HDTV over the air

[jay]

Does anyone know what the range is that you can pull in an HDTV signal over the air with an antenna? The reason that I ask is that I live in RI where we don't have any HDTV stations yet, but Boston has a bunch of them and they are 70 miles away. Is there anyway that I can get an antenna that can pull in the Boston signals??
Jay

[djflash22]

it just depends on the antenna you buy and the terrain between you and the transmitter . there are some antennas that say they will pull in stations from 150 miles. i am glad i only live 8 miles from mine:)

[Dan]

The distance is supposed to be 45 miles. After that reception drops off very quickly. Rember, with HDTV you either get perfect reception or you get nothing. At your distance, you will almost certainly get nothing. However, if you do try it and get a signal definitely let us know as that will be very interesting.

Dan

[kujayhawk20659]

I live more than 90 miles from DC, where my local channels come from. I was told that I could not recieve those digital feeds multiple times by local antenna shops. I have a radio shack antenna in my attic and bought a motorola signal booster broadband drop amp from my circuit city store. Before this amp I cound not recieve any signal now I get a 70 strength for cbs and a 58 for fox,abc, and nbc. This booster amplifies outgoing and incoming signals and retails for one hundred dollars.

[jay]

What kind of HDTV receiver would you recommend? Most likely I will only be using it for over the air since I do not have DirecTV, just cable. I was looking at the Sony HD100 but I have seen mixed reviews about it. :cool:

[kevinw]

If you do not want to be tied to DISH or Direct look at the Samsung..

[mbunting]

Don't buy the Sony HD100 - I have heard nothing but BAD things about it.

I'm currently doing some research myself - and that's the only for sure "don't buy" model that I have run into so far.

You might also want to stay away from the RCA DTC100 - as you'll then also need to buy a converter box ($75-$125) to use it with any brand of tv other than an RCA model.

I would research the Toshiba and Samsung models first.

Just my .02

[barbinmike]

Hughes Platinum-HD-See below, sorry kinda long..What do you all think of this one? Let me know thanks-barbi
Hughes Titan HDTV-DirecTV Receiver with 2yr warranty. Component y-pr-pb outputs. New in box with access card. No subscription necessary for purchase. Pictured with optional elliptical dish, not included.

FEATURES OF THE HUGHES
PLATINUM HD
DIRECTV® SYSTEM

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High-definition television (HDTV) is the next generation in television entertainment. Now you can experience DIRECTV's exclusive High-Definition Satellite TV programming as well as the terrestrial HDTV broadcasts in your area from an off-air antenna.

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No one designs better viewing guides than HUGHES. With more detailed information and better flexibility, you'll be able to find your favorite programs and channels faster than ever before. Now you can even seamlessly incorporate local off-air programming information into an easy-to-read program guide. There are three different guide styles to ensure easy navigation through more than 225 channels available with DIRECTV programming.

DOLBY® DIGITAL CAPABILITY
To maximize your home theater experience, the HUGHES Platinum DIRECTV System has full Dolby Digital (AC-3) capability. The HUGHES receiver allows you to send Dolby Digital signals out to your AC-3 decoder by fiber-optic cable.

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Using the custom RF universal remote control, you will be able to control your Platinum HD digital satellite receiver from any room in your home... even the walls.

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You'll never wonder again who could be calling during your favorite television show. Our Platinum High-Definition receiver features a built-in Caller ID, displaying incoming phone calls right on your television.

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Choose the programs you want to watch in advance, select them, then forget about them. Your Platinum HD digital satellite receiver will automatically switch to the programs you choose when they begin.

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Organize the channels on your Platinum HD digital satellite receiver into convenient programming lists, then customize them with names you choose for easy access. (Example: "Dad's Faves," "Mom's Faves.") Each name can be up to 10 characters long, including spaces.

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Programs listed on the programming guide can be color-coded for viewing ease — purple for movies, green for sports, red for news, and blue for other programming categories.

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Choose up to 8 'catch' words or names to identify programming that interests you, program them into your receiver, then let your digital satellite receiver do the work. It will automatically search DIRECTV program titles and program descriptions for those key words and alert you of those programs on the WatchWord onscreen guide.

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Choose to see only movie, sports, or news programming guides with a quick command from your remote control.

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Automatically skip over blocked or non-subscribed channels and view only the channels in your subscription package.

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Enables you to quickly find your channel by spelling the call sign with your remote control.
DIGITAL AND ANALOG OFF-AIR READY
For those who live in areas not served by DIRECTV's local channel service, the Platinum HD system allows you to connect with your off-air antenna or cable service for local channel reception.

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Access the System Test screen to run a series of internal diagnostics any time you want to check the performance of your digital satellite receiver.

[kevinw]

Unless you want watch Showtime or HBO, PPV and possibly HD net, why buy a STB that is tied in with Direct or Dish. Buy Samsung OTA only box. Lots of new technology will be out in next year or 2.. I'd wait and see as to what other programming will be available.
With 50% of primetime on the big 3 already in hd, it will not be long before more is available.

[barbinmike]

Thanks for the info, now that brings up a question for me.
We have Tivo, and want to keep it, can any of the stb, connect to them so we dont lose tivo? It may be a stupid question to you, but we already have to sat. receivers, and if i can buy like what ur saying and put my tivo on it, and not need to buy a new dish, on top of stb, that would be too cool..
Thanks again for your feedback,

[ZeroDegreeK]

HD set top boxes will work with tivo but you can't record HD programs.

You will need a new dish to receive DirecTV high definition programming, the elliptical mutli-sat.

If you go the OTA route, TiVo can't record HD.

[brian7972]

Jay - I'm in RI too...check this thread out and note response from WBZ engineer (good news).

I'm in West Warwick...

http://www.***************.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=55&t=000515

Edit: For some reason :rolleyes: those stars are h-o-m-e-t-h-e-a-t-e-r-s-p-o-t

You'll need to do a search on my username and "Rhode Island" in the antenna forum for the information.

[brian7972]

Also, remember, the towers are in Needham, not Boston (when computing mileage, that's another 15 miles or so "closer")

[zarlor]

Originally posted by mbunting
[snip]
You might also want to stay away from the RCA DTC100 - as you'll then also need to buy a converter box ($75-$125) to use it with any brand of tv other than an RCA model.


The RCA statement is not strictly true. The DTC-100 will connect to any HDTV or computer monitor with an RGBHV (sometimes called a VGA) port. You would only need a converter for those TVs that only have a Component Input for HD. Many brands other than RCA also use the RGBHV inputs, as do virtually every computer monitor on the market (if you want a 21" HDTV, that is. ;))

[jay]

Brian,
It does look like good news for us in RI! What HDTV receiver do you have? I have been looking at the Samsung. It looks like I'm about 70 driving miles from Needham so hopefully I could pull in the signals for ABC and CBS. Where did you say the signal from NBC and FOX are from?

[brian7972]

Jay -

I don't have a receiver yet, I'm waiting until we get in the new house. I am likely going to get this: http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=5269&setflag=1014766545

The Hughes dish is both Direct TV and OTA. You hook up an antenna just like you would with a normal OTA. I was also looking at the Samsung SIR-T150, but since I wanted DirecTV anyway, the Hughes makes more sense for me - two birds, one stone.

We have a great look at the south/western sky, plus we're very high up, so I'm feeling good about being able to pull the Needham signal.

The only remaining question for me is whether an independent OTA STB would handle the signal better than the Hughes unit. But, that being said, I'm sure 90% of that analysis is antenna-dependent anyway. I want to take a peek at my options in the attic before I commit to mounting a dish and an antenna on the house.

Also, the way I look at it, prices aren't going up, that's for sure. Time is indeed on our side.

[brian7972]

I don't know where the NBC and Fox are from. I haven't fully investigated that yet. I need to go to titantv and antennaweb and check it out.

[brian7972]

Looks like WHDH (not sure where that is, but I think they're on the Needham tower in DTV).

Go to www.antennaweb.org and plug in your address. You'll get an antenna recommendation, but you'll also see which directions all the channels are in.

I think that WBZ technician told me FOX will be available in HD in the fall sometime. I can't remember exactly though.

[kevinw]

Fox does not believe in High Definition the best they will
broadcast is 480p not 1080i. Yes it is digital but not HD.:(

[brian7972]

Kevin - you are indeed correct. I misread the technician's email - he said UPN, not Fox:

Brian,

I have had a ton of emails from Rhode Island viewers. Based on what I hear,
this should not be a problem. The Providence stations should be on the air
this year so that should make things easier, but bottom line is that you
should be able to get good signals from at least CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS out
of Boston. Our Providence UPN station should be on the air late summer to
early fall.

[kevinw]

I can't wait for UPN to go HD here in Atlanta.

WWF-Smackdown:D