OTA Anttena

[cancun64]

DTV recommended that I purchase an OTA anttena to view HD Locals with the HR1-250. The price they quoted me was $50, is this a good price or should I shop around ? I
f I shop what exactly should I be looking for ?

[AstroDad]

DTV recommended that I purchase an OTA anttena to view HD Locals with the HR1-250. The price they quoted me was $50, is this a good price or should I shop around ? I
f I shop what exactly should I be looking for ?

That's the standard price for it, not great, not bad. Whether it will be good enough for you depends on the terrain and how far away you are. It wasn't good enough for me, but I was able to have them install it, see what it could pick up, then cancel it.

[A J Ricaud]

DTV recommended that I purchase an OTA anttena to view HD Locals with the HR1-250. The price they quoted me was $50, is this a good price or should I shop around ? I
f I shop what exactly should I be looking for ?

A good starting point is to look at this site and see what it recommends in the way of an OTA antenna:

antennaweb.org

[Adam1115]

DTV recommended that I purchase an OTA anttena to view HD Locals with the HR1-250. The price they quoted me was $50, is this a good price or should I shop around ? I
f I shop what exactly should I be looking for ?

For the same price you can get a much better traditional antenna...

[somebody7]

I just bought an Indoor/Outdoor RCA Antenna from Wal-Mart (big boomerang-looking antenna) model # ANT706A. This actually worked and looked better than 2 Radio Shack Antenna's I had previously. This cost me $60.00...compared to the $50 and $100 for the Radio Shack Antenna's. I just hung it outside (didnt even face the direction of the 2 stations I needed) my townhouse and it surprisingly got all my local channels....even my dreaded WB channel.

[litzdog911]

Check out the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com
Find the thread there for you nearest city where you can see and ask about antennas that work well in your neighborhood.

[Bierboy]

For the same price you can get a much better traditional antenna...
What do you mean by "traditional" antenna? All he was told was to get an OTA antenna to watch HD channels. Now, if DTV was calling it an "HD antenna" then that's a lot of hooey. There is no such animal.

What he needs is to do what A J Ricaud suggested and go to antennaweb.org, find out what channels he needs to pull in, then determine whether he needs VHF, UHF or both.

He should be able to it for WAY less than $50 if he installs it himself.

Another great site for antenna info is TheHomeTheaterSPot (http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB55)

[hoopsrgreat]

I live about 75 miles from where the signal is sent(sacramento). WEhen I searched for an antenna, I tried the smalled antenna and lower price, but the signal suckes.

I just went to home depot, found a traditional rooftop antenna for about 60 bucks, bought a 6 or 7 foot mast and mounted it myself. Was simple, signal is strong, and I didnt need to worry about which one will work.

The antennaweb site does not always work for everyone. I guess experimenting will work, but if you want to just do it once, by the larger antenna and mount the dang thing. It is actually hidden behind my house and you cant even see it from the front of the house.

Good luck!

[Adam1115]

What do you mean by "traditional" antenna? All he was told was to get an OTA antenna to watch HD channels. Now, if DTV was calling it an "HD antenna" then that's a lot of hooey. There is no such animal.

What he needs is to do what A J Ricaud suggested and go to antennaweb.org, find out what channels he needs to pull in, then determine whether he needs VHF, UHF or both.

He should be able to it for WAY less than $50 if he installs it himself.

Another great site for antenna info is TheHomeTheaterSPot (http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB55)

What I mean is a regular radio shack type big good quality antenna. The one that DirecTV sells you is pretty crappy for $50...

I guess I should have said, for $50 you can get a much better antenna..

[Bierboy]

What I mean is a regular radio shack type big good quality antenna. The one that DirecTV sells you is pretty crappy for $50...

I guess I should have said, for $50 you can get a much better antenna..Ah, I see. You are, indeed, correct. I'm sure what they pawn off for $50 is probably worth about $10. Good advice is to educate yourself with all the resources available, then do it yourself (if you are capable).