In Search of a New TV Antenna
It's less than a year to go for the end of our analog television signal. I've still got my analog antenna. It's attached to the chimney outside, and still works fine for VHF duties. After some research, I've got a plan for the upgrade.
I thought at first that the way to go was to buy a new antenna and swap it out for the old one. You know, one of the newer ones that has the UHF V at the back that will tune in all that HD goodness. After researching it, I'm glad I didn't go that way. For starters, these things are heavy. They can also be kind of bulky to hoist up into position. I've also heard that they can be a challenge just to put together. They also are more expensive than some other antennae. After a few reviews, I was convinced to look for an alternative.
As a first step, I'm going to try this compact model. While I don't give it much hope of working perfectly, it does have some favorable reviews, and just might work, so I figure it's worth a shot. Rather than taking my existing antenna down, I plan to piggyback it onto the main shaft. Apparently it has a range of 20 to 30 miles, and I'm right in the middle of that from the towers. I figure I'll give it a try, and see if it works.
When it doesn't, I've got a plan B. Moving up in size and price is this model
I found on Amazon. I like that I can also mount it to the pole of my existing antenna. It also claims a range of up to 50 miles, so I should have enough overkill factor fudge factor available. Recall that a marginal digital picture results in image dropouts and resets so it's really not going to be enjoyable unless it's right.
The stumbling block so far is that I've been to two Wally Marts and both of them have been out of the antenna that I've been looking for. Geez! Good thing I didn't wait for the last minute. While they've got piles of the digital converter boxes, they need some more antennas or the boxes will be useless. I plan on hitting another Wal-Mart later this week, so stay tuned how this all goes.
Of course, if neither antenna works, I can just justify Fios so maybe it's not the worst thing in the world...
--Jonas
I thought at first that the way to go was to buy a new antenna and swap it out for the old one. You know, one of the newer ones that has the UHF V at the back that will tune in all that HD goodness. After researching it, I'm glad I didn't go that way. For starters, these things are heavy. They can also be kind of bulky to hoist up into position. I've also heard that they can be a challenge just to put together. They also are more expensive than some other antennae. After a few reviews, I was convinced to look for an alternative.
As a first step, I'm going to try this compact model. While I don't give it much hope of working perfectly, it does have some favorable reviews, and just might work, so I figure it's worth a shot. Rather than taking my existing antenna down, I plan to piggyback it onto the main shaft. Apparently it has a range of 20 to 30 miles, and I'm right in the middle of that from the towers. I figure I'll give it a try, and see if it works.
When it doesn't, I've got a plan B. Moving up in size and price is this model I found on Amazon. I like that I can also mount it to the pole of my existing antenna. It also claims a range of up to 50 miles, so I should have enough The stumbling block so far is that I've been to two Wally Marts and both of them have been out of the antenna that I've been looking for. Geez! Good thing I didn't wait for the last minute. While they've got piles of the digital converter boxes, they need some more antennas or the boxes will be useless. I plan on hitting another Wal-Mart later this week, so stay tuned how this all goes.
Of course, if neither antenna works, I can just justify Fios so maybe it's not the worst thing in the world...
--Jonas
Labels: antenna, Digital Television, digital transition
posted by digitaldoc at 11:19 PM
6 Comments:
My suggestion - get FIOS or a sat provider for HD! My antenna works OK here locally, but you will be limited to which way the antenna is pointed, unless you get an omni-directional one whic will cut down on the power to bring farther away signals in. I have to constantly reposition my antenna to bring different channels in. I cant even get an ABC station here in PA, I actually have to tune one in from MD to watch anything on ABC.
Biggest drawback for me - no ESPNHD, SPeedHD, etc - just local channels :(.
Mike
Once we get a 1080p tv for downstairs I will either upgrade my Dish to HD, or switch to Directv for HD - it depends on how much Dish is going to try and soak me for the equipment compared with getting it almost free from Directv ;)
I think Dtv has more hd channels also - not sure.
I guess I'm fortunate that I can get Fios, cable, or either satellite provider. I'm looking to go triple play, but I want to cut my cell phone bill and shift the money into premium TV which won't happen till November. In the meantime, I can justify the antenna because I'll need it to use my Phillips DVR come the end of analog TV.
All my local OTA's are in one direction, so stay tuned. I'm guessing the smaller one won't work, but I'm going to try it anyway. If it doesn't detect much from the ground, I'm going to go ahead and order the bigger one from Amazon.
Jonas
You will fall in love with the picture! Send the wife away, she will be second tier.
Mike
Dont let her see that or she might want to take a "vacation" to PA ;)
Also - dont those triple play deals rip you off in the end? I heard they are good at first when the special pricing is in effect, but when it gets raised you could have gotten everything seperate for the same price? I can get everything but FIOS here :( I dont think FIOS has many HD channels right now though.
The triple play deals are much better for the first year, so you're correct. However, if you keep threatening to switch, they sometimes will let you sign up again for the original deal (Fios often does this). In any event, I do know one guy that keeps switching between cable and Fios so it is possible to permanently triple play it if you can put up with the reinstallations...
I received this comment from Andrea:
I happen to love Fios. The phone and internet are flawless, and the HD is superior to the dish and cable. Sadly you cannot get NFL Sunday ticket unless you have the dish so we have both. When you compare identical broadcasts by toggling you really see the difference of Fios HD.
Those devout football fans will pay anything for their games! I knew someone else who had two premium TV selections: cable in his Manhattan apartment, and NFL Sunday ticket on DirectTV at the same location.
After a season of this, he realized that he was better off keeping the NFL Season Ticket, and going off to the bar to watch the few games that were blacked out (I think he was a Buffalo Bills fan if memory serves correctly). He figured the bar was cheaper than cable!
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