Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)To start, your antenna is only as good as the signal that is reaching your home! The HDTVi does a great job on receiving UHF signals, a very good job on VHF signals. From alot of reviews of antennas, it would appear people are clueless on HDTV reception. For your local reception, I'd check out the forum at the following address. They have information and experience going back a couple years on HDTV reception in many cities. So before trying to wrestle with antennas, first make sure you aren't searching for nothing. When I started, I couldn't find ABC not because of the antenna, but because the station was transmitting for four days! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=7e85bb49c56fa3787e7ed73e6ec7473d&forumid=45
I tried 5 antennas, an old one, the HDTVi, the Terk TV5, Radio Shack amplified antenna (15-1880), and Philips' amplified antenna (SCA050). The best reception was received on the Radio Shack, however, the amplifier needed to be higher for reception of CBS while it had to be lower for FOX or FOX wouldn't come in. This was bothersome. I was also able to get a weak NBC signal unlike any other antenna I had, but the signal just wasn't strong enough. The TV5 had mediocre coverage. It was able to get UHF decently, but it was fighting to get upper and lower VHF. The Philips and HDTVi had similar reception, but the HDTVi wasn't amplified which meant I would have more options regarding moving the antenna around, such as placing in the attic without worrying about plugging it in.
Ultimately, as far as UHF was concerned, each antenna had similar results. It was in VHF that the antennas were a bit different. As far as ranking the antennas for reception:
1) Radio Shack's 15-1880 Best
2) Terk HDTVi Very good
3) Philips SCA050 Very good
4) Terk TV5 Decent
The Terk HDTV wins out because of the lower price, the fact that it is unamplified, had very good reception, and took up the least space. One last comment would regard the coax cable you use. I tried using some coax (about 30 feet) just laying around to hook up the receiver to the antenna. The signal just wouldn't carry the distance. When I used a much higher quality coax that came with the installation of my sat dish, the signal came in loud and clear.
If possible, I'd recommend get a few antennas at the same time and make sure you can return them, most stores have 30 day policies. Plan on spending a week on gaining the best reception with the best antenna for your home.
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Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor AntennaWith over 1,000 stations in more than 200 markets broadcasting digital television as of 2003, 9 out of 10 households can now receive free high-definition (HDTV) signals when using the right antenna in conjunction with an integrated HDTV (or with a set-top box and an HD-ready television). Most antennas are large and unwieldy and need to be mounted outdoors or in a cramped attic. This is not an option if you live in an apartment or condo, or if you don't want the hassle of installing an antenna yourself. The solution? A quality indoor antenna that can pick up all local HDTV channels; one that will look great next to your television, and one that is easy to install: Terk's HDTVi indoor antenna.At the time of its release, the HDTVi was (and may yet be) the only indoor HDTV antenna optimized for both UHF and VHF reception, channels 2 to 69. The HDTVi elegantly solves the aesthetic challenge of integrating a log-periodic-type element assembly in an indoor antenna. It's tuned for optimum HDTV reception with a unique design that uses log-periodic elements and dipoles for receiving both UHF and VHF HDTV broadcasts, bringing you more stations than lesser antennas.You can easily route the antenna's output cable in 2 directions (front or back) for flexible cable management, and the antenna connects easily to your set-top box or television (integrated HDTV--with built-in ATSC tuner--required for direct connection).Its high gain picks up distant stations and its high back-to-front ratio rejects unwanted signals. You can mount the UHF antenna element vertically or horizontally, as experience dictates.What's in the Box Antenna with integrated 75-ohm cable, instruction manual, and warranty information.
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