. Normally I get 45-47 channels and have got on occasion 72,(I scan channels) I live on the far east edge of Michigan next to Lake St Clair, and one time I picked up Green Bay channel for a day. Reception must work at its peak, based on FCC requirements for Over the Air antennas (OTA). I did my research first and I have had my antenna ever since the beginning of the digital TV crossover. My success has been about 99.5%.  I bought most of my hardware from the site below, I used a mast setup, rather than direct mount to the roof, buying an extra 10ft piece of mast is cheaper than reroofing the house. My setup has paid for it self a hundred times over, I think my total cost was $150, and I don't regret it. Some info. I got the masts from, believe it or not at RadioShack, best price, heavy duty, power coated, and when you buy, coax cable always use quad shielded.  It may say something like RG6-Q on it(minimal loss of signal). There are some good channel survey sites, I will have to look and get back.

www.solidsignal.com

[cookiedough]

I think most antenna's reception is based on location, location, location.

I tried an antenna  where I live and lucky to get 5 local stations is all so-so reception clarity at best, but that was over 20 years ago so no idea if the reception or antenna quality has been improved since then.

I would think MORE people than just a few in my town would have antennas on their roofs or on a pole mount if it worked where I live. 

My neighbor does have a nice antenna mounted on the side of his garage roof the past 6-7 years and he states he only gets with his over the air antenna (not dish/directtv/cable hooked up) still today the local 5 stations with 3 or so of them coming in clear, the other 2-3 iffy picture quality. 

I would ask around your town and look to see if anybody else has roof antennas and go up and ask them how the reception is and how many stations they get in. 

If I got more than just 5 local stations coming in,  I'd be apt to scrap dish/directtv like I do know paying 80+ bucks per month for stupid TV with ONLY 20-25 stations of the 200+ I ever watch.

[wiggydotcom]

I have one up at the lake house in Wisc. It's definitely a location thing. They don't do well picking up reception over hills, bluffs, etc. I get about 18 channels---some religious, some telemarketing but it also picks up the local nbc, abc, and cbs out of Madison.


The thing about digital these days is that your channels are crystal clear or you don't pick them up. There's no more "snow" like in the olden days.

[dreamaker]

Seems informative!

http://www.tvovertheair.com//step-1-finding-the-location-of-the-broadcasters-antennas.php

www.fmfool.com

[davit]

For an antenna to work well it really needs to be outside and away from any solid obstructions.  We went with a low cost directional antenna pointed at towers 35 miles away, coupled with an amplifier and are very satisfied.



This Christmas we picked up a Roku TV, which in addition to antenna TV is connected to our home's WiFi and allows streaming of Netflix, YouTube etc.  There is also relatively new Sling, which I have not yet tried, which has a similar channel line up to cable.

[dreamaker]

I think most antenna's reception is based on location, location, location.

I tried an antenna  where I live and lucky to get 5 local stations is all so-so reception clarity at best, but that was over 20 years ago so no idea if the reception or antenna quality has been improved since then.

I would think MORE people than just a few in my town would have antennas on their roofs or on a pole mount if it worked where I live.  

My neighbor does have a nice antenna mounted on the side of his garage roof the past 6-7 years and he states he only gets with his over the air antenna (not dish/directtv/cable hooked up) still today the local 5 stations with 3 or so of them coming in clear, the other 2-3 iffy picture quality.  

I would ask around your town and look to see if anybody else has roof antennas and go up and ask them how the reception is and how many stations they get in.  

If I got more than just 5 local stations coming in,  I'd be apt to scrap dish/directtv like I do know paying 80+ bucks per month for stupid TV with ONLY 20-25 stations of the 200+ I ever watch.

If you are getting channels that are iffy, it is more than likely your equipment, like he says either they are there or not there, and should be crystal clear. Type of antenna makes a difference, on what you get, These seen on TV, or Wal-Mart crap, will be, you get what you pay for, stick with brand names. VERY IMPORTANT! There is allot of better than SEX type antennas hype out there, They even look very Star Wars like,  do some searches, and ask for advice from people that have, or reputable that sell it. I got one in the garage very impressive looking, but works for Sh*t.

[..]

I use a Leaf antenna. Mounted to an inside wall once best location for reception is determined.

http://www.gomohu.com/

Not a sports watcher or reality TV voyeur. The antenna will not fulfill these vices.

FOX, CNN et al have become newstainment and I miss none.

The antenna supplies local channels and others like http://www.france24.com/en/.

This web site helps you to see which over the air channels may be available.

http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/dtvmaps/

I use Netflix streaming and share this with a friend who subscribes to Amazon, which I share.

[scooperhsd]

This is an area that I'm an "expert" - as I have been doing OTA TV since the digital transition began (along with Dish network satellite).

Best source on stations near you - www.tvfool.com - I've known this guy over the internet for years, and his site references the FCC databases.  I think he also does the fmfool.com site.

Certainly - all the stuff said above is correct - it's "all or nothing" . You should find the quality of your picture on the OTA stations at least equal if not better than any other source (cable system that gets a direct fiber feed will match - assuming they don't do any massaging before putting out on their cable plant).

Correct - there is no such thing as an "HDTV Antenna" -  it's a TV antenna, period. However - SOME stations are also on VHF channels (2-13). Upper VHF (7-13) usually works close to UHF, but Lower VHF (2-6) is not very friendly to ATSC transmission. Also - unlike the oldstyle analog broadcasting - the stations for the most part are using that "channel assignment" as a virtual channel - so "WRAL channel 5" here in Raleigh is really broadcast on channel 48.

Cabling - Look for RG6 coax.

Any other questions - ask away.

[PAVALKER]

I have an antenna in my attic, hanging off the rafters and feeding TVs in the locations where I don't have the Cable/FIOS feeding (only 2 FIOS TVs).  In the garage and some bedrooms I have old analog tuner TVs with the digital tuners the government gave out vouchers for years ago.....and they work very well.  The signal is digital, and why th need for digital tuners which all newer TVs have now.  

I get lots of channels on those TVs, the local channels come in clear and I think even better than those on cable or satellite due to those having to be compressed signals.  If the signal drops to a lower level, there will be digital blocking on the screen, not like the old days of static or poor signal quality.

Having to have Internet and also a landline phone, since I just use TracFone for  cell phone service, it's cheaper for me to get high speed internet, home phone and TV in the triple play package..... Now just about 124 a month, just renewed.  I have a set top multi room DVR, can record 2 channels, rewind live TV as well, high speed internet on a dual band gateway (2.4ghz and 5ghz) and the 5ghz is better with less interference and high speeds and better transmission (50mps plus) and of course a landline phone with unlimited minutes and voice mail...which I can and do use on occasion to call in and get my cell phone voice mail.

I'm now trying to get smart on using my wifi on the cell phone to use hotspots for Google Voice, and using Comcast or other hotspots, it's pretty good.  I can also watch TV shows, but not live TV on the phone, iPad and kindle and probably my notebook.  Technology....gotta love it....even tho at times I hate it.

[sandy]

I switched from the old style antenna to a digital and picked up several channels. Cut the cable back in Feb of '01. Fifteen years of not having a $100 monthly bill has bought me a 3rd motorcycle.

[dreamaker]

This is an area that I'm an "expert" - as I have been doing OTA TV since the digital transition began (along with Dish network satellite).

Best source on stations near you - www.tvfool.com - I've known this guy over the internet for years, and his site references the FCC databases.  I think he also does the fmfool.com site.

Certainly - all the stuff said above is correct - it's "all or nothing" . You should find the quality of your picture on the OTA stations at least equal if not better than any other source (cable system that gets a direct fiber feed will match - assuming they don't do any massaging before putting out on their cable plant).

Correct - there is no such thing as an "HDTV Antenna" -  it's a TV antenna, period. However - SOME stations are also on VHF channels (2-13). Upper VHF (7-13) usually works close to UHF, but Lower VHF (2-6) is not very friendly to ATSC transmission. Also - unlike the oldstyle analog broadcasting - the stations for the most part are using that "channel assignment" as a virtual channel - so "WRAL channel 5" here in Raleigh is really broadcast on channel 48.

Cabling - Look for RG6 coax.

Any other questions - ask away.

Here I have two Detroit channels on VHF which is Ch2 that is RF Ch7 and Ch9 which it RF Ch9 and digitally they are fine. Interesting thing is, you may have, let say Ch8 OK coming from Detroit, then you turn the antenna 180*  and rescan the channels.  The Ch8 may be different and coming from Canada. Just an example!! Its kind of a cool thing, also I notice in certain conditions you can get channels from places you think you couldn't get from, Like signal skipping of the atmosphere. Also again when you go for the coax cable make sure the RG6 is quad shielded, it should have a "Q" on it or say quad shielded.

[fudgie]

I bought one of them fancy looking ones that mount by ur tv. They sucked. Had to go with a attic mount. Works great. I hv no need for cable/sat since Im never home.

[dreamaker]

Also keep in mind, an amplifier make a difference, it increases a dB gain to get more range. It is not a magic wand, so everyone may be different, that's why you go online first to see what is out there.

[scooperhsd]

An amplifier can only amplify if there is a signal there TO amplify. I have found, in my experiance, that amplifiers work best to overcome signal losses due to  cable length, and also when using splitters for distribution. You want just enough amplification to make up for the anticipated loss. So I use a pre-amp to join my separate VHF and UHF antennas outside, down to my distribution area, join that with the coax output of a satellite receiver, then to a  moderate amp and out to an 8 way splitter (each going to a different location/TV tuner in the house). The beautiful thing with digital is the all or nothing - it's also the curse.

[dreamaker]

An amplifier can only amplify if there is a signal there TO amplify. I have found, in my experiance, that amplifiers work best to overcome signal losses due to  cable length, and also when using splitters for distribution. You want just enough amplification to make up for the anticipated loss. So I use a pre-amp to join my separate VHF and UHF antennas outside, down to my distribution area, join that with the coax output of a satellite receiver, then to a  moderate amp and out to an 8 way splitter (each going to a different location/TV tuner in the house). The beautiful thing with digital is the all or nothing - it's also the curse.

You are correct, when I referred to amplifier, I really meant a pre-amp which needs to be near the outside antenna.  They are a two piece unit.
 My understand is of the antenna, is every time you attach an other TV to the system it depletes the gain. Lately I have been losing stations and I think I need to replace my coax cable, that may be causing losses. Its been out their for a long time, if we ever get an other warm day, I will change it.

[scooperhsd]

I read on the internet several years ago that the japanese change out their coax cables every 7 years.  That seemed a bit excessive to me. But I do get the idea that outside coax does indeed weather and periodically needs replacement. That said - I do have some 15 years old coax still working just fine. If you're loosing OTA stations - I'd say you're probably on the right track. One thing I try very hard to do with mine - I keep all outside coax connections to an absolute minimum. And I prefer to use the compression fittings when making my own ends. I do have a good crimp on tool before I got used to the compression tool.

[dreamaker]

My regular channels I have no issues, I live on the most eastern side of Michigan. I use to get channels from Erie Penn., Columbus OH., Cleveland OH, don't get them any more, so I assume there is some loss some where.  I still get Toronto and Hamilton ON. CA. still. I guess I just got spoiled.

[Jess Tolbirt]

i get 52 OTA stations here and actually watch about 30 of those..