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[…]makes some great antennas that pick up VHF channels: The Winegard HD7698A is great for picking up far-away VHF stations. If you need Lo-VHF reception, check out the Winegard HD8200A. If you want a more compact solution, check out the Winegard 7694A. For more information on the Winegard HD7698, check out this video from the Antenna Man. Note, if you have a long cable run from your antenna to your TV, or if you have multiple TVs, you’ll need to get a distribution amplifier. Check out this article for more information. If You Need the Ultimate in VHF Performance, Use […]
[…]work with the old Tablos, but it’s unclear when that will come out. Conclusion: Tablo Gen 4 is My Pick for Best Broadcast DVR for Most People It’s great to have a Tablo DVR with no subscription fees for the channel guide. Granted, it’s missing some features of its predecessors such as remote viewing, channel skip, and four tuners. But, if you don’t need those features, the Tablo Gen 4 DVR might be the best bet for you. It’s easy to set up and use, and it has the awesome Netflix-style grid of upcoming shows. On top of that, it […]
[…]see what I’m talking about. Another cool feature is that if you use their search bar, it will show you where to find that movie or show – even if it is not on their site! Really useful! 6. tubi tubi is another free streaming service to check regularly, with some good movies and TV shows. They have a large selection of kids programming too. For more free streaming services, check out my page with links to free online TV and movies: If You Need Cable TV Channels, Check Out These Affordable Streaming Services: If you need to watch the […]
[…]much the only reason I owned an Apple TV box. With this Roku software release, I’m packing up my Apple TV into my closet and solely using my Roku! Roku can mirror the screen of Android devices More info on mirroring from Android or Windows to Roku here. Streaming from USB Stick Roku devices with standard USB ports, such as the Roku 3 and Roku Ultra, have the ability to play video, music, and photos from USB storage devices such as hard drives or flash sticks. Simply plug in the USB storage device and the Roku Media Player app should appear […]
[…]the frequencies are the same. For such an old antenna, it did surprisingly well and was able to pick up many stations. Unfortunately, I had to re-adjust the arms to pick up different stations – not something that is feasible in real usage. When left alone, it didn’t 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 […]
[…]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 about 95% of the battle. Also very important: the pre-amplifier is right IN the antenna, where it gives the greatest benefit. Some cheaper amplified antennas have an external amplifier box near your TV, which is the worst place for it. You want it right at the antenna so it can […]
[…]in real-time. Live 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! – […]
[…]them often. Antennas Direct has a great selection of antennas, especially outdoor antennas that pick up pesky VHF stations. They are a great store; I’ve purchased a lot of stuff from there. Channel Master has great antennas as well! I like the small STEALTHtenna 50. If you need cables (HDMI, coax, etc.) check out Deep Surplus. They have amazingly inexpensive cables, adapters, and a lot of other accessories for video, audio and your computer. Don’t pay the insane prices that retail stores charge for HDMI cables! How about a six foot HDMI cable for less than $4! Retail stores can charge as much […]
[…]some weak ones. In my testing there, the amplified antennas I tested got me FEWER channels than my un-amplified Mohu Leaf! How could that be? What happens is that the strong signals get over-amplified, which overwhelms the weaker ones, resulting in poorer reception than if you had no amplifier. Recently, I heard from an actual transmitter engineer who works for a TV station who corroborated this explanation. If you live close to your TV transmission towers, then I would not recommend using a powered indoor antenna. In this case, an un-amplified outdoor antenna will get you the most channels. If […]
[…]50 through their paces. How could these compete with a big bulky antenna many times its size? I picked four different locations in my apartment to give a variety of results under different signal conditions. Here are the number of channels that each antenna “found” in each of the four locations (a bigger number is better!): Location Rabbit Ear DB4 Mohu Leaf Amplified Leaf Location #1 16 30 29 32 Location #2 4 5 18 11 Location #3 8 10 10 10 Location #4 17 16 28 30 The Mohu Leaf got more channels than the DB4 in most locations […]
[…]the source, like ripples of water in a still pond. The strength of the signal would just depend on how far you were from the transmitter. But, the real world can be bumpy with all kinds of hills, mountains, and valleys. I did some analysis using an online tool at the TVFool.com website to determine how much effect these terrain features have on your TV signal. The answer is that they have a huge effect! First, let’s take a look at a super flat area like Houston, TX which is the ideal case: The colors indicate how strong the TV […]
[…]Antenna. But, there are cases when even after following these tips, an indoor antenna just can’t pick up the weak signals in the area. One solution may be to use a rooftop or attic antenna. But, that may not be possible if you live in an apartment (unless your landlord agrees) or just don’t want the hassle and expense of routing coax cable to the roof and installing an antenna. Could there be another alternative? I’ve been experimenting with some small metal antennas that you can mount right on your patio or outdoor wall. These don’t require routing a lot of […]
[…]to squeeze out as many free TV channels as possible. I’ve finally gotten it to where I’m picking up all of the broadcast stations that are available in my area. Oddly enough, in spite of all of the gadgets I’ve tried, my optimal antenna setup turned out to be very simple! There was no magic except for lots of experimentation with antenna location. Where I Live Just to give you some background, I live in Santa Monica, California, about 27 miles away from the TV transmitters on Mt. Wilson. Even though the Station Finder reports many green (strong) stations, my […]
[…]started coming in, probably due to some change at the transmitter. If you’re interested in my final antenna setup, check out this article. For more tips on how to get the best reception and most channels with your antenna, check out my blog article, Top Tips for Better Reception with Your Indoor […]
[…]next step is to buy a real antenna. The setup above is just an experiment. An outdoor antenna will get you the most channels. However, if you want to start with an indoor antenna, I recommend the Mohu Leaf (which is what I personally use). Since this test uses a very crude antenna, you can will get significantly more channels if you go out an buy a real antenna like the Mohu Leaf. Even if you only got a few channels this way, it’s a good sign. Remember, this is just a quick and dirty “antenna” – it’s primitive and not ideal in […]
[…]TV signals in your area before making any purchases. Enter your zip code into the Station Finder. My Recommended TV Converter Boxes OK, if you still want to buy a digital TV converter box for your tube TV, I recommend this one: These feature analog and HDMI outputs, and DVR recording capability to a USB storage device (but if you do a lot of recording, I would recommend more 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 […]
[…]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 broadcast TV signals. I used a ten-year-old USB hard drive I had […]
[…]a special kit that enables you to cut custom lengths and attach connectors at each end. Here is my set of tools and supplies for doing this: Starting from the upper left, we have a cable stripper, cable crimper, and spool of cable. In the second row from the left we have an all-in-one tool that cuts, strips, and attaches the connectors, and finally the splitter. This might cost less than buying pre-cut cable, and you’ll be able to make the lengths perfectly right instead of having a lot of slack (which is ugly and degrades the signal). Just be sure […]
[…]just outside your front door, open window, or patio door. I get dramatically more channels with my antenna on my patio than I do when it’s indoors. Maybe you can’t keep it there permanently right now, but it will help you decide whether an outdoor antenna would be worthwhile for you. Even a small outdoor patio antenna can give big a improvement in reception. 21. Get a VHF Antenna About 90% or more of the TV stations out there broadcast on the UHF band. Therefore, most indoor antennas like the Leaf are optimized for UHF but will work with VHF/Hi-V if […]
[…]helps clear your TV’s memory so it can acquire the new channel. If the channel is still not showing up, and you have an older TV (like my Sony Bravia from 2008), you might have to tune using the station’s real RF channel. On modern TVs, you won’t need to do this, but my old Sony doesn’t support how to map displayed channels to real channels. To find the station’s real physical channel, go to the Station Finder and click the button to launch it. Enter your zip code. When you see the results, find your station’s call sign. If […]
[…]Firmware Version 222656 Fortunately, someone on Reddit publicized a harmless website hack that will enable you to see your gateway’s signal strength. This is because the signal strength bar graph is actually being sent to the web portal, but it is hidden by CSS code for some unknown reason. This hack works with firmware version 222656 only. By navigating to the web portal and entering some code to remove the “hide” class from the bar graphs, you can unmask the signal strength meters! Here’s how to do it. Armed with these meters, you can now experiment with the optimal placement […]
[…]Channel (Older TVs) If that doesn’t work, and if you have an older TV, it might not be able to pick up virtual channels properly. This happened with my 2008 Sony TV. I suddenly lost my local NBC station due to the “FCC Re-Pack”. I re-scanned like you’re supposed to. But then, I lost a whole bunch of other channels, including my local CBS and NBC stations. What happened?? Well, I went on the Station Finder and noticed that my local CBS station, KCBS normally on channel 2.1 on my TV, had moved and had an RF channel of 34. […]
[…]broadcast DVRs that I recommend depending on your setup and needs. 1. Tablo Generation 4 DVR – My #1 Pick for Most People! Tablo has two and four-tuner DVRs that solve my biggest gripe with DVRs: the subscription fee. This unit has zero recurring fees for the channel guide! On top of that, it’s got Wi-Fi, 50 hours of internal storage (as well as ability to plug in external USB drives), and a really cool Netflix-style filterable grid of upcoming movies and TV shows that makes it a joy to find new content. On top of that, it’s easy to […]
[…]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 […]
[…]has better picture quality than DirecTV! I have not compared DISH vs. DirecTV picture quality myself. My point was to say that broadcast was better than DISH. Conclusion In any case, I still find it amusing that the picture quality for a FREE TV service is better than one that you pay thousands for every few years. Granted, satellite TV offers a ton of channels, but, you might be able to get the channels you need for less money by using an antenna along with cheaper services like Sling TV. Let me know your thoughts below! I hope you found this […]
[…]to watch but you have to be smart about which services you pick if you want to save. Here are my top tips on how to save on the cost of streaming TV. 1. Use the Streaming Service Finder to find the cheapest service There are so many streaming services out there that it can take a ton of work to figure out which one has the channels you want, and out of those, which is the cheapest. Luckily, I’ve worked with a service called Suppose TV to bring you a tool that lets you find the best service based […]
[…]the signal strength meter. If you have an ASK model unit and your signal strength meter isn’t showing up, use this trick. Don’t optimize for Wi-Fi location at this point. Just try to find the best location for cell signal. You can run an Ethernet cable to an external Wi-Fi router and put that in the best location for Wi-Fi later. Aside from weak cell signal, another issue some people have is equal-strength signals coming from two separate towers. When that is the case, your gateway might be switching back and forth between towers, resulting in reboots. Again, repositioning your […]
[…]the apps that support this are Crackle, Encore, Food Network, HGTV, HULU, HBO NOW, HBO GO, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, and Travel Channel (there’s adult content on Travel Channel??) More details on Amazon’s article on this. If you want to limit content on an app that is not on this list, and that app does not have its own parent controls like Netflix does, then you’re kind of out of luck (unless you create two accounts, which, again, is a royal pain). But, if you have kids 8 or younger, you can set up a completely separate user experience for them […]
[…]first thing I did when I got my new TV set up was to 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 […]
[…]you’ll need a XBox Live Gold account to do so. Roku – Lots of Channels, Works on Older TVs, My Pick! The Roku is the veteran streaming TV box, with the most “channels” (apps), and many people swear by it. If you have an older TV with no HDMI input, Roku is one of the few brands that offers a version that works with old tube TVs (Roku Express+, be sure to get the 2018 edition; the latest version does not work with tube TVs). With the Roku player, you can stream Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, and many other pay and free […]
[…]long as you’re not using a cheap rabbit-ear antenna. if you’re interested, here’s how I set up my antenna in my living room. See What’s on TV – A Free Channel Guide Website OK, so your antenna is hooked up. Congratulations! Now, how do you see which shows are playing? Fortunately, there is an online channel guide called Titan TV. You can view this on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The setup is not immediately obvious the first time, but I’ll explain it below. First, go to titantv.com. Go to the bar above the channel guide and click the “+” button (this […]
[…]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 up, you get full access to ESPN, just […]
[…]done, I connected an Ethernet cable from the gateway to my computer and used the web app to set up my Wi-Fi network name and password. Voila! I was up and running in minutes! Wow! You can also set up the box via Wi-Fi using the settings printed at the bottom of the unit. Aside from the quick start card, no manual was included with the unit. But you can download the manual for the ARC model or for the ASK model. My Download Speed I immediately measured download speeds of 300 Mbps – the max speed of my plan! […]
[…]a built-in tuner and you want 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 […]
[…]Wait a few seconds for the colored list of stations to appear 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 […]
[…]Join a Meetup.com group Meetup.com started after 9/11 as a way to promote community. There are Meetup groups for almost any interest imaginable. There are groups for hiking, photography, singles, technology, wine lovers, and so on. You name it. Simply go to meetup.com, search for your interests and sign up! I’ve attended many meetup groups, to the benefit of both my career and social life. Just try it! 18. Expand your skillset There are so many free (and low-cost) classes available online it’s mind-boggling. You can learn how to paint, speak a foreign language, or negotiate effectively. The possibilities are […]
[…]personal information We collected for materially different, unrelated, or incompatible purposes We will update this Privacy Policy. Disclosure of Personal Information for Business Purposes or Commercial Purposes We may use or disclose and may have used or disclosed in the last twelve (12) months the following categories of personal information for business or commercial purposes: Category A: Identifiers Category B: Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)) Category D: Commercial information Category F: Internet or other similar network activity Please note that the categories listed above are those defined in the CCPA. […]
