HDTV OTA reception?

I'm sure someone in our neighborhood is getting high definition reception over the air (OTA). Would like to know how many channels and how the reception is. Also how you're pulling the signal (type of antenna). I'm getting ready to buy a box set tuner for my TV (HDTV ready). Also recommendation on a hdtv receiver would be nice. I'm looking at the Samsung SIR-T160 or Zenith 420(?). Also where in the house is the antenna located. Thanks.

-Teak

 

I get nbc, abc, cbs, fox (etv not hdtv), and mptv (22-2?). mptv shows hd material all the time, but nothing worth watching. I'm in southern walk and have a 8.5 foot Winegard UHF antenna in my attic using a Hughes E86. I also get abc out of Baltimore for some reason, must be a reflection.

Hope this helps.

 

teak:
I can also get nbc, abc, cbs, fox, pbs (sometimes), upn, wb in digital OTA. Once you see digital HDTV on a large screen, you won't want to go back. I am using a RCA DTC-100 receiver and a Radio Shack double-bow-tie INDOOR antenna (antenna is approx the size of a large phone book) and am using the antenna in the basement, of all places.

I do have to constantly "tweak" the antenna postion for channels, but until I get an attic solution, it works just fine for me. I get an occasional Baltimore signal, but only in perfect weather/sun/moon allignment.

 

Thanks everyone. I currently tuning my TV - 53" widescreen panasonic. After that, I'm going to hunt down a HD tuner. Just wanted to see how the reception was in Broadlands before I drop $400-600 on a tuner. Thanks again!

-Teak

 

I also get WB, WETA, and UPN ... but unless I can watch them for hours with NO digital artifacts .. I don't consider them rec'd. I don't know why, but that jitter/pause really bugs me.

Go for it teak! Its the only way you will receive decent tv in southern walk ... 'cause openband sure isn't going to provide it! Digital cable w/o a working guide and svideo or component outputs .. whatever!

 

Uh oh - doesn't sound like we should count on getting HDTV from Openband anytime soon. You guys are ruining my day!

Any news on when/if that digital cable is expected or will we need to breakdown and buy a tuner when we move the big screen in next month?

 

I am waiting for this HDTV decoder from Toshiba,

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=108

As I understand it, this tuner will integrate OTA HD Broadcasts and DirecTV HD Channels, as well as regular DirecTV channels into one guide, without having to switch between inputs! I saw a brochure on it and the integrated guide looked awesome. It should be out in July.

 

Actually, my Hughes E86 does that and I've had it for 1.5 yrs. It just makes the digital nbc 4-1 and the normal direct tv one 4, but I wouldn't pay for your locals through Dtv b/c the digital OTA looks much better. The zenith and samsung models do the same. This way you only have one set of component cables to the tv and when you switch from SD to HD channels the tv adjusts to the input .. if your tv will do that (i guess). Mine does ... its a Pioneer.

 

Wow, I'm very surprised to hear that everyone is getting OTA HDTV here is Broadlands. I was kind of skeptical that we would be able to get it. The other reason I'm waiting for the Toshiba unit is because I just bought a new Toshiba with DVI input and I want to utilize the DVI connection. I'm looking to locate the antennae in my attic. Does anyone have experience with that?

 

uh-oh sounds like trouble. We are moving into Southern Walk next month and are looking to buy an HDTV projection screen tv. Now I notice no one seems to think that Openband will be supporting Digital cable soon or HDTV for that matter and of course that really bothers me.

What additional equipment are you all talking about? I knew about the box you had to buy to get an HDTV signal but what is up with the an antenna to boot? Can't you just connect your TV to openband and then sometime in the future (when openband supports HDTV - [positive thinking here) you can buy that box and not need an antenna? Are any of you also using TiVo? Openband told me that they are TiVo compatible.

Any suggestions on 57"-65" inch tv's?

 

I spoke to OpenBand while getting my new service setup. While its not official, they will be changing set top boxes to Scientic Altantic at some point, which will either support or be HDTV ready - the Openband rep wasn't sure. Apparently, the Openband system is not compatible with many different cable/hd vendor solutions.

Currently the Motorola set top box has an MMAP (port on back) to connect and HDTV tuner/box. Has anyone tried to use the MMAP?

How do we go about providing suggestions/issues with Openband for future technologies. I would like to have a way to post messages to Openband.

If we are paying to live in a "high-tech" community like Southern Walk and have all of these integrated services, I expect our provider to be on the leading edge.

 

I was just about to buy a RCA Scenium big screen because it features a built in HDTV tuner and a Windows CE web browser. I moved into Southern Walk a couple of weeks ago. I spoke to an Openband rep then who said they were planning on upgrade the tuner box to one that has a built-in HDTV tuner. She didn't tell me when though Has anyone in Southern walk been able to view HDTV programming via a HDTV tuner connected to Openband[?] If OpenBand provides a HDTV tuner then I can buy a bigger screened HDTV Monitor.

 

kholbert:

I do not have Openband (in older Broadlands) but I would recommend NOT getting a built-in tuner, for the sole reason of technology does change (and so do standards) and I would much rather purchase a $500 tuner every year or two, than a $5000 display every 2 years.

You may also be surprised at the OTA HDTV you can receive with a $50 indoor antenna.

 

Kholbert,

I have lived in Southern Walk for about a month now. Openband's digital cable is ok, even the SD (Standard Definition) 4:3 images look pretty good on my front projector - so the transmission signal is good. HDTV will be awesome, but you will most likely still need to use Openband's HDTV set top box to get a HDTV signal over OPenband's cable infrastructure. I'm in the process of building a Home Theater PC so when I get more info about compatibility with other HDTV tuners or PC Tuner cards I'll post it.

The Openband HDTV Set top boxes is the Scientific Atlantic/Atlanta 3250. No Info on whether it will have the optional DVI and 1394 (Firewire) Ports yet, but it does do HDTV via the Component output and Digital Audio via the digital audio out (digital coax I think). Hopefully will be available in next 90 days??

I hang out at the avsforum (www.avsforum.com) and you might want to hold up on that big screen purchase for just a few months. The big up-and-coming thing in Home Theater for Hollywood is/will be DVI with HDCP-High Definition Copy Protection and HDMI - High Definition Media Inteface and questionable future of Firewire. The New HDMI Port looks like a DVI port, but it has extra pins to support high bandwidth video and audio in digital format - It sounds like it's going to be the new standard. If you want a future proof TV, this may be the way to go.

Just my opinion, buy a TV that at least has a DVI port which fully supports HDCP and if you can wait 3 or 4 months buy one with the new HDMI port, the fall 03 and 1Q 04 models will come out with HDMI.

I looked over different TVs for 3 months and decided to go with a Front Projector and have never looked back, my screen size is only limited by my theater room I have setup (10x12 Room. If you can do a front projector I'd recommend it!

There might be an upcoming tech seminar on Home Theater - I'm no expert, but I've learned alot and am happy to share what I know.

 

Hmmm. Home Theater with the Projector. It sounds familiar. Did you check www.avsforum.com? You can find very useful information.

 

DougG and Cooper:

I also read www.avsforum.com all the time. They helped me build my theater (front projector, screen and HDTV) saved me a bundle of time and money and helped create an excellent 100" picture

 

AVSforum.com is a very useful site. There is a forum run by the folks in Cascades and they have a running discussion on OTA HDTV. I have included the link, it has some very useful info on setup, equipment and local channels. Hope this helps!!

http://www.cascadesva.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000194

 

Does the Broadlands HOA rules permit the use of an external HDTV OTA antenna? According to Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and subsequent rulings by the FCC, homeowners do NOT need permission of their HOA to install a HDTV antenna on their home. Here is a link to the FCC HDTV OTA antenna website: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html I plan on starting with a attic antenna for my widescreen tv with built in HDTV tuner. If that doesnt work I'll probably have a external antenna installed. BTW based upon recommendation from this thread, I've decided to buy the Samsung HCN-5529W. According to the Big Screen store, HDTV's with built in tuners offer simpler setup and superior software and picture. I'm willing to pay 2k to be on the leading edge. I doubt the technology will change so much in 5-6 years that the Samsung will be incompatible. I considered setting up a home theatre with a LCD front projector but my experience with those devices is that the bulbs are VERY expensive (over $500) to replace. For me 55" is a lot bigger than 25". I'll post a followup once its setup.

 

kholbert, give Fairfax Antenna a call. They are the most knowledgeable folks I have seen when it comes to HDTV OTA reception. I just had a ChannelMaster 4221 antenna with a 405 Winegard amplifier installed recently in my attic. I receive every DC channel AND every Baltimore channel just fine (along with others). I can't imagine that an outside installation would be necessary.
Also, give Belmont TV a try for your big screen (in Bailey's Crossroads). I have bought two tv's from them and they really give you old-fashioned personal service. The same can be said of Fairfax Antenna. Good luck with everything. To me, it really has been worth the effort to get HDTV (for Monday Night Football alone!).

 

Tech Head: Thanks for the input re: attic antennas. Been looking for a good reason to use the cable race (blue plastic tube running from my attic to basement). During construction of my home I noted that a cable race had been installed in the same area that leads the furnace exhaust from the basement to the roof. My widescreen is going in the basement so running a antenna cable from the attic should be relatively simple. I'll call Fairfax Antenna once I get my HDTV.

I feel like a member of the OTA HDTV Rebellion against the OpenBand Evil Empire. I've seen OTA HDTV broadcast of some of my favorite network programs and believe it will be the "Force" that will cause OpenBand to "Join us or perish". Sorry about the campy Star Wars analogy but us OTA HDTV "Jedi" must build the rebellion by example. Thanks, I Obi Won (O U 1).[8D]

Going to buy my Samsung from Best Buy since they offer a 4 year in-home maintenance program for $300. I figure its worth it if ever I have a problem with lens, bulbs, etc. Its not like I can just put the thing in my trunk and take it in for service