I made a mistake of applying coupon way too early, so I have to use the coupon before end of May. Looking at the comparion in wiki here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units), there is only one, Apex DT1001.

Apex DT1001 any good?

Apex DT1001 any good?

Who knows? The DT1001 seems near impossible to obtain. It showed up on eBay once (item# 230219849126) but not anywhere else. I suppose you could ask the eBay seller where he got it.

The Apex DT250 has S-Video and Smart antenna. Note the box also has Analog pass-through!
Also, the DT1001 will more than likely not be making it to market.

The Apex DT250 has S-Video and Smart antenna. Note the box also has Analog pass-through!
Also, the DT1001 will more than likely not be making it to market.

I just picked up a couple Apex DT250 boxes and can confirm the S-Video (plus RCA video and sound), Smart Antenna port, and Analog Pass-Through. The Apex DT250 just recently became available and has been sighted at various Best Buy stores. Unfortunately the retail price is $59.99 (which seems to be pretty standard).

Mine shows the volume line when I use the standard remotes for the TV's. I don't have any Universal Remotes (other than the RCA from the VCR) to test this. If I knew what to program the unit as, I could give the RCA remote a try.

I suspect a CM4228 aimed in the general direction of your signals would outperform any smart antenna, simply because the 4228 consists of 8 antennas piggy-backed to one another, and can pull-in even weak signals.

I'd recommend going the CM4228 route married to a CM-7000 and an antenna amplifier.

For an indoor model just use the Radio Shack 15-1892. Same principle, basically.

Except the Radio Shack settop antenna is not directional. It won't perform as well as the smart antenna that "steers" itself in the direction of the station.

The 15-1892 "steers" itself to a pre-set position for each channel. It has 330 degree rotation and 12 reception directions. How much more directional do you want?

It is a manual antenna. Still usefull, it is directional. But not an automatic "Smart"Antenna" interface design. They use standard steering diodes to phase in and out elements in an array from a face panel. It has a remote so you can fly-by-chair like all your other IR-Goodies do...

Some Pics:
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1356&Itemid=152&limit=1&limitstart=1

http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1356&Itemid=152&limit=1&limitstart=1At 9 miles that reviewer shouldn't even be using amped antennas. Probably doing him more harm than good.

Yeah, I know...I chuckled at that too. But I just wanted people to have a chance to see more than one pic of what this thing is...

How much more directional do you want? A 91XG sitting on the roof.

;)

A 91XG sitting on the roof.

;)I'll take one. :)

93" (7.75') Long...WOW :eek:

Just under UPS max length when boxed...

I had not stumbled onto that item yet,
thats sweet if you have line-o-sight towers available.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html

Of course, 97% of it is passive resonant stubs, but it looks impressive.

..it looks impressive.It is impressive.

Looks can be deceiving indoors and out.
$50 buys you a 4228. A 'smarter' choice. ;)

Sure, if you don't mind chasing the thing down in your neighbor's yard after a huge windstorm.

I can't believe you made that comment.

We get 60 MPH winds up here from time to time, and I'm pretty much out in the open, so that one's always been out for me.

The 91XG is pretty comparable in performance, and the wind load is much less. Just won't get you UHF-hi like the CM *might*.

I have had gusts up to aroynd 55 MPH with no issue, but I'm not 'out in the open'. As long as it's not broadside to the wind, there shouldn't be any issue.

From the direction the high winds mainly come from I am. I'm on a hill, and that's the down/open side.

It is a manual antenna. Still usefull, it is directional. But not an automatic "Smart"Antenna" interface design. They use standard steering diodes to phase in and out elements in an array from a face panel. It has a remote so you can fly-by-chair like all your other IR-Goodies do...



I use this same antenna myself. On my Sony 27" with ATSC built in. One thing I like about it is the Aux input. I connected a UHF Bowtie to it. One of the stations is pratically ontop of me and any signal boost kills it. Most of the Stations I can get without amplifing though. A couple do need amplified.
Paul

Looks can be deceiving indoors and out.
$50 buys you a 4228. A 'smarter' choice. ;) The 91xg has higher gain than the 4228. 70 miles versus 60.

(91xg won't get VHF. But you should have a separate VHF-hi antenna anyway. Like the Focke or Winegard.)

The 91xg has higher gain than the 4228. 70 miles versus 60.

(91xg won't get VHF. But you should have a separate VHF-hi antenna anyway. Like the Focke or Winegard.)

According to hdtvprimer.com (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/comparing.html), that's only true above channel 46 or so. Below that the 4228 outperforms the 91xg.

Nevertheless, 8-bays like the 4228 are heavy and not particularly streamlined :) The 91xg is a solid performer and a better choice if you have to deal with high winds.

I'm under 30 miles from the transmitters, so for my case, a 4228 in the attic, protected from the elements, is just fine.

The 91xg has higher gain than the 4228. 70 miles versus 60.Don't tell us you are actually believing those miliage claims??

I use this same antenna myself. On my Sony 27" with ATSC built in. One thing I like about it is the Aux input. I connected a UHF Bowtie to it. One of the stations is pratically ontop of me and any signal boost kills it. Most of the Stations I can get without amplifing though. A couple do need amplified.
Paul


I wondered a couple of things about that option.

Does it earn a button on the remote?

Can you put whatever you want into it? (Cable/VCR/Etc.) as a pass-through?

Poor-man's pass-through for those non-pass-through boxes?

^^^ Sorry, I went Hyphen-Happy...LOL ^^^

According to hdtvprimer.com (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/comparing.html), that's only true above channel 46 or so. Below that the 4228 outperforms the 91xg. Computer simulations (by an amateur) are nowhere as accurate as real-world testing. Every "hobbyist" I've spoken to say the 91XG sees channels the 4228 did not.

Seems logical to me. 91XG is far more directional & blocks ghosting/multipath.