Smart Antenna w/ DTV Converter box

**shoiji** · 06-02-2009, 02:38 PM

Well, I bought a converter box and tried it out with just a regular antenna. The problem is the reception seems to start and stop the picture and noise. I was wondering if buying a smart antenna would help with the reception. I am still trying to figure out if I can use this or if I should just get basic cable.

Thanks in advance.

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-02-2009, 03:12 PM

We called around and was told that the digital will not be at its best until the actual switch over day and to not make any purchases until after that time. Since this was a guy who could have profited off of our ignorance, I tend to feel the info is correct.

**Brat** · 06-02-2009, 08:24 PM

That was pretty much what we was told too...Also if you are over 50 mile from the TV tower you won't get any service no matter what you have.

**BuzzE** · 06-03-2009, 04:08 PM

The advice you got was pretty much on target. With this transition going on, it's pretty hard to make any intelligent decision because everything is up in the air right now.

The government deadline extension was only an extension of the mandate for stations to convert over to digital broadcasts. The extension was for the public benefit to give them more time to find a converter box, etc. If a station wanted to go strictly didital they could - but they HAD to be that way by June 12.

Most stations had already purchased and installed their equipment already. In fact, many were broadcasting both in the old analog fashion as well as the new digital format.

This is pretty expensive to do and many chose to go digital to save some money. However, not all have done so.

During this transition period, many stations that are broadcasting both ways, have not cranked up their digital signal to the normal level, again to save money.

Once the cutover is final, stations will go to full digital power and that may help people receive their signals better.

As for smart antennas, surprisingly, there are not that many out there yet. Most converter boxes do not integrate with them yet either. I aware of only the Tivax STB-T8 converter box that works well with smart antennas. And so far, the best reviews for a smart antenna is for the RCA Ant2000.

Both the converter box and the smart antenna are listed on my site if you visit my profile and click through.

I wish I had more info for you than this, but as your adviser stated, we have to wait and see.

**shoiji** · 06-04-2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the information everyone. I will wait and see what happens June 12. I am trying to figure out what the cheapest way is to watch TV. Meaning converter box and using HULU from computer for different shows and movies.

**Mckeekitty** · 06-04-2009, 07:38 PM

I am SO frustrated with this DTV situation!

We purchased two converter boxes with the government coupons...still cost us $20.00 for each box out-of-pocket. We scanned and re-scanned and re-scanned but kept receiving the "no signal" message. I called the manufacturers "help line" and was told that I probably needed to purchase some sort of alternative antenna.

I turned to the internet for assistance. I Googled "No Signal Converter Box" and received HUNDREDS of hits on how this is nothing but a scam and rip-off designed by the government and the digital broadcasting companies. I'm not sure if I buy that theory, but was astounded by the volume of articles on the topic. Some were mere vents, but others were extremely well-researched.

As such, we're prepared to abandon television altogether. We simply refuse to spend another dime and don't want to be held hostage to upgrade to cable or a new antenna or a digital TV.

A quick question...will I still be able to use our VCR/DVD player after the transition?

I could Google this, but you folks are the most brilliant bunch!

**frugalfranny** · 06-05-2009, 02:36 AM

Shoiji you said a regular antenna....does that mean one outside your house...on the roof?

I have the converter boxes and the 'rabbit ears' and get reception fine. Although with the older rabbit ears (the 'true' rabbit ears...with the two wires that stick up in the air) I get better reception than with the newer ones.......the flat type layout for the wires. So for the TV with the newer rabbit ears I am going to get the old style rabbit ears from a thrift shop and see if that will improve the reception.

As for the scanning thing......it didn't work.....I had to manually set the stations when I was setting it all up.

I will go without TV before I am forced to subscribe to cable.

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-05-2009, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

. So for the TV with the newer rabbit ears I am going to get the old style rabbit ears from a thrift shop and see if that will improve the reception.

You can get the old style at Walmart for less than $10.

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-05-2009, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mckeekitty

A quick question...will I still be able to use our VCR/DVD player after the transition?

Yes/no depending upon how you have it set up.

If you have it hooked up to a TV that is hooked up to a converter box (or has its own internally), you will be fine.

**mombottoo** · 06-07-2009, 01:05 PM

There is an article in our today's newspaper giving instructions for how to build your own DTV antenna. The guy built 2 of them for $4...the rest of the stuff came from around his house. Regular antennas won't work with the DTV boxes.

**shoiji** · 06-10-2009, 02:39 PM

It will be interesting to see what happens after June 12. There are antenna outside on the roofs of the apartment complex I live in. Unfortunately for some reason they took out what you would hook it up to inside. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to get better reception after the 12th.