Using DVB-T USB devices without an outdoor TV antenna.

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ssamjh

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#152150 17-Sep-2014 18:03

The title explains it. Is it possible to use this without a TV antenna on your roof. We don't have one. I remember before the digital switchover, we used to get REALLY good TV coverage. Would this work? Has anyone tried it without a TV antenna. If you have one could you please try and see if it works?

Thanks,
Sam

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garbonzai

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#1130897 17-Sep-2014 18:34

It depends on your reception, (where you live) how close, line of sight to transmitter, not the decoder/TV/DVT-B etc,

To use a DVB-T stick, you must have it connected to a PC that can decode H.264 ok, then the PC connected to a TV (if you want to watch on a TV)

I have a DVB-T stick, and if I use the little supplied aerial, I have to go outside or near a window with laptop facing towards the transmitter, It works fine plugged into main aerial socket though.

Honestly, if it's for a analog TV, get a freeview box and install a outside aerial or buy a good indoor one or buy a digital TV and install a aerial.

Read for more->,

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=84&topicId=128822

Cheers

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charsleysa

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#1130900 17-Sep-2014 18:35

Will it work? Yes.

Will it work well with the provided antenna? No.

If you don't have an outdoor TV antenna then get a proper indoor UHF antenna.

Regards
Stefan Andres Charsley

ssamjh

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#1130904 17-Sep-2014 18:39

This may seem weird, but we don't even have a TV. So I was just looking for a cheap way to watch TV. And I would watch TVNZ ondemand, but our internet cap is only 30GB /month.

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garbonzai

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#1130905 17-Sep-2014 18:39

Here's a coverage map, but it is for out door UHF reception

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/coverage.aspx

ssamjh

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#1130916 17-Sep-2014 18:43

Whitianga, Coromandel - Quic "Sprinter" UFB - Ref (free setup): R893192EGADLZ

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garbonzai

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#1130927 17-Sep-2014 19:06

If you have a fairly modern laptop or PC with a good video card, then your ok there, so it's reception, have a look at your which way your neighbours aerials face and you have good line of sight/distance to transmitter and a window near where your pc is you might be ok, do you have a mate with a small tv and aerial to test??

Otherwise, it's $16, if theres no reception you can always sell it, at lest your know for future you will need a decent UHF aerial.

Good luck

JimmyH

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#1130937 17-Sep-2014 19:18

My bedroom TV works off an indoor aerial.

If you have a good signal AND a good indoor aerial (not the one that came with your USB stick) then it might work. You need to look for a decent quality amplified antenna with quite a bit of gain. I went through about three until I found one that worked consistently, and had to do quite a bit of faffing around to get it orientated correctly for reliable reception on all channels. From memory, it was a largish flat panel job with over 50db of gain, and cost circa $100. I can check the brand if it's of interest.

toprob

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#1130939 17-Sep-2014 19:19

ssamjh: This may seem weird, but we don't even have a TV. So I was just looking for a cheap way to watch TV. And I would watch TVNZ ondemand, but our internet cap is only 30GB /month.

I'm in the same position, I originally had a PCI DVB-S at the previous house, as there was no terrestrial reception, but now I've shifted I bought a cheap USB TV with a mini aerial (not the same as yours) it works great most of the time. However I've taped the aerial to the window, facing the transmitter, which is just across the harbour.

Prime is a bit hit and miss -- sometimes fine, sometimes it breaks up, and there's nothing more annoying that recording Doctor Who and not being able to watch it...

The other end of the house is well-serviced with both satellite and terrestrial, and my flatmate has Igloo in the lounge, but we don't like the same shows.

ssamjh

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#1130940 17-Sep-2014 19:23

I'm pretty sure we can see the Te Aroha TV ariel

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ssamjh

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#1130942 17-Sep-2014 19:24

Out my bedroom window

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leaplae

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#1130948 17-Sep-2014 19:33

I have managed to use the supplied antenna indoors, and I am quite a distance from the transmitter.

JoshWright

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#1130995 17-Sep-2014 20:25

I live quite some distance from Te Aroha, between Hamilton and Cambridge actually and found that the little aerial that came with my PCTV 73e kinda works indoors, but isn't overly pleasant. As soon as you step outdoors it's great. If you have a line of sight to Te Aroha you should have better results than me. Like others have said you can always try it and sell the receiver if it doesn't work. I once tried my receiver indoors at a family member's home that was very close to the tower on Waitaker ranges in West Auckland. Worked perfectly indoors.

ssamjh

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#1131006 17-Sep-2014 20:49

Sounds like I'm in luck! Thanks everyone!

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