Computers & Electronics

Which HDTV antenna to buy?

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  • Jan 30th, 2012 2:45 pm
Sr. Member
Apr 21, 2010
998 posts
86 upvotes

Which HDTV antenna to buy?

Can you recommend any HD antenna to get the most over the air channels?
36 replies
Deal Expert
Jun 14, 2001
15556 posts
1026 upvotes
I believe in the RFD OTA thread the recommend one is the DB2 currently for a full sized antenna.

For an indoor one, as always, the Terk HDTVa is still the standard. It's $47 at Amazon.ca
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Sr. Member
Apr 21, 2010
998 posts
86 upvotes
woobie wrote: Go to tvfool and type in your info, then link the results. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

Might help too if you give more info, are you in a condo, highrise, indoor or out door antenna etc etc.
I am on a 12th floor looking east and north near Toronto airport.
I would prefer indoor antenna although I am not sure if it's available
Sr. Member
User avatar
Jan 17, 2010
950 posts
169 upvotes
Toronto
Whatever you do, try your best to get one from a place with a good return policy. You may find you can't get jack squat over the air. I bought an indoor one (I wanna say Samsung) from Walmart on a whim after cancelling my digital cable, the only channel that came in clear was either CTV or CBC, depending on how I angled the antenna on the window sill, and while those channels were absolutely HD quality (quite impressed actually), the other channels that came in were baaarely there. I spent a while trying to find the "sweet spot" but gave up and returned it.

Being in an apartment (rather than a Scarborough split-level bungalow) you might have better luck catching more signals.
Deal Expert
Jun 14, 2001
15556 posts
1026 upvotes
^
You should research antennas before deciding OTA isn't for you IMO. Some antenna's are no better than coat hangers while others, like the Terk HDTVa, are exceptional.

It's possible that you live in a unique area where OTA isn't an option however it's more than likely you were using a bunk antenna.
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Sr. Member
User avatar
Jan 17, 2010
950 posts
169 upvotes
Toronto
Fair enough, like I said I bought it on a whim when I was browsing the Blu Ray players at Walmart. Knowing their return policy I wasn't too concerned if it didn't work out for me. I may check out a different unit, as I do sort of miss just flipping on the TV and channel surfing.
Sr. Member
Apr 21, 2010
998 posts
86 upvotes
NG wrote: I believe in the RFD OTA thread the recommend one is the DB2 currently for a full sized antenna.

For an indoor one, as always, the Terk HDTVa is still the standard. It's $47 at Amazon.ca
I got that one today from tigerdirect, thanks
Sr. Member
Feb 11, 2007
923 posts
629 upvotes
Toronto
I think the Mohu has surpassed the Terk as the best indoor antenna to get. It has received glowing reviews from customers and professional reviewers. It's also not ugly and it's very easy to hide. I'm thinking of getting this.

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Thin-Leaf-I ... 255&sr=8-1
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/techjunki ... tv-antenna
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/podcast/201 ... ntenna.php
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2 ... tenna-mohu
Deal Expert
Jun 14, 2001
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prvt10 wrote: I think the Mohu has surpassed the Terk as the best indoor antenna to get. It has received glowing reviews from customers and professional reviewers. It's also not ugly and it's very easy to hide. I'm thinking of getting this.

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Thin-Leaf-I ... 255&sr=8-1
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/techjunki ... tv-antenna
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/podcast/201 ... ntenna.php
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2 ... tenna-mohu

Those are some steller reviews on Amazon...but it doesn't appear to be sold by Amazon yet (all third party sellers) and for reviews (either on blogs or Amazon) there's a burgeoning industry for paid reviews to be done for viral advertising.

I'm not saying that this thing isn't as great as it sounds but until a retailer (like Amazon) with a good return policy carries it I wouldn't chance it.
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Dec 14, 2005
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Richmond
:arrow:

Moved from "Shopping Discussion" to "Computers & Electronics."
Congrats to the Arsenal Ladies - The FA Women's Cup Winners 2013 :)
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User avatar
Feb 27, 2008
1327 posts
993 upvotes
Prince Edward County…
Almost bought the Mohu, but 20$ shipping to Canada! Stupid Amazon says "free shipping!" until you've entered CC info...

and not knowing if the reviews are shills... anyone here get one? Is it worth it? I live in sight of the CN tower, so I don't need a hugely powerful one, and I like how discrete this mohu is, my wife will hate some device sitting in our living room. And I don't want to drill thru to outside to install an outdoor antenna...
Deal Expert
Jun 14, 2001
15556 posts
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eldiablo wrote: My own recommendation in OTA antennae would be a combination of 4-bay and also 8-bay Channel Master brand. There is not much better brand than CM. Both in quality and design of their antennae.


http://www.channelmaster.com/Channel_Ma ... a_s/25.htm

I don't trust CM anymore. I've come to the conclusion that the Amazon reviews are paid shills and they seem to be difficult for handling warranty issues.
Should we have open retail markets to bring more UK and US retailers to Canada?wegmans-tops-trader-joes-americas-favou ... #p27788812
Deal Expert
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May 8, 2009
50593 posts
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Toronto
NG wrote: ^
You should research antennas before deciding OTA isn't for you IMO. Some antenna's are no better than coat hangers while others, like the Terk HDTVa, are exceptional.

It's possible that you live in a unique area where OTA isn't an option however it's more than likely you were using a bunk antenna.

merged-hd-channels-over-air-antenna-461 ... st14176158

That's the link you're talking about right?
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2004
38383 posts
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East Gwillimbury
I purchased an out door antenna and leave it in doors behind the TV. Looks like an ugly oven rack, but it gets the job done.
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May 8, 2009
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Gee wrote: I purchased an out door antenna and leave it in doors behind the TV. Looks like an ugly oven rack, but it gets the job done.

You don't have to stick an antenna outside and can just leave It In-doors?
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2004
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East Gwillimbury
Jimboski wrote: You don't have to stick an antenna outside and can just leave It In-doors?

Is that a question?

Yes, you can take an outside antenna and leave it indoors. Works better if it is outside, but no one says it has to be used that way.
Deal Expert
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May 8, 2009
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Gee wrote: Is that a question?

Yes, you can take an outside antenna and leave it indoors. Works better if it is outside, but no one says it has to be used that way.

Yes It Is a question hence the "?"

I see, Alright thanks. Does the channels vary depending on your signal strength and location? Also what channels are you getting!?
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2004
38383 posts
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East Gwillimbury
Digital is absolute. Either it is a zero or a one. There is no guess work.

If you get a signal of 65% or higher, you will get a picture just as good as someone with an 85% or 100% signal

In an ideal situation, you get two antennas. Point one at the CN Tower for your locals and point the other one towards Buffalo using the lake as a big reflector.

You should be able to pick up roughly 30 channels.

I only manage to get 14 channels. I think 3 of them are from the US. The rest are Canadian.

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