OTA for my digital converter box

[wesdev224]

Just received my Zenith digital converter box. Can anyone recommend a good indoor OTA? Thanks.

 

[otaguy]

Where are you located (zip code)?

 

[wesdev224]

Where are you located (zip code)?

Fairless Hills, PA 19030

 

[qtpieislit]

Where are you located (zip code)?

Fairless Hills, PA 19030

How 'bout a really really long wire. Or a really tall tower mount. Ever heard of cable? or maybe Fios?

 

[wprt949]

Where are you located (zip code)?

Fairless Hills, PA 19030

How 'bout a really really long wire. Or a really tall tower mount. Ever heard of cable? or maybe Fios?

dont forget directv or dishnetwork

 

[tripinva]

Now, for a SERIOUS answer, I like the Silver Sensor. It's sold by Phillips these days. It's good for UHF, which means it won't do much for you next year when WPVI returns to 6 and WHYY to 12 (or, if you watch it, WBPH on 9). For those stations, a good start might be a set of rabbit ears, with the ears set out horizontally. You won't really know until next year, though the analogs on those stations are a good guide.

- Trip

 

[wesdev224]

Now, for a SERIOUS answer, I like the Silver Sensor. It's sold by Phillips these days. It's good for UHF, which means it won't do much for you next year when WPVI returns to 6 and WHYY to 12 (or, if you watch it, WBPH on 9). For those stations, a good start might be a set of rabbit ears, with the ears set out horizontally. You won't really know until next year, though the analogs on those stations are a good guide.

- Trip

Thanks for your serious answer. Perhaps I will wait until next year for the final changeover.

 

[wesdev224]

Where are you located (zip code)?

Fairless Hills, PA 19030

How 'bout a really really long wire. Or a really tall tower mount. Ever heard of cable? or maybe Fios?

dont forget directv or dishnetwork

Mike and Sam,

I am not a dinosaur! Now that that is out of the way...

I am currently subscribed to Dish Network. Unfortunately, it is inconvenient to run a cable back to the room where the TV is located. Since it is not in a room where I do a lot of TV watching, the effort to run cable or hook up a satellite receiver really isn't worth it to me. I tried using a wirless a/v transmitter system, but the cordless phone and the wireless router for my FIOS internet cause very extreme distortion ov the audio and video.

Does that satisfy your curiosity?

 

[tripinva]

Thanks for your serious answer. Perhaps I will wait until next year for the final changeover.

I disagree. Start playing with your antennas now. Without the analog to fall back on, it becomes very difficult to tell what might be hindering your reception. I recommend you start now, go pick up a Silver Sensor and see how it works for you. I think they make some with built-in rabbit ears which might get 6 and 12 analog cleanly for you. Clean analog reception should indicate good digital reception once 02/17 gets here.

Just avoid anything with the "Terk" brand name on it.

- Trip

 

[wesdev224]

Thanks for your serious answer. Perhaps I will wait until next year for the final changeover.

I disagree. Start playing with your antennas now. Without the analog to fall back on, it becomes very difficult to tell what might be hindering your reception. I recommend you start now, go pick up a Silver Sensor and see how it works for you. I think they make some with built-in rabbit ears which might get 6 and 12 analog cleanly for you. Clean analog reception should indicate good digital reception once 02/17 gets here.

Just avoid anything with the "Terk" brand name on it.

- Trip

Thanks for your help Trip.

 

[stilldustyvinyl]

I am in the 19030 ZIP also. I use rabbit ears with a Zenith converter box, and get 22 channels, all clear and crisp. I had a problem once a few weeks ago with 23-1 and 23-2 (PBS Camden), but they are both fine now.

 

[wesdev224]

I am in the 19030 ZIP also. I use rabbit ears with a Zenith converter box, and get 22 channels, all clear and crisp. I had a problem once a few weeks ago with 23-1 and 23-2 (PBS Camden), but they are both fine now.

Which brand of rabbit ears are you using? I bought the Radio Shack amplified antenna expecting great results, and I have to say I am dissapointed. Were you able to pick up Channel 12? I was under the impression that they had one of the strongest signals in the market.

 

[Jefferson]

I'm in Norristown...

...minor problems with getting WHYY-DT, myself, but I wonder if I'm in a good location to get WNJS-DT or WNJT-DT...

Or for that matter, how about WFMZ-DT?

FWIW, I use a simple set of rabbit ears for my DTV converter box, but I live close to the river and toward Plymouth Twp.

-Jefferson

 

[w9wi]

I am in the 19030 ZIP also. I use rabbit ears with a Zenith converter box, and get 22 channels, all clear and crisp. I had a problem once a few weeks ago with 23-1 and 23-2 (PBS Camden), but they are both fine now.

Which brand of rabbit ears are you using? I bought the Radio Shack amplified antenna expecting great results, and I have to say I am dissapointed. Were you able to pick up Channel 12? I was under the impression that they had one of the strongest signals in the market.

An amplifier can be a problem if you're too close to the towers. It is possible for DTV signals to be too strong to decode. (if they overload the receiver)

 

[tripinva]

WHYY-DT is currently at low-power and has a directional signal that puts all power to the southwest. If you don't receive their digital now, that's okay, just make sure the analog looks good and hopefully you should be covered when they return to channel 12 next year.

- Trip

 

[stilldustyvinyl]

Wes-

Actually, I have an old set of rabbit ears that came with a TV I bought many years ago. I have them set horizontally to the floor, one aiming NW, the other SE. I do not get CH 12, but Trip explained that in the above post. I do receive their analog signal fine here.

Trip-

Thanks for the info on CH 12.

Dusty

 

[wesdev224]

Wes-

Actually, I have an old set of rabbit ears that came with a TV I bought many years ago. I have them set horizontally to the floor, one aiming NW, the other SE. I do not get CH 12, but Trip explained that in the above post. I do receive their analog signal fine here.

Trip-

Thanks for the info on CH 12.

Dusty

Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply.

Happy Holiday's to you all!