help with HDTV signal vs software issue

[rotuts]

Hello
I just discoverd this section of the forum. Im a mac user but this questions is about signal strength and threshold etc.
I have a mac g4dual 1gz and a DIVCO fusion gold card with iTele and MMin[uts. it works most of the time. there are some bugs bing worked out re some recordings show ' 0 k ' but the major problem is:

dropout, it thats the correct term. the signal gets chopped [up from time to time, or no signal at all.

this then gives data breaks with MPEG streamclip, the program I use to process the files to same them in a smaller format. it there are too many data breaks I loose the audio and have to toss the show. these are mostly PBS how to shows.

I have a RCA 10 db amplifyer on a zeinth indoor antenna that I move around and place close to the window facing the antenna (north)

I live in the SF bay area and the transmitter in SF is about 25 to 30 miles away. all the stations transmitt from this tower and I was told by one of the pbs stations that they are the same watts if thats the term

PBS KQED is my main recording channel. some times I get it, some times nopt. but I get other stations that are supposedly the same strength and from the same tower.

moving the indoor antenna a little bit some times helps. puting it on the second floor outside didn't seem to help at all. ie consistently

I can't put it on the roof.

any ideaS?

thanks rotuy

[edDV]

You are a bit too far away for an indoor antenna.
Something like this mounted outside would solve your problems immediately.
http://store.electrogalaxy.com/zengemdtv1.html

If space is tight, this style can be easier to mount.

[rotuts]

Ed

what if I got the antenna you mentioned for $45 and used it inside? would that help?

R

[rotuts]

ed

I have this now:

http://store.electrogalaxy.com/zenzhdtv1.html

R

[edDV]

That one is 3ft long. Many place antennas in the attic. Rule of thumb is you need twice the antenna gain for attic mounting.

Are you in an apartment? You could hang an antenna like the one above below a window or place it on a deck.

http://www.tvantenna.com/support/tutorials/atticantennas.html

[rotuts]

Ed
Im actually in a house in the SF bay area ( stanford) Im selling soon so do not want to alter here too much. then back to the berbs of Boston.

there if I get any signal Ill mount outside on the chimney etc.

I tried runniing a cable from the downstrairs area to the second floor porch area outside, through a window and got Robbed!

but Id like to consistently try out somehitng here if I can. will I \ get more out of the antenna you mentioned indoors?

can I put the smaller Zeinith antenna outdoors during the day and will that make any dif?

it didn't seem to before

R

[edDV]

If you have room for it, the larger Zenith Gemstar should give you a considerable boost. It will be more difficult to point to Sutro and won't get NBC 11/12DT in San Jose. Use the small antenna for KNTV NBC.

[redwudz]

I have a DVICO and one of those small Zenith antennas indoors and I get a marginal signal from the tower that's about 10 miles away, clear sight. Even with a 20DB amplifier the signal is weak.

I would say don't bother with one of those little antennas. Even a ~3x3 foot screen antenna indoors would be better. That's my next move. I'm in an apartment, 2nd floor and no windows, no way to mount exterior to point toward the towers.

[rotuts]

may I ask what a 3 x 3 screen antenna is? is it the lower one initially mentioned by ed?

all this work for really only one channel KQED 30.6!

R

[rotuts]

ed: back again as promised on the antenna questions:

one q here one in the antenna thead:

here: on KQED ( I bed your a SF Bayarea wo(man)) some shows must be shot in 'full' HD with the best camera's take the fri PM HD show Chef's a Field. when I get this on my computer, its really the best image Ive seen on HDTV.

the commecial shows ( mostly studio) seem not at fine. Ive read in the past pre DIVCO card that true HD with the best cameras make studio shows look poor, so they chizel a little on these some how to not show the makeup and flaws in the sets.

not so with ChefsaField.

that difference is what I was getting at.

now the antenna q: Ill post here and in the antenna thread incase someone is following that:

Ive been told by an engineer at KCSM by email that their signal and KQED is the same strengh. KQED is oniTele 30.6 I guess that 90.4
when I can't get 30.6/90.4 I can still get KCSM digital 43.1

wouild this frequncey difference make that much dif in the antenna's receptions? KQED doesn't have the $$ or energy to answer my emails on this.

great help today ed!

[edDV]

ed: back again as promised on the antenna questions:

one q here one in the antenna thead:

here: on KQED ( I bed your a SF Bayarea wo(man)) some shows must be shot in 'full' HD with the best camera's take the fri PM HD show Chef's a Field. when I get this on my computer, its really the best image Ive seen on HDTV.

the commecial shows ( mostly studio) seem not at fine. Ive read in the past pre DIVCO card that true HD with the best cameras make studio shows look poor, so they chizel a little on these some how to not show the makeup and flaws in the sets.

not so with ChefsaField.

that difference is what I was getting at.

now the antenna q: Ill post here and in the antenna thread incase someone is following that:

Ive been told by an engineer at KCSM by email that their signal and KQED is the same strengh. KQED is oniTele 30.6 I guess that 90.4
when I can't get 30.6/90.4 I can still get KCSM digital 43.1

wouild this frequncey difference make that much dif in the antenna's receptions? KQED doesn't have the $$ or energy to answer my emails on this.

great help today ed!

No. CA man here,

As said on the other thread, power needed goes up as the UHF frequency goes up. Palo Alto has always been a difficult place to receive from Sutro. SF. You just need a larger antenna to solve your problem.

You are shooting over the side of Mt San Bruno from where you are. Not much signal gets through.

[redwudz]

I got tired of running a indoor antenna with a amplifier and still getting a marginal signal. What I meant by a 'Screen' antenna is a UHF bowtie type flat antenna, similar to the pic that edDV posted. I just ordered a Channel Master 4228. It's large for inside use, it's 40" X 36" X 4" deep. I may use it as a room decoration or stick it in a back room or the attic if I can get access.

[rotuts]

Red

Id like to hear what happens!

I still may get eds gib one

R