Indoor digital TV antennas any good?

[craigb]

We got a new telly the other day that has a built in digi tuner.

We're also on Foxtel so we watch the free to air channels over the cable.

I'd also like to pick-up the free to air channels using the tuner. We don't have an outside antenna so I was thinking of getting an indoor digital antenna.

Are they worthwhile?

Although I'm not that far from the transmission towers I'm in a fairly hilly area and there are also a fair number of high-rise buildings around.

DSE have this antenna but I don't want to fork out $70 if it's not going to work.

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.st...uct/View/L4074

TIA
Craig

[bennylaird]

Can't really see much difference between a digital or analog antenna as the signal is always and analog transmission with digital coding. Just try a normal indoor antenna or make your own from 2 bits of wire, even coathangers to test it out.

The digital processing will improve your signal by removing any ghosting and most noise anyway.

[craigb]

I thought that it works better if you have an antenna "tuned" to the UHF frquencies that digital uses? :confused:

[bennylaird]

All you do is shorten the rabbit ears by sliding then down, or just use shorter bits of wire. Again this is just to see if you can get a reception inside to make a $70 one do the job. A cheap UHF antenna outside or in the roof cavity would be better.

It's amazing what will work as an antenna.

[craigb]

Well I bought an indoor VHF/UHF form DSE for $15.

Does the job.

[bennylaird]

Thought it would, nice and clear?

[Iain]

I hate the advertising hype to get a sale, digital antenna indeed.
Digital can only go as low as channel 6 on VHF (ABA ruling) and any other antenna would be a waste of money and space (reffering to the large elements for lower channel reception).
I use a band 3-4 log periodic which is compact at just under 1 metre long and only about 800mm wide, offers 10db gain which is more than the huge combo's and has the added advantage of being balanced at 75 ohms which means no balun.
Only disadvantage is cannot receive ABC analog, but, we are digital so no problems.
I have seen a small pressed alloy log periodic for indoor use but the bigger ones are really much better.

[craigb]

... nice and clear?

Yes. The signal's a bit weak on the ABC but placement seems to overcome that. It has a knob thingy on it that supposedly alllows you to tune the anttena direction. Buggered if I know if it does anything though. :confused:

[bennylaird]

Just put on there cos people like playing with knobs

Probably a trimmer for certain channels.

[Iain]

It has a knob thingy on it that supposedly alllows you to tune the anttena direction. Buggered if I know if it does anything though. :confused:

Lots of little knobs, flashing lights, anything that sparkles or moves is guaranteed to make the reception of funds into the manufacturers account much greater
Called increase in gain....capital gain, or am I being just a little cynical about things that we know don't work.
(Like those bloody awful caravan antennas, bit of wire in a plastic tube, mine is better cos I use black plastic, and we all know reception improves in the dark).

[Daddles]

Bit grumpy today Iain

Richard

[Iain]

No, just cynical