OTA install help

Man, slow down. I checked some of your other messages and you really need to step back and take a deep breath...you wanta be around a long time for those twins don't cha?


Some very much needed information is at the very least your zipcode so we can plug it into one of the station finders and see what stations are around you that you have a chance of getting via OTA.


Also, do you have any metal siding on the structure of your house/apartment?


Did you do a channel scan?


What type of televison do you have in case someone here is familiar with it's operation.


Take it easy (seriously),

Ed

Quote:
Originally Posted by LPC2104 /forum/post/12899800


Hi, I'm a bit rushed so pardon the crappy descriptions...


I just bought a cheapo 20 dollar OTA antenna from CC. I hooked it into both the UVH/UFH or whatever jack on the TV....nothing


and directv;....nothing


Where do I hook it into and how do I get it to work?


I'll be more descriptive later...

Click to expand...

haha.


I've got 5 more minutes until I need to get them to bed. The 1st interruption was bathtime.....anyways.


I've checked the antenna site and I should be able to pick up at least 3 stations. My zip is 16801.


My TV is the Sony KVH55. KFH, maybe? It's a pretty new model, within the last 2 years. It has a specific UVH/UFH input jack. I'm not sure if I'm using the right terminology as I just looked into this but I think it's called the UVH/UFH.


Also, my DirecTV box has a similar jack for "Over the Air Antenna". I've attempted using both inputs and nothing has happened.


Do I need to switch my TV inputs from my DirecTV box to my regular TV ant race or is my Directv box incorporated?


No metal siding on my house.


I'm not familiar with a channel scan.


Shoot......I've got to help get the twins to bed....I'll be back. Thanks for understanding.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooper /forum/post/12900146


Now slow down, FIND YOUR OWNER'S manual for both the TV and your Direct TV, and READ THEM before asking any further questions.

Click to expand...

One of the points of these forums to help people. I obviously don't know what I'm doing and through 2 responses I'm learning it's not a "hook up and enjoy" type install.


The reason people post a lot of questions here is because there are speedy, accurate, informational answers. Which is the exact opposite of reading through 2 manuals. If I had the time to do that, I would have the time to figure it out on my own, but thanks for the "search noob" response.


You may be trying to help which I appreciate, but you come off a bit condesceding. Now realize where I'm coming from before responding further.



Quote:
Originally Posted by LPC2104 /forum/post/12900054


haha.


I've got 5 more minutes until I need to get them to bed. The 1st interruption was bathtime.....anyways.


I've checked the antenna site and I should be able to pick up at least 3 stations. My zip is 16801.


My TV is the Sony KVH55. KFH, maybe? It's a pretty new model, within the last 2 years. It has a specific UVH/UFH input jack. I'm not sure if I'm using the right terminology as I just looked into this but I think it's called the UVH/UFH.


Also, my DirecTV box has a similar jack for "Over the Air Antenna". I've attempted using both inputs and nothing has happened.



Do I need to switch my TV inputs from my DirecTV box to my regular TV ant race or is my Directv box incorporated?


No metal siding on my house.


I'm not familiar with a channel scan.


Shoot......I've got to help get the twins to bed....I'll be back. Thanks for understanding.

Click to expand...

Let me try.....Its been about 17 years since I dealt with babies and not more than once at a time, so I do understand.

You are trying to use an indoor antenna, right? Have you been able to pickup any analog TV with the antenna? If you can, but they're full of snowstorms and ghosts, you have poor reception using the indoor antenna.

How far from the transmitters are you located?

Digital TVs generally have a menu button on the remote where you can select setup to scan the spectrum for stations and memorize them. Its not too hard on my Panasonic plasma.

If your TV has a built-in ATSC tuner, you should be able to pickup analog stations too. The TVfool website should list the digital transmitters, the analog transmitters in your area and their broadcast channels. If you have a poor snowy analog signal, suggest you try a signal amplifier. If that doesn't help, then you may need to go with an outdoor antenna. For years, I dealt with an attic amplified antenna, but loathed those snowstorms and ghosts so badly I had to fix it. I found I had a bad antenna and the attic was causing so much signal loss and multipathing (the source of the ghosts) that I needed an outdoor antenna. Put in a new bow-tie outdoor and solved ALL of my reception problems.



ciwsguy



Quote:
Originally Posted by LPC2104 /forum/post/12900054


I've checked the antenna site and I should be able to pick up at least 3 stations. My zip is 16801.

Click to expand...

Ouch, you are in the mountains of central PA. Your current choices for digital stations are limited. Some of your stations are translators and low power stations which are analog only and will be analog until they do a digital flash cut conversion, maybe sometime in 2009 or 2010. You are not in a easy to make recommendations location.


You need to perform a digital channel scan, but I would not expect to pick up more than 1 or 2 digital stations with an indoor antenna. You are in a part of the country where most people either get cable or go satellite. HD OTA options are limited and will remain so for another year or two. If you have DirecTV, I hope you have or are considering getting the DirecTV HD package. But that may not help with getting the broadcast nets in HD.


Back to your broadcast stations. For your zip code and 300' for antenna height under options, antennaweb.org shows the following analog and digital stations:


* yellow - uhf WATM-DT 23.1 ABC ALTOONA PA 254° 34.9 24

yellow - uhf WKBS 47 CTVN ALTOONA PA 254° 34.7 47

* green - uhf WKBS-DT 47.1 CTVN ALTOONA PA 254° 34.7 46

green - vhf WTAJ 10 CBS ALTOONA PA 254° 34.9 10

green - uhf WATM 23 ABC ALTOONA PA 254° 34.9 23

green - uhf W36BE 36 ABC STATE COLLEGE PA 214° 5.7 36

green - uhf W39BE 39 ABC STATE COLLEGE PA 214° 5.7 39

green - uhf WHVL-LP 29 MNT STATE COLLEGE, ETC. PA 333° 10.9 29

lt green - vhf W07CD 7 NBC STATE COLLEGE PA 212° 5.3 7

lt green - uhf W59AI 59 FOX STATE COLLEGE PA 3° 6.9 59

blue - uhf W41CF 41 TBN ALTOONA PA 254° 35.0 41

blue - vhf WPSU 3 PBS CLEARFIELD PA 317° 38.4 3

violet - vhf WJAC 6 NBC JOHNSTOWN PA 255° 66.3 6


I think you can get more digital stations than these 2 as antennaweb is over conservative on digital reception. For example, WTAJ-DT CBS 10 is broadcasting digitally on UHF 32 at 882 kW. But all the local stations in State College are translators or LP. No digital HD there for some time.


To get digital channels for ABC and CBS, you should be looking at a rooftop antenna with a rotator, possibly a deep fringe setup. If you could go to tvfool.com, enter your exact location and an antenna height for the roof, and post the image of the results here for your digital and analog stations, then we should be able to make specific antenna recommendations.

Wow, looks like there's not much in regards to digital stations around your neck of the woods....I suddenly feel a lot better about my location now.


Here is what I come up with using using an antenna height of 222' to give us a full picture of surrounding stations. There's only two digital stations that you have (for now) even a chance of getting....an ABC and CTVN affiliate. I wonder what those analog stations are going to do when the cut-over date gets here in 2009. Looking at the listing that I pulled up by entering your zipcode I can see that you must live in a mountainous area (I think there's mountains in PA....down here in Alabama we have fireant hills.) Even the analog stations aren't easy pickens.


* green - uhf WATM-DT 23.1 ABC ALTOONA PA 253° 36.0 24

* green - uhf WKBS-DT 47.1 CTVN ALTOONA PA 253° 35.8 46

green - vhf WTAJ 10 CBS ALTOONA PA 253° 36.0 10

green - uhf W36BE 36 ABC STATE COLLEGE PA 216° 7.0 36

green - uhf WHVL-LP 29 MNT STATE COLLEGE, ETC. PA 326° 10.6 29

green - uhf W39BE 39 ABC STATE COLLEGE PA 216° 7.0 39

lt green - vhf W07CD 7 NBC STATE COLLEGE PA 215° 6.5 7

lt green - uhf W59AI 59 FOX STATE COLLEGE PA 355° 6.0 59

red - uhf WATM 23 ABC ALTOONA PA 253° 36.0 23

red - uhf WKBS 47 CTVN ALTOONA PA 253° 35.8 47

blue - uhf W41CF 41 TBN ALTOONA PA 253° 36.0 41

blue - vhf WPSU 3 PBS CLEARFIELD PA 315° 38.4 3

violet - vhf WJAC 6 NBC JOHNSTOWN PA 254° 67.4 6


Here are my thoughts on your situation... If you have satellite reception then I think that for now you should just stick with that. It looks to me that for you to get half-decent reception you're going to have to go with a substantial outdoor antenna. Antenna, pre-amp, mast and coax....you're gonna kill at least $150...and that's if you're good at tinkering and "making do". For now, you've only got a shot at receiving digital HD from one maybe two stations...are those to stations worth the time and expense? If you're looking for "free" HD content then I don't think you're looking (for now) in the right place. You would probably be better served by adding on a HD package with your satellite provider...I think one the satellite companys just added a "HD Only" package to their line up.


I understand your desire for OTA HD, but for now it is rather barren in your area.


If you still want to tinker with OTA then I would suggest, as others have, that you get your manuals out...don't worry about reading the whole thing, just look for the part about receiving ota signals and scannning for channels.


Best wishes,

Ed

Thanks for your help.


I do have DirecTV and I do have the HD package, but I get a really bad picture on my locals. I was under the impression from other people here in State College that I could simply get an indoor OTA antenna and recieve my locals in HD. I really appreciate you guys (most of you) for taking a second and explaining to me that isn't the case. I have no desire to find the time to get and install an outdoor antenna for 1 or 2 HD channels.



Scooper,


I'd be willing to bet you're not so condescending in real life. Try to not be one on the net either.

LPC, have you looked in your manual yet to see how to do a channel scan and where to correctly hook up the coax from your antenna? You may actually be able to pick up *something*...real world findings vs. internet findings can be two very different different things. You'll never know unless you try. Did you ever check in your manuals to find out how to correctly hook up your antenna or do a channel scan? The thing is is that in 2009 there may very well be more digital stations that you could receive...knowing how to operate your equipment is an asset to you.


I'm not trying to be argumentative with the following, but take it everhow you want to. That last shot that you took at Scooper rather irritated me, LPC. From what I see, Scooper was only trying to point you in the best direction to solve your problem. Being as we don't even know what model television you have we can't pull up an online for it...(I tried finding your TV's model number on the internet and neither of the numbers that you offered pulled up anything.) You should at least know the model number of the set before asking questions about it.


...Suppose you own a Toyota Tundra and you can't figure out how to replace its windshield washer blades. You call Toyota and tell them that you own a Toyota and can't figure out how to change the wiper blades. Will you get bent out of shape when they ask you "which Toyota do you own?" and "did you look in the manual?" ? Folks really have to have some information to work with before they can help us and sometimes we have to stoop really low and actually read the manual.


I think sticking with your satellite dish is a good move on your part, at least until you find some time to study up on your equipment. Even in the last message from Scooper his advice was right on target about calling Firedog or Geek Squad...they are there for the folks that are to busy to do it themselves.


I've already recommended this to you, but I'll say it again...step back and take a deep breath.


Take care and best wishes to you and yours,

Ed

Quote:
Originally Posted by LPC2104 /forum/post/12904569


Thanks for your help.


I do have DirecTV and I do have the HD package, but I get a really bad picture on my locals. I was under the impression from other people here in State College that I could simply get an indoor OTA antenna and recieve my locals in HD. I really appreciate you guys (most of you) for taking a second and explaining to me that isn't the case. I have no desire to find the time to get and install an outdoor antenna for 1 or 2 HD channels.



Scooper,


I'd be willing to bet you're not so condescending in real life. Try to not be one on the net either.

Click to expand...

Swamp,


My shot at Scooper wasn't at his information, it was in his delivery. I get irritated when people take advantage of the lack of accountability and the anonymous of the web. Furthermore, if what you said is true, it's a bit hypocritical. My information to Scooper was dead on, but it lacked a little polish. Much like the info he provided me with. Like you, I'm not trying to be argumentative either. Tone is very hard to project through text and I possibly misunderstood his tone. He confirmed I didn't and I think being condescending is a bit weak, especially on the net.



Ultimately, his was the advice I did take. I pulled out the manuals but only had about 10 minutes to browse through them. I'm going to wait until this weekend when I have more time in the morning. I do appreciate the info and I thank you (and your delivery)


[edit] - BTW my TV is a Sony KDF-E55A20. I can do the groundwork on it though. I was just hoping it was a very simple "change it to channel 3" type of deal. Obviously it's not so I'll take the time to figure out if I can get any HD locals through my manuals and experimentation. Thanks again.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Intheswamp /forum/post/12905440


I saw nothing wrong with Scooper's delivery, but your response to his first message where he states for you to check your manual (advice which you state you ended up following) was a bit harsh to him...I don't blame him for taking exception to it.


Whatever, I'm outta here...adios amigos.

Click to expand...

Even though he admitted he was condescending me with his 1st post?


Regardless, I think posts like mine and his bring down the quality of a good board like this.


Scooper, thanks for "telling" me to read my manuals before asking questions. Next time, you might want to try to "suggest" that I (or whoever) check their manuals. Next time I'll just deal with it instead of addressing it. I apologize if I misunderstood you which I stil may have, even though you stated I didn't. Thanks.

I just wanted to follow up for the people looking to do what I wanted to do. It's really quite easy and it's pretty easy to explain. I'll only explain how it was done on my set (


1. If your TV has UHF/VHF jack on it, connect the antenna to it.


2. Switch the input on your TV to "ANT" or something similar.


3. Perform a channel scan, or auto program on the set. This will perform a search for channels that have been received.


That's it. It took about 2 1/2 minutes for me to do.


Also, even though the listing above stated I wouldn't get my locals in HD, I do get them. As Swamp noted, even if you aren't supposed to get channels it's worth it to give it a shot anyways. I think the website underestimates the antennas. I get a local PSU station, NBC, and ABC in high def.


I hope this helps someone in the future.


PS - My apologies to Scooper. In hindsight, I may have jumped the gun on you.



Quote:
Originally Posted by LPC2104 /forum/post/12965980


I think the website underestimates the antennas. I get a local PSU station, NBC, and ABC in high def.

Click to expand...

Antennaweb tends to be very conservative. If you find some time, you may want to check out TVFool.com. It's a fun and effective predictor.


I was looking at the local stations and W42DG appears to be a translator (repeater) for NBC WPXI out of Pittsburgh. I would like to see more of these LD translators used in other parts of the country.


It looks like you aren't getting WTAJ/CBS yet, however. As it is close to WATM/ABC, perhaps it can be picked up with some more tinkering.


I'm glad you got it working for at least a few channels. Welcome to the world of OTA.