Digital Broadcast TV Experience

#1
salutethehill

salutethehill

by hatchet, axe, and saw
Joined
Aug 18, 2006
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#1
My wife and I realized the other day that we never watch TV, and we're paying UVerse $800-$1K / year for something we never use. When we do watch something, it's typically on Netflix or on the computer. The only time I MIGHT need cable is during football season, but even then I'm either at the game, or at a friend's house, or watching it on the computer, which I can hook up to the TV. So we decided to scrap cable and roll with a free digital setup.

I started with an el cheapo RCA indoor antenna, and it yielded el cheapo results - 5 channels (3 of the local religious broadcasts, and 2 of a local CBS affiliate knock-off, WMYI).

That wasn't gonna fly, so I talked to a friend who had someone GIVE him a large outdoor antenna. He splayed it out in his attic, and gets pretty good results (>20 channels). We got one last night for ~$85, I put it together in our living room (that sucka is HUGE), stood on the back porch and held it up while my woman scanned for channels. We got 20, including a few NBCs, CBSs, ABCs, FOXs, and several PBS channels out of NC and SC (I live in upstate SC). That was good, though I know of 1 other local channel that's still missing. I'm gonna jam it up in the attic, which is higher than I was standing - but not outside - and see how that does. I may stand on the roof with it too and see if it's a noticeable difference. I don't really want this thing sticking up outside of my house if it's not gonna make much difference.

Anyway, what's y'alls experience with these antennas? Any suggestions? Successes? Failures?
 
#2
#2
1. Broadcast digital is great quality

2. Even with a $30 directional set top antenna I was able to get 10+ channels.

$85 is a small price to pay for the experiment. :hi:
 
#3
#3
salutethehill said:
My wife and I realized the other day that we never watch TV, and we're paying UVerse $800-$1K / year for something we never use. When we do watch something, it's typically on Netflix or on the computer. The only time I MIGHT need cable is during football season, but even then I'm either at the game, or at a friend's house, or watching it on the computer, which I can hook up to the TV. So we decided to scrap cable and roll with a free digital setup.

I started with an el cheapo RCA indoor antenna, and it yielded el cheapo results - 5 channels (3 of the local religious broadcasts, and 2 of a local CBS affiliate knock-off, WMYI).

That wasn't gonna fly, so I talked to a friend who had someone GIVE him a large outdoor antenna. He splayed it out in his attic, and gets pretty good results (>20 channels). We got one last night for ~$85, I put it together in our living room (that sucka is HUGE), stood on the back porch and held it up while my woman scanned for channels. We got 20, including a few NBCs, CBSs, ABCs, FOXs, and several PBS channels out of NC and SC (I live in upstate SC). That was good, though I know of 1 other local channel that's still missing. I'm gonna jam it up in the attic, which is higher than I was standing - but not outside - and see how that does. I may stand on the roof with it too and see if it's a noticeable difference. I don't really want this thing sticking up outside of my house if it's not gonna make much difference.

Anyway, what's y'alls experience with these antennas? Any suggestions? Successes? Failures?
Click to expand...

what's the benefit of going from 5 to 10 or 20 channels, if they are just different broadcast staions for NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox
 
#4
#4
vol_in_ar said:
what's the benefit of going from 5 to 10 or 20 channels, if they are just different broadcast staions for NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox
Click to expand...

They don't show the same programming. In my area, NBC is channel 4. On digital antenna, the channels come across as 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 etc. They're all owned by the local NBC affiliate, but they all show completely different programs.

It's wierd.
 
#5
#5
Thanks, but I'll just stay with my TV in HD for now. I don't think I want to go back to the stone age of TV viewing with an antenna that gets 10 snowy channels.
 
#6
#6
W.TN.Orange Blood said:
Thanks, but I'll just stay with my TV in HD for now. I don't think I want to go back to the stone age of TV viewing with an antenna that gets 10 snowy channels.
Click to expand...

I don't think you understand. National Television is broadcast over the airwaves in HD. Once you get a picture, there is no real issue with snow or what not.

To the OP my parents used to have one in the early HD days to get local channels because satellite didn't have them or something. Worked well. My buddy also had just a regular set top size that allowed him to watch NFL football with ease. The picture was sharp, and he had little trouble getting a signal.
 
#7
#7
I'll have to figure out exactly what model I have in the attic but I believe it's this one. We pick up dozens of channels on it. Sure some are duplicates but you just eliminate those from your lineup.
W.TN.Orange Blood said:
Thanks, but I'll just stay with my TV in HD for now. I don't think I want to go back to the stone age of TV viewing with an antenna that gets 10 snowy channels.
Click to expand...

the HD received by an antenna is probably better quality (and much, much cheaper) than what you're getting from your cable company.
 
#9
#9
salutethehill said:
My wife and I realized the other day that we never watch TV, and we're paying UVerse $800-$1K / year for something we never use. When we do watch something, it's typically on Netflix or on the computer. The only time I MIGHT need cable is during football season, but even then I'm either at the game, or at a friend's house, or watching it on the computer, which I can hook up to the TV. So we decided to scrap cable and roll with a free digital setup.

I started with an el cheapo RCA indoor antenna, and it yielded el cheapo results - 5 channels (3 of the local religious broadcasts, and 2 of a local CBS affiliate knock-off, WMYI).

That wasn't gonna fly, so I talked to a friend who had someone GIVE him a large outdoor antenna. He splayed it out in his attic, and gets pretty good results (>20 channels). We got one last night for ~$85, I put it together in our living room (that sucka is HUGE), stood on the back porch and held it up while my woman scanned for channels. We got 20, including a few NBCs, CBSs, ABCs, FOXs, and several PBS channels out of NC and SC (I live in upstate SC). That was good, though I know of 1 other local channel that's still missing. I'm gonna jam it up in the attic, which is higher than I was standing - but not outside - and see how that does. I may stand on the roof with it too and see if it's a noticeable difference. I don't really want this thing sticking up outside of my house if it's not gonna make much difference.

Anyway, what's y'alls experience with these antennas? Any suggestions? Successes? Failures?
Click to expand...

You basically described my situation from over a year ago. The wife and I were just not watching cable enough to warrant keeping it. I just have a little set top rabbit ear thing that picks up about 10 channels. The only local broadcasts we don't pick up are the PBS stations which I would like. It is kind of annoying because it has to be readjusted depending on the channel but we (well, just me really) only use it for football/basketbal so its not an everyday annoyance. I might look into a bigger antenna in the future. It's low on the priority list though.

Both my sisters families have dumped cable as well. It's funny because my mom, despite growing up without cable, doesn't understand how we get along without it. I think there is a whole generation of cord cutters out there who ironically grew up with cable while the boomers who grew up without it can't comprehend cutting it. Now that Google and Apple both are seriously exploring live television options its just going to get worse for the cable/dish companies.
 
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#10
#10
As soon as my DirecTV contract is up, my wife and I are dumping cable. All the shows we watch are available either on Hulu or Netflix, I get sports through ESPN3, and I put a splitter on my internet coax, ran one to the cable modem, and one to the TV, and I pick up all the local cable providers basic run of channels up to about channel 100. Plus, if I do want to buy a show on iTunes or something, $30 for a season is much cheaper than what I would pay to cable programming.

About 6 months ago, we were paying anywhere between $120-$150 for DirecTV every month. We pared it down to the barebones package, and are down to $75/month. Will be nice to cut that cord completely in about a year.
 
#11
#11
I don't see myself ever completely cutting the cord on Directv. I have had it for years and love it, plus I love my NFL Sunday Ticket. My wife and I don't go to movies often or go out and spend a lot of money on other stuff, so TV is our splurge.
 
#12
#12
We haven't found a channel we miss since ditching cable. We actually watch a whole lot less tv than before. It takes a while to get dialed in but we have 3-4 shows we watch on netflix/hulu and will only watch 1-2 episodes a night just to stretch it out
 
#13
#13
My wife thought she would miss HGTV. I thought I would miss History. Once you cut back you do t miss the things you thought you would.
 
#14
#14
salutethehill said:
Says the guy who obviously has zero experience with digital broadcast tv. The picture quality is great.
Click to expand...

Some people don't realize you can get HD with just an antenna. I live in the same area as you & 13 (ABC) is the only channel I had issues with. When cable/Internet is on the fritz I pull out the antenna. It's an amplified plug in type. I can also hook my phone up to the tv for espn, Netflix, hbo, or whatever.
 
#16
#16
milohimself said:
Can't speak for HGTV, but history channel has been pure garbage for like 5-6 years now
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pawn-stars-richard-harrison_475x240.jpg
 
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#17
#17
milohimself said:
Can't speak for HGTV, but history channel has been pure garbage for like 5-6 years now
Click to expand...

Oh it was mindless dribble that I just turned on to veg to. Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ancient Aliens, etc...

As I said, I don't miss it.
 
#18
#18
For those who haven't tried it - the HD broadcast signal is very pure; generally better than satellite or cable. Amazing what a crappy little antenna can do - I have the original Zenith Silver Sensor indoor antenna that I paid about 20 bucks for - it brings in an amazing picture.
 
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#19
#19
PotS said:
As soon as my DirecTV contract is up, my wife and I are dumping cable. All the shows we watch are available either on Hulu or Netflix, I get sports through ESPN3, and I put a splitter on my internet coax, ran one to the cable modem, and one to the TV, and I pick up all the local cable providers basic run of channels up to about channel 100. Plus, if I do want to buy a show on iTunes or something, $30 for a season is much cheaper than what I would pay to cable programming.

About 6 months ago, we were paying anywhere between $120-$150 for DirecTV every month. We pared it down to the barebones package, and are down to $75/month. Will be nice to cut that cord completely in about a year.
Click to expand...

ESPN3 is now WatchESPN and you pretty much have to have TV services for this now...ESPN3 is really no long available (stupidest thing ever if you ask me), then I have comcast and they're putting encryption on the basic of cable channels. Again stupid, was tempted to try this route.
 
#20
#20
jwp1223 said:
ESPN3 is now WatchESPN and you pretty much have to have TV services for this now...ESPN3 is really no long available (stupidest thing ever if you ask me), then I have comcast and they're putting encryption on the basic of cable channels. Again stupid, was tempted to try this route.
Click to expand...

Or just know somebody with cable & use their login & password.
 
#21
#21
jwp1223 said:
ESPN3 is now WatchESPN and you pretty much have to have TV services for this now...ESPN3 is really no long available (stupidest thing ever if you ask me), then I have comcast and they're putting encryption on the basic of cable channels. Again stupid, was tempted to try this route.
Click to expand...

... Ok, yes, I'm aware it's now officially called watch ESPN, old names die hard, but it's available through your ISP, not cable (they are the same in some circumstances).

So are you saying if you unplug your cable modem and screw the coax into your TV, you don't get a certain selection of channels?
 
#23
#23
PotS said:
... Ok, yes, I'm aware it's now officially called watch ESPN, old names die hard, but it's available through your ISP, not cable (they are the same in some circumstances).

So are you saying if you unplug your cable modem and screw the coax into your TV, you don't get a certain selection of channels?
Click to expand...

It may not be true in all areas but with charter in upstate SC you need cable tv programming with espn in order to use it. You can have charter Internet without any tv programming but you can't use watchESPN. *as for the coax question. If you just have Internet there's a filter they use to keep you from getting any cable channels with just the coax to TV. You get the same HD channels as an antenna this way as well as most basic cable channels just none in HD.
 
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#24
#24
jwp1223 said:
ESPN3 is now WatchESPN and you pretty much have to have TV services for this now...ESPN3 is really no long available (stupidest thing ever if you ask me), then I have comcast and they're putting encryption on the basic of cable channels. Again stupid, was tempted to try this route.
Click to expand...

unless they changed it very recently, pretty sure you just need a supported IP and it will work. You need either the IP or TV provider, but obviously if your ditching TV service, just a Watch ESPN IP will work
 
#25
#25
burntorangeVOLffle said:
My wife thought she would miss HGTV. I thought I would miss History. Once you cut back you do t miss the things you thought you would.
Click to expand...
we still get HGTV with the fios app on the xbox but really don't watch it much. Can't remember if we get History or not

jwp1223 said:
ESPN3 is now WatchESPN and you pretty much have to have TV services for this now...ESPN3 is really no long available (stupidest thing ever if you ask me), then I have comcast and they're putting encryption on the basic of cable channels. Again stupid, was tempted to try this route.
Click to expand...

you do not need to subscribe to a tv package to get WatchESPN. At least I know this is true with Verizon fios
 
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