Digital over the air TV
Cutting the cord doesn't mean you have to give up TV entirely. There is seriously streaming movie, but a over-the-air (OTA) antenna can capture no-cost digital HD broadcasts from television channels in your town and screen them on your own big screen beautifully. This week we're going to discover five of the finest OTA antennae readily available, centered on your nominations.
Previously in the week we asked you for your favorite over-the-air HD antennae; the ones you thought supplied the greatest overall performance your money can buy, looked great in your house or home theater, got good reception your location (although there are certainly other aspects involved here), and overall endured aside over the other individuals. Here's what you stated, in no particular purchase:
The polls are shut additionally the ballots tend to be counted! To determine what of those five great OTA antennae took the very best spot as our neighborhood specialty, mind to our hive five followup post to read through exactly about the champion!
The Mohu Leaf made rather a name for it self with regards to established. We tested it hands-on and adored it, and it's really as paper-thin and simply mounted any place in your home since it seems. Mohu sells some kinds of the Leaf, namely an amplified (and USB driven!) and unamplified version, in addition to brand-new Mohu Curve, that is similar to the leaf, but designed to look just a little better without having to be attached to the walls. The Leaf is a straightforward, omnidirectional antenna which can be mounted in every course, on any flat working surface, only ideally over the TV it really is connected to. It sports a 10ft cable attached to it (16ft using the amplified version), brags 35 mile reception (50 miles for amplified version), and can cost you $40 for unamplified version and $66 for the amplified version.
People who nominated and praised the Leaf noted its small type factor, super-easy setup and set up, and its own "mount everywhere, seriously also upside-down" design. It's not perfect though—some of mentioned that it is perfect for OTA UHF channels, however for VHF networks. Comprehensive disclosure, I nominated this one partially because I did the analysis for this, but also because I liked the Leaf such that i acquired one for my very own television. You can check out of the full nomination bond here.
The Clearstream 2 antenna is a long-range directional model we've reviewed before, with great success. It really is remarkably powerful, even though it is not an omnidirectional antenna (you'll need to position it appropriately to get the best possible signal), that may be a good thing if all of your offered communities transmitted from the exact same way. The C2 is obviously an indoor/outdoor antenna, if you like to attach it outside, you can—you do not have to, though. It boasts a 50+ mile range in perfect problems, a 70 degree beamwidth into the path it's situated, and aluminum construction that is built to final.
Those of you just who nominated the C2—namely our personal Whitson Gordon—noted that it's not the prettiest antenna having sitting alongside your TV or in the window, nonetheless it works wonders, is remarkably powerful, bringing in networks crisp and obvious, and it is forgiving even though it is defectively positioned for broadcasts into the opposing path. If you are interested, it'll set you back $96 at Amazon, and you may find out more about this with its nomination thread right here.
RCA's ANT1050 is an unassuming, flat, diamond-wing-shaped antenna that can be mounted horizontally on the wall or on any flat surface. It's an omnidirectional antenna, meaning placement isn't as important with directional models, and it's broad 17 inch wingspan is designed for reception. A little set up is needed with it; you need to put it together when you get the package (not too it can take much work) just before plug it into the TV.
The ANT1050 is an extremely easy model—something those of you which nominated it said: Simple, goes everywhere, gets the job done, and does not be expensive of money. It'll cost you $11 at Amazon, a price low adequate as you are able to offer this a try to see whether you are going to really get good reception in your area or if you will find channels locally worth watching just before run-out and fork out a lot of money on a far more pricey antenna. Find out more when you look at the nomination thread right here.
The Terk HDTVa is an amplified, highly directional antenna with the capacity of getting UHF and VHF channels. It really is small adequate to remain next to a TV in an entertainment center, or on a bookshelf dealing with a window. It's a bit more effective due to the undeniable fact that it is amplified, and though it looks cumbersome, it isn't. One cable carries power and sign to it, and while it will be looks like an antenna or some sort of ray firearm, it is not a metal and synthetic monstrosity next to your television or in your windowsill. If you'd like one, it really is available for $40 at Amazon.
Those whom praised the Terk HDTVa noted its power specifically—namely that its amplified, directional nature gives it a bonus over a number of other people, particularly when all systems you are trying to pick-up at in one single path. Rain, snow, alongside poor weather are no match for this, according to its nomination thread right here.
In the event that Winegard Flatwave seems familiar, it will. This has a similar level, rectangular design into Mohu Leaf and many other antennae that are similarly designed, but that is mostly because it works. The Flatwave comes in increased and unamplified variations, packs a 15ft (18.5ft inside amplified version) cable and boasts a range of 35 miles (50 kilometers when you look at the increased variation). Like the majority of various other level, omnidirectional antennae such as this, you've got the solution to mount it anywhere—on the wall surface, horizontally or vertically, anywhere you'll get decent reception. It really is paper thin, and can fit just about anywhere without searching horribly out-of-place. The unamplified version will be $32 at Amazon, although the amplified variation expenses $60 at Amazon. It is also recognized for being acquireable at Costco stores.
Those which nominated it praised its looks and slim design, and even though it is certainly not perfect—you noted its thin cable accessory and slim cord—it does support power over USB for increased design, which is a plus. You can read more within the nominations thread here.
Now you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to an all out vote to look for the community favorite.
Is anyone having trouble with digital over the air television? | Yahoo Answers
In my area it still seems to be very unreliable.
That is true even for local stations that had
a good signal before the digital switch.
Yes. It sucks! They "sold" it to us by telling us it was better. Explained it to us by telling us that it would free up the analog waves for Emergency Responders and other important people and jobs. I've been asking myself since it started - Why, if it's better, do they want to give it to US? If it's better then why not give it to the people who need the reliability? We've got our answer. It's awful and unreliable. The only way to fix the problem is to sign up for cable or sattellite. One more "plus" for the people who pushed the digi-switch.