Just ordered DB2 antenna

[pilotbob]

I just ordered a DB2 from Antenna's Direct. This is the first step in dropping FiOS TV service and just going OTA and Internet content.

I didn't get a mount for it... I am going to try it inside, hung on the wall behind the TV at first. I figure I can buy a J-mount and rg-11 locallay if I decide to put it outside. (Which I think I will need to do eventually.)

BOb

[Floyd]

It looks like the DB2 is what has commonly been called a 2-bay uhf antenna. There is a 4-bay model available that has higher gain.
The DB2 may have a bit of trouble with NBC(ch-7). The other local channels in the VHF band are 10/cbs,12/fox, and 13pbs.
Depending on your location you might need another antenna for the ch-10 signal from Tarpon Springs.

[galbicka]

What box did you decide on?

[pilotbob]

What box did you decide on?

I have put off the decision until the Boxee Box price is announced. I was very close to ordering a Acer Revo 3610 ($329) as I have seen a lot of good reviews on it. But, I would rather wait.

Either way the Boxee software seems to do all that I would want... minus DVR features. But, if I am d/l-ing most shows I don't see that as a problem. Of course, I will still have my TiVo for OTA DVR duties.

For now I am just using PyTivoX to stream videos to my TiVo.

BOb

(I am also wanting to get a Windows Home Server to serve as the main storage location for RIPed DVDs and TV show downloads. Probably one of the HP media smart servers.)

[pilotbob]

It looks like the DB2 is what has commonly been called a 2-bay uhf antenna. There is a 4-bay model available that has higher gain.
The DB2 may have a bit of trouble with NBC(ch-7). The other local channels in the VHF band are 10/cbs,12/fox, and 13pbs.
Depending on your location you might need another antenna for the ch-10 signal from Tarpon Springs.

Thanks Floyd... we'll see how it goes. I can always return it within 30 days and get the DB4 if that is needed. My understanding was that this UHF antenna would still be able to get the VHF channels that are used around here based on the chart of actual broadcast frequencies. Of course, I am all new to this and they (or I) could be all wet.

BOb

[pilotbob]

Well... I got the DB2 antenna today. We put it together and hooked it up to the TiVO HD... with it just put inside behind the TV. The TiVo is running guided setup now... can't wait to see what local stations it is able to pick up.

The antenna is smaller and lighter than I expected... it shouldn't be a big deal to get a J mount or something like that and put it outside.

Now to decided which Internet service to go with the 15/5 or the 25/25... I'm leaning toward that latter. We are wondering if we should just drop local phone service. We don't have an long distance service and we all have cell phones. I could give people my Google Voice number and get my wife a Google Voice number too... so we each have private voice mail.

BOb

[pilotbob]

Ok..

So... here are the channels I am able to get:

10-1
10-2
22-1
22-2
22-3
22-4
28-1
28-2
32-1
32-2
32-3
44-1
50-1
62-1
62-2
62-3
66-2
66-3
66-4

So... any advice. I think 3 and 8 are the main ones I am missing right?

Do you think it is because I have the antenna inside or because I need a VHF antenna to get those other stations?

Help...

BOb

[tripinva]

You're missing 3 (PBS), 8 (NBC), 13 (FOX), 16 (PBS), and 38 (My). The first three are VHF problems, the last two are not. You probably just need to fidget with the antenna for 16 and 38.

The others may need a different antenna or the antenna outdoors--or both. I'd say to toy with the antenna positioning first.

- Trip

[Floyd]

Placing the antenna behind the TV probably isn't the best location.

You can prop it up on the roof for a test to see if the other channels come in. Since you are getting CBS/10, I assume that you live in the NW part of Tampa, or you have the antenna pointed wrong. The bow-ties on the front of the antenna should point towards the antenna farm in Boyette(S/Riverview). Again, the larger antenna should produce better results, but isn't a panacea. There has to be "some" signal to catch for any antenna to work, and amplifying a low signal doesn't usually improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which is important for digital signals.

[pilotbob]

Thanks for the info. I am most wanting to get NBC and FOX... I don't care so much about the others. According to AntennaDirects web site:

"Most of our UHF Antennas will pick up high VHF stations like channels 7-13 depending on your distance from the transmitters and a few other variables."

Which is what I based my choice on. Considering NBC is 7 and FOX is 12 I expected that the antenna could get them. I was thinking that CBS would be the problem since it was the other direction 296° vs 145°-ish of all the others.

I will try to point the antenna more correctly. Even though it is multi-directional I think we have it pointed more at 90° than 145°.

The biggest issue is getting TiVo to rescan for channels. Does anyone know how to get it to rescan channels without going through a full guided setup again?

Thanks for your help,
BOb

[pilotbob]

Placing the antenna behind the TV probably isn't the best location.


Hmmm... :rolleyes:


You can prop it up on the roof for a test to see if the other channels come in. Since you are getting CBS/10, I assume that you live in the NW part of Tampa, or you have the antenna pointed wrong. The bow-ties on the front of the antenna should point towards the antenna farm in Boyette(S/Riverview). Again, the larger antenna should produce better results, but isn't a panacea. There has to be "some" signal to catch for any antenna to work, and amplifying a low signal doesn't usually improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which is important for digital signals.

I am probably going to give it a try outside.... my concern was I will go from having a 6' cable from Antenna to TV to probably 100' or so. Will that make a big difference? Also, what about spliting it into two? Will I need an amplified splitter. I wasn't sure how that would be powered from the outside... or do you run power through the coax from the inside somehow?

BOb

[pilotbob]

Well... after moving the antenna outside things are basically the same. the signal strength are lowered though. I assume because it is going through so much more cable and two splitters.

Granted, we did not put the antenna on the roof.

Not sure what to do now.

BOb

[pilotbob]

Well, Antenna's Direct recommends I get a VHF antenna as well with a UHF/VHF combiner. So another $140. Hmm... this free TV stuff is getting expensive. Granted... it may pay off down the road since the antennas should last for 20 years. But, seems like a lot up front.

BOb

[Bschneider]

$140 for a UHF antenna? I'll sell you mine for $45 dollars.

It is similar to this: http://www.buy.com/prod/winegard-hd-9075p-hdplatinum-uhf-tv-antenna-hd9075p/q/listingid/96233276/loc/111/214139991.html

[pilotbob]

$140 for a UHF antenna? I'll sell you mine for $45 dollars.

It is similar to this: http://www.buy.com/prod/winegard-hd-9075p-hdplatinum-uhf-tv-antenna-hd9075p/q/listingid/96233276/loc/111/214139991.html

Sorry... I mean VHF... It is this one the were talking about:

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/C5-Clearstream-DTV-antenna.html

Which is $118... the UHF/VHF joiner is $18 there.

They also have cheaper ones...

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/V10_vhf_antenna.html for $60... but it has an element that is 69 inches. Seems a bit unwieldy.

Can anyone recommend a decent VHF antenna that is under 50 but not so huge. (Yes, I know the elements have to be a factor of the frequency size)

BOb

[pilotbob]

Buy.com does have this one for $33...

http://www.buy.com/prod/winegard-hd-1080-vhf-uhf-fm-antenna/q/loc/111/208503801.html

Would that work and get me the UHF and VHF channels? Considering the great signal strength I got with the DB2 inside the house I wonder if the VHF would be as good, considering those signals aren't as strong.

BOb

[Bschneider]

Here is what have done.. with my home and several friends.. it might work for you.

Went to Home Depot and picked up their outdoor uhf/vhf antenna. It is (was) around $60. And I am only using it for the vhf elements. I have the backend facing the farm to pick up FOX, NBC, PBS and the front facing Holiday to get CBS. I do this since I am closer to the farm than I am Holiday. Then I used the uhf yagi (see previous link above) pointing to the farm for everything else and that is upstream from the vhf so no need for a joiner.

[pilotbob]

Thanks.. I looked at Home Depot's web site and don't see anything. Perhaps they have them in the store but not on line.

the UHF only one I have gets CBS fine of the back.. I am 15miles from that according to antenna web.

I was hoping to get something that would work inside... out door VHF antennas always seem so big.

I will take a look at HD and see what they have. The one you mention might work for both for me.

If you have two antennas, how do you hook them both up if you don't have a joiner of some type?

Do you think I need an amplifier if I am splitting the signal to two receivers?

Thanks,
BOb

[Bschneider]

The UHF antennas should have a built-in joiner to remove UHF from a UHF/VHF antenna that you can hook up to it. At least the ones that I have purchased have them. So basically its:

UHF/VHF --> UHF --> Splitter --> TV(s)

You may not need an amplifier. I have used 3-way spliters without any problems but the cable runs were less than 20 ft.

[pilotbob]

The UHF antennas should have a built-in joiner to remove UHF from a UHF/VHF antenna that you can hook up to it. At least the ones that I have purchased have them. So basically its:

UHF/VHF --> UHF --> Splitter --> TV(s)

You may not need an amplifier. I have used 3-way spliters without any problems but the cable runs were less than 20 ft.

Ah... thanks for the info... however, the DB2 UHF antenna I have no doesn't have any place to connect something to it.

I am returning the DB2.

I have ordered the Wineguard VHF/UHF/FM antenna from buy.com for $33. I hope to have more luck with that. If it doesn't work I will consider your dual antenna configuration.

Of my 3 cable runs two are probably 20 feet or less but the third, the one to the only HDTV runs more than the length of the house going around the pool cage. It is probably 150' or so.

Do you put the VHF antenna above the UHF antenna? What do you use to mount it to the house? A j-mount of some type like this http://www.buy.com/prod/antennas-direct-40-universal-j-mount/q/loc/111/211414543.html?

BOb

[Bschneider]

I have wall mount this just under the eve of the roof. I didn't want to screw anything into the roof. I don't think I got it from them but it was the exact same one.. it may have been ebay. Sorry I don't recall where but it was the 18" due to house gutters.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=EZ3018&d=Easy-Mount-EZ3018-18-Wall-Mount-%28EZ3018%29&c=Mounting%20Supplies&sku=

With a 5 ft mast (again from Home Depot). And I have the UHF above the VHF.. But that was just my preference.

[galbicka]

I live in Lakeland and use one of these mounted at 25' (paid $35 at a freight company outlet store). It works good for me. Channel 10 was a problem until they boosted their signal. Now it only drops during bad weather. The amplifier helps in my application - split to 3 tv's - 10', 25' and 50' cable runs from the splitter.
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=CM-3000&d=Channel-Master-CM3000-Suburban-Outdoor-Amplified-Omnidirectional-SMARTenna-TV-Antenna-%28CM3000A%29&c=TV%20Antennas&sku=

[ozlo]

Or you could just build one of these for less than $20:

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=BcUSW2l6MSI&feature=channel

I built one, put it up on the mount where my old Dish Network dish was attached, and haven't looked back since!

[pilotbob]

Well... I got a new VHF/UHF antenna from buy.com for $33... the one I linked to above.

It seems to pick up more stations, in the house, however, 8 and 13 seem to allude me.

I went to home depot to see what mounting hardware they had and they had nothing. The lady their told me the antennas come with it except for the mast which they sold separately.

I am thinking if it is installed outside properly it will work... but I am wondering if this is all worth the trouble to save $35 a month.

So, what do you think should I:

1. Give up and stick with FiOS TV.

2. Try to install it myself, not having a tall enough ladder or knowing where to buy mounting hardware without ordering online.

3. Hire an antenna installer to do the whole thing for me. I see some reports on Angie's list were people have had them installed for under $200 but those reports are 4+ years old.

Woe is me.

BOb

(At least replacing my TiVO HD hard drive went flawlessly, using WinMFS.)

[pilotbob]

I got the Wineguard installed today. Put on the roof... it works well. I've got the TiVo re-programmed to Antenna only. I'm gonna call Verizon to drop the FiOS TV service tomorrow.

Small issue, the antenna is only connected to one TV. The installer had some concern that is we split the signal to the other two TVs it wouldn't be strong enough.

Not sure if I want to get a second Wineguard for the other side of the house... or get an amplified splitter and try to hook the other two TVs to the same antenna.

But... from now on I am an OTA guy. Although, I am getting stuff that I watced on SyFi and other channels via the Internet... Boxee and Plex help a lot here.

BOb

[Bschneider]

I have one antenna going to 4 TVs without issue..

[pilotbob]

I have one antenna going to 4 TVs without issue..

How long are the cable runs? Do you use an amp, or no?

BOb

[Bschneider]

Cable runs are between 50-60 ft each.. and yes I do use an amp but only because I wanted a modulator to input our security camera feeds to each tv in the house.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882832005

[pilotbob]

Hmm... I just realized the guy didn't ground that antenna. Should I be concerned?

On a similar topic.. why the heck are DTV to analog converters $50? Seems a bit steep. Wish I had used those vouchers years ago when I had them.

BOb

[Jason]

No grounding? In Florida? Yeah, I'd be concerned.

Get it grounded, but make sure it's more than just a 4-foot ground rod (sand is a lousy conductor). I'd suggest an 8-foot rod, the best grounding wire you can get, and perhaps even lightning suppression for your coax (such a PolyPhaser). Consider the cost of your A/V gear, and the grounding supplies suddenly aren't that expensive.

I know people that have gone far above and beyond that (coax only as far as the garage, connected to HDHR's, ethernet converted to fiber, and finally to the TV). You might not need something that drastic, but down here, you can never be too careful.

Bottom line--do something, but don't leave it ungrounded.

[pilotbob]

No grounding? In Florida? Yeah, I'd be concerned.

That's what I thought. I'm going to ground it myself this weekend. Seems pretty easy to do. The part I didn't really want to do (nor did I have the brackets or mast) is done. Although, I am a bit concerned why this "pro" installer would not have grounded it. Perhaps I should call him and ask wth?

BOb

[pilotbob]

So... antenna up... (see above)....

So, I called Verizon to cancel my TV service. I switched to a Phone/Internet bundle that should lower my bill by about $40 a month.

The bundle is Freedom essentials which is unlimited Local and domestic long distance and all the calling features and Internet at 25/25. $84.99 + fees/taxes a month with 2-year commitment.

So I am official part of the OTA crowd. Although I am now internet watching shows that I can't get with the antenna. Like the Daily Show, Colbert Report, Mythbusters, etc.

Still not sure what to do to watch those. I currently watch them with the TiVo using pyTivo. I am waiting to see if Plex 9 gets their Windows version out soon and then I would highly consider an LG Netcast Blu-Ray player that will have the Plex 9 client built into it.

BOb

[bdraw]

To help supplment you can watch a lot of cable tv via FiOS, including HBO. Here are all the streaming sites accessible to FiOS Internet subs.

http://www.hbogo.com/
http://www.maxgo.com/
http://epixhd.com
http://www.tnt.tv/tveverywhere/
http://www.adultswim.com/tveverywhere/
http://www.tbs.com/tveverywhere/
http://espn3.com

[Lani]

You can prop it up on the roof for a test to see if the other channels come in. Since you are getting CBS/10, I assume that you live in the NW part of Tampa, or you have the antenna pointed wrong. The bow-ties on the front of the antenna should point towards the antenna farm in Boyette(S/Riverview). Again, the larger antenna should produce better results, but isn't a panacea. There has to be "some" signal to catch for any antenna to work, and amplifying a low signal doesn't usually improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which is important for digital signals.