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Old 6-Jul-2011, 10:03 PM   #1
cooldevo
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Antenna and

Since I have been getting our house ready for OTA my mother-in-law wanted to get some information on the feasibility at her house.

Here is the TV Fool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...03d9a8b8957a65

The antenna could be mounted in the attic or roof of a three floor (above ground-level) home, and would be run to several (4-5... maybe 6) TVs. She wants to have maximum coverage of channels and is willing to spend up to $200-300 for an antenna.

What antenna options would work for her? Because there are around a good number of tvs spread across all three floors would there be any other requirements like preamps?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 7-Jul-2011, 3:30 AM   #2
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

I have a question. Is the house connected to pay cable tv or pay satellite tv?? The location of the house is good for the reception of Some American and Canada stations. The pending applications included is showing that the American stations are Digital and the Canada stations are Analog.

Last edited by John Candle; 7-Jul-2011 at 3:53 AM.
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Old 7-Jul-2011, 4:24 AM   #3
Dave Loudin
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Again, I strongly recommend checking in with the OTA Forum at digitalhome.ca. They have the most expertise for this situation.
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Old 7-Jul-2011, 4:44 AM   #4
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

I have 40 plus years doing over the air reception in , Canada , USA and Mexico and I will be providing a clear and easy to understand and implement answer. The truth is that , Canada , USA and Mexico all use the Same - ATSC Digital and NTSC Analog OTA = Over The Air broadcast and reception system. I am working it up now and I think you will like the answer.

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Jul-2011 at 7:56 AM.
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Old 7-Jul-2011, 10:09 AM   #5
cooldevo
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John,

The house is currently connected to pay cable. Needing that many cable boxes ($4/month each) isn't feasible with the price she is paying for cable. And they won't cut her a deal.

she would like it to be as simple and straight forward as possible. ideally one antenna that could grab as much as possible. the antenna would be directly above the splinters visit (in basement) that sends it to the tvs. my concern is its a good distance of cable to each tv. I don't know exact distances other than 30-40 feet from the splitters.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 8:13 AM   #6
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

Ok for the American Tv stations here is my recommendation. I suggest a Winegard HD7698P with a Winegard HDP269 preamp , mounted above the roof , aimed at 179 true - 192 degree magnetic compass. http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper/ite...H-BAND-HD7698P , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper/search?keywords=hdp269 . Depending on number of Tv's that are connected , use a Channel Master CM3414 4 way distribution amp or CM3418 8 way distribution amp in the basement where you say the coax cables go out from to the Tv locations. Saveandreplay has the distribution amps , http://www.saveandreplay.com . Also put a 75 ohm terminator on any unused output ports of the distribution amp , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper/ite...rminator-85038 , 10 in a pack for $7.98. And now for the Canada Tv stations.

Last edited by John Candle; 8-Jul-2011 at 10:11 AM.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 8:27 AM   #7
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

Now for the Canada Tv stations. I recommend a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper/ite...V-Indoor-HDTVI at each Tv location where one will like to receive the Canada stations. Each indoor antenna will be aimed at about , 269 true - 282 degree magnetic compass. Each Tv location will have a Remote Control A/B antenna switch. http://www.saveandreplay.com has the remote control switches. At each Tv location the A/B switch will switch from the outdoor antenna coax to the indoor antenna.

Last edited by John Candle; 8-Jul-2011 at 8:30 AM.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 8:42 AM   #8
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

All my recommendations are based on the , Pending Applications Included. Pending applications included is showing the receivable Canada stations as Analog. And the receivable American Tv stations as Digital.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 8:52 AM   #9
John Candle
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As you know from reading the other question askers questions , The antenna Must Not be connected to any type or kind of active cable system services . The cable line that brings cable Tv in to the house must be disconnected from the house coax wiring and then the house coax system wiring can be used for the outdoor antenna.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 1:42 PM   #10
cooldevo
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Thanks John.

A couple quick questions (out of ignorance most likely).
- Will the Canadian analog channels be going digital from Analog this August during the transition?
- Would it be possible to put an attic/roof mount for the Canadian channels and run a joiner (or something) to combine the two feeds onto one coax?

I got some more information from her with regards to her plans, which forms part of the reason I'm asking the questions above. She is wanting to turn the house into a Bed and Breakfast in the next little while, and would prefer to present a 'seamless' TV experience and not have guests needing to turn a switch for watching TV. She also has concerns in having an indoor antenna/switch at each TV in the guest rooms.

If it's not possible she may just have to adapt what you recommended as best as can be done. Regardless, thanks a lot for all your assistance.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 3:24 PM   #11
Dave Loudin
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While you have gotten great advice so far, your best resource for all things related to Canadian OTA is at digitalhome.ca. It is a thriving community that keeps up with the very latest developments in the transition to digital broadcasting up your way.

The answer to your first questions is "It depends!" Canada is clearing out full-power broadcasting of any sort above channel 51. In addition, full-power stations in certain cities (mandatory markets) must go digital or go off the air by Sept. 1. Other stations have much more time. Go to the OTA forum for more.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 6:54 PM   #12
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

I put the information about Canada going digital in your other question asking post. As to receiving the Canada and American stations at the same time with one antenna the answer is yes - how ever the number of channels received will be limited to few of the Canada and American stations. No mater what type or kind of Tv antenna is used , the Analog Canada Tv stations Tv pictures will look bad compared to the Canada digital stations and the American digital stations.
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Old 8-Jul-2011, 7:07 PM   #13
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

Most pay cable and pay satellite providers have Business packages of channel line ups. These channel line ups are tailerd to the type and kind of business. Mostly it's some news channels , a possible movie service and a few entertainment channels or a sports TV package. The programing packages sold to business are diced up different ways. And most of the packages are less money then the packages that are sold to the general public.

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Jul-2011 at 8:04 AM.
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Old 9-Jul-2011, 7:54 AM   #14
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

The analog and digital channels in green can be received with a Winegard MS 2002 omni directional antenna in the place of the HD7698P and HDP269. and the only wiring will be the coax wiring that is in the house. The Tv's will need to be capable of receiving both analog and digital broadcast Tv channels or you will have to install a separate box to tune the analog or digital channels that any Tv can not tune. Omni directional antennas are not truly omni directional , the MS 2002 will most likley need to be turned to find a sweet spot that best receives the channels in green.

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Jul-2011 at 5:22 PM.
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Old 13-Jul-2011, 12:23 PM   #15
cooldevo
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Ok thanks for the advice, yet again! I'll present her with the three options (two or one antenna and the business cable option) and let her decide.

Cheers.
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