Igloo & using amplified UHF HD indoor

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Goosey

2830 posts

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#137935 13-Dec-2013 18:18

Right folks, can pretty much guess the ultimate answer however I need to ask before trying to remotely find someone to do the install.

So I brought the in laws an IGLOO STB and plugged in a DDS401 amplified indoor UHF antenna (powered) DVB-T compatible / freeview approved.

This type can be positioned vertically or horizontally.

Horizontal - I can get all the freebie 30day channels and media works channels, no tvnz.
Vertical - I can get all the freebie 30day channels and 4 free to air tvnz channels but no mediaworks.
I've bit the side knob cranked it the max and suspect this is the gain control.

Should I answer my own question and get a refund on the sixty pinger antenna from Noel lemming and get an outdoor installed for the few hundy.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#951844 13-Dec-2013 19:21

Sounds like it's worthwhile moving it about a bit in the room to find the best spot. What you get vertical or horizontal depends on where you are and which transmitter gives best signal e.g. Waiatarua (horizontal) or Sky Tower (vertical) if you're in Auckland and can see both.
If all that fails then Plan B, the outdoor antenna sounds good though you probably only nead a 21 el or phased array llike these
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial/terrestrial-aerials-c-11/conventional-aerials.html
also good list of transmitters here
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial/terrestrial-aerials-c-11/conventional-aerials.html

P.S. Dick Smith often has these on sale for $50 or less. Good value at the cheaper sale price.
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/antennas/dick-smith-hd-uhf-outdoor-antenna-pack-dsnz-l4735

SATTV

1648 posts

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#951872 13-Dec-2013 19:45

Take the antenna back if you can, they only work in very high signal areas.
If you are in a less than perfect area i.e. line of site to transmitter you will need a decent aerial installer that has proper gear to locate the aerial in the perfect spot. UHF can be hit and miss at the best of times, I saw a signal in the dirt, moved it down the same pole about 3/4 of a meter and the needle was hard on full.
The installer will need a field strength meter that can decode digital to get the bit error rate as low as possible.
If the installer does not have this kit, it will be hit and miss.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

SATTV

1648 posts

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#951873 13-Dec-2013 19:45

I know enough to be dangerous

Apsattv

2389 posts

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#952632 15-Dec-2013 18:30

My testing of one found it pretty useless
http://www.nzdtv.com/forum/showthread.php?4767-Review-DDS401-Amplified-Indoor-Antenna