Anyone Using HDTV Antenea

bubba300 · #1 09-26-2020, 08:48 AM

Thinking of getting one and trying,they look cheap enough.Live between Lacombe and Panoka.What's a good one to buy.
Thanks

Hunter65 · #2 09-26-2020, 09:56 AM

I have one very similar to this, works great. I bought mine from antennas r us but i see they no longer exist. This website looks good though, check out the learning center if you havent been here already.

https://store.antennasdirect.com/Cle...V-Antenna.html

rjlester · #3 09-26-2020, 10:20 AM

I have been using HD over the air since it began about 10 years ago. The picture is so clear, we cut our HD satellite off about 6 years ago, will never go back to that.

Also have one in my garage. We live 25 minutes west of Edmonton and we get good reception.

My dad lives another 10 minutes farther out, and he can all the channels, just global is a bit hit and miss at times. We have not tried to re-aim his antenna yet though.

Buy a big channel master antenna and you won't be disappointed.

bubba300 · #4 09-26-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjlester

I have been using HD over the air since it began about 10 years ago. The picture is so clear, we cut our HD satellite off about 6 years ago, will never go back to that.

Also have one in my garage. We live 25 minutes west of Edmonton and we get good reception.

My dad lives another 10 minutes farther out, and he can all the channels, just global is a bit hit and miss at times. We have not tried to re-aim his antenna yet though.

Buy a big channel master antenna and you won't be disappointed.

How many channels you get
Thanks

Au revoir, Gopher · #5 09-26-2020, 11:55 AM

Before buying anything, I would recommend a bit of research.

Go to TV Fool, punch in your coordinates and see what it has to say about available channels and signal strength.

ARG

CMichaud · #6 09-26-2020, 12:03 PM

I have been using one for years so maybe the technology has improved since I started? Mine is inside the house and a flat screen looking thing about 8 x 10 or so.

At the best, I could receive: CBC, CBC(Fr), Global, CTV, YES, and Omni

However this has varied over the years and I am not sure why one day you get a channel and the next day it is gone. Weather? Truck parked outside of CTV? New building put up in Edmonton blocking signal strength?

I have moved that antennae around trying to regain channels. I have noticed that on some days it even matters where you are sitting in the house in relation to the antennae.

Funny enough I have always managed to pick up Omni and YES but not the major news broadcasters.

bubba300 · #7 09-26-2020, 01:29 PM

Hey CM
I have one of them and get global edmonton crystal clear and ctv edmonton is pretty fuzzy.Paid $10 for it so just thinking there must be a few more channels.I really don't watch to much tv but a couple more channels would be cool.

KinAlberta · #8 09-26-2020, 01:58 PM

Princess Auto has sold them for years.

rjlester · #9 09-26-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba300

How many channels you get
Thanks

I get seven channels. CTV, CBC, Global, CBC French, CTS, CityTV and OMNI.

In the garage I have a hard time wth Global, but the antenna is inside the shop, need to put it outside.

TrollGRG · #10 09-26-2020, 07:08 PM

You will have to tell us where you are before it means anything

does it ALL outdoors · #11 09-26-2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher

Before buying anything, I would recommend a bit of research.

Go to TV Fool, punch in your coordinates and see what it has to say about available channels and signal strength.

ARG

^^^^ This..

Just read a really long thread on this subject on another forum and everyone agreed your location and antenna placement are the single biggests factors in OTA (Over The Air) antennas.

Most said channels are limited by your location. Dispite having limited channels, not having a rediculous monthly cable bill is a pretty attractive feature. The cable-co's are getting as greedy as cell phone companies

philintheblank · #12 09-27-2020, 08:40 AM

Is there any way to record shows off of the antenna? We have been looking at getting rid of cable as well, but the wife will want to PVR the couple shows she likes. They are both on CTV.

rjlester · #13 09-27-2020, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philintheblank

Is there any way to record shows off of the antenna? We have been looking at getting rid of cable as well, but the wife will want to PVR the couple shows she likes. They are both on CTV.

You can do this with a Windows 10 computer and a TV tuner card. So, if you are handy with computers, this is doable, but if you are not a techy guy I don't recommend even trying it.

I had this working for a couple of years, but quit using it as now I just stream stuff that I don't get to watch on TV. I'm a IT guy by trade and the hassle of updating the software and messing with it every once in a while was aggravating to me.

tool · #14 09-27-2020, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philintheblank

Is there any way to record shows off of the antenna? We have been looking at getting rid of cable as well, but the wife will want to PVR the couple shows she likes. They are both on CTV.

VCR and a bunch of blank tape?

Cheap and effective. Original PVR

Spidey · #15 09-27-2020, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philintheblank

Is there any way to record shows off of the antenna? We have been looking at getting rid of cable as well, but the wife will want to PVR the couple shows she likes. They are both on CTV.

Depending what the show are, you might be able to watch them for free here:

https://www.ctv.ca/shows