Hi,

After careful research, I finally purchased a brand new Sony KDL-26S3000. The problem is that I live in a college dorm (on the first floor), so I'm limited to the analog output in the wall. So I'm trying to buy an HDTV Antenna and I found that the top rated one was the Terk HDTVa Antenna. So I went to AntennaWeb and put in my zipcode (02155) and found that the stations are within a 9-57 mile range. So does anyone have any advice on what kind of antenna would be most suitable for my HDTV? Ive been hearing how Terk is the equivalent of Monster Cables in that they're overpriced and overrated. Is this true?

THANKS! :)


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Note:

No, as Monster Cables are good cables, just priced in a way that doesn't really make sense in most situations. :D

But when it comes to Terk, it's trivial to find antennae that are both priced better than and perform better. Google for sites selling Channel Master or Winegard antennae. For that matter those sold by Radio Shack also work quite well.

The difference between Terk and Monster is that Monster at least works.... although it's WAY overpriced...

thanks for the reply.

money isn't really an issue for me, as long as it's under 50 bucks. But I really have to have an indoor antenna, as i live in a college dorm, and most of the channel master and winegard antennae seem to be outdoor, or ridiculously expensive.

also, i have another question. my room has one TV output jacks in the wall (the old type that is conical and has a thin hole in the middle, so SD analog I guess?) and my roommate has a 2-way rf splitter to watch tv on his laptop and tv...

So, I want to know if this is theoretically possible: can I get a 3-way RF splitter (2 of the ports for my stupid roommate, and 1 for me) to get reception from the building and then direct that to another 2-way rf splitter and connect the Antenna's coaxial cable to the same 2 way splitter and then connect that to my HDTV.

So baiscally: Wall jack --> 3 way splitter --> 2 way splitter + Antenna --> TV. I basically want to combine the 'power' of the building and antenna so I get more channels.

Is this possible? If so, is it dumb, because I think I've read that rf splitters reduce the reception quality.

Either that, or should I just rely on an HDTV antenna for all my TV watching purposes?

The situation is so complex that even I'm confusing my self!!! :(

[[[i have another question. my room has one TV output jacks in the wall (the old type that is conical and has a thin hole in the middle, so SD analog I guess?]]]

The signal from your TV outlet is either from cable service provider or a master antenna.

Your TV has an ATSC (OTA reception via antenna) and QAM (in the clear cable) tuners.

Hook up the set to the outlet and do scans (using both antenna and cable as inputs). See owners manual on how to do this.

Most likely no additional antenna will be necessary.

Yes, Terk is pretty much the Monster Cable of antennas. Terk's designs are really generic, have lower than average performance, and cost WAAAAAAAAAAAY too much.

Monster Cable isn't too bad, but they are super expensive.

[[[
Hook up the set to the outlet and do scans (using both antenna and cable as inputs). See owners manual on how to do this.

Most likely no additional antenna will be necessary.

That's right. You may not need to do anything other than plug into the TV jack and scan for Digital channels.

when you say hook up the set to the outlet and so scans (using both antenna and cable as inputs), do you mean by using an A-B RF switch, to alternate between the two? Or are you saying that you can somehow "combine" the two together to get more channels?

The difference between Terk and Monster is that Monster at least works.... although it's WAY overpriced...

Yes, Terk is pretty much the Monster Cable of antennas. Terk's designs are really generic, have lower than average performance, and cost WAAAAAAAAAAAY too much.

Monster Cable isn't too bad, but they are super expensive.
While I agree with the assessment of Monster cables, I strongly disagree with that of the Terk antennas. I use a Terk antenna I bought at Radio Shack for $30 that works better than any other brand I tried. I would hope that $30 for an amplified indoor antenna wouldn't be considered overpriced. I don't think I've seen much of anything (other than a simple bowtie) for much less than that.

I think it has more to do with getting the right type of antenna for the job than what the brand is. In my case, the Terk was exactly perfect for my signal needs (two sets of towers 90 degrees apart - one tower hidden by a hill). It was also less than most of the other antennas that I tried. For that reason, why would I not use it? It simply worked better an cost me less.

On the other hand, I had one of those Terk antennas that hooked onto a DSS dish back before D* supplied my locals. It sucked. It simply didn't do the job.

I'll bet that any bad experience people have had with one brand of antenna vs. another has more to do with the specific antenna design vs. the signal needs rather than the quality of the brand. SInce no brands make antennas that are exactly identical to other brands, there's no way to verify that the design of the antenna itself isn't the reason it doesn't work for your situation. It's like trying to compare mattresses: no two brands are exactly alike. The only way to know what works for you is to try it out. Shopping purely by brand name is useless when dealing with so many different conditions.

A couple other practical points other than the antenna discussion itself.

Indoor antenna in a dorm is a iffy proposition and you're likely not to pick up much outside of 30 miles at all. Depending on which floor you live on, what direction your room is situated, and the general construction compostion of the dorm wall/roof it is definitely a your mileage may vary.

While most indoor antenna's like a Silver Sensor work OK, many people have had better luck with something like a Channel Master 4220 mounted indoors (or Antennas Direct DB2). Not as pretty, but can be placed indoors without too much problem and possibly some improvement. I've seen a lot of these small antennas mounted or just hanging outside the window.

Other models to consider:
Radio Shack 15-1892 (easy to get and return if it doesn't work). A lot of folks here seem to swear by this antenna.

Some Sears have an indoor RCA Antenna on clearance for $3 (RCA ANT585 Reg 39.95) so if your are looking for something to experiment with, this is about as cheap as it goes. If it doesn't work, return it or toss it. Sears Clearance items are very store dependent even in the same region so probable a phone call 1st. If the Terk didn't work, my guess is that this one probably won't be a lot different.

The classic RS Double Bowtie is still amazingly good for closer UHF stations at less than $10 if you can still find them.

I just ordered the Philips Silver Sensor and the Terk HDTVa antennas, so I will test both out and return the lesser of the two

[[when you say hook up the set to the outlet and so scans (using both antenna and cable as inputs), do you mean by using an A-B RF switch, to alternate between the two?]]

You really should have tested your outlet for reception (may have not required buying an antenna and provided more channels).

You also need to read the operating manual that came with your set.

As I mentioned, the signal at the wall output is either from a master antenna or a cable service provider. Since your new set has both ATSC (antenna) and QAM (cable) capability, you probably didn't need to buy an antenna.

Again read your manual. Some sets have seperate connectors on the back (for antenna and cable) and some a sincle connector that handles either. Then you need to read your manual to see how to do a scan for cable and antenna signals available.

If that outlet is cable service, you should get all the clear channels in HD (the networks, NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS) and many other channels not in HD (CNN, Discovery, ESPN etc.).

Also the antennas you purchased are for UHF (where all Boston stations are transmitting their DTV signals). Channel 7 is moving back to their old VHF frequency when analog ends next February.

I'm sorry, but I don't even have my tv yet! lol

It's on the way, so I don't even have a manual to read :(

As for the outlet in my dorm room, I'm pretty sure it's from a master antenna because you have to subscribe separately for cable (which my roommate did) and they give you some cable box by motorola. My roommate has his own tv connected to the cable box so I doubt I'll be using the cable box. I'd have to buy an RF splitter and use the master antenna's signals.

The reason why I want to use an OTA antenna is because my school's TV service doesn't have any HD channels (only like 2), so I want to take advantage of the OTA HD channels.

Also, the Terk HDTVa is UHF/VHF, whereas the Silver Sensor is only UHF.

I know this sounds dumb (I'm still a newbie), but does the 2009 transition to digital mean all channels will be broadcast in VHF? or UHF?

They can be both - depends on your location
Check this out for a brief overview - http://www.rabbitears.info/dtr.php

I know this sounds dumb (I'm still a newbie), but does the 2009 transition to digital mean all channels will be broadcast in VHF? or UHF?
No. It depends on the market.

[[[As for the outlet in my dorm room, I'm pretty sure it's from a master antenna because you have to subscribe separately for cable (which my roommate did) and they give you some cable box by motorola. My roommate has his own tv connected to the cable box so I doubt I'll be using the cable box. I'd have to buy an RF splitter and use the master antenna's signals.]]]

OK on not having received you new Sony TV and not having the manual.

The key point is that your new TV can receive DTV (including HD available programming ) 'free' from an antenna (with its ATSC tuner) as well as 'in the clear' Cable (because it also has QAM capabilty w/o a set top box). In the clear means you will be the networks (e.g. NBC, CBS. ABC, PBS including all they simulcast but not the premium chanells (such as ESPN, History, Discovery etc.).

Further if you dorm room has (2) outlets....one for the master antenna and the other for cable, all the better.

There is no difference between a DTV and Analog antenna (any antenna picks up either signal). So when you get your TV, connect it to the master antenna connector and scan for stations (again see your manual).

Alternately, get a splitter and hook up to your room mates cable connector and scan (again see your manual).

BTW, since you will only get the 'in the clear' network stations via cable, you should not have to share any cable expense with your room mate.

BTW, after you get all this resolved, you will discover simulcast. For example Boston PBS channel 44 in DTV acually broadcast (4) channels (standard channel 44 + World + Create + Kids, which has non-kid programming after 9 PM and channel 2 is (2) channels, analog standard + 24x7 HD ).

Again, I suggest that your 1st and best options are to explore 'what is availble from te outlets in your room. I say this based on living in the Boston area and an BSEE from a top school in the area as well. You are nearer than I from the antenna farm in Needham, however good DTV reception is more about your TV being confused (due to multipath signals) then strength.