A Plea For Help (from You)

jim5506 · 10-23-2006, 10:37 PM

Your main fly in the ointment is WBBM-DT on channel frequency 3. It will require a rabbit-ears type indoor antenna, the rest are UHF.

I'd recommend a UHF/VHF indoor antenna from Wal-Mart or Sears that has both a loop type antenna and the rabbit ears. Be sure you can return it if it doesn't work for you.

Secondly, I'd recomment the smallest outdoor UHF/VHF antenna you can find (not very many elements) and use it indoors.

HT Installer · 10-24-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwertshadow

please don't shout ! It's rude and childish ! If you don't want to answer questions from others, go read a book or something, and don't whine about it !

I second that!

grayhulk12@yah · 10-24-2006, 12:58 AM

Thanks but i was considering in hdtv i mean phillips,toshbia,sony and panisonic and if i could get more info on the antennas models.And another thing do the channels change when you have hdtv verus a regular tv like i own now? because jim5506 wbbm-dt is on frequency (3) on my regular tv its channel (2)and thats vhf and so is 5,7,9 and 11 then they go to uhf can someone explain this to me ? I guess i'm not as savy as I thought.
grayhulk

jim5506 · 10-24-2006, 08:13 AM

Right now every digital station must be on a different frequency from its analog counterpart, however, with digital they can use virtual channel numbers, so WBBM-DT has a virtual channel of 2.1 and transmits on frequency channel 3. Most digital frequencies are in the UHF range while their virtual channel number will usually be akin to their old analog channel number. WBBM is an exception, their digital is on CH3.

You will note that WLS-DT is virtual channel 7.1 (analog WLS is ch7), but their frequency is channel 52. WMAQ-DT is virtual 5.1 on frequency ch 29 and so forth.

Bigloww · 10-24-2006, 09:07 AM

I am about 12 SW of you (Willow Springs) and do well with just a indoor antenna You should do pretty well too from only 7 miles out as long as you don't have allot of tall apatment building and trees to the ENE. I do have some trouble from time to time with 3 (WBBM), but that is a VHF station that is low power. There are a few good indoor antenna's that may foot the bill. I have a TERK and a Zenith SS (UHF only) should do. Wineguard makes a couple very good indoor antennas, but the are a bit pricier.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...ROD=OBO-SS3000

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Custo...Review.do#tabs

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/prod...A&sku=TRKHDTVA

Baus · 11-07-2006, 08:13 AM

I am new - I know nothing - I will try to provide the relevant info -
HOWEVER - I don't want to sound ungrateful but you knowledgable folks forget that there are idiots like me out here - I have no idea what OTA is! So yes probably repetitive questions come up - cause we newbies are breaking into the new technology and don't know where to start - Sorry

I have a Sony A2000 60" HDTV - Charleston South Carolina - with Direct TV.

What do I do or need to obtain in order to get the best reception? Remember I just found out that I need an HD receiver? Amazing to me NOBODY ever mentioned that to me until I stumbled upon it with one of my stupid questions.

Thanks for the help.

Yaamon · 11-07-2006, 10:28 AM

Baus all you need to receive HD locals is just a good outdoor antenna.

Your tv has a built in atsc tuner.

In your area ota you should get Abc, Cbs, Nbc, Fox, Cw, Pbs, and My tv in HD.

dgcaste · 09-17-2007, 07:07 PM

I am interested in OTA because of DirecTV's HD Lite bullcrap. Am I going to see a noticeable change in quality?

I have a Samsung 61" DLP 1080p, HL-S6187W.

Zip 12866, Saratoga Springs NY.

Thanks in advance for the help! :-)

EDIT: How do you guys know what is broadcast where? Is there a way to look up transmitting antennas and the HD channels they provide?

Tower Guy · 09-18-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgcaste

I am interested in OTA because of DirecTV's HD Lite. Am I going to see a noticeable change in quality?

Zip 12866, Saratoga Springs NY.

Thanks in advance for the help! :-)

EDIT: How do you guys know what is broadcast where? Is there a way to look up transmitting antennas and the HD channels they provide?

Yes, over the air HDTV is better than anything; CATV or DBS.
Transmit antenna info is here:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

This can be more comprehensive if you know your coordinates
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

HD channel carriage can be found on Titan TV
http://www.titantv.com/index.aspx

jim5506 · 09-18-2007, 12:43 PM

Also:

www.antennaweb.org

www.TVFool.com

dgcaste · 09-18-2007, 01:18 PM

Thank you guys! Those resources are excellent. Now, what kind of antenna am I going to need? This is my report for my area, but I don't know if it takes foliage into consideration. Can I get away with an indoor antenna? How do I know if my station broadcasts HD?

deadhead68 · 09-18-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgcaste

Thank you guys! Those resources are excellent. Now, what kind of antenna am I going to need? This is my report for my area, but I don't know if it takes foliage into consideration. Can I get away with an indoor antenna? How do I know if my station broadcasts HD?

At your distances, I would say an indoor antenna would not work. In the TVFOOL report you attached, the stations that have a -DT in it are broadcasting in HD.

DeadHead68

dgcaste · 09-18-2007, 05:02 PM

Thanks! So what does the last column mean under LOS? I thought it meant I could have the antenna just 3 feet of the ground on some of those channels. I know buildings have a big effect on reception, but how do trees fare? Also, does this report take into account how populated the place is or does it assume my house is the only one in the entire area?

dgcaste · 09-19-2007, 06:48 AM

hm, it wouldn't let me edit my last post. well here's the extra info:

I have a single coax cable going from my directv antenna to my TV. is it possible for a regular antenna to share that cable? I had this idea, but it looks pretty ignorant to me. maybe it'll work...

Code:

directv \                                     /  directv receiver
         >splitter-------------------splitter<
antenna /                                     \  HDTV cable in

I'm not allowed by my landlord to route new wiring, and even if I'm protected by that FCC law this is a very old house and I don't want to be hammering holes into it.

any suggestions?

deadhead68 · 09-19-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgcaste

hm, it wouldn't let me edit my last post. well here's the extra info:

I have a single coax cable going from my directv antenna to my TV. is it possible for a regular antenna to share that cable? I had this idea, but it looks pretty ignorant to me. maybe it'll work...

Code:

directv \                                     /  directv receiver
         >splitter-------------------splitter<
antenna /                                     \  HDTV cable in

I'm not allowed by my landlord to route new wiring, and even if I'm protected by that FCC law this is a very old house and I don't want to be hammering holes into it.

any suggestions?

Doing what you described is possible with a diplexer, not a splitter. HOWEVER, if you are planning on getting the new HD channels that Directv is rolling out this month, that setup won't work. I have read that the frequency of the signal from the new satellite is in the same range as the OTA's.

DeadHead68

10-23-2006, 10:37 PM	#16
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,311	Your main fly in the ointment is WBBM-DT on channel frequency 3. It will require a rabbit-ears type indoor antenna, the rest are UHF. I'd recommend a UHF/VHF indoor antenna from Wal-Mart or Sears that has both a loop type antenna and the rabbit ears. Be sure you can return it if it doesn't work for you. Secondly, I'd recomment the smallest outdoor UHF/VHF antenna you can find (not very many elements) and use it indoors. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish AT120 Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo HD Series 3; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

10-24-2006, 08:13 AM	#19
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,311	Right now every digital station must be on a different frequency from its analog counterpart, however, with digital they can use virtual channel numbers, so WBBM-DT has a virtual channel of 2.1 and transmits on frequency channel 3. Most digital frequencies are in the UHF range while their virtual channel number will usually be akin to their old analog channel number. WBBM is an exception, their digital is on CH3. You will note that WLS-DT is virtual channel 7.1 (analog WLS is ch7), but their frequency is channel 52. WMAQ-DT is virtual 5.1 on frequency ch 29 and so forth. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish AT120 Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo HD Series 3; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

11-07-2006, 08:13 AM	#21
Baus My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8	My Need For Help I am new - I know nothing - I will try to provide the relevant info - HOWEVER - I don't want to sound ungrateful but you knowledgable folks forget that there are idiots like me out here - I have no idea what OTA is! So yes probably repetitive questions come up - cause we newbies are breaking into the new technology and don't know where to start - Sorry I have a Sony A2000 60" HDTV - Charleston South Carolina - with Direct TV. What do I do or need to obtain in order to get the best reception? Remember I just found out that I need an HD receiver? Amazing to me NOBODY ever mentioned that to me until I stumbled upon it with one of my stupid questions. Thanks for the help.

11-07-2006, 10:28 AM	#22
Yaamon HD all the way Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Markham, Ontario, Canada Age: 50 Posts: 64	Baus all you need to receive HD locals is just a good outdoor antenna. Your tv has a built in atsc tuner. In your area ota you should get Abc, Cbs, Nbc, Fox, Cw, Pbs, and My tv in HD. __________________ Markham, Ontario, Canada Last edited by Yaamon; 11-07-2006 at 10:33 AM.

09-17-2007, 07:07 PM	#23
dgcaste Mourning would Join Date: Sep 2007 Age: 33 Posts: 20	I am interested in OTA because of DirecTV's HD Lite bullcrap. Am I going to see a noticeable change in quality? I have a Samsung 61" DLP 1080p, HL-S6187W. Zip 12866, Saratoga Springs NY. Thanks in advance for the help! :-) EDIT: How do you guys know what is broadcast where? Is there a way to look up transmitting antennas and the HD channels they provide? Last edited by dgcaste; 09-17-2007 at 07:17 PM.

10-24-2006, 12:58 AM	#18
grayhulk12@yah What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2	Thanks but i was considering in hdtv i mean phillips,toshbia,sony and panisonic and if i could get more info on the antennas models.And another thing do the channels change when you have hdtv verus a regular tv like i own now? because jim5506 wbbm-dt is on frequency (3) on my regular tv its channel (2)and thats vhf and so is 5,7,9 and 11 then they go to uhf can someone explain this to me ? I guess i'm not as savy as I thought. grayhulk

10-24-2006, 09:07 AM	#20
Bigloww "Shitter was Full" Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 8,319	I am about 12 SW of you (Willow Springs) and do well with just a indoor antenna You should do pretty well too from only 7 miles out as long as you don't have allot of tall apatment building and trees to the ENE. I do have some trouble from time to time with 3 (WBBM), but that is a VHF station that is low power. There are a few good indoor antenna's that may foot the bill. I have a TERK and a Zenith SS (UHF only) should do. Wineguard makes a couple very good indoor antennas, but the are a bit pricier. http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...ROD=OBO-SS3000 http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Custo...Review.do#tabs http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/prod...A&sku=TRKHDTVA

09-18-2007, 12:43 PM	#25
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,311	Also: www.antennaweb.org www.TVFool.com __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish AT120 Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo HD Series 3; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

09-18-2007, 05:02 PM	#28
dgcaste Mourning would Join Date: Sep 2007 Age: 33 Posts: 20	Thanks! So what does the last column mean under LOS? I thought it meant I could have the antenna just 3 feet of the ground on some of those channels. I know buildings have a big effect on reception, but how do trees fare? Also, does this report take into account how populated the place is or does it assume my house is the only one in the entire area?

09-19-2007, 06:48 AM	#29
dgcaste Mourning would Join Date: Sep 2007 Age: 33 Posts: 20	hm, it wouldn't let me edit my last post. well here's the extra info: I have a single coax cable going from my directv antenna to my TV. is it possible for a regular antenna to share that cable? I had this idea, but it looks pretty ignorant to me. maybe it'll work... Code: directv \ / directv receiver >splitter-------------------splitter< antenna / \ HDTV cable in I'm not allowed by my landlord to route new wiring, and even if I'm protected by that FCC law this is a very old house and I don't want to be hammering holes into it. any suggestions?

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