What is the best device to get over the air HD signal?

[ljCharlie]

Will anyone give me some of the experiences or opinions on the some of the best over the air HD receiver? I have a Sony HDTV and I like to know how I can get HD signal from over the air without paying for a subscription.

Thanks!

[ROF]

Your Sony HDTV doesn't have a HD receiver built into it?

You can usually find an Fusion HDTV receiver for a little over $100. Then all you need is a coax antenna. The antenna is your most important part in this and depending on your geographical location and features in your area or any other interference both natural and artificial should be considered when purchasing an antenna. There is no special antenna for it and do not let some salesperson or some package advertising sell you one over another. Any coax antenna can be connected to the receiver.

I'd suspect your HDTV has a receiver built in.

[Treebeard]

most sony's have built in I believe, just grab the ol rabbit ears from the closet.

[edDV]

If you don't want a PC sitting on your TV, look at the standalone set-top box tuners listed here - "Over The Air DTV/HDTV"
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095

[LloydAZ]

You can usually find an Fusion HDTV receiver for a little over $100.

I looked into this one as my set doesn't have a built-in HD tuner. This won't work as it's a USB based tuner for a PC, not for the TV.

[ROF]

Samsung also makes a relatively cheap HDTV Receiver. Why anyone would buy an HDTV without a built in HDTV tuner is beyond comprehension. That would be like buying a computer and not buying any RAM or forgetting to buy a graphics subsystem.

[ljCharlie]

Many thanks for all your responses. My has a TV tuner built in but how do I find out if mine has HDTV tuner built in? My HDVT is Sony KE42TS2. Does anyone know if this Sony KE42TS2 has HD receiver built in?

So if I don't have the HD Receiver builtin then that means I still have to buy them first before I can buy an antena, correct?

[edDV]

This link says you do have a ATSC DTV tuner
Read the manual for hookup instructions
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A2K3XW/ref=pd_cp_e_title/102-3031836-7992152?%5Fe...lance&n=172282

Check http://www.antennaweb.org/ for DTV stations available at your address, their direction, their distance and antenna issues.

[lumis]

Samsung also makes a relatively cheap HDTV Receiver. Why anyone would buy an HDTV without a built in HDTV tuner is beyond comprehension. That would be like buying a computer and not buying any RAM or forgetting to buy a graphics subsystem.

Depending on the cost of the televison compared to one that doesn't have a built-in tuner could be a consideration for purchasing an external OTA HD box.

Some OTA HD boxes will output to DVD recorders allowing you to record HD programming to DVD.

Some people already have HD tuners built in to their datellite TV receivers (Dish Network, Directv), which would work better if their antenna was connected to that box instead of their television, since it would intergrate the OTA HD channels with the satellite TV channels.

Just a couple of ideas on maybe why someone would do that.

[edong]

Why anyone would buy an HDTV without a built in HDTV tuner is beyond comprehension. That would be like buying a computer and not buying any RAM or forgetting to buy a graphics subsystem.

I also do not comprehend why I bought an HD-ready 57" Sony TV and a separate Toshiba HD receiver in Jan 2001. If only the Good Guys had that integrated HD tuner for that model! Oh, well.

[LloydAZ]

Samsung also makes a relatively cheap HDTV Receiver. Why anyone would buy an HDTV without a built in HDTV tuner is beyond comprehension. That would be like buying a computer and not buying any RAM or forgetting to buy a graphics subsystem.

My first HD set had the HD tuner for OTA and DirecTV built into the set. That was great, until the set died an ugly death within a year. Luckily I purchased the extended warranty at Best Buy.

However, the set I had was no longer available, so I could not get a direct replacement for it, so I had to substitute with a different set, none of which had the receiver for DirecTV built into them, and to keep it in the same price range had to buy a lower end HD set and a separate HD receiver for DirecTV.

To make a long story short, I had to move. The apartment I moved into I could not subscribe to DirecTV (couldn't put up a dish that would face the right direction). I sold the receiver to a friend at work who needed it as I had HD service through Cox and didn't need it anyomore.

There is no point in having the tuner built into the set if you are going to subscribe to either cable or satellite services. You'll just need their box for their premium HD services anyway.

[MaxBlack]

Why anyone would buy an HDTV without a built in HDTV tuner is beyond comprehension...

One wonders ROF what planet you are in exile from!

There were many months, perhaps years even, when the only way you could buy an "HDTV" was without a built-in tuner. Integrated HDTV w/ATSC has been uncommon up until very recently in fact.

When will you be allowed to return I wonder!

[edDV]

And more than 70% get their DTV from cable or DBS. The ASTC tuner goes unused if they have one at all.

[ljCharlie]

Again, many thanks for all the responses. The model I have is Sony KE-42S2U and not Sony KDFE42A10 as edDV linked to.

[edDV]

Again, many thanks for all the responses. The model I have is Sony KE-42S2U and not Sony KDFE42A10 as edDV linked to.

oops, if this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009YK6A/102-3031836-7992152?v=glance&n=172282
there is no DTV tuner inside so you need one off the list linked above or use a HD cable box, a D-VHS recorder, a DBS tuner (sat) or a computer with a HD DTV tuner and HDTV out.

[ljCharlie]

It really is quite expensive for the HDTV tuner. Okay, so let me get this right this time. The over the air HDTV tuner set top box will receive the HDTV signal over the air and then from that box it will go to my TV, correct? Does it go into the DVI port on the back of my TV or component?

[painkiller]

ljCharlie,

Not meaning to confuse the issue for you - but you could be in somewhat better shape than you realize.

More recent electronics involved in the design and integration of OTA (over the air) HDTV reception along with the rest of the interfaces (for cable and satellite) are improving the signal quality, reception and reducing cost.

THis is unlike earlier versions of HDTV sets (whether they had built-in HDTV receivers or not).

By the time you settle on such a set top box (your hdtv receiver) - it should have the latest in technology for this situation. But you have to be aware if the box has ALL interfaces to support your needs. Meaning, the ideal HDTV external receiver box should support OTA (ATSC), cable/digital cable, and satellite.

Also, to answer your very last question . . . the DVI, and/or HDMI, connection you are thinking of is essentially a video/audio output path from the receiver to a monitor/tv. Your input to this box will be a separate connection for either the outside antenna, cable line or satellite. Hopefully, the Nirvana box (my name for the box I would like) should have all three (!).


We haven't quite reached that stage of nirvana yet, I think. So keep your eyes open.

[ljCharlie]

All I need is a set top box that will simply recieve OTA HDTV signal into my HDTV. I'm not looking for any recording capability or some other featuers...hoping to reduce the cost.

[edDV]

All I need is a set top box that will simply recieve OTA HDTV signal into my HDTV. I'm not looking for any recording capability or some other featuers...hoping to reduce the cost.

Your TV will accept HDTV over the DVI or analog component cables. Before you spend the money, run your address through antennaweb.org to see what signals are available and the type of antenna required.

Read the reviews on the tuner boxes carefully before you buy. They get better with every generation but still have differences in performance and features. Some perform better in a high gain urban environment (multipath interference) and some do better in the suburbs or deep fringe.

Good luck!

[ljCharlie]

Okay, antennaweb.org showed me a yellow-uhf. So now how do I know which antenna will have that color code?

[edDV]

Okay, antennaweb.org showed me a yellow-uhf. So now how do I know which antenna will have that color code?

Are all the stations in the same direction? What is the degree spread?

A good 40mile antenna is this one but seek one with the yellow or higher code on the box.
http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/GEMDTV1.html

If the stations are widely spread, you will need multiple antennas and a splitter.


32"L x 16"W x 64"D

http://www.hdtvinfoport.com/TV-Antenna.html

[ljCharlie]

One is 135 degree 2.0 miles and the other is 112 degree 29.1 miles. What do the colors mean and will every antenna have this color coded on it?

[edDV]

Big problem being 2.0 miles from a tramsmitter. Signal will be too strong. You could try an indoor antenna (with return rights). A roof top antenna like the one above can be pointed so that the distant station falls on the edge of the pattern and the strong station somewhat to the side, outside the pattern.

Something like this may get both stations. You need to experiment.
http://www.zenith.com/sub_prod/product_Display.asp?cat=&id=131




The colors indicate the distance they can handle. A side issue is the power of the transmitter. Many DTV stations are on low power until more people watch. This is often the case in small markets. You need a larger antenna while they use low power.

[Peachhaze]

If you need an HD tuner, I bought this one.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pro-Brand-HDTV-Receiver-HD3150PLUS-/sem/rpsm/oid/136560...oductDetail.do

It's Pro brand. Also, had to buy an antenna. Forgot what that was. My husband bought it at the local store that sells HD tv's to the person who's willing to pay 10 G's or more for a set. They tend to carry the better antennas. Pay like $65 for the antenna.

My husband loves watching his Nascar in HD and I love watching my shows and the Redskins in HD.

I also bought my set before OTA tuners were built into the set. They came out 6 months later.

[Peachhaze]

Found the antenna. It's a Channelmaster. My husband connected it to the side of the house stuck in the ground. I have two friends who put their's on the roof. One even found some chimney attachment kit at Radio Shack.

[edDV]

It's a good idea to look at neighbors roofs to see what they are doing.