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[…]do as well as the Mohu Leaf. Plus, it was an eyesore. I don’t recommend purchasing this type of antenna. Antennas Direct DB4 (“bowtie” antenna with reflector) I had high hopes for the Antennas Direct DB4 antenna. This is the biggest and bulkiest antenna of the bunch, featuring four UHF bowtie antennas with a huge reflector. But surprisingly, it didn’t do so well. I’m not sure why, but the flat Mohu Leaf brought in more channels. Even outside, the DB4 didn’t do as well. On top of that, this antenna is so bulky that mounting options indoors would be extremely […]
[…]on your TV and go into the settings menu. Find the option where you can select between cable and antenna input and select “antenna”. Here’s how it looks on my Sony: Next, set your TV to auto-search for channels. Here’s how it looks on my TV: Hit “OK” and let your TV search for channels! Good Luck! You might need to re-run the search several times using different antenna configurations. If you’re still having problems, check my troubleshooting page. Tweaking Your Antenna Position Once you hook up your TV antenna, I’ll be honest.. Getting the best reception requires lots of experimentation with where […]
[…]broadcast stations using your antenna? You’ve come to the right place. Find solutions to your antenna problems below. My TV isn’t doing anything when I hook up the antenna Are you sure your TV is capable of receiving digital TV signals? (Is it a digital TV and was it made after 2006? If not, you’ll need a converter box). Did you change your TV mode to “ANT” or “Antenna”? Did you set up your TV to scan for digital channels? Try powering off your TV, then powering back on. If that doesn’t work, do a factory reset. You will need to […]
[…]or Other DVR Tablo is a whole-home DVR (digital video recorder) that works with your broadcast TV antenna. Plug your antenna in, and watch live and recorded TV on any TV in your home that is connected to a streaming player such as a Roku. It’s kind of like a wireless distribution amplifier. Basically, you hook up your one antenna to Tablo and it streams the signal to all of the Roku boxes in your home. Now, this requires that you have a Roku box or stick for each TV, which you probably want to do anyway. Check out my […]
[…]preamp right at the antenna for maximum gain. Also, no distribution amplifier is needed with these antennas. Antenna Regulations Do you live in an apartment or condo? Worried that your landlord or HOA won’t let you mount an outdoor antenna? By Federal law, a landlord or HOA cannot prohibit you from setting up a broadcast TV antenna or satellite dish on a part of the building that you own or are renting. While you might not be able to mount an antenna on the roof, you should be able to mount one in your balcony. For more information, see the FCC website […]
[…]TV antennas, the Mohu Leaf has prevailed year after year in my tests as the best overall indoor TV antenna. My Antenna Location Over the course of many months, I experimented to find the best location for my indoor antenna – one that would get me the most channels. My TV signals come from the East, but unfortunately my windows face North. Furthermore, my windows (actually sliding patio doors) are recessed from the side of the building, so signals from the East are blocked. Even though I have lots of strong “green” channels on the Station Finder, my indoor reception […]
[…]local TV coverage was key for keeping us immediately informed of the situation. How to Set Up Your Antenna So, as part of good disaster preparedness, I’d recommend first visiting the Station Finder to see if there are broadcast strong TV signals in your area. If there are, you can get a low-cost indoor antenna. Set it up to make sure you can receive local stations. The next time your cable or Internet goes out during a crisis, you’ll be glad you have broadcast TV as a backup! – […]
[…]back up through your antenna’s coax cable to the preamp, which then can be placed near your antenna. The Bottom Line So, TV antenna amplifiers are not all hype – there are situations where they can help or are necessary! You just need to know which situation you’re in before buying. Please comment on your experiences with antennas, whether amplified or not! – […]
[…]outlined them below for clarity. This type of antenna is known as a wide-band printed bowtie antenna. This is a traditional TV antenna style, although the dimensions were carefully chosen by Mohu for optimum reception. A Comparison Just to compare, here’s a photo of a Winegard FlatWave Amped antenna. It’s clear so you can easily see the design: So, not all flat antennas are created equal. Conclusion So there you have it! The original Mohu Leaf is a dual wide band printed bowtie antenna! The current all-plastic Mohu Leaf antenna is much harder to dissect. I’ve get very similar reception […]
[…]like the Mohu Leaf and HD Frequency Cable Cutter perform better indoors than bulky metal antennas. Flat antennas can be placed in a wider variety of locations than bulky metal antennas, which gives you more flexibility in positioning and can result in better reception. If none of these tips solve your reception problems, then consider an outdoor antenna. The Bottom Line – Experiment with Antenna Position! I hope this article has helped you with your antenna positioning. The key is to EXPERIMENT! Try different antenna locations and the tricks I’ve mentioned. For me, part of the fun is knowing that you are getting […]
[…]the Station Finder, visit https://www.disablemycable.com/station-finder/ For more information on antennas and cables, visit https://www.disablemycable.com/antennas/ For more information on amplifiers, visit https://www.disablemycable.com/blog/are-amplified-indoor-antennas-better/ Hope this was helpful! Please leave your comments and questions below. – […]
[…]refined DVR solutions). Check out my full review of the Mediasonic HOMEWORX converter box. Antennas Once you have the converter box, you’ll need a broadcast TV antenna. Before buying anything, enter your zip code into the Station Finder and make sure there are signals in your area. If there are, here are some low-cost indoor antennas that I recommend. Can You Use a Roku With a Tube TV? Yes, but you’ll have to use the 2018 Roku Express+. It’s the one with the three RCA cables on the box: On Amazon, you’ll have to look under “other sellers” since this is an older model. […]
[…]some channels if you get a real indoor antenna (which costs $40 or so) or an outdoor roof/attic antenna. Check on my antenna section for more info on what types are available. But before buying, check the Station Finder to see what stations are available in your […]
[…]tried a cheap rabbit ear antenna and confirmed that it was the worst. Steer clear of rabbit-ear antennas or any kind of antennas with telescoping arms. They are a pain to adjust and give poor reception. The Winner So, to sum up, I would recommend the regular Mohu Leaf 30 for most people who live in areas with moderate to strong TV signals. If your antenna is going to be far from your TV, or if you want to drive multiple TV’s, or if you live really far from all stations, go with the amplified Leaf 50. If you are just using […]
[…]excellent cable TV DVRs, but they’ve also made a few models for recording broadcast TV from an antenna. The Edge for Antenna is their latest broadcast TV DVR, featuring two tuners and 500GB of internal storage (about 75 hours of HD video). It’s designed to be connected to a TV via HDMI, but you can also view recordings on the TiVo app or in a non-Chrome browser like Firefox (more on this later). A fee is required for the channel guide and certain other features. There is a lifetime purchase option called their “All-In Service”, which lists for $249 on […]
[…]an indoor antenna can offer. I’ve discovered that you can get many of the benefits of a rooftop antenna with a small balcony antenna, but without a lot of the hassles. – […]
[…]power for circuitry that increases the level of your TV signal. Why I Was Intrigued by This Antenna There are so many indoor TV antennas out there, so why was I excited about this one? First, is the physical size; it’s larger than many other indoor antennas, making it potentially better at receiving low-frequency VHF signals, which are almost always problematic for people to pick up. I was also intrigued by the mounting options. You can let it stand vertically on the floor or screw it to a wall, giving your placement options. And with indoor antennas, good placement is […]
[…]you can improvise one. A length of wire or any metal object can serve as a temporary primitive antenna. While it might not bring in as many channels as a real antenna, it’s enough to test with. Your Game Console Do you have an Xbox 360, Wii, or Playstation 3? You can use any of these devices to watch Netflix and Hulu Plus on your TV. Check for other services that work with your particular gaming device. You might not need to buy a Roku or Apple TV if you have one of these gaming boxes. Your Old Computer Do […]
[…]TV stations in Santa Monica (near Los Angeles, CA) For more details on my personal indoor TV antenna setup (which antennas I use, and where I put them), see this article. How many channels can you get in your area? Please comment below – […]
[…]will then show the TV transmitter towers with a black line to your location. My Recommended Indoor Antenna A rooftop outdoor antenna will get you the most channels. But if you’re not able to install a rooftop antenna, I recommend the Mohu Leaf indoor antenna: For More Information Click here if you want to do a quick test to see if your TV can pick up any stations. No antenna is needed for this test. If you’d like to get more channels and better reception with your indoor antenna, read my tips and tricks for indoor antennas […]
[…]way to temporarily give your TV the best possible reception during the scan. When done, bring your antenna back inside. Once your antenna is back to its normal location, you may not be able to tune all of the channels, but at least they will be in your TV’s memory so you can experiment with your antenna position. 4. Update Your TV’s Firmware Another thing you can try is to update your TV’s firmware (i.e., the software that runs inside your TV), especially if it is an older TV. Check your TV manufacturer’s website for any updates. Sometimes you can […]
[…]a more unusual one, but I got the idea from the Antenna Man. He’s got a relative who has poor antenna reception in his area. So, the Antenna Man set up a DVR at his own home, which has good reception, and gave the login to his relative so that he can watch local TV. Kind of a cool idea! The best DVR for this would be AirTV. Which DVR is Best for You? If any of these use cases apply to you, check out my constantly-updated article on the best DVRs for […]
[…]Locator – See exactly what direction your TV signals are coming from. Helpful to position your antenna. AntennaWeb is a definitive source for antenna information with a tool that shows available channels in your area, as well as what direction they are coming from. Click on “Choose an antenna”. Over-the-Air Digital TV Site – has some great information on TV signals, terrain masking, and attenuation of TV signals through various materials. FTAList.com – information on free satellite TV (not Dish or DirecTV, but free satellite channels from around the world). Titan TV – free online TV channel guide, including broadcast TV guides for your area! […]
[…]and click “Shown” in order to change it to “Hidden”. Remember to do all of this while the antenna is unplugged or else your TV will freeze up again! After this, you’ll lose that channel, but at least the rest of the channels will work! The Channel Might Fix Itself A few weeks or months later, I did a re-scan and the problem with channel 5.1 went away. So wait a while and do a re-scan to see if the problem solves itself. If not, unplug and remove that channel again. Something to Remember What this means for you is, […]
[…]will appear showing signal strength. You can zoom in to find your exact location. What Kind of Antenna to Get The colors in the map will tell you what kind of antenna you need. White is the strongest, then red, then, orange, then yellow, then green, then blue, then purple. If you are in a green or stronger area, you should be able to receive that channel with a good indoor antenna like the Mohu Leaf. If you are in a blue area, you should be able to receive that channel with an attic or roof antenna. Anything further out […]
[…]requires a tuner, so you shouldn’t notice any differences in setup. Now if you use an external antenna to watch free local channels, you will need to get a separate tuner adapter to connect your antenna to your display. Everything they say here is true, but this statement is buried way down on their site. If you look on Amazon, it’s really hard to tell that this “TV” has no tuner! Plus, few people will know to look for this. Ever since TVs first came out, they included a tuner that allowed you to connect antennas to them. Now suddenly, […]
[…]some, or you can check your local Radio Shack. They are about $50. Finally, you’ll need an antenna. My personal favorite antenna is the Mohu Leaf. Get the cheaper non-amplified version if you have a lot of close stations on the Station Finder. The more expensive amplified version doesn’t perform much better unless you live far from all stations. (In full disclosure, I have received free Mohu antennas for review purposes, but I have also received lots of other free antennas that I don’t recommend as much). Connect your converter box to your TV, then your antenna to your converter […]
[…]is a much more complex device, and it’s much more prone to failure. If you have an amplified antenna (i.e, your antenna requires power), such as the Mohu Leaf 50, try removing the amplifier from your antenna and plugging your antenna directly into your TV. This worked for reader Faith G! 9. Your Cables are Loose – Reconnect and Tighten Them Make sure your coax cable connections are tight, both at your TV and at your antenna. I was advising one reader offline, and this turned out to be his problem! He was losing signal at the same time every […]
[…]and did the same on my own TV (of similar size and type, and in the same city) using an indoor TV antenna. Here are the results. Direct Comparison Use the slider to compare the image from satellite (left) and broadcast TV (right): Notice how jagged the curves and letters are on left. The “abc7.com” text is especially crappy. The signal is coming from the satellite box’s HDMI output to the TV. Notice the same logo on the right, but using a broadcast TV antenna. Not only are the edges and curves smoother, but there is also less “halo” effect […]
[…]concepts that I talk about in the video haven’t changed! You can still get free TV using a cheap antenna, if you live in or near a big city. Check it out and forward it to your friends who don’t know about free broadcast digital TV! I hope you found this helpful. – […]
[…]your zip code into the Station Finder to see how many channels are in your area. While an outdoor antenna will you should be able to get the green channels using an indoor antenna. Here are some I recommend: If you use a broadcast TV DVR like the Tablo to record live TV, it really turns live TV into more of a streaming TV experience, allowing you to watch shows on your phone as well as your TV (using a Roku). 3. Watch, then cancel! Recurring bills are really insidious. $9.95 per month might not sound like much, but after […]
[…]on the left. You should be able to pick up the green and yellow channels with a good indoor flat antenna. The ones in orange will probably require an outdoor antenna. The list is not exact but will give you a ballpark idea of the number of channels you should be able to get. Help with TV Reception and Lost Channels One of the biggest problems people ask me about is why they lost TV channels and what they can do about it. Read what to do if lost channels after re-scanning, or if you lost channels for no apparent reason. […]
[…]more that were flaky or that didn’t come in at all. So, I went out and purchased a big metal antenna, the Antennas Direct DB-4 from Solid Signal. This got me more channels, but I still wasn’t satisfied. Around that time, there was a lot of hoopla about a new flat antenna, the Mohu Leaf. So, I ordered one. When I tested it, I was totally blown away that this small flat antenna could get better TV reception than a bulky more expensive metal antenna! My Setup Today Since then, I’ve moved back to Santa Monica and continued testing antennas. But, […]
[…]Then, plug your Stick in and watch a program on it to make sure it is running, then switch back to antenna. Compare your TV reception to the first run. If there is a channel you lost after you plugged in your Stick, unplug it (or put it in sleep mode) and verify the channel comes back. If it does, there’s a good chance your Fire TV Stick is causing interference. Three Solutions If you’ve confirmed that your Fire TV Stick is indeed causing interference with your TV reception, there are three solutions that folks have confirmed to solve the […]
[…]there’s very little physical hookup required, other than plugging in power and connecting the antenna. Because the Recast doesn’t connect to your TV directly, you can put it anywhere in your home, ideally somewhere where your antenna strength is greatest, like upstairs, or even an attic! The Fire TV app will guide you through the configuration process step by step. You’ll have to temporarily switch to the Recast’s Wi-Fi network on your device during the process, but the app does a good job of holding your hand as you go. It will even tell you which direction to point your […]
[…]the complete list of channels I watch on free broadcast TV. It took a lot of experimentation with antenna position to get all of the networks and local channels. I have flat antennas in two locations now: one in my skylight on my second floor, and one on the inside of my front door next to my TV. Some of the types of shows I watch for free on broadcast TV include the Olympics, the World Series, NFL football, Big Bang Theory, PBS, and local and national news. Oh, and re-runs of Star Trek (from the original series to Enterprise) […]
[…]Paramount Plus are same as those airing in your local broadcast TV market. So, if you can, use an antenna to get CBS. If you’re not able to pick up CBS with an antenna, get Paramount Plus! Watch ESPN on Sling TV If you love ESPN, Sling TV gives it to you for $25 per month. You get ESPN and ESPN2, plus other channels like AMC, A&E, and the History Channel. You’ll need an Internet connection and a computer or iOS device, or a set-top box like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Xbox One to watch it. Once you’re set […]
[…]DVRs are not my top choices, but they may be appropriate in some circumstances. TiVo Edge for Antenna DVR with All-In Service – DISCONTINUED 2024 Update: It appears that the TiVo Edge for Antenna has been discontinued. You still may be able to find it on eBay though so I’ll keep this section up for a while. Original writeup is below. The TiVo Edge for Antenna has two tuners and an internal 500GB hard drive for recording. I got mine with the All-In Service where you pay a flat fee for lifetime channel guide access, which makes the total cost of […]
[…]see how many broadcast TV channels it could pick up compared to my old Sony when using my indoor antenna. To my surprise, it got more channels than my Sony, which previously had the best reception out of the tuners I had tested. After scanning four times each, my Sony averaged 119 channels while my new Samsung averaged 127 channels. And more importantly, the marginal stations were more solid and watchable on my new Samsung than on my old Sony. I hadn’t expected TV manufacturers to put much effort into improving broadcast TV tuners. I figured that they had already […]
[…]including, now, HBO Max. Many people ask me if Roku is a direct replacement for cable TV or an antenna. The answer is “no”. There are lots of free channels on Roku, but the most popular ones like Netflix or Hulu require payment. Out of the box, you can’t simply stream all of the network stations on your Roku like you would with cable TV or an antenna (without adding other stuff). It’s a convenient and easy way to watch content from the Internet on your TV. Roku has voice search and you can stream music, photos, and videos from your phone […]
[…]I like watching TV from my computer browser and on my phone, and I like putting my Tablo near my antenna rather than near my TV. Network-Connected Tablo Setup My Network-Connected Tablo was easy to set up. I plugged in power, an antenna, and a hard drive and then started the Wi-Fi setup process. I used an iPad to connect to Tablo’s Wi-Fi network, then entered my home Wi-Fi name and password (note I had to use my non-5GHz network). I also had to do two firmware updates, but that wasn’t difficult. After that, I let the Tablo scan for […]
[…]is provide a signal strength meter. This can be VERY useful if you’re trying to fine-tune your antenna placement. To get to this signal strength meter, tune to the desired channel, then press MENU on the remote and cursor over to Channel Search, then select Manual Search. You should see the screen above with signal strength meter (Quality) on the bottom. Summary Since I reviewed this unit, Homeworx came out with a new and improved version in 2022. It has generally the same feature set, but the software is more stable and the remote control feel is improved. I’m linking […]
[…]could purchase a wirelss-to-wired Wi-Fi extender with Ethernet. I like putting my DVR close to my antenna, which is far from my router, so requiring wired Ethernet is not ideal for me because I don’t want to run cables throughout my home. The Tablo and AirTV are two DVRs that have Wi-Fi if you don’t want to run Ethernet to your DVR. Next Gen TV ATSC 3.0? The Flex Duo (which I reviewed) does not support ATSC 3.0. The Flex Scribe 4K and Flex Quattro (AKA Flex 4K) claim to support ATSC 3.0 (Next Generation TV) on two tuners. However, […]
[…]cable channels for $20/month, it’s illegal. Look at the cost of each service and add it up. The Antenna Man talks about more ways to spot illegal services: What to Do Instead For these reasons, I only endorse legal sources of free and cheap TV and movies on DisableMyCable.com. So, feel free to use any of the services that I mention on my site without fear! I personally pay very little for TV and movies, because I use an antenna to get FREE HD-quality broadcast TV, and I watch a lot of YouTube, which has some really great content. I have […]
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[…]providers. In the comments below, reader Wade points out that you could add a splitter to your antenna cable and feed the other antenna signal directly to your TV for viewing when there is no Internet. Thermal Management Some users had heat issues with the previous generation Tablos, causing some to even place a PC cooling fan below their units. The new Tablo bottom case is warm to the touch, but not as hot as the old Tablo. It has cooling holes on the bottom, but I wish it had some on the top. I haven’t had any overheating problems, […]
[…]you do a channel scan, you’re ready to start watching live TV assuming you’ve connected an antenna. One note, if you reset your AirTV, you’ll have to delete it from your app in order to restart the pairing process. Tuner Quality The AirTV’s tuner is excellent. My AirTV 2 picked up a whopping 169 channels in Los Angeles. More importantly, it was able to find VHF channel 13 and its sub-channels (where I watch Star Trek on Heroes and Icons), which my Tablo Dual Lite DVR wasn’t. So, that is a big win for AirTV! The tuner brings in more […]
[…]I would steer away from these unless you absolutely need these channels and cannot use an antenna. Check to see if you can use an antenna here. Fubo TV – For sports lovers Fubo TV started in 2015 as a streaming service specializing in soccer channels but they’ve added mainstream channels to become a legit all-around streaming service. They’re still heavy on sports with the recent addition of ESPN. Starting cost is $74.99 per month for 172 channels and $84.99 for 239 channels, which is in the same ballpark as cable TV, so you should really think about whether you need […]
[…]to watch broadcast TV If you’re using a separate converter box to pick up broadcast TV with an antenna, you can ditch that and plug your antenna straight into the majority of new TVs (except for some Vizio TVs which are sold as “displays”). You can then ditch the separate remote control. I did some testing and my new Samsung tuner picks up more channels than my old Sony did! 3. Your current TV screen is too small A bigger screen definitely makes a difference in your viewing experience, so if your current TV screen is too small, I believe […]
[…]still a lot of people who live too far from the TV transmitters to get free broadcast TV using an antenna. If you are one of them, here are some ideas. Note, many of these require Internet access. Free Options The options below are free, though some have paid add-ons. Some require high-speed Internet access and a device (phone, tablet, or computer) to view them on. 1. Pluto TV Pluto TV is an Internet streaming service that offers live streaming TV and on-demand movies It’s available as a website or on streaming devices like Roku. No, it doesn’t offer the […]
[…]and that became a coax cable pointing back at the user. The rest of the “y” became a flat antenna receiving a signal from the sky. Thus my logo was born! The Finished Logo I’m happy with how it turned out. I’m not saying that you should always design your own logo. In fact, for a “real” business, you should probably hire a professional. But why not have a little fun first and give it a try? At the very least, it can be a starting point when you do hire a professional designer. I definitely think this new logo is lot […]
[…]cut ‘em. Are you paying to get cable on additional TVs in your home that could be using an antenna? Do you really still need a landline when you are also paying for a cell phone? See if eliminating it will lower your bill (on the other hand, sometimes keeping services will actually result in a lower bill, see below). With Internet access, there are often unpublicized cheaper plans if you can accept slower download speeds. I know that doesn’t sound appealing, but going from 30Mbps to 20Mbps is not really noticeable for people doing normal things like normal web […]
[…]data rates. If, like me, you have the ASK-NCQ1338/FA/E gateway, you can’t attach an external antenna. However, you can put your SIM card into a different router that can handle an external antenna. Needless to say, do these at your own risk! I’m sure these would invalidate any kind of warranty on the device. I’m way too scared to try these because I work from home and can’t afford to have my Internet go down. But, these are some pretty cool ideas! Oh, and here’s an article from that same company on how to tell where your 4G and 5G […]
[…]loses connection occasionally, etc., it is worth upgrading. The new Chromecast offers better Wi-Fi antenna for more reliable streaming, faster processor for faster load times, and some other cosmetic features like more color choices. Summary Chromecast is good at doing one thing: mirroring content from a computer’s browser to your TV. You have almost unlimited access to the Internet on your TV and you’re not limited to “apps” (unless you’re using a mobile device). But, Chromecast requires that you use your computer or mobile device to watch TV, which might be inconvenient. If you want a more classic TV viewing experience (i.e., […]
[…]void any kind of warranty on the unit. The ASK unit does not have a way to attach external antennas. There is a newer tower unit, but no word yet on whether that can be hacked to attach an antenna. There are no obvious ports to do so. Can I swap out the SIMM and use it in a different gateway? It depends on which model you receive. The ASK-NCQ1338/FA/E model has a physical SIMM that you can remove and put in a different gateway, but again, this would void any kind of warranty on the unit. Do I need direct […]
[…]have a modern flat TV, you should be able to get most of the network channels for free using an antenna. Check out DisableMyCable.com for more info on this! And yes, it’s true that “bundling saves money”, but not if you don’t use all of the bundled services. It’s also true that cable companies are raising the cost of Internet-only service, so be sure to compare. It might make sense to bundle the first year, then drop TV and phone after. Any other ideas to save on Internet access? Please leave a comment. – […]
