[mythtv] pcHDTV status -- was [PATCH] Restore ability to play MPEG-TS streams

[Keith C]

Generally, the antennas shaped like a bar (the Terk, I believe) and the
funky disk and bar "HD Antenna" from RadioShack are not very well
respected at all.  Basically, the antenna gets a mediocre signal and
amplifies it.  Better to get the best signal you can from the antenna,
then do what you need to.

Best resource ever made for HDTV antenna reception :
http://www.antennaweb.org

Also, I hung out in the HD antenna area at avsforum for a while.  Those
guys will definitely tell you which ones not to buy.

Basically, I bought the plain old (non-amplified) RadioShack antenna
that matched the recommendation from antennaweb, stuck it in my attic
(which they say kills 20% of the signal), and still get incredible
reception.  Probably about 30 miles from the antennas.

Keith C


On Thu, 2003-11-13 at 13:46, Brian Foddy wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Nov 2003, John P. Poet wrote:
> 
> > They are about 30 miles away and I have line-of-sight.
> > 
> > I was hoping to get away with a standard Radio Shack UHF antenna (Catalog #:
> > 15-2160).  Is there something better?
> > 
> > I have also read that the HDTV spec calls for a frequency spectrum up to 3
> > GHz.  I have not been able to find any amps or splitter with that kind of
> > rating.  I assume 2150 MHz splitters are "good enough"?
> 
> I've tried 2 antennas, the Terk something-something-55 model was pretty 
> descent, but I found the Winegard 2000 a little better.  Both are 
> amplified.  Its placed in the
> attic of my garage, above the Al siding.  I'm in MSP about 25-30 miles
> from the towers, and before this antenna had pretty poor recption.
> Now, most days I can get any of my HD signals.  But cold overcast days
> can still be a problem.  I guess, I have about a 66% chance that I can
> watch any given channel in HD on any given day.  Not perfect, but I can
> live with it.  However, I would agree with the suggestion to double
> record any critical program in low-res just in case the weather is not
> in your favor.
> 
> As for splitters, I use a standard unpowered splitter, with 4 foot 
> cables on the end.  My parents had to use a powered splitter, but
> they have 20-50 foot cables after the splitter.  Also, use UG6??
> (something 6) coax cable.
> 
> Brian
> 
> 
> 
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