Indoor antenna VS indoor amplified antenna's

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Indoor antenna VS indoor amplified antenna's

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#65629 4-Aug-2010 20:35

I have an indoor antenna in my room, and i get pretty poor reception.. channel 3 is really good, 2 and C4 are watchable, but not much more.

I live 30 minutes north of Christchurch, and was just wondering what an amplified antenna would preform like out here?

Thanks

3.06ghz Celeron(gonna overclock to 3.8ish)

1gb ddr 400

30gb hard drive(upgrading(

Computer made from parts i have lying around.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#363241 4-Aug-2010 20:45

It depends entirely on how far you are from a transmitter or translator.

Typically speaking indoor antennas deliver poor results - it doesn't matter if they're amplified or non amplified. For digital TV if you are in a good coverage area they can work well, but for analogue TV it's pretty hard to ever get a decent picture.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10207

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#363305 4-Aug-2010 22:20

If you are not using digital then the question is why not.

You could try lots of messing around to get a few lousy analog channels, or get a freeview box and get them all, better with an indoor antenna in many cases.

just check that the indoor antenna is able to do UHF, the rabbit ears ones are VHF only unless they have other loops or bits on them.

Richard rich.ms

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#363407 5-Aug-2010 07:38

i havnt got a freeview box, so i just tune in and get what i can...

3.06ghz Celeron(gonna overclock to 3.8ish)

1gb ddr 400

30gb hard drive(upgrading(

Computer made from parts i have lying around.

cyril7

9073 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2499

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#363464 5-Aug-2010 08:58

What type of TV do you have, ie size and technology

Cyril

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#363751 5-Aug-2010 16:24

its an oldish 29" crt, brand is RCA it is big and heavy

3.06ghz Celeron(gonna overclock to 3.8ish)

1gb ddr 400

30gb hard drive(upgrading(

Computer made from parts i have lying around.

cyril7

9073 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2499

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#363764 5-Aug-2010 17:06

Oh ok, so not really much use in moving to FreeView, but personally I cannot be bothered watching analog anymore, compromised image shape, normally noisy pics unless heaps of signal, and no HD (if only on selected shows on 1,2 and 3).

Cyril

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#364075 6-Aug-2010 09:48

If its your own house (or ask the landlord) wack a proper UHF antenna on the roof, Were you are reception to Sugarloaf tower isn't a problem unless you have interferance with something ie. large trees, powerplant etc
And when your ready or when the analog is switched off you can get yourself a freeview HD box.

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

revolushn

128 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

#364084 6-Aug-2010 10:03

I don't want to Hijack the OP's thread, but I was just about to post a very similar question.

This is my TV.

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kdl-40ex400

It's mainly used for xbox which is sweet, that's why i bought it. But what sort of indoor aerial will allow me to pick up freeview? I can get prime with my bunny ears but not very well.

Cheers

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 145

Trusted

#365539 9-Aug-2010 18:22

It needs to be a UHF antenna, and a more directional one should give you a better signal to noise ratio. Outdoor antenna is usually best, but get one good enough for the signal strength at your place. Your landlord might be willing to help since its an improvement to the house.

Time to find a new industry!

revolushn

128 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

#365754 10-Aug-2010 08:30

There is a UHF aerial on the roof (i guess as the tv in the lounge gets Prime), there is just no cable into my room. In saying that though, the tv hooked up to the roof doesn't get GREAT reception, and i get crackly prime on my budget $20 bunny ears in my room

Know of any particular models that are better than others, going into JB I just get shown the aerials with the guys saying oh yeah they are all pretty much a muchness...

cyril7

9073 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2499

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#365763 10-Aug-2010 08:49

You would be better off spending your money on getting the roof antenna feed to your room rather than invest in a set of bunny ears.

Cyril