Long Distance HDTV

[Ron Pollitt]

Hi, I'm a new member and HDTV user.  I live in Fontana WI on Geneva Lake and am probably close to 60 miles from Milwaukee.  I recently purchased a Plasma monitor to use with a vhs to receive local cable (no HDTV service available here).  On a whim, I bought a Sensory HDTV receiver on eBay for $230 and hooked it up to an indoor amplified Silver Sensor antenna (my wife wouldn't let me put up an outside antenna). To my amazement I received channel 28, and watched the Jay Leno show.  I'm hooked.  I think she might go for the Terk HDTV-60 outdoor antenna because of its sleek looks.  Does any one have experience with that antenna before I invest a couple hundred plus installation for it?  By the way, I don't always receive 28, seems to depend on time of day,  do they turn the power down at certain times? then the picture breaks up and freezes. Thanks for your response and any suggestions you may have.

[Tom Snyder]

I had a Terk antenna for about two days, and returned it. Put it in my second floor attic, but it didn't give me any better of a picture than my amplified RCA settop antenna. Best reception to date has been with a $10 Radio Shack Bowtie antenna, however, I'm only about 25 miles out. But it's even better HDTV reception than my amplified antenna.

You may want to go to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25">AVSForums HDTV Equipment and do a search in old posts for that particular antenna...you will probably get a ton of info.

As far as 28, they are only on evenings. Can you get 8 or 58? Or any Chicago stations?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=1132704&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending">Here's the link to brign up your results!

[This message has been edited by Tom Snyder (edited 08-13-2002).]

[Ron Pollitt]

Thanks Tom!  Your link was very helpful,  I switched to a Radio Shack double bow-tie indoor after reading the link.  That improved my Channel 4/28 reception but still can't receive Channel 46/58.  We're located in a bowl here and a line of site towards Chicago is out of the question, I have a nice line of site over the lake towards Milwaukee.   Looks like an outside antenna is going to be the answer, now how do I sell that to my wife?  Grin
Ron

[Dan Burgess]

Suggest that the wife go to Gurnee Mills for an extended day of shopping, and while she's out go up and secure a ratchet mount to the chimney and a Radio Shack VU-190 antenna to the ratchet mount.  Use a 10-foot mast and you sure might even get Chicago stations.  I would put a rotator up while you're at it, why not.

Then have her watch Jay Leno with you one night, and she will come around.  Mine sure did.  Good luck!

[Ron Pollitt]

Dan,  Thanks for the advice but I know that a wifes trip to Gurnee will cost me much more than the HDTV antenna. Grin   Looking at Satellite as an alternative.  Anyone know what the most basic Directv package that would still include HDnet and an HDmovie channel would approx. cost per month?  I understand that I need to first install a TRIPLE-LNB multi-Satellite Dish.
Ron

[Tom Snyder]

 

Anyone know what the most basic Directv package that would still include HDnet and an HDmovie channel would approx. cost per month?

I have heard so many different prices, that I don't know what to believe. I know someone who got a basic package for $12 a month that included HBOHD and HDNet. Apparently it depends on who you talk to when you call DirecTV.

I'm paying a ton more than I'd need to for basic HD because I wanted all the HBO and Cinemax channels, and the Music Choice channels. I don't have Showtime yet because, A.) They don't show much HD, and B.) I didn't want to dink around with a third LNB.

I would suggest that you call them, tell them what you want, and keep calling back till you get a CSR that gives you the lowest price.  

[JohnRacine]

Hi Ron,

Don't waste your money on a Winegard HD-9095.  I have one and my U-100 Radio Shack, $20 antenna on a rotor pulls in Milwaukee and Chicago stations better.  I'm going to get rid of the Winegard and try a Channel Master as recommended by others on this website.  I live 30 miles from Milwuakee and 55 from Chicago.  I agree that the time of day or temperature has an effect on reception on digital 58  - the cooler the temp outside, the better it comes in.  However, digital channels 4 & 10 are strong at all times, regardless of the conditions.  The Chicago channels fluctuate somewhat as well but PBS digital 11 is always very strong.  Hope this helps and let me know what antenna you end up putting up and how well it works.  As for satellite, I have 4DTV+HDD200 decoder which brings me HD programming on HBO, Action Sports Network and now Discovery.  Showtime HD is also available but I don't subscribe to it.  There are also many other digital, non high def channels available to you.  The cost of programming is very reasonable.  Good luck.

[tenth_t2]

Hmmm. The 9095 is a Yagi (geek talk, sorry), UHF only.  While in some locations they can excel, it depends a lot on the actual site- as does any antenna.  Personally, I have a Channel Master 4228 and I can recieve the stations from Madison, WI- about 55 miles.  I would look at either that or a Winegard 1891.  Reality is that any UHF signal will struggle beyond 60 miles.

I do like the appearance and overall size of the 4228 or the 1891 over a 9095, and I have used a RS VU-190 as well.  Much larger, and not any better.  The 4228 may please the asthetically concerned.  If you do a rotor as well, you may get Madison, Chicago, and Milwaukee.  Question is, are you willing to experiment a little?

Greg O.

[gparris]

 

Originally posted by Ron Pollitt:
Dan,  Thanks for the advice but I know that a wifes trip to Gurnee will cost me much more than the HDTV antenna. Grin   Looking at Satellite as an alternative.  Anyone know what the most basic Directv package that would still include HDnet and an HDmovie channel would approx. cost per month?  I understand that I need to first install a TRIPLE-LNB multi-Satellite Dish.
Ron

As a DIRECTV subcriber for 6 years I find their new pricing and packaging easy and inexpensive compared to the confusing and more expensive TWC. AT www.directv.com  they give you the packages and pricing and IT IS ACCURATE - I know, because it is WHAT I PAY!
Basic 115 channels that include your 10 or so local channels (they come in very clear compared to the mess TWC delivers)and HDNET channel 199 is included at no extra cost for $37.99 plus Wisconsin State sales tax (5%). If you want the other 15 channels in their "Total Choice Plus" package add another $2 (it is a bargain). If you want HBO-HD channel 509,then add a-la-carte an additional $12 to your total (additionl 6 channels of HBO at SD resolution included with HBO West channel 504 in Dolby Digital); Showtime is an additional $10 and includes SHO-HD channel 543 plus an additional 8 channels all in Dolby Digital. Flanners has a special (or has-call,their pretty flexible) for an HD box an oval 2 sat dish for about $500 with basic installation. I would strongly suggest getting the 3rd sat location installed (about $50) at the time of installation in case you ever want Showtime HD and whatever else DIRECTV throws our way. The setup should include your VCR hookup for time shifting and get a SVHS JVC or Mits-one with an S-Video line to record your SD (HD is more expensive and involved) programs with better resolution. Also get a Monster #3 component cable for better video signal transfer to your HD set from the sat box and a Monster toslink optical cable to your Dolby-Digital capable receiver from your sat box for sound. Depending on your budget and receiver (if you have one already), your picture and sound will rock. Total one-room cost per month for your HDNET and locals with total choice- plus &  HBO-HD including tax :$54.58 and with Showtime : $65.08 (about 150 channels incl. 3 HD channels);Add $ 5.23 with tax extra per addtional receiver. AGAIN : I pay this monthly and this is what pricing DIRECTV's website quotes!!! Buy it at Flanners and get Jeff B. to install it for you and you will be in "HD Heaven". If you want to add an antenna for locals to patch into your DIRECTV box while running sat cables, do it then and get quotes on that from the store,too.Combining the install work will save you money. But this all sure beats cable in terms of quality,price and service.Ask you wife if there is SOMETHING she "just must have" and ask her to compromise rather than sending her on a shopping trip so you can get it. You will BOTH enjoy this setup, not just you. If she can't agree to this simple setup, I would STRONGLY CONSIDER MARRIAGE COUNSELING!!!

[Ron Pollitt]

Gparris,  Thanks for your response on Directv as I learned alot.  I had called their 800 number yesterday before your reply and told them I was interested in making sure that I at least received chanel 199, 509, and 543.  Some Crabby service person said " Fine that will cost you $85.99 per month"  I said no thanks and hung up.  Guess it is who you talk to. Flanner's is a good idea, I see they have a website, I hadn't heard of them before.   I'm thinking that marriage counseling in the long run is more expensive than a Gurnee Mills shopping trip, now lets see ..... how much is a one way airplane ticket back to her moms.... Just kidding.

[borghe]

The person that stated $85.99 was talking about Total Choice Premiere. Overall that isn't the end of the world, considering if you ever throw some Tivos in there it will include the fee, as opposed to not having Total Choice Premiere in which case you'll be charged $5/month.

If you want to lower your bill Total Choice with locals is $39.99 (w/HDNET), and then it runs down like this:

1st premium $12
2nd premium $10
3rd premium $9
4th premium $8
5th premium $7

Premiums are HBO (w/HBO-HD), Cinemax, Starz, Showtime 9w/SHO-HD), and Sports.

Just go here for all of the info. As gparris says, there are no hidden fees. You pay for your extra boxes (if any), pay for your pay-per-views (if any), pay for your Tivo (if any), and pay your state sales tax. Pretty straight forward.

[This message has been edited by borghe (edited 08-16-2002).]

[borghe]

Oh, and here is the local channel lookup tool to see if you qualify for local channels.

[gparris]

 

Originally posted by Ron Pollitt:
Gparris,  Thanks for your response on Directv as I learned alot.  I had called their 800 number yesterday before your reply and told them I was interested in making sure that I at least received chanel 199, 509, and 543.  Some Crabby service person said " Fine that will cost you $85.99 per month"  I said no thanks and hung up.  Guess it is who you talk to. Flanner's is a good idea, I see they have a website, I hadn't heard of them before.   I'm thinking that marriage counseling in the long run is more expensive than a Gurnee Mills shopping trip, now lets see ..... how much is a one way airplane ticket back to her moms.... Just kidding.

I didn't mean that you "should" get counseling, its just that it is give and take in any relationship. Eventually, the dish(and poss antenna) will get noticed, unless you have your yard maintenance done for you or its winter. DIRECTV plays no games, just their service people, like with any company, can have their share of idiots when you call them. The website is well-organized and helpful; I usually do all my add-ons,corrections and payments to my account on-line and ignore the 800 number unless my sat box craps out.Then in my experience, unless one of their morons hits a switch (accidently) and cuts you off----you simply unplug the box from the wall for 30 seconds and it reboots-just like a computer can,only a little different.

[Paul Bethke]

Yep - wives often need "convincing".

For my new satellite setup, I am getting to enjoy a night for 2 in the Dells attending a Michael Bolton concert.

C'est la vie...Paul  

[Matt Heebner]

Could be worse...... , though Michael Bolton....not by much.


Matt