New to HDTV, need advice

[crfast]

Long Story Short:

I live 8.6 miles from the furthest HD broadcasting tower (the rest are closer). What size directional antenna would I need in my attic to pick up a good signal, as opposed to mounting one outside.


The Long Story:

I've been searching the web and forums and get conflicting advice when it comes to OTA HDTV signal broadcasts. I currently use DirecTV, mainly because of NFL Sunday Ticket, and because Time Warner's customer/Billing/Installation Services suck donkey nuts. DirecTV customer service is top notch.

Unfortunately DirecTV doesn't offer local channels in HD so I will be required to purchase an OTA antenna. I have a 65" Sony Rear Projection HDTV and the picture is amazing on the HD channels (via satellite). I bought a $40 piece of crap Zenith indoor directional antenna. Neddless to say I am returning it tomorrow.

The only channel that comes through clear via antennae is the WKNO HD channel. This would be great if I wanted to watch sesame street in HD but I am not a big PBS fan. I need the main stations like ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, etc so I can watch the playoffs (NFL) and NCAA bowl games in HD

Based on the info obtained from antennaweb.org i am only 8.6 miles from the furthest stations (ABC, NBC, UPN) which all must share a tower. They advised to buy a medium sized directional antenna and point it at the most important stations that i want to pick up.

I am just wondering, how big is too much? Since I am only 8.6 miles away, I would guess that mounting a medium to small antennae in my attic would be fine. I hear that the signal strength drops by half, but would that really be that big of an issue for 9 mile distance? I would rather have it indoors instead of mounting it outdoors (easier to mount/looks cleaner).

How large of an antenna would you recommend? Also, I believe my DirecTV dish (oval dish) has a buit in multiplexor which will allow the antenna input signal to piggback my DirecTV coax to my HD box. This I am unsure of and would like some confirmation if you know. Thanks in advance.

[Ratman]

I'd suggest this one. Of it doesn't work out, it's easily returnable.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2160

[jaragaki]

I'd second Ratman's suggestion. I'm using that antenna at 19 miles, roof mounted w/obstacles (antennaweb says I shouldn't be getting ANY digital), but I'm pulling in all available digital stations with it.

Your HD box should have a separate coax inputs for dish, cable, and antenna. Use the appropriate one. That will enable you to integrate the different channels from all your inputs into the channel menu.

[crfast]

are you guys running a cable from the antennae straight to your HD box? i assumed you could plug it into a signal splitter (multiswitch) and have the signal run through the existing coax. would i need to buy a spitter at the box? does it work like that?

[Ratman]

A 'straight' run from the antenna to the receiver is always the best way to go.

Running the antenna coax into a multiswitch and diplexors is possible.

[mjones73]

At your range an indoor antenna might do the trick, One thing you didn't mention is the location of your channels around you, are they all broadcasting from the same area or different areas? The antenna suggested is highly directional and would require a rotator to aim if you need to aim it at different areas for different stations.

[Jeffrey Thomas]

crfast,

Now you can get FoxHD on directv. If you are not receiving the other networks in HD PM me and I will help you out.l