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Costco's Philips indoor hdtv antenna... good?

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  • Dec 10th, 2009 10:06 pm
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Deal Addict
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Feb 5, 2007
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Costco's Philips indoor hdtv antenna... good?

I saw Costco is selling the little hdtv antennas by Philips for around $60. Anyone Installed one and what channel can I receive with it?? Is it a good buy?? I am tired to pay my cable company outrageous monthly fee!!
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Deal Expert
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Jun 27, 2004
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Philips has several models.

If it's the silver sensor clones, then it's the best you can buy for the desktop antennas.

Silver sensor = looks like a christmas tree turned flat, or is in enclosed in a triangle/trowel shell.
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Nov 7, 2006
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It's good because it's Costco and will take it back.

Get a real antenna and cancel the cable. DB2 for indoor; DB4 or 4221HD for outdoor.
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Sep 18, 2008
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ppl4golf wrote: It's good because it's Costco and will take it back.

Get a real antenna and cancel the cable. DB2 for indoor; DB4 or 4221HD for outdoor.
Is is worth canceling the cable? What about specialty channels?
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contact_markm wrote: Is is worth canceling the cable? What about specialty channels?
What specialty channel :?: :?: Hustlers ??

Different strokes for different folks, please look at it like this :

For Chinese folks who need a digital box to receive whatever that channel on 601...Is forking out ~$70 to Rogers worth it just so you can watch that one channel ?? Insert your fav premium channel(s) ________ and ask yourself.

OTA is just pure HDTV with lots of prime time selections, sports on weekends, good kids programs, etc. It's perfect for me as I am an HD snob.

There is no Kate & 8, no TSN, no ethnic channel, no porn.
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Mar 14, 2006
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new to this stuff

If i install an antenna, can I just plug into my LCD monitor with HDMI, or do I need a box for it.
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mingyang wrote: new to this stuff

If i install an antenna, can I just plug into my LCD monitor with HDMI, or do I need a box for it.
You need to plug an antenna to an ATSC tuner to receive the goodies.

There are ATSC boxes that do exactly that but the cheapest one that does 1080i HD is about $100.

All newer LCDs, Plasmas have built-in ATSC tuners. It is beyond me if for anyone in DTV-land to not use it.
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Dec 3, 2007
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Gee wrote: Where can I get the best indoor HD Antenna?
+1, I want to look around for one too.

The one I saw at Costco Woodbine looks very promising. Maybe you should try that one out. I might go buy it if I have time. I think it was $29.99.
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Gee wrote: Where can I get the best indoor HD Antenna?
I got the DB2 @ Infonec. Many reviews were eye-openers (from those who previously used fancy indoor amplified antennae from big box stores)

There are tons of FTA stores that sell antennae. CM4220 is Channel Master's equivalent. There is a store called Save And Replay in 'sauga that has it.
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Apr 2, 2007
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Different strokes for different folks, please look at it like this :

For Chinese folks who need a digital box to receive whatever that channel on 601...Is forking out ~$70 to Rogers worth it just so you can watch that one channel ?? Insert your fav premium channel(s) ________ and ask yourself.

OTA is just pure HDTV with lots of prime time selections, sports on weekends, good kids programs, etc. It's perfect for me as I am an HD snob.

There is no Kate & 8, no TSN, no ethnic channel, no porn.[/QUOTE]

:) That's right.... canceling Bell satellite ASAP.. :eek: cost MAD $$$$ that's why... :D
Chinese Food+MSG=Good Food :rolleyes:
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Aug 2, 2004
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ppl4golf wrote: There are tons of FTA stores that sell antennae. CM4220 is Channel Master's equivalent. There is a store called Save And Replay in 'sauga that has it.
The CM4220 is an out door antenna

I need an indoor one.
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Gee wrote: The CM4220 is an out door antenna

I need an indoor one.
These 2-bays (CM4220, DB2) are small and light and make really good indoor antennae.

Some common sense goes a long way, don't put it at eye level to give the elements a chance to poke you in the eyes. Well, the elements should be facing the window anyways :cheesygri
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Gee wrote: Where can I get the best indoor HD Antenna?
Gee wrote: The CM4220 is an out door antenna

I need an indoor one.
Im in the same area as well and didnt want something like the cm4220, not yet at least, since it was going indoors. I picked up the terk hdtv amplified indoor antenna (silver sensor clone) and receive about 24 channels in total, to be specific 12 are digital (all HD) and the rest of them are the same ones but only in analog. The one analog that is unique is tvo, im not sure if they have a digital version up and running yet.

Channel list (only listing digital since i turned off the analog ones, and that way i can also put away the rabbit ears that come built in with the terk since they look ugly):
cbc
ctv
chch
cts
wnlo(cw23)
cbc(french)
global III :confused:
omni2
city
global
omni1
suntv

If you want to know what channels you might be able to get from your location, enter your coordinates here (check coordinates option):
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29


reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified-Hi ... 004&sr=1-1

bought it from tiger direct (brand new):
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=2767


there is also a non amplified version if you want to save a little cash (i didnt notice any big difference when i switched the amplifier off, i believe it only helps when you are running a long coaxial cable, so your signal dosent loose strength, correct me if i am wrong):
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=2767

review of non amplified version:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technology-H ... 004&sr=1-2
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Jun 27, 2004
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:arrowu: That Terk is a silver sensor clone, so look for one that looks like it, if you want a desktop antenna.

The Source has the amplified model, but they want $70-80 for it, which is way too much.
Newbie
Sep 29, 2009
22 posts
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Vancouver
The best antenna is a homemade one with coat hangers, a piece of wood and a uhf/vhf transformer. Hahahahaha. I'm serious. Cost less then 10 bucks to make. Looks ugly but works better then the ones sold in store. If you live close to the border you can pick up US HD channels.

Google "Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna".
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lookinforadeal wrote: The best antenna is a homemade one with coat hangers, a piece of wood and a uhf/vhf transformer. Hahahahaha. I'm serious. Cost less then 10 bucks to make. Looks ugly but works better then the ones sold in store. If you live close to the border you can pick up US HD channels.

Google "Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna".
How to guide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJT ... re=related

Too bad i didnt have a place to hide it or else i would have gone this route.
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zzz3 wrote: Im in the same area as well and didnt want something like the cm4220, not yet at least, since it was going indoors. I picked up the terk hdtv amplified indoor antenna (silver sensor clone) and receive about 24 channels in total, to be specific 12 are digital (all HD) and the rest of them are the same ones but only in analog. The one analog that is unique is tvo, im not sure if they have a digital version up and running yet.

Channel list (only listing digital since i turned off the analog ones, and that way i can also put away the rabbit ears that come built in with the terk since they look ugly):
cbc
ctv
chch
cts
wnlo(cw23)
cbc(french)
global III :confused:
omni2
city
global
omni1
suntv

If you want to know what channels you might be able to get from your location, enter your coordinates here (check coordinates option):
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29


reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified-Hi ... 004&sr=1-1

bought it from tiger direct (brand new):
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=2767


there is also a non amplified version if you want to save a little cash (i didnt notice any big difference when i switched the amplifier off, i believe it only helps when you are running a long coaxial cable, so your signal dosent loose strength, correct me if i am wrong):
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=2767

review of non amplified version:
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technology-H ... 004&sr=1-2
Just bought one at Costco and came back, the highlighted bolds are the following I am picking up in Richmond Hill right now...
cbc
ctv
chch
cts
wnlo(cw23)
cbc(french)
global III :confused:
omni2
city
global
omni1
suntv
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Nov 7, 2006
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No US Network channels = continue to subscribe cable/satellite.

I'm not saying a 2-bay will get you everything, but at least it's 50:50, not zippo.
Deal Guru
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Mar 23, 2005
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Midland
The silver sensor antenna is only good if you are in an area where the signals are fairly close.
I live in Midland and the channels aren't that close and this antenna didn't make much difference - a slight difference, but not much.
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