My wife and I have decided to save a little money and drop our satellite service (DirectTV) and get an antenna for just the local stations. Knowing nothing about antenna could someone here get me in the right path on what I need to get? Thanks
Doing Away with Satellite TV Question
- Thread starter Ravon
- Start date
Try here...
http://www.antennaweb.org/
We use both sat TV and antenna TV. There's some great stuff on some of the over-the-air secondary channels, so you won't be limited to the networks. But you do have to live fairly close to a city where the broadcasts are available. I find that 40 miles is about the limit.
Dave
http://www.antennaweb.org/
We use both sat TV and antenna TV. There's some great stuff on some of the over-the-air secondary channels, so you won't be limited to the networks. But you do have to live fairly close to a city where the broadcasts are available. I find that 40 miles is about the limit.
Dave
adorshki
Reverential Member
Hi Ravon: Since the digital transition a couple of years back, broadcast signals, here at least, are of much lower signal strength than the old analog signals. Sound in particular seems excessively problematic and easily interfered with. Could be the signal environment out here, with so many signal sources, but it's something you may want to try to check out like with friends or neighbors in your area before "cutting the cord".
I have a digital tuner (for backup) with an indoor antenna, am on a second floor with clear line of sight to almost all the signal sources in the area, and still the quality's atrocious whenever I "scan and refresh" the tuner.
Aisde from the current Viacom squabble, personally I think DirecTV's the best deal in town, it absolutely offers the best package price for the "Basic plus locals" but I realize it may not be that, where you live.
Otherwise, yeah, I'm sympathetic to cutting out all the frills to try to keep whatever you can in your pocket. :wink:
I have a digital tuner (for backup) with an indoor antenna, am on a second floor with clear line of sight to almost all the signal sources in the area, and still the quality's atrocious whenever I "scan and refresh" the tuner.
Aisde from the current Viacom squabble, personally I think DirecTV's the best deal in town, it absolutely offers the best package price for the "Basic plus locals" but I realize it may not be that, where you live.
Otherwise, yeah, I'm sympathetic to cutting out all the frills to try to keep whatever you can in your pocket. :wink:
Yeah I understand Al and I will miss my reruns of 'Combat!' that I record. Other'n that, not much else on for me. My wife can get her reality shows on local. We have two young children and I don't think I can handle anymore episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba! :shock: so that'll be a plusadorshki said:
dougdnh
Member
We live in a pretty rural area, and several years ago I purchased a high quality UHF antenna - a Terrestrial Digital DB-8 (about $90). Our reception with it is outstanding - we pull in CBS, NBC, Public TV and all it's spin offs (Create & World), along with THIS (old movies) and two weather channels. They are broadcast from Burlington Vermont, 90 miles from us, and come in perfect. The antenna is mounted in our attic, and we are on a hill which I'm sure helps. The critical thing is aiming the antenna exactly right, just a hair off and you won't get much. If your luck enough to pick up a public tv station (lots of music) that also has a sister station with Create, you won't miss satellite. We can't get ABC because the Vermont ABC affiliate still broadcasts via VHF (no great loss). However, 90% of all over the air tv is now UHF, so that's where you should put your money.
With those guitars, what do you need TV for? :lol: :lol: :lol:
killdeer43
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You have spare time? Wow, I'm totally impressed! 8)Ravon said:
Joe
Dr. Spivey
Senior Member
I have excellent results with these home made antennas. I've made several of each type for myself, friends and family. I use either 9ga galvanized wire for indoors, or 7ga aluminum for outdoors. I like the Gray-Hoverman the best. Any HD antenna works best with a little altitude. In the attic makes a huge difference over in room. Outdoors on a pole or roof is better still and a necessity in fringe areas. HDTV is a UHF signal and is very sensitive to reflections off metal surfaces. Once you get the antenna away from those reflections you'll find the range really isn't that limited. Sometimes just putting the antenna in a ground floor window on the side facing the signal is all it takes. I recommend using the reflector with all these designs.
http://www.tvantennaplans.com/
http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/index.htm
A Roku box is a wonderful thing for sucking free TV off the internet. I have one of these as well, and love it. I haven't had cable for years.
http://www.roku.com/
http://www.tvantennaplans.com/
http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/index.htm
A Roku box is a wonderful thing for sucking free TV off the internet. I have one of these as well, and love it. I haven't had cable for years.
http://www.roku.com/
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Good one doc. Saw something similar on YouTube. Having to pay its like having a joke in your pocket. :lol: Steffan
killdeer43
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Or a banana! :lol:taabru45 said:
Joe
taabru45
Enlightened Member
I meant hole, but banana works.....gotta be careful with the phone, it sometimes changes words...
:lol: Steffan
:lol: Steffan