HDTV Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Directional Antenna’

Antennas Direct DB8 Multidirectional HDTV Antenna

Intended for people at great distances from the transmitters, the DB8 is a powerful multi-directional HD antenna. In fact, its 15.8dB gain make it one of the most powerful multi-directional antennas available.The bow tie design of the DB8 uses triangular elements instead of rods to greatly increase the bandwidth allowing it to cover the entire UHF band. Additionally, the mesh reflector of the bow tie is more efficient than a rod reflector, is lower in weight, and provides less wind resistance for greater performance and durability.This DB8 is the ideal antenna for use in locations that can pull long range signals from various directions and offers an attractive alternative to using a directional antenna mounted on a rotator.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars It works!
I took downs my old antenna – at least 20 years old and installed this new HD antenna. I also took off my old booster and added a need booster to match the antenna. Well guess what I wasted my money, I get the same reception and picture that I did before. Same channels are weak and the same channels are strong. Was easy to install and put together ans works.

2 Stars Very Disappointing
Purchased the DB8 based on the reviews after our previous antenna came down in a storm. We live about 35 miles south east of Nashville and the UHF reception was only fair. Unfortunately, there were still a couple of stations remaining in the VHF range and this antenna does VERY poorly with VHF. As for being multi-directional… it wasn’t. It was very sensitive to direction, much more so that a “directional” antenna such as the Winegard HD8200U.

After six months, I finally tossed it and replaced it with a Winegard HD8200U. Should have purchased this antenna in the first place. The HD8200U has great reception for both UHF and VHF stations.

1 Star Look Elsewhere
I ignored the reviewers who noted the poor construction, etc. and bought anyway. The instructions are useless, and the product simply cannot be assembled as shown in the images. Even the instructions on the AD site are less than useless. Any company that markets a product so shoddily made and who cannot manage to write simple instructions to assemble a product with about 10 screws will be out of business before too long. Maybe if I drilled a few more holes I could get it to look something like the picture,,,but that would void the warranty…. You’d be far better off going with another brand.

5 Stars finally got all the channels
This was the 4th antena we bought trying to get all of our area channels. This antenna picked up everything we were looking for and then some. If you are looking for a great HDTV antenna, look no further. This is it!

5 Stars Very Pleased – (4th time is the charm)
This was the fourth antenna that I tried.

You read that right. I live less than 30 miles from the transmitter stations, but below a bluff and behind a solid screen of trees in the line of the signal. This was the only antenna that could pull in all the stations I was trying to receive. Compared to other antennas, even a giant, 10 foot long antenna, the DB8 is much less finicky with regards to directionality and seems to hold signals more steadily.

Assembly is relatively simple and straightforward – while most of the fasteners are wingnuts, you’ll still need to an adjustable wrench and pliers for some of the other bolts.

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Philips PHDTV1 Silver Sensor UHF HDTV Digital Indoor TV Antenna

Enjoy sparkling high-definition programming without forking over monthly digital cable or satellite fees with this Philips indoor HDTV/UHF antenna. The device is specially designed to receive HD broadcast signals from the major free networks in all primary reception areas. If the affiliate broadcasts in HD, the PHDTV1 will receive it, provided the user also owns an HD-compatible television. The highly directional antenna features a high front-to-back ratio that helps reject unwanted signal corruption, ensuring that your picture comes in clear and true. This feature is especially valuable in dense urban areas with crowded broadcast airwaves, where reflected signals can interfere with HDTV transmission. The antenna also offers a flat front gain slope that balances the reception throughout the UHF frequencies. The result is a consistently high-resolution picture regardless of which channel you choose. The PHDTV1–which also connects to PCs anywhere datacasting is available–has been endorsed by several HDTV-testing committees.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars digital TV antennas
for rabbit ears digital replacement, i am not particularly impressed with this product, and would welcome suggestions concerning better reception. it cuts in and out of most stations.

–brd

4 Stars Phillips digital antenaa
I purchased the Phillips Digital TV antenna for use with a portable digital tv set. It worked great. I then connected it to my Samsung 59″ set and that worked great as well. I have Direct TV and when a heavy rain storm is overhead, I lose my signal. I merely change to the TV input using the Phillips antenna and I can still receive local channels.

5 Stars Simple, Yet Effective
Bought the PHDTV1 for $20 from a local surplus store. I was initially looking at some other antennas, specifically the DB2, CM4220 and 4221.

I’m within a half mile to the two major towers in Toronto. Buffalo towers are 50 and 77-79 miles away but within 3 degrees of the one atop the CN Tower. I’m on the 19th floor of my building with no obstructions… quite lucky!

The assembly was quite simple as the PHDTV1 is a no frills unit – snap the small mast onto the base, insert the ’sensor’ into the mast and thread the coax. I have a run of 20 feet of cable to the TV, no amp needed.

I get 13 HD channels including WGRZ which is rather difficult for many OTA users to nail down. I get another 13 in SD.

This unit may not work as well for you if you are close to ground, can’t point the antenna DIRECTLY towards the broadcast towers or have physical obstructions in the line-of-sight.

I gave up paying $90 monthly for HD service from Rogers, and searched several internet sites and discussion boards before deciding on the Philips.

Best of luck with your search.

2 Stars DIDN’T DO MUCH
This is a very cheaply made product that only brought in a few channels and most of those were shopping channels. Oddly enough though it only brought in 3 network affiliate channels that kept blinking in and out it brought in an independent channel from an adjoining state perfectly clear. Perhaps it depends on where you live but I am up on a hill in the Boston suburbs and expected better reception with this.

2 Stars Not very good
I purchased the antenna for a digital TV recently purchased. I live in the immediate city limits and that should have been adequate. I scanned the stations and had an increase of those found. The trouble is that the antenna which is close to a window and as high as possible loses those signals quickly. I scanned the channels prior to our six oclock news and watch a local station on CBS, then at 6:30 we switch to abc, which has in the half hour lost enough of the signal that it is unwatchable.

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RCA ANT1450BM Multi Directional Digital Flat Amplified HDTV Antenna Black

Flat Digital Antenna – -BROWN BOX — This indoor antenna will outperform your old traditional antenna due to the 360 degree patented reception technology. It eliminates the constant need to adjust, and you will get the local channels you want. Just hang it, lay it flat, or stand it upright and receive local HD, DTV and FM signals for free. The ultra low noise amplifier provides clear reception of HDTV, UHF, or VHF signals. Comes in a black finish to complement any home theater center. Includes removable amplifier.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great antenna, especially for the price!
I purchased this antenna to couple with my media center PC (hooked up to a 42″ big screen). Admitedly I had somewhat low expectations going in.

I was pleasantly surprised upon hooking the antenna up, however. It really couln’t be simpler to install, which I did using the optional signal booster. Just hook the coax cables up and you’re good to go. I now have multiple HD tv stations at my disposal, and they look great using my Windows media pc. I have actually compared how the screen looks on my computer using this antenna to my HD cable box on the same tv, and I think this antenna actually gives me better reception – HD cable looks good, but there are a few more “artifacts” on the screen than the antenna gives me.

I have to believe the biggest concern for anyone purchasing an antenna is, “will it give me good reception?” The answer to that question is going to be different for many people. The same antenna in a different location may not work as well as the other. However, for me, I couldn’t be happier. Every once in a while, and I mean very rarely, so rarely it’s not even an issue, the screen will jitter or lock up for about a second due to decreased reception by the antenna. All in all, I’m extremely pleased with the performance of this one though. Which leads me to the last positive thing the antenna has going for it…the design. Anyone who doesn’t want those ugly rabbit ears ruining the aesthetics in your living room, you have to strongly consider an antenna design like this one. Mine is hidden, 100% out of sight on top of a book case next to my tv. Form and function, what a beautiful thing!

My antenna solution has been found with this little guy. I highly recommend it, for the value, the great HD reception, and the sleek styling.

5 Stars Great Unit
Replaced a 50.00 unit with this unit. Should have purchased first. Huge improvement in reception and located more channels. Very happy with unit and would recommend.

1 Star Don’t buy this
I tried this “amplified” antenna without success. The only thing that was amplified, to me, was the snow flakes on the screen. If you live more than 20 miles from the broadcast stations, save yourself much angst and purchase something better.

4 Stars works good
I like this little antenna for a few different reasons. The most important reason is that I get good reception with it. I also like the fact that you can hang it on the wall. I do occasionally have to move the antenna for reception, but everyone in my neighborhood has the same issue with reception, even with outdoor antennas.

I’ve had several other indoor antennas and the “rabbit ears” ultimately get broken. This flat antenna is not susceptable to the same kind of mishaps and will probably last a lot longer.

I would rate this a five-star if the cord were a little longer. Overall, it’s a really good indoor antenna and the price is also good.

3 Stars It works, but…
I bought both the regular and amplified versions of this RCA antenna. Maybe it’s location, location, location, but the signal isn’t great anywhere in the house. Putting it in a window and exposing it to elements was the only why I could pick up one local station.

End story? Not impressed.

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Channel Master 4228HD Long Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna

receives digital & analog UHF and high-band VHF TV signals * range is 60 miles for UHF (ch. 14-69), 45 miles for VHF (ch. 7-13) * 8-bay bowtie dipole design * 41″W x 5-1/2″D x 33″H *

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Channel Master 4228HD
Great antenna for the money.Easy to install,put mine in the attic.It picks up about 22 channels.Antennas Direct DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna

5 Stars Great
This is a great anntena. We seen our neighbors had one and they said it really worked well, so we ordered on and installed it ourselves. We were real satisfied and our other neighbor seen it, and asked about it. I ordered one for them and helped them install it. This last one was for another neighbor. We installed that one too, and they are real happy with theirsd too. So our neighborhood has 4 of these anntenas already this summer. An excellant item !!

3 Stars Didn’t Work for Me
I ordered this antenna as a last ditch hope for “free air” television after the analog to digital goverment ordered switch over. It did not work for me. I live on the south side of a hill and the transmitters I needed to receive signal from were not only far away, over 60 miles, but were transmitting from the north. Apparently the new digital signal requires a better “line of sight” position than my roof top. I have now installed DirectTV and am enjoying 50 clear channels from the satellite which resides in the southern sky.

5 Stars Great buy
After the digital switchover a couple stations here switched from uhf to vhf. My old antenna was uhf only. I am 38 miles from the transmitter site and got everything between 60-80%. I then added the channelmaster 7777 preamp I now recieve every station at 100% uhf and vhf. I even pick up the low power stations I did not get before. So the channelmaster 4228hd alone did the job but I would get the 7777 along with it if your 35 miles or more from the transmitters.

1 Star Not the same as the earlier (excellent) CM-4228
This is not a review in the traditional sense because after reading reviews elsewhere and examining the product in a B&M, I decided against purchasing the antenna. Instead, the primary intent of this “review” is to alert potential customers that earlier reviews here (>1yr) were for an entirely different product. The secondary intent is to provide a summary of information that I found elsewhere to facilitate your finding such sources (so that you can judge for yourself).

Note: Amazon collapses together reviews for models it thinks are (near) equivalent. This can be useful in cases such a paperback edition of a book or a movie in different distribution media (DVD, Blu-ray, download), but misfires badly in cases such as this.

Note: I cannot give links to the reviews I found elsewhere: For legitimate security–and commercial?–reasons, Amazon does not allow such links in reviews.

The predecessor CM 4228 (no “HD” suffix) was widely regarded as one of the very best antennas. A corporate change moved manufacturing from the US to China and introduced a major design change–you can find pictures on the web of the original model and see that it has a starkly different reflector grid. Consequently, disregard the (rightfully positive) reviews of more than a year ago as applying to that previous model (and some of the newer reviews may also be for the old model).

Note: There are very positive reviews here for the 4228HD model.

For the 4228HD, there was widespread complaints about manufacturing quality (many times in reviews comparing it to the original 4228 model). So although some may have good experience with the new model, YMMV. For something where I have to climb up on my roof, “YMMV” is almost an automatic disqualifier.

One review I saw (elsewhere) said that the 4228HD’s performance is so poor that it is roughly comparable to its 2-bay sibling, which has the advantages of being cheaper (about 40%), lighter and smaller.

Design problem: _Reportedly_ the antenna generates its own interference (but I don’t know how big an effect this is): The wires connecting the elements on each side to the balum are different lengths, thereby creating an antenna that is broadcasting into the intended antenna. This is so, so very basic that it is impossible for me to trust anything else in the design. Note: the _total_ length of each wire from one side to the other is the same, but the balum is connected at different points (relative to the ends) on the two wires, thereby creating the antenna effect (from a review by someone who appeared credible and that was consistent of what I remember of my course in antenna design).

Design problem, balum: Complaints about difficulties connecting to the balum (terminal is not adequately fastened and rotates until it breaks). Complaints that the projected/inevitable problems with the balum (as it weathers) are not easily fixable.

Design change: The reflector screens are very different and in ways that could produce substantial differences in performance between the original and current models.

Manufacturing is also a major complaint in the (credible) reviews I found: Proper connectivity and isolation of elements is crucial to performance, but poor quality construction and assembly negates some elements.

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Antennas Direct DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna

Although the DB2 was originally designed for outdoor use, it has quickly become one of the most popular indoor antennas due to its small size and extraordinary gain. The bowtie design provides strong gain across the entire UHF spectrum and it functions incredibly well in areas where a low profile antenna is required.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Big problem/Small solution
A converter box alone was inadequate for good digital reception in my multi-unit condo building. This small DB2 UHF antenna, mounted on the support beam for my porch and facing in the right direction, solved the problem at a reasonable price.

5 Stars Looks like a barbeque grill but is the best antenna out there.
I was tired of getting terrible reception when the digital transition happened. I was asking around at school, trying to find an antenna that would bring in better reception. I had gone through antennas that have 10 foot wing spans, to antennas that have boosters built in, to 10 foot wing spans with boosters together. None of them would get decent signal quality even when living within 10 miles of Detroit. I was informed about the DB2 antenna from a friend who put one in his attic and gets crystal clear reception. I was skeptical because it was much cheaper than my previous buys, but when I hooked it up, I was stunned. Not only did I pick up channels when crystal clear picture, but picked up 10 more channels with the same quality. The first antenna was given to my girlfriend and I bought another one for me. I use mine in Flint MI and pick up stations in Detroit which is an hour away. Granted I am using a booster along with my Flint antenna, but the Detroit one does not use a booster. If you buy anything but the DB2 or DB4, you are insane!

5 Stars Good Antenna
Excellent equipment. Used a 6 ft. length of 1″ PVC and anchored it to my brick chimney, with the antenna mounted about 24″ above the chimney top, and the reception improved dramatically. I couldn’t get CBS at all with my indoor antenna, now I get Hi Def on my 40″ LCD. I now get channels I didn’t know were out there! Ran 75 ft. of R6 coax into my LCD, everything is great! Good product.

4 Stars Good buy
Good signal reception for Columbus, OH, I get all basic public channel including HD abc and others

4 Stars Not for Red Zone DTV
I got this for Northern Virginia, about 20 miles from the DC broadcast towers. [...] says I need a medium directional antenna (red zone), which this is not. Although to me it seems highly directional, in that if I rotate it even a bit it has a dramatic impact on my reception. I have this in my attic, and can’t get much of anything from DC well. I’m not saying it’s a bad antenna, especially for the price, but if you go to [...] and it says to get a medium directional antenna for stations in the red zone, don’t try to skimp and get a cheaper one not made for that challenge. You’ll just end up like me having to go out and buy something bigger and more expensive anyway.

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