Need suggestion on HD tuner and antenna for OTA?

michael20165 · 01-19-2006, 06:07 PM

Hi,

I have HDTV ready. So i would like to get local HD channel . Since my TV does not have tuner, i will need one. Would you please suggest which tuner i should get? And about the antenna, I already have Dishnetwork Sat. and i would like something that i can integrate into the Dish so that i don't have to climb up the roof to install antenna...

Here is what i need:

1> HD tuner for OTA
2> Outdoor/Indoor antenna ( should not be too big though)

My zipcode is 20165.

I'd appreciate your help.

Michael.

tigerbangs · 01-19-2006, 07:02 PM

Hi Michael! If you are a DishTV subscriber, do you have a Dish HD receiver? If you do, it also has over-the-air capability: The two most common receivers are the Dish 811 and the newer Hughes H-20. If you don't have one, my first suggestion would be to get one, since it would serve 2 purposes: get HD off-the-air for you, and also get Dish HDTV.

If you choose not to go that route, then my personal favorite is the LG-LST-4200 digital-analog receiver. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find, and may even be out of production, but they have a very easy to use interface along with top-notch digital reception.

There is a TON of digital broadcasting available to you between Washington DC and Baltimore: you just need a good antenna pull it in. If you only care about the Washington, DC stations, consider a Channel Master 4221 4 bay UHF antenna or a Winegard PR-4400 mounted on the roof: it will get you at least 10 stations from DC, including all of the networks. if you want to also go for the Baltimore stations, you'll need a larger antenna, like a Channel Master 4228 8-bay UHF antenna and a rotator to pull them.

Http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com

michael20165 · 01-19-2006, 07:12 PM

Thanks, Tigerbangs.

I'm a Dishnetwork subcriber but i don't have HD tuner. However, i plan to cancel the service since i rarely watch tv , only for local news and PBS. That's why i'm thinking of getting OTA for my own purpose.

Also, i read over internet that WinGuard SS-1100 is neat and not obstructive. I like to get something small and and i think i am about 15 to 20 miles from station in Washington DC area.
This is what i would like to get, lt green - uhf WPXW-DT 66.1 i MANASSAS VA 180° 18.0 43
* lt green - uhf WFPT-DT 62.1 PBS FREDERICK MD 25° 15.5 28
* red - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 39
* red - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASHINGTON DC TBD 121° 17.8 33
* red - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASHINGTON DC 120° 17.5 36
* red - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASHINGTON DC 123° 18.0 48
* red - uhf WBDC-DT 50.1 WB WASHINGTON DC 116° 20.2 51
* red - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 34
* blue - uhf WFDC-DT 14.1 TFA ARLINGTON VA 123° 18.0 15
* blue - uhf WNVC-DT 57.1 IND FAIRFAX VA 153° 14.7 57
* blue - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASHINGTON DC 137° 17.3 27
* violet - uhf WDCA-DT 20.1 UPN WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 35
* violet - uhf WNVT-DT 30.1 IND GOLDVEIN VA 195° 28.8 30,

I hope that i can get at least PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.

Does indoor antenna will work for these channels? Sorry to ask such a naive questions as i'm new to this area.

Also, i see several people in the forum use Samsung SIR-T451. Is this one good?

thanks very much for taking time to read my question.

Nightlife1970 · 01-19-2006, 08:41 PM

Get a used Voom box off of Ebay, and a Winegaurd Sensor II. This antenna will go right on the mount that the dish is on if you get rid of that.

Not the best but it will get you going cheap.

tigerbangs · 01-19-2006, 08:55 PM

Be very careful about used Voom boxes: unless they were previoisly activated, they are worthless, as they received their activation from being in communication with the Voom service. I believe that you are safer picking up a used Samsung or Motorola tuner unless yuy can be sure that the Voom box has been activated, and had the latest software installed, so it can can for local stations. As for the SS-1100: expensive for what you get! A CM 4221 is only about $25.00, and is a better performer. Because you are in the "RED" zone, however, you should mount the antenna outdoors or risk not picking up the signals, or experiencing dropouts. It'[s a ptece of cake to mount and aim, though.

michael20165 · 01-20-2006, 09:35 AM

Since putting up antenna to the roof is not convenient , i plan to put it up on deck rail where my satellite dish is. I'm looking at this one as well
http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html

It 's is used for both indoor/outdoor. I don't know if it's good or not. OTherwise, i'll get CM 4221 as long as it's not huge and obstructive...

I also see RS has this tuner :
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
I will try it out before looking into Samsung or other brands.

Thanks for helping.

tigerbangs · 01-20-2006, 11:10 AM

the 4221 is a better performer for less money....

DonJessum · 01-20-2006, 12:08 PM

WFDC VA ARLINGTON 15 Authorized to construct and program test
WUPV VA ASHLAND 47 Authorized to construct and program test
WCYB VA BRISTOL 28 On the air
WHTJ VA CHARLOTTESVILLE 46 On the air
WVIR VA CHARLOTTESVILLE 32 Authorized to construct and program test
WDRL VA DANVILLE 41 Authorized to construct and program test
WNVC VA FAIRFAX 57 On the air
WVPY VA FRONT ROYAL 21 On the air
WNVT VA GOLDVEIN 30 On the air
WLFG VA GRUNDY 49 Authorized to construct and program test
WVEC VA HAMPTON 41 On the air
WHRO VA HAMPTON-NORFOLK 16 Authorized to construct and program test
WHSV VA HARRISONBURG 49 Authorized to construct and program test
WJPR VA LYNCHBURG 20 Authorized to construct and program test
WSET VA LYNCHBURG 56 Begin operation within 2 years
WPXW VA MANASSAS 43 On the air
WMSY VA MARION 42 On the air
WPXV VA NORFOLK 46 On the air
WTKR VA NORFOLK 58 Begin operation within 2 years
WTVZ VA NORFOLK 38 Authorized to construct and program test
WSBN VA NORTON 32 On the air
WRIC VA PETERSBURG 22 On the air
WAVY VA PORTSMOUTH 31 On the air
WGNT VA PORTSMOUTH 50 On the air
WCVE VA RICHMOND 42 On the air
WCVW VA RICHMOND 44 On the air
WRLH VA RICHMOND 26 Authorized to construct and program test
WTVR VA RICHMOND 25 On the air
WWBT VA RICHMOND 54 On the air
WBRA VA ROANOKE 03 On the air
WDBJ VA ROANOKE 18 On the air
WFXR VA ROANOKE 17 Authorized to construct and program test
WPXR VA ROANOKE 36 On the air
WSLS VA ROANOKE 30 Authorized to construct and program test
WVPT VA STAUNTON 11 On the air
WVBT VA VIRGINIA BEACH 29 On the air
WMPT MD ANNAPOLIS 42 On the air
WBAL MD BALTIMORE 59 On the air
WBFF MD BALTIMORE 46 Authorized to construct and program test
WJZ- MD BALTIMORE 38 On the air
WMAR MD BALTIMORE 52 On the air
WMPB MD BALTIMORE 29 On the air
WNUV MD BALTIMORE 40 Authorized to construct and program test
WUTB MD BALTIMORE 41 Authorized to construct and program test
WFPT MD FREDERICK 28 On the air
WHAG MD HAGERSTOWN 55 Authorized to construct and program test
WJAL MD HAGERSTOWN 16 Authorized to construct and program test
WWPB MD HAGERSTOWN 44 On the air
WGPT MD OAKLAND 54 On the air
WBOC MD SALISBURY 21 Authorized to construct and program test
WCPB MD SALISBURY 56 On the air
WMDT MD SALISBURY 53 Authorized to construct and program test
WJAL MD SILVER SPRING 16 Application pending for construction and testing
WBDC DC WASHINGTON 51 On the air
WDCA DC WASHINGTON 35 Authorized to construct and program test
WETA DC WASHINGTON 27 On the air
WHUT DC WASHINGTON 33 Authorized to construct and program test
WJLA DC WASHINGTON 39 On the air
WRC- DC WASHINGTON 48 On the air
WTTG DC WASHINGTON 36 On the air
WUSA DC WASHINGTON 34 On the air
good luck, you should get your choice. and I have a Samsung SIR T451 with OTA antenna and it works well ON FOX CBS AND PBS.
Will send another note later. HD is excellent.

DonJessum · 01-20-2006, 12:19 PM

Hi Michael

SUCCESSFUL OTA HD INSTALLATION, HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE.

1. List of CHANNELS ALLOTTED BY THE FCC FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION INCLUDING
ALL CHANNELS (2 THROUGH 69).

WWW.FCC.GOV/OET/DTV

2. MY OTA ANTENNA IS ARISTA AMPLIFIED FM/TV/HDTV ANTENNA ($30.00), WORKS JUST GREAT, AT ABOUT 70 SIGNAL STRENGTH, TO GET THE SIGNAL TO 90 - 95, CUT A TWO INCH BY FOUR INCH LONG PIECE OF ALUMINUM FOIL AND PUT ABOUT AN INCH AROUND VHF ANTENNA AND LET THREE INCHES IN AIR (LIKE A FLAG). GREATLY IMPROVED RECEPTION. RECOMMENDED…

3. DIGITAL TV SET TOP BOX IS SAMSUNG SIR T451 REPEAT SAMSUNG SIR T451.( ABOUT $250.00), (STUDY BOOK).
DVI TO HDMI CABLE, COMPONENT DT TO COMPONENT TV, THEN CHANGE YOU INPUT TO DIGITAL HD AND IT WORKS GREAT ON THE CHANNEL I RECEIVE. ALWAYS UNPLUG WALL PLUG WHILE MAKING CABLE CHANGES.

4. IN MY VIEWING AREA (COLORADO SPRINGS), FOX, CBS, AND PBS LOOK JUST LIKE A MOVIE. CHANNEL NBC SAID THEY WILL BE COMING ON LINE FEBRUARY 2006. ABC NOT AVAILABLE JUST YET.

5. WHEN ALL CHANNELS START BROADCASTING IN 16:9, I WILL NO LONGER USE OTHER PAID SERVICES. TO GET LOCAL CHANNELS WHICH ARE FREE.

6. THE SOFTWARE WORKS WELL, MENU, GUIDE, SETUP, INFO ETC. VERY SIMILAR TO DIRECT TV.

7. THEN HOOK UP YOUR DIGITAL AUDIO. OR ANALOG AUDIO USING A SIX FOOT Y REPEAT Y ADAPTER AUDIO CABLE,
FROM RADIO SHACK PART #42-2551 REPEAT 42-2551.($7.99). THANK YOU. DON

jim5506 · 01-20-2006, 08:41 PM

Please don't shout - TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK!!!

michael20165 · 01-21-2006, 09:23 AM

Thanks. I'll try that. Probably i will try DB2 first ,then channel master 4221.

01-19-2006, 06:07 PM	#1
michael20165 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14	Need suggestion on HD tuner and antenna for OTA? Hi, I have HDTV ready. So i would like to get local HD channel . Since my TV does not have tuner, i will need one. Would you please suggest which tuner i should get? And about the antenna, I already have Dishnetwork Sat. and i would like something that i can integrate into the Dish so that i don't have to climb up the roof to install antenna... Here is what i need: 1> HD tuner for OTA 2> Outdoor/Indoor antenna ( should not be too big though) My zipcode is 20165. I'd appreciate your help. Michael.

01-19-2006, 07:02 PM	#2
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Hi Michael! If you are a DishTV subscriber, do you have a Dish HD receiver? If you do, it also has over-the-air capability: The two most common receivers are the Dish 811 and the newer Hughes H-20. If you don't have one, my first suggestion would be to get one, since it would serve 2 purposes: get HD off-the-air for you, and also get Dish HDTV. If you choose not to go that route, then my personal favorite is the LG-LST-4200 digital-analog receiver. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find, and may even be out of production, but they have a very easy to use interface along with top-notch digital reception. There is a TON of digital broadcasting available to you between Washington DC and Baltimore: you just need a good antenna pull it in. If you only care about the Washington, DC stations, consider a Channel Master 4221 4 bay UHF antenna or a Winegard PR-4400 mounted on the roof: it will get you at least 10 stations from DC, including all of the networks. if you want to also go for the Baltimore stations, you'll need a larger antenna, like a Channel Master 4228 8-bay UHF antenna and a rotator to pull them. Http://www.channelmaster.com http://www.winegard.com __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

01-19-2006, 08:55 PM	#5
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Be very careful about used Voom boxes: unless they were previoisly activated, they are worthless, as they received their activation from being in communication with the Voom service. I believe that you are safer picking up a used Samsung or Motorola tuner unless yuy can be sure that the Voom box has been activated, and had the latest software installed, so it can can for local stations. As for the SS-1100: expensive for what you get! A CM 4221 is only about $25.00, and is a better performer. Because you are in the "RED" zone, however, you should mount the antenna outdoors or risk not picking up the signals, or experiencing dropouts. It'[s a ptece of cake to mount and aim, though. __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

01-20-2006, 11:10 AM	#7
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	the 4221 is a better performer for less money.... __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

01-20-2006, 12:08 PM	#8
DonJessum A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10	Station for DC WFDC VA ARLINGTON 15 Authorized to construct and program test WUPV VA ASHLAND 47 Authorized to construct and program test WCYB VA BRISTOL 28 On the air WHTJ VA CHARLOTTESVILLE 46 On the air WVIR VA CHARLOTTESVILLE 32 Authorized to construct and program test WDRL VA DANVILLE 41 Authorized to construct and program test WNVC VA FAIRFAX 57 On the air WVPY VA FRONT ROYAL 21 On the air WNVT VA GOLDVEIN 30 On the air WLFG VA GRUNDY 49 Authorized to construct and program test WVEC VA HAMPTON 41 On the air WHRO VA HAMPTON-NORFOLK 16 Authorized to construct and program test WHSV VA HARRISONBURG 49 Authorized to construct and program test WJPR VA LYNCHBURG 20 Authorized to construct and program test WSET VA LYNCHBURG 56 Begin operation within 2 years WPXW VA MANASSAS 43 On the air WMSY VA MARION 42 On the air WPXV VA NORFOLK 46 On the air WTKR VA NORFOLK 58 Begin operation within 2 years WTVZ VA NORFOLK 38 Authorized to construct and program test WSBN VA NORTON 32 On the air WRIC VA PETERSBURG 22 On the air WAVY VA PORTSMOUTH 31 On the air WGNT VA PORTSMOUTH 50 On the air WCVE VA RICHMOND 42 On the air WCVW VA RICHMOND 44 On the air WRLH VA RICHMOND 26 Authorized to construct and program test WTVR VA RICHMOND 25 On the air WWBT VA RICHMOND 54 On the air WBRA VA ROANOKE 03 On the air WDBJ VA ROANOKE 18 On the air WFXR VA ROANOKE 17 Authorized to construct and program test WPXR VA ROANOKE 36 On the air WSLS VA ROANOKE 30 Authorized to construct and program test WVPT VA STAUNTON 11 On the air WVBT VA VIRGINIA BEACH 29 On the air WMPT MD ANNAPOLIS 42 On the air WBAL MD BALTIMORE 59 On the air WBFF MD BALTIMORE 46 Authorized to construct and program test WJZ- MD BALTIMORE 38 On the air WMAR MD BALTIMORE 52 On the air WMPB MD BALTIMORE 29 On the air WNUV MD BALTIMORE 40 Authorized to construct and program test WUTB MD BALTIMORE 41 Authorized to construct and program test WFPT MD FREDERICK 28 On the air WHAG MD HAGERSTOWN 55 Authorized to construct and program test WJAL MD HAGERSTOWN 16 Authorized to construct and program test WWPB MD HAGERSTOWN 44 On the air WGPT MD OAKLAND 54 On the air WBOC MD SALISBURY 21 Authorized to construct and program test WCPB MD SALISBURY 56 On the air WMDT MD SALISBURY 53 Authorized to construct and program test WJAL MD SILVER SPRING 16 Application pending for construction and testing WBDC DC WASHINGTON 51 On the air WDCA DC WASHINGTON 35 Authorized to construct and program test WETA DC WASHINGTON 27 On the air WHUT DC WASHINGTON 33 Authorized to construct and program test WJLA DC WASHINGTON 39 On the air WRC- DC WASHINGTON 48 On the air WTTG DC WASHINGTON 36 On the air WUSA DC WASHINGTON 34 On the air good luck, you should get your choice. and I have a Samsung SIR T451 with OTA antenna and it works well ON FOX CBS AND PBS. Will send another note later. HD is excellent. Last edited by DonJessum; 01-20-2006 at 12:25 PM.

01-19-2006, 07:12 PM	#3
michael20165 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14	Thanks, Tigerbangs. I'm a Dishnetwork subcriber but i don't have HD tuner. However, i plan to cancel the service since i rarely watch tv , only for local news and PBS. That's why i'm thinking of getting OTA for my own purpose. Also, i read over internet that WinGuard SS-1100 is neat and not obstructive. I like to get something small and and i think i am about 15 to 20 miles from station in Washington DC area. This is what i would like to get, lt green - uhf WPXW-DT 66.1 i MANASSAS VA 180° 18.0 43 * lt green - uhf WFPT-DT 62.1 PBS FREDERICK MD 25° 15.5 28 * red - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 39 * red - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASHINGTON DC TBD 121° 17.8 33 * red - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASHINGTON DC 120° 17.5 36 * red - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASHINGTON DC 123° 18.0 48 * red - uhf WBDC-DT 50.1 WB WASHINGTON DC 116° 20.2 51 * red - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 34 * blue - uhf WFDC-DT 14.1 TFA ARLINGTON VA 123° 18.0 15 * blue - uhf WNVC-DT 57.1 IND FAIRFAX VA 153° 14.7 57 * blue - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASHINGTON DC 137° 17.3 27 * violet - uhf WDCA-DT 20.1 UPN WASHINGTON DC 121° 17.8 35 * violet - uhf WNVT-DT 30.1 IND GOLDVEIN VA 195° 28.8 30, I hope that i can get at least PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Does indoor antenna will work for these channels? Sorry to ask such a naive questions as i'm new to this area. Also, i see several people in the forum use Samsung SIR-T451. Is this one good? thanks very much for taking time to read my question.

01-19-2006, 08:41 PM	#4
Nightlife1970 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 158	Get a used Voom box off of Ebay, and a Winegaurd Sensor II. This antenna will go right on the mount that the dish is on if you get rid of that. Not the best but it will get you going cheap.

01-20-2006, 09:35 AM	#6
michael20165 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14	Since putting up antenna to the roof is not convenient , i plan to put it up on deck rail where my satellite dish is. I'm looking at this one as well http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html It 's is used for both indoor/outdoor. I don't know if it's good or not. OTherwise, i'll get CM 4221 as long as it's not huge and obstructive... I also see RS has this tuner : http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search I will try it out before looking into Samsung or other brands. Thanks for helping.

01-20-2006, 12:19 PM	#9
DonJessum A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10	Samsung Sir T451 Stb Hi Michael SUCCESSFUL OTA HD INSTALLATION, HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE. 1. List of CHANNELS ALLOTTED BY THE FCC FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION INCLUDING ALL CHANNELS (2 THROUGH 69). WWW.FCC.GOV/OET/DTV 2. MY OTA ANTENNA IS ARISTA AMPLIFIED FM/TV/HDTV ANTENNA ($30.00), WORKS JUST GREAT, AT ABOUT 70 SIGNAL STRENGTH, TO GET THE SIGNAL TO 90 - 95, CUT A TWO INCH BY FOUR INCH LONG PIECE OF ALUMINUM FOIL AND PUT ABOUT AN INCH AROUND VHF ANTENNA AND LET THREE INCHES IN AIR (LIKE A FLAG). GREATLY IMPROVED RECEPTION. RECOMMENDED… 3. DIGITAL TV SET TOP BOX IS SAMSUNG SIR T451 REPEAT SAMSUNG SIR T451.( ABOUT $250.00), (STUDY BOOK). DVI TO HDMI CABLE, COMPONENT DT TO COMPONENT TV, THEN CHANGE YOU INPUT TO DIGITAL HD AND IT WORKS GREAT ON THE CHANNEL I RECEIVE. ALWAYS UNPLUG WALL PLUG WHILE MAKING CABLE CHANGES. 4. IN MY VIEWING AREA (COLORADO SPRINGS), FOX, CBS, AND PBS LOOK JUST LIKE A MOVIE. CHANNEL NBC SAID THEY WILL BE COMING ON LINE FEBRUARY 2006. ABC NOT AVAILABLE JUST YET. 5. WHEN ALL CHANNELS START BROADCASTING IN 16:9, I WILL NO LONGER USE OTHER PAID SERVICES. TO GET LOCAL CHANNELS WHICH ARE FREE. 6. THE SOFTWARE WORKS WELL, MENU, GUIDE, SETUP, INFO ETC. VERY SIMILAR TO DIRECT TV. 7. THEN HOOK UP YOUR DIGITAL AUDIO. OR ANALOG AUDIO USING A SIX FOOT Y REPEAT Y ADAPTER AUDIO CABLE, FROM RADIO SHACK PART #42-2551 REPEAT 42-2551.($7.99). THANK YOU. DON

01-20-2006, 08:41 PM	#10
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,418	Please don't shout - TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK!!!

01-21-2006, 09:23 AM	#11
michael20165 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14	Thanks. I'll try that. Probably i will try DB2 first ,then channel master 4221.

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