A Discussion On HDTV OTA Reception

cweinhofer · 02-28-2006, 07:54 PM

I have a windows media center and so have two tv tuners. I then purchased two antennas (one for each tuner). I have to use indoor because of an apt. Since placement is crucial I have them placed right next to each other. Is this degrading their performance? If so, would I be better trying to seperate them or to just use one and get a signal splitter.

RSawdey · 03-07-2006, 04:52 PM

The two antennas right next to each other interfere. Using one & a splitter or amp.

Youngblood · 05-20-2006, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgehrke

I am looking into buying an amp to boost my cable signal. The main purpose would be to increase the picture quality on my analog channels. To do this, I was planning on purchasing the Motorola Signal Booster and then run a two-way split at my main TV, one going to the cable box, the other going to the TV (for analog channels), plus I would get picture and picture. Is this worth the time and money? or should I just learn to live with my poor analog channel reception?

Howdy,

Just want to share a similar problem you have with my friend. What he did is that someone referred him to install a HDTV cable filter from this site: http://www.hdfilters.com and it solved his problems. There are more information from this site that will best explain the function of this device for your current problems. Hope this can help you.

Youngblood

ekessler507 · 07-17-2006, 05:47 PM

Just upgraded my DirecTV connection to HD and was originally told I could use my existing OTA Trek42 antenna for HD. Well, the installer shows up with the new dish and it is NOT the 3LNB oval, but a new oversized dish that does not use di-plexer technology.

Needless to say, I was not very pleased to find out additional cost would be involved with getting my OTA HD channels. I am looking for suggestions of the best exterior VHF/UHF antenna as well as the best amplified indoor VHF/UHF antenna.

I live in Erie, Pennsylvania, zip code 16510. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

EK

Midwest Dxer · 07-23-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hphocl

Well, Im not sure why this worked so well since in the day we got the channels and night didn't. I rotate the antenna while my wife watched the signal meter. We were able to get 55 to 70 pervent on three stations and 95 on Fox. Before we were at 100% on everything except ABC.

And, yes it seams at night the ABC station pixilates more than during the day

As with the gentleman from Reno, it seems that we have a group of transmitters on one hill and far off on another is ABC's tower - about 60 degrees from the others. I have a DB2 antenna (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...T=&PROD=AD-DB2) provided by direct TV. This may sound hoaky but can you get the DB2's cousin, a larger antenna that has two sections - similar to the DB8 (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...T=&PROD=AD-DB8) and bend each of the panels so they each face a tower? What other alternatives do I have?

The DB2 is not designed to pick up VHF signals,nor is the DB8.Either change the antenna to a CM4228,or add a VHF highband to the DB2 using a V/U combiner.

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**rbinck** · 08-02-2006, 08:17 AM

What does this have to do with HDTV?

Jkb26mi · 08-04-2006, 10:35 AM

I've had some problems recently with HD-reception from my Comcast HD-DVR, particularly on CBS-HD and NBC-HD late night, but also for some cable stations SNY-HD and YES-HD. I discussed this elsewhere, but wanted to bring up another issue here.

When I first got the set (Dell 32" LCD), I watched OTA broadcasts for several months. I used a Phillips indoor antenna. The reception was good, but frequently there were "Weak Signal" periods where I spent half the time adjusting the antenna. I finally broke down and got cable from Comcast and an HD-DVR. It so happened, my TV gave problems a few weeks later of an audio nature and was exchanged for a new one. A week or so thereafter, the Comcast DVR started "freezing" frequently requiring the Comcast guy to put a new box in. There have since been reception problems (discussed elsewhere) and it has been suggested that the box was set at 4:3 instead of 16:9. The Comcast guy is coming back.

The point of this post was to discuss a possibly related issue. I have attempted to view TV recently through the Digital TV port and my antenna. I can only get 2-0,4-0,5-0,7-0,9-0, 11-0 and 13-0 and I cannot access any digital stations (2-1,etc.). The remote refuses to move off of the standard station by pushing the normal "up" button (on remote or TV). Now, although I have cable, this is important to me, as I may someday retire the set to the bedroom, and would want OTA reception. Since this was a replacement TV, I have not actually seen OTA on this particular set, so don't know if it's a problem with the set, or if the DVR setup has somehow messed things up. I have to decide whether to ship the set back again (getting tiresome).

Thanks for your help, and managing to read this far!

pcporemba · 10-23-2006, 08:44 PM

Hi All:

I hope someone can help me with my system. I am in Flanders NJ 07836, 38 miles from ESB, and have a Dishnetwork 942 and a Panasonic Plasma. Can get WCBS and WABC at 100%. Fox comes in at 86% but I can not get WNBC. Using a DB8 on my roof with no amp. My house is 1100 feet up from sea level and I have a clear view to the east. All wiring is quad shield RG-6. The 942 gets better numbers than the panny so that is my tuner. Why am I not getting WNBC when WCBS & WABC are at 100%. Any ideas??

HaywardHD · 10-27-2006, 06:11 PM

I live in Hayward and I am interested in your experience with OTA reception of Digital and HD signals. I went to purchase a SONY HDTV that contained both a NTSC and ATSC receiver. I asked to see some OTA Digital signals and was very disappointed. The Digital channels (x.x) were either very fuzzy or pixilated. It that normal?

**rbinck** · 10-27-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcporemba

Hi All:

I hope someone can help me with my system. I am in Flanders NJ 07836, 38 miles from ESB, and have a Dishnetwork 942 and a Panasonic Plasma. Can get WCBS and WABC at 100%. Fox comes in at 86% but I can not get WNBC. Using a DB8 on my roof with no amp. My house is 1100 feet up from sea level and I have a clear view to the east. All wiring is quad shield RG-6. The 942 gets better numbers than the panny so that is my tuner. Why am I not getting WNBC when WCBS & WABC are at 100%. Any ideas??

I suppose it is possible that your antenna is at a higher elevation than the transmitters and you need to aim them downward a bit. The transmitters on the Empire State Bldg are at about 1200 feet above average terrain which would be near sea level, I'd think. It is possible that WNBC is somewhere else, but I thought all of the NYC transmitters are now on the Empire State Bldg which would mean you wouldn't need to aim downward.

Maybe Tigerbangs will chime in, he knows your area real well.

Tower Guy · 10-28-2006, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaywardHD

I live in Hayward and I am interested in your experience with OTA reception of Digital and HD signals. I went to purchase a SONY HDTV that contained both a NTSC and ATSC receiver. I asked to see some OTA Digital signals and was very disappointed. The Digital channels (x.x) were either very fuzzy or pixilated. It that normal?

Digital signals can't be "fuzzy", either it's perfect or there's pixelization/no picture.

I don't undertand the problem in Flanders. Both WNBC-DT and WCBS-DT are operating from the Empire State Building. They do not appear to be using the same antenna, so it's likely that there's a difference in the pattern even though both stations are supposed to be omnidirectional, yet even omnidirectional antennas have azimuths with more or less gain.

pcporemba · 10-28-2006, 07:17 AM

Thanks for the reply rbinck,

I'm really confused as to why WNBC is not coming in. Been trying for about 6-7 months now. Upgraded to the DB-8 last month. Wanted to add that the antenna feed is being combined with the feed from one of the dishes but I bypassed the combiner and still no luck. The signal did go up a point or two on the other channels so I will run a seperate feed in the future. Any thoughts on a yagi instead of the DB-8?

Rick0725 · 10-28-2006, 10:53 AM

antennas direct 91 xg is a decent performer

HaywardHD · 10-28-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

Digital signals can't be "fuzzy", either it's perfect or there's pixelization/no picture.

I don't undertand the problem in Flanders. Both WNBC-DT and WCBS-DT are operating from the Empire State Building. They do not appear to be using the same antenna, so it's likely that there's a difference in the pattern even though both stations are supposed to be omnidirectional, yet even omnidirectional antennas have azimuths with more or less gain.

Tower Guy, Thanks for the response. That's what I thought. I find Digital/HDTV sales people have a definite lack of information. And, I needed a sanity check.

HaywardHD

02-28-2006, 07:54 PM	#46
cweinhofer What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1	Two Antennas I have a windows media center and so have two tv tuners. I then purchased two antennas (one for each tuner). I have to use indoor because of an apt. Since placement is crucial I have them placed right next to each other. Is this degrading their performance? If so, would I be better trying to seperate them or to just use one and get a signal splitter.

07-17-2006, 05:47 PM	#49
ekessler507 Sharp Aquos LC-45GD4U Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 31	Help with OTA HD antenna requested. Just upgraded my DirecTV connection to HD and was originally told I could use my existing OTA Trek42 antenna for HD. Well, the installer shows up with the new dish and it is NOT the 3LNB oval, but a new oversized dish that does not use di-plexer technology. Needless to say, I was not very pleased to find out additional cost would be involved with getting my OTA HD channels. I am looking for suggestions of the best exterior VHF/UHF antenna as well as the best amplified indoor VHF/UHF antenna. I live in Erie, Pennsylvania, zip code 16510. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! EK

08-02-2006, 01:05 AM	#51
d_assassin What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	Need Assistance from HP Filter Experts... Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice. I've looked into this hosting company, they even got ranked #1 on this review site .http://link removed I'm building a site that's gonna have alot of pictures and video, so I'll need alot of space and speed, so has anyone used this host before? Thanks. Last edited by rbinck; 08-02-2006 at 08:19 AM.

08-02-2006, 08:17 AM	#52
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,338	What does this have to do with HDTV? __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

08-04-2006, 10:35 AM	#53
Jkb26mi My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	OTA stopped working after DVR installed. I've had some problems recently with HD-reception from my Comcast HD-DVR, particularly on CBS-HD and NBC-HD late night, but also for some cable stations SNY-HD and YES-HD. I discussed this elsewhere, but wanted to bring up another issue here. When I first got the set (Dell 32" LCD), I watched OTA broadcasts for several months. I used a Phillips indoor antenna. The reception was good, but frequently there were "Weak Signal" periods where I spent half the time adjusting the antenna. I finally broke down and got cable from Comcast and an HD-DVR. It so happened, my TV gave problems a few weeks later of an audio nature and was exchanged for a new one. A week or so thereafter, the Comcast DVR started "freezing" frequently requiring the Comcast guy to put a new box in. There have since been reception problems (discussed elsewhere) and it has been suggested that the box was set at 4:3 instead of 16:9. The Comcast guy is coming back. The point of this post was to discuss a possibly related issue. I have attempted to view TV recently through the Digital TV port and my antenna. I can only get 2-0,4-0,5-0,7-0,9-0, 11-0 and 13-0 and I cannot access any digital stations (2-1,etc.). The remote refuses to move off of the standard station by pushing the normal "up" button (on remote or TV). Now, although I have cable, this is important to me, as I may someday retire the set to the bedroom, and would want OTA reception. Since this was a replacement TV, I have not actually seen OTA on this particular set, so don't know if it's a problem with the set, or if the DVR setup has somehow messed things up. I have to decide whether to ship the set back again (getting tiresome). Thanks for your help, and managing to read this far!

03-07-2006, 04:52 PM	#47
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	The two antennas right next to each other interfere. Using one & a splitter or amp.

10-23-2006, 08:44 PM	#54
pcporemba How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 16	Problem with WNBC-NYC Hi All: I hope someone can help me with my system. I am in Flanders NJ 07836, 38 miles from ESB, and have a Dishnetwork 942 and a Panasonic Plasma. Can get WCBS and WABC at 100%. Fox comes in at 86% but I can not get WNBC. Using a DB8 on my roof with no amp. My house is 1100 feet up from sea level and I have a clear view to the east. All wiring is quad shield RG-6. The 942 gets better numbers than the panny so that is my tuner. Why am I not getting WNBC when WCBS & WABC are at 100%. Any ideas??

10-27-2006, 06:11 PM	#55
HaywardHD What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 2	I live in Hayward and I am interested in your experience with OTA reception of Digital and HD signals. I went to purchase a SONY HDTV that contained both a NTSC and ATSC receiver. I asked to see some OTA Digital signals and was very disappointed. The Digital channels (x.x) were either very fuzzy or pixilated. It that normal?

10-28-2006, 07:17 AM	#58
pcporemba How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 16	Thanks for the reply rbinck, I'm really confused as to why WNBC is not coming in. Been trying for about 6-7 months now. Upgraded to the DB-8 last month. Wanted to add that the antenna feed is being combined with the feed from one of the dishes but I bypassed the combiner and still no luck. The signal did go up a point or two on the other channels so I will run a seperate feed in the future. Any thoughts on a yagi instead of the DB-8?

10-28-2006, 10:53 AM	#59
Rick0725 Antennas by Committee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clay, New York Posts: 1,558	antennas direct 91 xg is a decent performer Last edited by Rick0725; 10-28-2006 at 10:56 AM.

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