DVB-T Indoor Aerial connections

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JimmyH

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#21713 4-May-2008 21:20

Hi

I have hooked up a the necessary hardware (a Hauppage HVR 900) to my computer, it is working in analog, and I am in the process of installing software to decode freeview. However, while the TV reception we get around here is generally pretty good, the picture I am getting off of the dinky wee aerial that shipped with it is awful in analog UHF (OK in VHF) and won't pick up the digital signal off Mount Kaukau at all. Clearly I need a better antenna, and since connection to my roof aerial from the study is logistically impractical, it needs to be an indoor one. Couple of questions for the tinkerers/experts:

1. does anyone have any recommendations on which aerials I should consider (or avoid!)

2. should I go for an aerial that plugs in and amplifies the system, or should this be unnecessary (I am only walking distance from Kaukau, but down in a "dip" so it's almost but not quite ling of sight to the tower.

Looking forward to any thoughts people may have.

Spyware

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#128486 4-May-2008 22:02

I found the dinky little aerial to be useless and also found rabbit ears to be useless (16 km from sugarloaf).

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mentalinc

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#128490 4-May-2008 22:09

rabbit ears are not designe for UHF you need a UHF aeril should do the job

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eXDee

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#128553 5-May-2008 11:22

Something similar to this should do the job fine i'd imagine. Its only 220x220 so its not that big either, but its quite expensive.
Or this might work, but someone else here had success with using the above aerial sitting at their window.

mentalinc

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#128582 5-May-2008 13:23

eXDee: this might work, but someone else here had success with using the above aerial sitting at their window.

This is what i use - I am about 14Km as the crow flies from waiatarua (auckland) and it seems to work fine through a wall.

Ie its on the floor below a window beside a power point behind a wall.

But the other is only $10 but requires power.

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GOrmsby

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#129608 9-May-2008 09:54

Actually rabbit ears ARE able to pick up the frequencies. I have just finished setting up my friend's FreeviewHD on his PC and he gets PERFECT reception with rabbit ears (although he can see the Waiatarua transmitter 16km from his window).

Although rabbit ears are VHF, the transmitters are apparently very strong and if you have line of sight, should be able to use them without a problem. Also talked to another friend who said he gets perfect picture with rabbit ears too, using a set top box.

richms

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#129803 10-May-2008 02:34

I have only had luck with rabbits ears on UHF when totally retracted and almost parallel, then moving it around will usually have one place where one channel is perfect and the rest are ok, but I think the junk cable they use on them is acting as an antenna as much as the bits of metal on the end ;)

I can use a paperclip for an antenna here in beach haven, line of sight to the waiatarua tower from upstairs, but still get lock and only occasional pixelation with it downstairs. Its what I am using since I have to get new modulators to put them onto channels that dont conflict with dvb broadcasts before I can use the roof antenna.

edit: and dont pay that dse price for that piece of overpriced coathanger, go to your $2 shop - they will have something there most likly (not the $2 shop branded ones, the ones staffed by asians and all sorts of things)

Richard rich.ms