So I want to cancel my cable/satellite. Anyone else done it yet?

Exactly what we do.

 

How many HD channels are you guys getting with your antennas?

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I haven't got my antenna yet. I cancel satellite tomorrow. I guess we shall see. I hope to get at least the major networks in HD (NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, etc.)

Most of them are about 17 miles away. 2 of them are only 3 miles away.

 

I cancelled my a couple of weeks ago. We left on vacation for a week and called Directv from the road. I bought a $38 non-directional antena from the hardware store, and I get about 20 channels. Two different options for all the major networks from 2 different cities (each about 40 or so miles from my house), so you should have no problem with them being so close.

 

I just use Netflix and pandora. No other subscriptions for me. Well internet.

 

I'm getting about 25 channels but only 2/3 0f them are worth watching. I fill in what I've missed with internet TV it is called Satellite Direct. I find not having cable is better on my health because I don't spend as much time sitting & more time scouting/hunting.

 

I was in the same boat as you last year. I didn't want to cancel because NASCAR was on ESPN and Sons of Anarchy was starting up. We suspended our DirecTV to see how it would work. Almost 6 months later, I don't even notice it's gone. I just download SOA and follow NASCAR over the internet when it's not on FOX.

 

I ordered my HD antenna from Amazon last night and plan on putting it up this week. Provided I can get decent HD channels I'll be cutting the cord this month. I'm done with these ridiculous Comcast bills.

I already own a Roku, Google TV and Chromecast and have both Amazon Prime and Netflix so why not.

 

Which antenna did you go with? I've been recommended a behemoth of an antenna since I have a mountain in the way.

You thinking about hooking up a DVR of some sort?

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I went with this one here - Amazon.com: RCA ANT751 Durable Compact Outdoor Antenna: Electronics

There's an old DirecTV dish on my roof that's still wired into my basement so I figure I'll use the same mount and replace the dish with the antenna. I'm about 37 miles from the towers in Chicago so I'm pushing the limits of that antenna, so we'll see how it works. If it doesn't cut it then I'll probably end up getting one of those monstrosities with the 4 separate antennas on it.

I will most likely hook up a DVR at some point, just not sure what I want to do yet. I have an old Windows 7 PC sitting here that I can toss a few HD's in and use that which is the most likely scenario. God Forbid my wife miss an episode of Dancing With The Stars.

 

Looks like Amazon is getting into the Streaming market too. If I already didn't have a PS3 to stream, I'd probably go this route.

 

So for those with the outdoor antennas, is all that is needed for connection coax cable? Because I have a pole with 3 coax cable ran to that my old DTV satellite was on.

I set up my Mofu indoor antenna yesterday, but I do not get NBC. It is located in the next town over, right at about 50 miles. So I'm thinking if I get a bigger outdoor antenna, I could pick it up.

Plus if I did the outdoor, I wouldn't have to order other antennas for each TV, and the coax cable is already run.

 

Correct. The coax is all you need that is already run through your house. But before you go out and just order an antenna you should run a signal analysis.



The Digital TV Transition: Reception Maps

or this one is a little better

TV Fool


50 miles is a bit of a poke depending on topography and obstructions but this is what the signal analysis will tell you. It should be doable with the right antenna though. It also will tell you if you will need a rotor or an omnidirectional antenna depending on where the transmitters are located.

 

Man that says NBC is only 34.1 and that I should be able to pick it up with my Mohu. It has a range of 50 miles.

Hmmph.

But I still would like to be able to just have 1 antenna for all my TVs, and I hate seeing the wires for the Mohu. Probably sending it back. Everything is located to my N/NE, so I wouldn't need an omnidirectional antenna.

 

Don't use the advertised distances. That is under ideal conditions. Kinda like the hand held radios you buy that say they go 26 miles but you lose ability to talk at 2 miles. There is no indoor antenna that is actually going to get 34 miles.


Denny's TV is a good source for reading up and selecting an antenna.

Digital TV Antenna Selector

 

Hook are all the transmitters in the same general direction for all the stations you want to get?

 

Yes, all are N/NE of me.

 

Thats good. Real good.


I assume most of your stations are "green" or "strong" and some (NBC) are are "orange" or "moderate". Is that a fair guess?

 

Brad, do you read the posts through? :D

 

How will you mount this antenna outside? Nevermind I found this too thanks to a little birdie.



I'll add: You could probably put a larger antenna in your attic or a smaller antenna outside. See what I'm saying? That is why I ask.