JeffPutz.com

HDTV stuff

posted by Jeff | Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 1:40 AM | comments: 5

I've been thinking a lot lately about HD and what I'm willing to pay for, and the truth is, not much given the cost of equipment and the likely decommissioning of my BeyondTV-based, home-built DVR.

I realized that I bought a second HD tuner (HVR-950) awhile ago just to play with. Found it cheap at CompUSA or something. So I plugged it in to the DVR, with the included little telescoping antenna in the window, and was surprised to see that I could get my ABC, FOX, CBS, CW and MYTV affiliates. Basically, only my NBC and PBS stations elude me. And the best thing is that with two tuners, in the event both can tune a channel, I can record from both at the same time. And just in time, too, because House and Boston Legal will be on at the same time. Gasp!

This is a good arrangement because it's all free stuff, and if I could just figure out a way to get a better signal that doesn't involve putting something on my roof (which is against the housing association rules), I'm set.

Comments

Junior

September 18, 2007, 6:21 AM #

I think they make HD antennae that you can mount between the roof joists in an attic. That may get you a better signal without breaking any rules.

Brian

September 18, 2007, 12:14 PM #

It may be against your housing association rules but they may not be able to enforce that rule, check out:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Jeff

September 18, 2007, 2:21 PM #

Wow... I had no idea those rules were in place. Especially interesting is the bit about putting a dish on your apartment balcony, because I know that's frequently an imposed restriction.

I guess I need to see where I can mount it on my roof. :)

GregLeg

September 19, 2007, 11:41 AM #

The concept of an "HD Antenna" is bull, BTW. Any good antenna that can pull in the signal will work, don't pay extra for the "HD" sticker.

I get all the Pittsburgh networks in HD over the air, but do also pay for the HD channels on Dish Network -- Discovery HD is particularly nice at times.

Jeff

September 19, 2007, 2:29 PM #

Yeah, I know that, but it's still VHF and UHF, and what sucks is that our NBC affiliate here is on channel 2, essentially requiring a different antenna just for that one channel.

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