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]

Originally Posted by galbicka

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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