Magnavox 557, 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575
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I understand. Tuesday, starting 2/25, will be a challenge since I want to record Person of Interest, Justified, Perception and Mind Games - all at 10pm. But each TiVo has two tuners and I still use my Sony DHG for this kind of overflow, sometimes the 515H. It depends on the audio since there are still HD programs in stereo. Have a nice night.
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This kind of thing is why FTA satellite has been nice since long before the advent of multiple tuner boxes. If I was into Mind Games I could record it at 22:00, 23:00 and 01:00 the same way it reaches ABC affiliates. More often than not I record CBS's new Person of Interest episodes at both 22:00 eastern (720x480 @160min/4.7GB) and 01:00 eastern (720x480 @170min/4.7GB). This way I can dub 4 episodes per DVD, all @160 if they fit, and as many @170 as necessary to get 4 on the DVD, sometimes by coupling part of an episode recorded 160 with the balance in 170. In contrast, Funai's 150min/4.7GB SPP mode isn't compressed enough to fit 4 per DVD, while quality of its (544x480?) 180min/4.7GB LP mode loses significantly more quality than necessary to get 4 to fit.
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Lately, not! This has been going on here and there for years now. One can see in program schedules many shows start at xx:01 or xx:31 instead of xx:00. Couple that with commercials airing up to a minute or two before the actual program conclusion that doesn't actually finish until less than 60 seconds remain before next program start it becomes evident services care more about sponsors than viewers, which in practical effect means making time shifting of complete programs back to back inconvenient, if not impossible without using a complex and inordinate amount of equipment.
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At least many still have a "next episode" preview at the end - I don't mind if they get cut off. And some like Arrow have their "opening" before the actual show starts - I cut those out anyway. CBS is pretty good, where the "stay tuned for scenes from our next episode" gives plenty of cushion at the end. (and they're the only major left that transitions into commercials so you can get clean breaks after HSD). OTOH there are those TNT reruns where the next show starts in a small window while the credits from the previous show are still scrolling...
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At least many still have a "next episode" preview at the end - I don't mind if they get cut off. And some like Arrow have their "opening" before the actual show starts - I cut those out anyway. CBS is pretty good, where the "stay tuned for scenes from our next episode" gives plenty of cushion at the end. (and they're the only major left that transitions into commercials so you can get clean breaks after HSD). OTOH there are those TNT reruns where the next show starts in a small window while the credits from the previous show are still scrolling...
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For that reason (plus black backgrounds behind its ad overlays more effectively blocking the program), I rarely even look to see what TNT has on, and same for a few other channels doing "siamese" start before finish that I used to watch and/or record. Since the last new episode of The Closer aired, I've only watched 3, maybe 4, of the debut episodes of any of its new series, and recorded nothing from it except Major Crimes and King & Maxwell. It may "know drama", but it also knows how to get me to look elsewhere for something to watch.
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Ha - Siamese start - I may have to steal that term from you...
I think those are the only two TNT shows I do too, now that Leverage is over - I'm glad MC is surviving - and if you catch the initial airing you can get a pretty clean recording. At least they're not defaced by news crawls and weather maps like the majors...
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Ha - Siamese start - I may have to steal that term from you...
I think those are the only two TNT shows I do too, now that Leverage is over - I'm glad MC is surviving - and if you catch the initial airing you can get a pretty clean recording. At least they're not defaced by news crawls and weather maps like the majors...
CC
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Mohu Antennas for OTA... UPDATE 7/29/15!
Resource for finding YOUR local OTA channels via Zip Code/Address:
TVFool.com
For cable-TV and satellite prisoners who are thinking of "cutting the cord," there are so many antennas to choose from and recommendations, it can be mind-boggling. This is my cord-cutting experience in a difficult signal location.
I've been thinking of cutting the cord, so I picked up a Mohu Leaf Ultimate omnidirectional flat antenna from my local Sam's Club for $49... might also be found in your local Walmart store. This model has its own amp and a 50-mile range for UHF and 20-mile range for VHF. Mohu has another omnidirectional antenna called the Sky ($149.99) with its own amp and 60/45-mile range, designed for roof-top or attic install. I also got one of those from Walmart online for the same price.
They're easy to test since they're quite small and light and come completely assembled... just add the separate amp/cable that comes with them. Being available at a Walmart store or online is a bonus... ship to home or store and return to store.
My Location
I'm in a single-story house with basement, equidistant between two DMAs with transmitters south and north of me. LOS to the south has one 1200' mountain, and tall trees.LOS to north is similar, with an added ridge in between.
TVFool identifies 38 OTA channels/subchannels within physical range of my location, 45-60 miles to the towers, 23 channels from south, 15 channels from north. I receive 27 channels through my Leaf and all 38 with my Sky antenna. Those channels include low-powered NBC to the south (20KW) & north (48KW). My reception includes 6 ION channels which my wife/CFO loves... it has a main channel with recent-series and not-so-old movies, "Life" channel, cartoon/animal/learning channel, and 3 SHOPPING CHANNELS (SHOP, QVC, HSN)!
The location of my Leaf antenna is unusual,,, taped to a basement window. As many are prone to say here, "that'll never work (so don't even try it)!" I started with my Sky antenna screwed into the brick exterior near the same basement window, essentially at ground level, eventually moving it to the peak of my roof.
Mohu Leaf Ultimate (Indoor, Amplified, Omnidirectional)
I tested the Leaf first to feed one of my three upstairs TVs connected via RG59 coax with no splitters. The Leaf comes with its own amp and a 16' coax. Of course, this antenna and amp go inside the house.
I taped the Leaf on a south-facing window in my BASEMENT where my old cable TV line enters the house. It's just a small opening at ground level thru concrete block and brick siding... NO LOS TO NORTH!
Since the basement window faces south, I was hoping the Leaf would capture the southern DMA directly, while the 2-story vinyl-sided house next door (~50' away) would bounce the northern signals back toward my window. Otherwise, there's ~70' of my house blocking the north LOS from the basement!
Surprise! With the Leaf and using only the Mohu amp, I got 27 channels, 21 direct from south and 6 bounced from north... from basement window with no LOS to north!!!
Mohu Leaf Ultimate - Inside On South-Facing Basement Window Feeding Single TV thru ~50' Coax, No Splitters, 27 Channels in Summer (Full-Leaf) ... (that's Xmas lights hanging down)
Mohu Sky (Attic or Outdoor, Amplified, Omnidirectional)
The Sky comes with its own amp and a 30' coax that has a waterproof boot on one end for connecting to the antenna. I didn't use Mohu's coax since I was able to use the ~35' of the cableco's RG6 coax that goes into my house at the basement window. Of course, the Mohu amp connects to that coax inside the house.
I tested the Sky to see if it could feed my two main upstairs TVs and eliminate the Leaf on one TV (see above). The Sky worked for all those two TVs through two 2-way splitters and ~150' of existing RG59 coax inside the house.
I attached the Sky on south-facing brink wall on the right side of my house, ground-level, next to an aluminum downspout, near the basement window where the Leaf is installed. It got all my expected channels except signal strength fluctuated on some of them.
Mohu Sky - Outside on South-Facing Wall At Ground Level, Right Side, Feeding 2 TVs thru ~150' Coax & 2 splitters, 38 channels in Summer (Full-Leaf)
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Sounds worth a try- my neighbor to the south is also a vinyl-sided 2-story and less than 40' away - might give a good bounce. I was also thinking I could connect an antenna to an unused outlet on the 2nd floor, then connect that run to the input port on my 4-way amp in the basement. If that works I could move the amp away from the south end where the cable comes in, more toward the middle, and shorten all the cable runs by ~25'...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wajo /t/940657/magnavox-537-535-533-515-513-2160a-2160-2080-philips-3576-3575/25140#post_24366374
Mohu Leaf Ultimate Antenna for OTA
For cable-TV users who are thinking of "cutting the cord," here's my recent experience with the Mohu Leaf Ultimate amplified, omnidirectional, flat antenna.
Picked one up from local Sam's Club, $49 , and taped it to a curtain rod on a small window in BASEMENT, i.e., just a small opening at ground level thru concrete block and brick siding. Current cable TV line comes in thru that window,
I'm ~50 miles equidistant between two smallish DMAs, one north and one south of me. The basement window faces south, so I was hoping the 2-story house next door would bounce the northern signals back toward the window. Otherwise, there's ~70 feet of house blocking the northern LOS.
I fed the Mohu coax with 15dB amp that comes with the antenna to an existing cableco amp that feeds a 3-way splitter for basement and upstairs TVs, 5 locations in all, ~200 feet of RG59 coax throughout the house. Instead of the 13' coax that comes with the Leaf, I also tried a short push-on coax which actually seemed to get better results.
Great reception on 26 channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, ION and others. Turns out ION has a tower south of me, with 6 channels incl. ION, ION Life, Qubo (kids), Shop, QVC & HSN.
I originally taped the antenna to the back of the 47" LCD TV that sits under that basement window... worked fine there too! One reviewer said he installed his Leaf inside his equipment room in the center of his house just for setup and testing, and it did just fine there!!!
If push comes to shove in your area, this *might* be one antenna to try if you don't want or can't use an outdoor antenna. It's quite small and light with opposite white/black sides, and it's paintable to match that pink wall in your LR. Has holes in top corners for hanging with push-pins. Mine also came with a stand, which isn't pictured on the Sam's page.
When my Charter goes all-digital, which they say wistfully as "someday," I think I'm ready... everything we record is on one of the four major networks!
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Sounds worth a try- my neighbor to the south is also a vinyl-sided 2-story and less than 40' away - might give a good bounce. I was also thinking I could connect an antenna to an unused outlet on the 2nd floor, then connect that run to the input port on my 4-way amp in the basement. If that works I could move the amp away from the south end where the cable comes in, more toward the middle, and shorten all the cable runs by ~25'...
CC
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69 Posts
I put a Mohu Leaf Ultimate into operation this morning for my '513'. Charter turned off all the analog and QAM
channels as of today in the Reno-Sparks NV (89436) area.
I can only get CBS, NBC, ABC, and MYTV and their associated subchannels. The Fox and CW signals
are weak and the picture breaks up a lot. The transmitters are on a mountain in the Sierras, not all that far
away, but we are in a canyon surrounded by hills. The station uses a weak transmitter on a hill in a
different direction.... no chance of receiving that!
channels as of today in the Reno-Sparks NV (89436) area.
I can only get CBS, NBC, ABC, and MYTV and their associated subchannels. The Fox and CW signals
are weak and the picture breaks up a lot. The transmitters are on a mountain in the Sierras, not all that far
away, but we are in a canyon surrounded by hills. The station uses a weak transmitter on a hill in a
different direction.... no chance of receiving that!
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69 Posts
Since I live in a ground floor apartment with strict community rules, putting an antenna outside is not an option. I did look at my area on TVFool and am familiar with what to expect.
I do like Wajo's idea of using another amp.... if I can find one at a reasonable price!
Since I live in a ground floor apartment with strict community rules, putting an antenna outside is not an option. I did look at my area on TVFool and am familiar with what to expect.
I do like Wajo's idea of using another amp.... if I can find one at a reasonable price!
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1,817 Posts
FYI, the purpose of an amplifier is to COMPENSATE FOR LOSSES due to things like splitters and/or long cable runs. Thus, if the signal from the chosen indoor antenna, using the supplied cable, feeding one TV is unsatisfactory, no amplifier will be able to help.
The signal BEFORE THE AMPLIFIER must exist at sufficient strength first.
Good Luck!
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.
FYI, the purpose of an amplifier is to COMPENSATE FOR LOSSES due to things like splitters and/or long cable runs. Thus, if the signal from the chosen indoor antenna, using the supplied cable, feeding one TV is unsatisfactory, no amplifier will be able to help.
The signal BEFORE THE AMPLIFIER must exist at sufficient strength first.
Good Luck!
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1,817 Posts
If you have a small, easy-to-move-around HDTV available, try the antenna in different locations and at different heights. At its current location, you may have something blocking its direct line-of-sight to the transmitting antennas.
Then, if you can find a location that supplies a good signal, you can add cable, if necessary, and compensate for the cable losses with an amplifier - *IF* you can find a better location than you have now...
.
If you have a small, easy-to-move-around HDTV available, try the antenna in different locations and at different heights. At its current location, you may have something blocking its direct line-of-sight to the transmitting antennas.
Then, if you can find a location that supplies a good signal, you can add cable, if necessary, and compensate for the cable losses with an amplifier - *IF* you can find a better location than you have now...
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For Best Buy shoppers:
The 537 price is best, $89 less than Walmart's current $328.
90/90 days P/L Mag warranty. Extended warranties available.
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For Best Buy shoppers:
- Best Buy, Refurbished
533 / 535 / 537, $189.99 / $219.99 / $239.99
The 537 price is best, $89 less than Walmart's current $328.
90/90 days P/L Mag warranty. Extended warranties available.
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