TV Antenna ideas?

MrNightly
MrNightly Posts: 3,370
edited April 2024 in Clubhouse Archives
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
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 :D:D:D
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on

Comments

  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited August 2006
    What kind of TV do you have? If it's a HDTV you might want to get that big antenna thingy for free local HD :)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited August 2006
    you could go to home depot and get an antena amplifier, I would get one with no less the 20 db of gain.
  • opus
    opus Posts: 1,252
    edited August 2006
    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
    The 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
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited August 2006
    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


  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited August 2006
    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.
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    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
  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited August 2006
    I used these charts to pick the 4228.

    http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html
    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
  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited August 2006
    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 :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited August 2006
    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


  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited August 2006
    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.
  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited August 2006
    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 story ;)
    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 :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited August 2006
    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
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited August 2006
    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