Do you use HDTV digital outdoor antenna?

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 10:57 AM

If you use an outdoor antenna instead of cable or satellite TV, can you tell me about your experience? How many channels do you get, and is the quality consistent? What brand/model do you use? Any pros or cons?

We're investigating switching a TV from cable to antenna, and really need some help. I've checked out some antennas that are for sale online but I would like some input from real-life users.

**Banjo** · 11-13-2010, 11:11 AM

I have one and I love it. The image quality is astonishing, I have to say.

It depends how many stations and towers are around where you live. I receive my signals from Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto. Probably 40 to 60 channels all together. I think I may have around 20 to 30 in HD, I'm not sure.

I would recommend Channel Master.

http://www.channelmaster.com/

You can buy antennas from them, and you can even buy a personal video recorder from them! I don't have a personal video recorder yet, but I'm considering it since this one has support for CC and it has a dual TV tuner too as well.

HDTV Antenna compatible DVR record Digital TV and HDTV with a HD digital recorder CM-7000PAL DVR by Channel Master. This is the best hd dvr on the market and is a subscription free DVR

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

I have one and I love it. The image quality is astonishing, I have to say.

It depends how many stations and towers are around where you live. I receive my signals from Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto. Probably 40 to 60 channels all together. I think I may have around 20 to 30 in HD, I'm not sure.

I would recommend Channel Master.

http://www.channelmaster.com/

You can buy antennas from them, and you can even buy a personal video recorder from them! I don't have a personal video recorder yet, but I'm considering it since this one has support for CC and it has a dual TV tuner too as well.

HDTV Antenna compatible DVR record Digital TV and HDTV with a HD digital recorder CM-7000PAL DVR by Channel Master. This is the best hd dvr on the market and is a subscription free DVR

Thanks! That's the kind of input I need.

Any cons or things I need to watch out for?

**Chevy57** · 11-13-2010, 01:04 PM

You may locate TV transmitters, choose indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas.

TV Fool

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy57

You may locate TV transmitters, choose indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas.

TV Fool

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 02:10 PM

According to the TV Fool site, I might get 6-8 stations with an attic-mount antenna.

**Chevy57** · 11-13-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

According to the TV Fool site, I might get 6-8 stations with an attic-mount antenna.

How far is from your home to TV towers?

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 02:16 PM

Callsign Chan Network

W26CF 26 (26.1)
WTAT-DT 24 (24.1) Fox
WLCN-CD 18
WMMP-DT 36 (36.1) MyN
WCBD-DT 50 (2.1) NBC
WCIV-DT 34 (4.1) ABC
WCSC-DT 47 (5.1) CBS
WITV-DT 7 (7.1) PBS
WJWJ-DT 44 (16.1) PBS

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy57

How far is from your home to TV towers?

Some are 4.2 miles, some are 28.3 miles.

**Chevy57** · 11-13-2010, 02:28 PM

You try to install your attic-mount antenna. Not require to climb outdoor antenna on roof.

Installing an outdoor antenna - Choosing & Installing an Antenna for HDTV

**Beowulf** · 11-13-2010, 02:30 PM

What I want to know is if bad weather affects the reception. I think so, but am not sure.

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

What I want to know is if bad weather affects the reception. I think so, but am not sure.

Good question. Weather affects dish TV reception.

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy57

You try to install your attic-mount antenna. Not require to climb outdoor antenna on roof.

Installing an outdoor antenna - Choosing & Installing an Antenna for HDTV

We have built-in cable that leads from the TV, thru the walls, to the outdoors. Can we attach an antenna to that?

***naisho*** · 11-13-2010, 02:46 PM

Is that existing cable that runs to the tv your 'old' UHF/VHF antenna? You could probably end up rewiring that to use instead. Or, do you mean by cable as in cable TV?

Not sure if you know of this, but as far as I am aware of in terms of engineering, there is no such classification as a 'HDTV' antenna, it's still the same antenna because it is the same band and analog as standard antennae of the past, as long as it can receive digital content. But what you most likely need to add is db gain of course.

**Reba** · 11-13-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naisho

Is that existing cable that runs to the tv your 'old' UHF/VHF antenna? You could probably end up rewiring that to use instead. Or, do you mean by cable as in cable TV?

As in coax cable TV.

The Highlander · 11-13-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

What I want to know is if bad weather affects the reception. I think so, but am not sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Good question. Weather affects dish TV reception.

We have DirecTV and digital tuner.

Bad weather do affect dish but it won't affect to digital tuner. We use digital tuner as backup for news, weather watch, etc when dish down.

***naisho*** · 11-13-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

As in coax cable TV.

Nada you can do with that coax cable unless you modify it, there's going to be impedance mismatching going on. However, not all hope is lost. I think you can buy some converters at an electronics store like radioshack if you are serious in this endeavor. You're going to need EE assistance to determine what you need though.

deafgal001 · 11-14-2010, 09:57 AM

PBS Digital Television | PBS

AntennaWeb <---- this probably will help you determine what antenna you need.

PowerON · 11-15-2010, 10:18 AM

If you live in low like in valley where the signal would be more like block and get difficult to receive toward the antenna. I had on my previous resident location. Now, I live new one is much better. I able to receive all major network I need to meet such as

ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX and few location network that offer. Up to 10 to 15 channels include spanish. Amazing crispy HD than compare to cable subscriber.

**Reba** · 11-15-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerON

If you live in low like in valley where the signal would be more like block and get difficult to receive toward the antenna. I had on my previous resident location. Now, I live new one is much better. I able to receive all major network I need to meet such as

ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX and few location network that offer. Up to 10 to 15 channels include spanish. Amazing crispy HD than compare to cable subscriber.

Our area is very flat; no hills, mountains or valleys. We are close to sea level. Still, our reception is bad. Maybe it's the trees and buildings that are blocking the signals.

It looks like we'll be able to get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX (local), and PBS.

We'll probably use an outdoor antenna, maybe with a rotator.

PowerON · 11-15-2010, 02:07 PM

antenna with power will help boost to receive to keep the display without "noise" digital

DDU · 11-15-2010, 03:56 PM

i use an amplifier on my antenna. dont watch enuff tv to want to pay for cable . the HD pics come in greatfor local channels

**Reba** · 01-17-2011, 12:05 PM

Well, the people who I was helping with the antenna situation went ahead with another person's "expert" opinion. They bought an outside antenna (provided by the "expert"), installed it on a pole, and hooked it up to the TV. It gets only four VHF channels. They asked me to check it out. I did. It's a VHF antenna only. Bleh! It was NOT the antenna I recommended. Apparently, they trusted the opinion of the "expert" over the opinion of little old granny lady me. Ha! I tested their TV with my cheap VHF/UHF indoor rabbit ears and was able to pick up seven more channels. If they had followed my advice they would have 11 channels instead of four. Oh, well.

**Banjo** · 01-17-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Well, the people who I was helping with the antenna situation went ahead with another person's "expert" opinion. They bought an outside antenna (provided by the "expert"), installed it on a pole, and hooked it up to the TV. It gets only four VHF channels. They asked me to check it out. I did. It's a VHF antenna only. Bleh! It was NOT the antenna I recommended. Apparently, they trusted the opinion of the "expert" over the opinion of little old granny lady me. Ha! I tested their TV with my cheap VHF/UHF indoor rabbit ears and was able to pick up seven more channels. If they had followed my advice they would have 11 channels instead of four. Oh, well.

So much for trying to help them out, eh? I know the feeling.

**Reba** · 01-17-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDU

i use an amplifier on my antenna. dont watch enuff tv to want to pay for cable . the HD pics come in greatfor local channels

Did you notice a big difference between amplified and not?

Buffalo · 01-17-2011, 04:08 PM

I just checked online to see what I can get out in the desert. Only 4 and that is on the low side.

Which is better -a roof mounted antenna or an antenna on top of a long pole? How would you adjusted it after a bad storm or something like that?

**JClarke** · 01-18-2011, 04:05 AM

my main is hooked with the outside antenna and it does have 22 channels.
my office TV have all 22 channels with powered indoor digital antenna.

Royale · 01-18-2011, 11:27 AM

It depends on how high the antenna stands above the ground. If it is high as 200 feet, you could get more than 15 channels. It depends on how many cities and towns are around your location.

You can fill in some information such as address, height of your antenna and etc in this cool website: TV Fool and you will get results of how many channels you will receive.

**Reba** · 01-19-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royale

...You can fill in some information such as address, height of your antenna and etc in this cool website: TV Fool and you will get results of how many channels you will receive.

Yes, I did that. The 11 channels we got are pretty much the limit for our area.

Royale · 01-19-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Yes, I did that. The 11 channels we got are pretty much the limit for our area.

How longis your TV antenna?

11-13-2010, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,524	Do you use HDTV digital outdoor antenna? If you use an outdoor antenna instead of cable or satellite TV, can you tell me about your experience? How many channels do you get, and is the quality consistent? What brand/model do you use? Any pros or cons? We're investigating switching a TV from cable to antenna, and really need some help. I've checked out some antennas that are for sale online but I would like some input from real-life users.

11-15-2010, 10:18 AM	#19 (permalink)
PowerON Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 37.5, 126.9 Posts: 10,386 Blog Entries: 5	If you live in low like in valley where the signal would be more like block and get difficult to receive toward the antenna. I had on my previous resident location. Now, I live new one is much better. I able to receive all major network I need to meet such as ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX and few location network that offer. Up to 10 to 15 channels include spanish. Amazing crispy HD than compare to cable subscriber. __________________ • [Illustrator.Blog-alloon.com] • Don't shoot me! I'm only blogger!

11-15-2010, 02:07 PM	#21 (permalink)
PowerON Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 37.5, 126.9 Posts: 10,386 Blog Entries: 5	antenna with power will help boost to receive to keep the display without "noise" digital __________________ • [Illustrator.Blog-alloon.com] • Don't shoot me! I'm only blogger!

11-15-2010, 03:56 PM	#22 (permalink)
DDU Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: north east Posts: 804	i use an amplifier on my antenna. dont watch enuff tv to want to pay for cable . the HD pics come in greatfor local channels __________________ when in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!

01-17-2011, 04:08 PM	#26 (permalink)
Buffalo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,025	I just checked online to see what I can get out in the desert. Only 4 and that is on the low side. Which is better -a roof mounted antenna or an antenna on top of a long pole? How would you adjusted it after a bad storm or something like that? __________________ “The problem is not that the (deaf) students do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen. “- Rev Jesse L. Jackson ( American Civil Rights Activist, Minister)

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

11-13-2010, 11:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Banjo Expelled Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 11,650	I have one and I love it. The image quality is astonishing, I have to say. It depends how many stations and towers are around where you live. I receive my signals from Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto. Probably 40 to 60 channels all together. I think I may have around 20 to 30 in HD, I'm not sure. I would recommend Channel Master. http://www.channelmaster.com/ You can buy antennas from them, and you can even buy a personal video recorder from them! I don't have a personal video recorder yet, but I'm considering it since this one has support for CC and it has a dual TV tuner too as well. HDTV Antenna compatible DVR record Digital TV and HDTV with a HD digital recorder CM-7000PAL DVR by Channel Master. This is the best hd dvr on the market and is a subscription free DVR

11-13-2010, 01:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chevy57 Sherlock Hound Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: O..HI..O! Posts: 10,346	You may locate TV transmitters, choose indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas. TV Fool

11-13-2010, 02:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,524	According to the TV Fool site, I might get 6-8 stations with an attic-mount antenna.

11-13-2010, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,524	Callsign Chan Network W26CF 26 (26.1) WTAT-DT 24 (24.1) Fox WLCN-CD 18 WMMP-DT 36 (36.1) MyN WCBD-DT 50 (2.1) NBC WCIV-DT 34 (4.1) ABC WCSC-DT 47 (5.1) CBS WITV-DT 7 (7.1) PBS WJWJ-DT 44 (16.1) PBS

11-13-2010, 02:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chevy57 Sherlock Hound Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: O..HI..O! Posts: 10,346	You try to install your attic-mount antenna. Not require to climb outdoor antenna on roof. Installing an outdoor antenna - Choosing & Installing an Antenna for HDTV

11-13-2010, 02:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Beowulf Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 10,516	What I want to know is if bad weather affects the reception. I think so, but am not sure.

11-13-2010, 02:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
*naisho* Forum Disorders M.D.,Ph.D Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 6,268	Is that existing cable that runs to the tv your 'old' UHF/VHF antenna? You could probably end up rewiring that to use instead. Or, do you mean by cable as in cable TV? Not sure if you know of this, but as far as I am aware of in terms of engineering, there is no such classification as a 'HDTV' antenna, it's still the same antenna because it is the same band and analog as standard antennae of the past, as long as it can receive digital content. But what you most likely need to add is db gain of course.

11-14-2010, 09:57 AM	#18 (permalink)
deafgal001 Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,542	PBS Digital Television \| PBS AntennaWeb <---- this probably will help you determine what antenna you need.

01-17-2011, 12:05 PM	#23 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,524	Well, the people who I was helping with the antenna situation went ahead with another person's "expert" opinion. They bought an outside antenna (provided by the "expert"), installed it on a pole, and hooked it up to the TV. It gets only four VHF channels. They asked me to check it out. I did. It's a VHF antenna only. Bleh! It was NOT the antenna I recommended. Apparently, they trusted the opinion of the "expert" over the opinion of little old granny lady me. Ha! I tested their TV with my cheap VHF/UHF indoor rabbit ears and was able to pick up seven more channels. If they had followed my advice they would have 11 channels instead of four. Oh, well.

01-18-2011, 04:05 AM	#27 (permalink)
JClarke I.T Guru Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 28,139 Blog Entries: 6	my main is hooked with the outside antenna and it does have 22 channels. my office TV have all 22 channels with powered indoor digital antenna.

01-18-2011, 11:27 AM	#28 (permalink)
Royale Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: World's Second Coldest Capital City! Posts: 4,444	It depends on how high the antenna stands above the ground. If it is high as 200 feet, you could get more than 15 channels. It depends on how many cities and towns are around your location. You can fill in some information such as address, height of your antenna and etc in this cool website: TV Fool and you will get results of how many channels you will receive.

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