TV Antenna ideas?
MrNightly
Posts: 3,370
Alrighty. So since I don't exactly watch a lot of TV (movies only) and my wife can get her favorite shows (Alias) on DVD these days, I never got around to really hooking up an antenna when we moved about 8 months ago. Problem is, football season is upon us!!! I usually will make the trip to my dads and watch the games with him, but this year with my crazy work schedule, I feel like actually setting up my own TV to get the local games.
When I moved in, there was a black cable in my basement. I went ahead and ran that to my TV and it actually works. (I get the 3 or 5 local stations pretty fuzzy but it works.) I have RoadRunner internet, and don't want to pay for cable tv as well! Anyone have any ideas how to get the local channels nice and clear without subscribing or putting a huge antenna thingy on the roof?
Let me know if you do
David
When I moved in, there was a black cable in my basement. I went ahead and ran that to my TV and it actually works. (I get the 3 or 5 local stations pretty fuzzy but it works.) I have RoadRunner internet, and don't want to pay for cable tv as well! Anyone have any ideas how to get the local channels nice and clear without subscribing or putting a huge antenna thingy on the roof?
Let me know if you do
David
Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
Stuff...
RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier
Stuff...
RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
Comments
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What kind of TV do you have? If it's a HDTV you might want to get that big antenna thingy for free local HDAudio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
you could go to home depot and get an antena amplifier, I would get one with no less the 20 db of gain.
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Hey MrN,
How far are you from the stations broadcasting? I am 23 miles as the crow flies and I have the huge antenna thingy on the roof. There are many other options though. Check out www.AntennaWeb.org for some guidanceThe Flea rig
Hitachi 50VG825 LCD
Rotel RSP 1066 (pre) -flea market
B&K St-202 (mains)-flea market
Carver M 200t (x2) (center and surrounds)-flea market
Blu-Ray..PS3 (dvd player)
Polk RTA-11t-flea market
LsiC, Fxi30's
Dual SVS PC-Utra's (1 port blocked) thanks MikeC78
Behringer Feedback Destroyer-flea market
AudioAlchemy DDE v1.0 DAC-flea market
Cambridge Audio Azur 640 CDP-flea market
Signal Cable and Kimber Kable -
I take it that your current antenna is in the Attic? If so I think it could be to small as the roof can knock 50% out of it. Use this link to see how big the antenna should be if on the roof, to see size and channel locations.
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx
If you have a HD tuner TV you're Golden as my finding is that HD signals are easier to get then the old Analog signals where ever. I would by my stuff from these guys as Channel master is the best IMHO.
http://www.starkelectronic.com/
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
you've probably already tried this, but you should see if there is anything coming from the cable outlet, sometimes TW forgets to turn off basic service.
good luck with the antenna, they've never been useful where I've lived. -
i have a little Terk antenna next to my couch. It picks up all the majors in very good HDTV quality. If you have an HDTV with built in tuner, try that route.
Sometimes I have to adjust it to get the picture stable, once I get a good signal, it's 100% HDTV quality.Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850 -
polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
Rega Apollo
MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)
polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
B&K 505
Samsung LCD
VIP 622
HSU STF-2 -
opus wrote:Hey MrN,
How far are you from the stations broadcasting? I am 23 miles as the crow flies and I have the huge antenna thingy on the roof. There are many other options though. Check out www.AntennaWeb.org for some guidance
I am probably 5 miles TOPS, from all the major stations in town. I was trying to stay away from "Bunny Ears" but also spending a fortune on a big Yagi in the attic..
I'll have to check out the link! Thanks man!
Besides, all we would really be using it for would be sporting events... and maybe the news here and there. Is it too much to ask for a nice clear picture though? Oh ya, I don't have HDTV or anything like that, just a JVC Analog TV. It might have a built in HDTV Tuner, but I don't remember.Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
Stuff...
RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier -
That 4228 from Channel Master is a top dog and turf to beat. Very nice for HD in the UHF band only.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
If you're looking to not spend money, then you've only got the regular cheap analog antennas, but since you're close to the broadcast towers, they may work for you.
If you don't mind an upgrade, HDTV is definitely the way to go for sports. Because the signal is broadcast in digital, most of the time, you either get a crystal clear signal...or nothing. I've got a big antenna on my roof left by the previous owner and get great reception. But the little Terk antenna when stuck by the window facing most of the transmitters pulls in every local station but one or two on a good reception day. -
cheddar wrote:If you're looking to not spend money, then you've only got the regular cheap analog antennas, but since you're close to the broadcast towers, they may work for you.
If you don't mind an upgrade, HDTV is definitely the way to go for sports. Because the signal is broadcast in digital, most of the time, you either get a crystal clear signal...or nothing. I've got a big antenna on my roof left by the previous owner and get great reception. But the little Terk antenna when stuck by the window facing most of the transmitters pulls in every local station but one or two on a good reception day.
Hmmm, sounds like I might have to just pick up THIS from RS. Cheap and I think it'll do the job. Can't drop alot of cash right now on it, cause we don't spend enough time in front of the tube to justify it!!! Now someday when I get my 60" sony HDTV, that's a different storyHonoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
Stuff...
RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier -
Heck if you are only 5 miles from the towers just use a clothes hangar on the tv. I thought you needed help pulling in a signal. We are 35 miles from the nearest tower.polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
Rega Apollo
MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)
polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
B&K 505
Samsung LCD
VIP 622
HSU STF-2 -
I don't think MrNightly will like that, but for $10 what the heck.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR