Two (FREE) ways of alternatively getting ROGERS HDTV for free!

[module]

Here I will list 2 ways in which you can get whatever Rogers offers on HDTV but for free with simple, inexpensive alternatives that can save you a bunch of money in the long run, plus its fun!


1) PCI DVB Card:

This is a PCI interaface card which goes into the PCI slot in your PC so that you can pick up the signal from a satellite dish and then stream it to your TV. No loss in quality or compression is lossed here, the stream feed is raw and uncensored, giving you the capabilities of sending an HDTV signal to your HDTV TV.

2) ATSC Antenna:

Buy a ATSC antenna, stick it on your roof and run the cable line directly to your HDTV tv, and pick up at least 35 HDTV channels ( no word of a lie).



If your interested in IDEA #2, ask me where to get the antennas I use, theyrs a place in scarborough that sells em for pretty cheap.

[Kwirky]

Of course, these only work if you're in an area that gets HDTV reception, and #2 works only if your TV has an ATSC tuner in it.

Otherwise, a good idea :)

[the one]

Here I will list 2 ways in which you can get whatever Rogers offers on HDTV but for free with simple, inexpensive alternatives that can save you a bunch of money in the long run, plus its fun!


1) PCI DVB Card:

This is a PCI interaface card which goes into the PCI slot in your PC so that you can pick up the signal from a satellite dish and then stream it to your TV. No loss in quality or compression is lossed here, the stream feed is raw and uncensored, giving you the capabilities of sending an HDTV signal to your HDTV TV.

2) ATSC Antenna:

Buy a ATSC antenna, stick it on your roof and run the cable line directly to your HDTV tv, and pick up at least 35 HDTV channels ( no word of a lie).



If your interested in IDEA #2, ask me where to get the antennas I use, theyrs a place in scarborough that sells em for pretty cheap.

I use a TERK HDTVa antenna with my Samsung for #2 above.. but no line of sight to the CN Tower = only CityTV HD >:( lol (until I move)

[acg1978]

Hi,
Good tip but keep in mind that you are not exactly getting what Rogers/Bell offers you on HD. For example, you will NOT get TMN HD or TSN HD or any other specialty channels. You pretty much receive all networks though. I would personally recommend the channel master 4212. I live in Brampton, Ontario. I have been using this setup for the past couple of years and it works great!

[BananaWeed]

I have an Acer 3220A, and it doesn't have an ATSC tuner. Looks like I'd have to go with option#1, which is okay since I use my TV as a computer monitor as well.

What's the cheapest way for me to get free HDTV?

[kingsley]

Does the antenna work indoors?

[module]

They're are indoor antennas but its not the same.

[Kwirky]

I have an Acer 3220A, and it doesn't have an ATSC tuner. Looks like I'd have to go with option#1, which is okay since I use my TV as a computer monitor as well.

What's the cheapest way for me to get free HDTV?

Cheap, not sure if it's the cheapest: http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11990MM9115&vpn=1176&manufacture=HAUPPAUGE

[HBP]

What would be better for me, running tv on a lappy...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-ATSC-HDTV-USB-tuner-Receiver-TV-card-PVR-DVR_W0QQitemZ300078546480QQihZ020QQcategoryZ61396Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.ca/USB-DIGITAL-TV-TUNER-RECORDER-DVB-T-HDTV_W0QQitemZ200076665962QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3761Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for any help... would I need anything else to make something like this work?

[budric]

That's pretty cool. I only have a computer. Do the DVB cards accept signal from an ATSC antena?

The satellite setup seems a lot more complicated to install.

Is there a quick way to check if I can get good signal from satellite or antena without buying lots of equipment?

[voided]

so for number 1 how exactly does this work...
I have rogers digital cable non HD... also have viewsonic monitor http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/xseries/vx2025wm/#features
it has DVI-D input that I currently use for everyday... how can I get free HDTV?

[budric]

The PCI DVB card goes into your computer. You install the drivers and use some program to show the video on your monitor through your computer using your regular video card connection to your monitor. You plug in the dish cable into the DVB card.

But I still don't know how to get the antenna set up.

[voided]

The PCI DVB card goes into your computer. You install the drivers and use some program to show the video on your monitor through your computer using your regular video card connection to your monitor. You plug in the dish cable into the DVB card.

But I still don't know how to get the antenna set up.

so you need to have a satellite dish? If so how does this get Rogers HDTV free?

[weedb0y]

the n00b OP is referreing to all HDTV as ROGERS HDTV lol

[Outsider]

so you need to have a satellite dish? If so how does this get Rogers HDTV free?
I have the same question.

I fail to see how the methods mentioned actually get you the Rogers HDTV for free!
Did I miss something?

[budric]

I have no idea, but reading original post


1) PCI DVB Card:
This is a PCI interaface card which goes into the PCI slot in your PC so that you can pick up the signal from a satellite dish and then stream it to your TV. No loss in quality or compression is lossed here, the stream feed is raw and uncensored, giving you the capabilities of sending an HDTV signal to your HDTV TV.


It says you pick up the signal from satellite. So it appears the HDTV signal is carried by satellites and also transmitted from the ground if you can use an antenna.

[Composter]

computer = $1500
DVB card = $90
satellite Dish = $60
headache to get it all going = Priceless

[voided]

the n00b OP is referreing to all HDTV as ROGERS HDTV lol

I dont have much technical knowledge of HDTV, so I was wondering if thats what he meant. Oh well I was intrigued for a while.

[budric]

Composter, so can you shed some light on my question? I still don't know whether I can get signal from my apartment which is facing North. I don't know whether I can point it at any satellites or if I can get a strong enough antena signal. I also asked this in an FTA discussion, but no replies.

[BB88]

That's not free considering you have to invest in buying stuff for both options.

At first I thought the thread is about getting a free HD digital box from Rogers.

[TurboTropic]

This thread should be deleted or seriously edited (including the title). It's full of misinformation.

If you want free HD, go to www.digitalhome.ca for good information. You'll need an ATSC tuner, an antenna and line of sight to a transmitter (e.g. CN tower if you're in Toronto).

[Composter]

Composter, so can you shed some light on my question? I still don't know whether I can get signal from my apartment which is facing North. I don't know whether I can point it at any satellites or if I can get a strong enough antena signal. I also asked this in an FTA discussion, but no replies.

it was a joke ( mastercard)
I have no idea

[budric]

I get the mastercard reference. I just thought you actually went through the pain of setting it up.

[Jon Lai]

For those that are runnign ATSC tuners, how many channels are you guys able to pick up?

I'm only able to pick up 4, with CityTV often dropping unless I increase the frequency.

I'm using the $30 Philips I got from Wal-Mart, live in Markham.

Are you positive that you can pick up 35 HDTV channels in Canada? I dont' think there are even that many HDTV broadcasts in Canada...

[weedb0y]

Composter, so can you shed some light on my question? I still don't know whether I can get signal from my apartment which is facing North. I don't know whether I can point it at any satellites or if I can get a strong enough antena signal. I also asked this in an FTA discussion, but no replies.

For satellite, you need to be facing South-West. For HDTV OTA, I am not sure but my understanding is that you need to have line of sight to CN-Tower from your roof.

[BananaWeed]

Cheap, not sure if it's the cheapest: http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11990MM9115&vpn=1176&manufacture=HAUPPAUGE

Cool, thanks. I went to the Hauppauge site, and it says that this comes with a portable satellite. Do I need a big one that goes on my roof?

I need to do more research on this.:confused: