Newbie Knowledge Needed

[crysto4]

Hello Fools... :-)


I never have dealt with antennas, converter boxes or anything but Fios and Cablevision. These guys just charge WAY too much for what I need.
I can see keeping basic service but would like to at least eliminate all but perhaps one box? MAYBE all of that service??? I have 4 flat screen TVs and one analog that is rarely used. two others are not used much and the other two are.

I'd like advice on which attic/rooftop type antenna and converter box would work FIRST with the analog TV but would also work best with the digitals. Basic channels are really all I use up to 50 or so with Cablevision here in northern N.J. about 20 miles from N.Y.C.

I have a nice FIOS plate on the wall in my garage that splits to all these TVs. I'd also like to know what EXTRA wires I might need to work this system of pre-existing runs to each TV. Heck, the cables are there but I'd have to run from the attic to the FIOS box area on the wall.

Can anyone give me suggestions on the best stuff to use? Within reason of course as I see you can go thru hundreds. I could stay near a hundred or so per box but again, one analog and the rest digitals. Are there two different boxes? are special connectors or splitters and ANY other suggestions would be great. I have read so many reviews of boxes and antennas that I feel like the kid on the Exorcist when her head started spinning around.

Thanks for any good advice you might have to offer/share.

Chris

[teleview]

First before can move forward to the end result , Known as , Reliable Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels reception.

Please make a tvfool radar plot report.

Make the antenna height 25 feet above ground.

Use the Exact address to make the tvfool radar plot report.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=4.

[crysto4]

Well, I guess this png file is what you need then, eh?

Hope the attachment works!

Thanks

[teleview]

Based on the - picture - of the tvfool radar plot report , not the real and actual tvfool radar plot report as requested.

Based on the 15 foot antenna height , not the 25 foot antenna height as requested.

The Tv signal strengths at your location are Very Strong Signal Strengths , Many , Many , Many , Digital Tv stations/channels will be received.

Install a Winegard HD7000R antenna above the roof in such a manner that the roof or the house is not blocking reception of any direction.

Aim a HD7000R antenna at about 102 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com.


NO preamplifier is required to be connected to the antenna.

For 1 tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a common simple 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a common simple 4 way splitter.
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If ->Any<-> Fios or cable tv service is active , be it Tv channels , internet service , phone service , or Any other type or kind service is active.

Then Do Not Connect the Tv Antenna to the coax or coaxes that have active services.

The Tv Antenna system is a Separate system.

Yes the coaxes that are in or on the house can be used to get the Tv antenna signal from point A to point B.
____________________________________________

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install the HD7000R antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

For your location that is All directions.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , some times named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Here is a simple digital to analog converter box , RCA DTA800B1 at Walmart.

Here are converter boxes that do more ,

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.epvision.com.

[crysto4]

Sorry I couldn't see the possible way to reach 25 foot elevation as access is the issue. Agreed that I didn't follow instructions but put in the elevation I could access.

In my original post, I was asking as well whether a box to buy would handle digital to analog and if special connectors and cable are required as I don't know whether connectors to antenna are the same as for cable.

You like the HD 7000 but I'm curious whether there is one out there that is not only adequate, but better for use with analog and digital.

I want to do this once and not "fool" around with lesser equipment than will get the best results.

I attach the new pic as originally requested and apologise for not following directions the first time. I only put the other in due to actual possible elevation I can get to.

Thanks for any additional info. you might provide based on the limited response education I have with this.

CJ

[teleview]

25 feet antenna height is a reference point height.

The signals are strong at your location , 15 feet or so will be fine for antenna height.
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Coax cable connectors and the coax connectors used with Tv antenna systems are the same. Coax with connectors on the ends will be Ok for connection hookup.

The coax connectors are the same for digital or analog.
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The HD7000R is the best antenna for your location because your location has Tv channels in All three Tv bands of ,

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

The HD7000R is a All band antenna that is not all that directional and that is what is required at your location , a antenna that is not too directional so as to receive the Tv transmissions from other directions around the compass.
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There is No Such antenna as a digital tv antenna.

There is No such antenna as a HD antenna.

A antenna will Receive Both digital and analog.

A HD7000R that is labeled for digital HD reception is the Same as a HD7000R that is not labeled for digital HD reception.

And the Same is true for other antennas.

HD Digital Antennas were invented in markting departs as a way to sell more antennas.

People respond to 'Key Words'.

So markting departments use 'Key Words' so you will buy.

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I provided some Digital to Analog converter boxes to use with older Analog Tv's that you might have or any Tv's that do not have a Digital Broadcast Tv Tuner.

Or perhaps you would like a box that does more the the basic functions of changing channels and controlling volume , your choices.

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Any questions that you have are Ok.

However please note , it is possible to ask questions to the point that one comes to a standstill and also talk ones self into a stand still.

The best way is to get practical and useful information , as is happening here , and then Go For It.

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You will not be using any of Fios system equipment or cable tv equipment with the antenna system.

Yes use the coax with connectors on the ends because the Tv antenna signals need to get from the antenna to the Tv's.

[crysto4]

Say, you've rattled off the info. I need seemingly effortlessly and I honestly appreciate your time. The only reason I mentioned the FIOS was that when I had it, they installed a panel that has all the home runs attached right there at one split location. I was going to run the new cable line from the antenna down to that point for simple reconnection. You've provided me with all info. and the point where I got stuck a lot where you referenced stand still was looking at user reviews of boxes and you've mentioned the 7000R so I'm good there. I can get a converter box for the old analog TV like you say but is there a specific one (you mentioned the RCA DTA800B1. This one you would use for the analog TV. Which ones might toy use for a digital TV. If I test one out, and based on your advice, I only want to buy one as a test unit and see how it goes but if I like it, I'd prefer to not wish I had purchased the "other" unit. Any reccomendations on any boxes for digital TV based on this description? I won't be spending more than a 150.00 or so I guess. I'd like to also plan for a unit that might record and actually seems to get some of the cable channels if possible.
What are my limitations on channels please and could you name a couple units that are the better units?

Thanks very much !

Chris

[GroundUrMast]

Televisions built since March 1, 2007 are required to have ATSC tuners (the standard for Over the Air broadcasting). So, your newer 'digital' TVs should not need any converter. Read the manual to see how your TV is to be set for reception of OTA (not cable).

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner_2.html

Of the standard definition converter I've had experience with, the Zenith DTT901 has been the best performer. Sadly it is in short supply and the price has skyrocketed. If you can find one new for less than $100 you're doing very well. Given the price of the standard definition product, you might as well consider a high definition capable product such as the Channel Master CM-7001. http://www.channelmasterstore.com/HD_Antenna_Tuner_CM_7001_p/cm-7001.htm

[elmo]

As for the old SD analog TV, IMO, it's probably time to upgrade if you are looking for a converter. Why spend money to get a sub-par picture? If you had one of the freebie converters, then maybe keep it around. But would you really watch SD when you have HD in the house? Panels under 40" have come down quite a bit and can present you with a good HD picture w/o an external box and yet another remote to lose. :D

[crysto4]

Well first, I have TVs all over the house and this old Trinitron works fine. No reason to off it an use it in the selected area only a couple times a month. THATs the reason.

I was just at a friends house today who no longer uses Dish TV but has the dish and an old Dish HD antenna on the top of it he gave me. He said it was supposed to be what Dish sold at the time as a backup unit. I cannot find it by searching the only two numbers I hind on it. Its a Winegard wing with bent up ends and numbers 2412225 ans 2412238 on it.

Is anyone familiar with this antenna? If its any good then maybe I dont need to buy one right now and have one worth using? Does this unit sound like anything any of you have dealt with before?

Thanks - CJ

[GroundUrMast]

If you already own some sort of antenna, try it. If it fails to perform well, the HD7000R suggested by @teleview is a very good choice.

[crysto4]

Okay then... I've had a lot of time to think about what has been suggested here.
I am now thinking a little differently on what I should be ready for.
I would like the unit for set to be a useful item for a digital tv. Is this meaning I'd need to consider DVR? If so, is there one that has good reviews? Will it work on my analog tv? From what I've read, I think it should but look to your voices to confirm.
I also would like to start with an indoor attic antenna which would simply be the easiest to install. I'd like it to also work on digital TVs. The 7000R has been mentioned as a great unit but I wonder if I decide to eliminate cable boxes what impact hooking an antenna to more than one tv could be? How many antennas could I possibly need? If I decide I get enough tv with the analog I'll assume the same could be expected of digital tvs? I probably won't need set-top boxes for the digital tvs but ask that with my new consideration of the task of which I'm about ready to pull the trigger on which are solidly reccomended boxes (DVR type) and attic antennas and for multiple tvs is more than one antenna advised?
Thanks,
CJ

[elmo]

Okay then... I've had a lot of time to think about what has been suggested here.
I am now thinking a little differently on what I should be ready for.
I would like the unit for set to be a useful item for a digital tv. Is this meaning I'd need to consider DVR? If so, is there one that has good reviews? Will it work on my analog tv? From what I've read, I think it should but look to your voices to confirm.
I also would like to start with an indoor attic antenna which would simply be the easiest to install. I'd like it to also work on digital TVs. The 7000R has been mentioned as a great unit but I wonder if I decide to eliminate cable boxes what impact hooking an antenna to more than one tv could be? How many antennas could I possibly need? If I decide I get enough tv with the analog I'll assume the same could be expected of digital tvs? I probably won't need set-top boxes for the digital tvs but ask that with my new consideration of the task of which I'm about ready to pull the trigger on which are solidly reccomended boxes (DVR type) and attic antennas and for multiple tvs is more than one antenna advised?
Thanks,
CJ

I'll take a shot at answering some of your questions here. I think maybe all the lingo scrambled by marketing is confusing you some.

Any TV antenna works for you. Your father's old TV antenna from 1978 would tune HDTV just fine. Don't let the marketing guys melt your brain! You want one that pulls UHF+VHF.....just like dear old dad's.

As for how many TV's can you feed with one antenna, it depends on the signal strength and how much loss you get down the line. The beauty of doing this yourself is that you hook up one, check it out, then insert a splitter and try another. At worst, you can add an amp down the road. If you can home run the cable into a close and split out from there, that's usually the best setup.

As for how many antennas, start with one. You have signals all over you. I'm guessing you can see a tower out the window too. I don't think it'll take much to get a ton of channels. I'm not sure I've seen such a channel filled plot before. The HD7000R should resonate as soon as you pull it out of the box! :D

Set top boxes are for cable - those go away. You'll be tuning digital.

Get that going, then look into DVRs. That way, you don't get too many factors in the mix at once. After all TV's can get plenty of channels, you can look into DVR's. We have 3 TV's. One uses a Windows Media Center 7 PC for DVR duties - it's the big one we watch the most. A smaller one just gets a coax antenna feed. Same for the 3rd, which also has a Roku attached to it. I use devices called HDHomeruns that puts the TV signal on my local area network. It feeds the WMC PC and it also lets us watch TV on our laptops. I'm a computer guy so I like that setup. If you want something more plug n play, there's OTA DVR's out there. I think Tivo and Channel Master each have some. The prices may not seem very cheap, but when you cost them out over a couple years, they're dirt cheap vs the cable boxes you pay for now.

[crysto4]

Hey folks,
I wanted to thank you for the information you've furnished so far!
I'll be running a cable from where the cable comes to the old FIOS box which right now is used only as a giant splitter for cablevision. I figured I could pull the cable thru the same penetration as the exist. one. I hope it fits! Thats the first test. I have an antenna on the way and will most likely just buy a cheap box as suggested. The higher end digital ones seem to not be to good from reviews I've read. THEN I'll find if this antenna ends in the attic or outside on the roof. I'm not sure which way will be easier right now. I have underground electric and cable so I'd have to drape the line down and run behind gutter, along facia, etc. to get to the ground penetration to the house. I got a bad feeling about the penetration size though...

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again -

[crysto4]

Well, I'm pleased to say that over this nice weekend I was able to determine that the antenna should go on the roof and put it up on the chimney. I ran cable along crest of roofline, down along edge of roof and over to and behind downspout to bottom where I buried it and fed it in thru the penetration where the fios cable was. Made a run to pick up a channelmaster 7000 for 40.00. It was new with all plastic covers still on plastic surfaces, etc.
I plugged it in, did the scan and came up with over 50 channels... Some Asian, some Spanich but all clear as can be on this old Trinitron.
I have a "smart" t.v. I gave to my daughter with no cable box. It's just plugged into the wall. I gotta see what she gets now that way and unplug so to reset with this antenna and see what she then gets. I don't know what the difference will be but am exited to find out-

Be back soon -

CJ

[elmo]

:D

Congrats!