Looking for the cheapest HDTV box that will work!

[geoffkin]

We don't have an HDTV yet, but we want to be able to grab the free HDTV broadcasts out of the air and watch them on our regular TV. I heard I just need a digital ready antenna and then a set top box to hook it up to. The boxes look like they run $150-$200?!

Are there any out there for less?? THANKS!

 

[dwcal]

A DirectTV HD box will receive HDTV off the air with no subscription. They cost $80 at Costco and most other places. A decent indoor antenna might cost $25.

 

[geoffkin]

Can anyone confirm that a DirectTV HD box will do this?

I have an old Dish network DP301 box, but that doesn't seem to work for this application.

I guess I can sell the Dish box and get a directTV one for use on over the air broadcasts?

 

[Mojonba]

The Dish DP301 you are mentioning is a pretty old SDTV satellite with box with no OTA HD tuner. One popular OTA receiver are the old Voom (Bankrupt satellite service Co.) receivers. Here is an example. A good website to check satellite tv related stuff is www.satelliteguys.us There you should be able to find/ask anything regarding OTA HD and satellite receiver boxes.

 

[zephyrprime]

Maybe you could get a dish HD box without subscribing to Dish HD?

Get a nice UHF antenna for HD pickup. Avoid gimmicky antennas.

 

[Mojonba]

Dish HD boxes are not that cheap. $200 for the basic 211. Zephyr is right, you can get away with a bowtie antenna (similar to the rabbit ears but in bowtie form). It all depends on how close are you to the tv station antennas. This website will tell you how far you are from your tv station from your zip code and will give you an antenna recommendation.

 

[geoffkin]

THANKS! THE VOOM looks exactly what I need for not too much $$$. How much should I spend on a good antenna? They let you spend as much as you want it seems. $10 maybe?

 

[mshan]

How is reception sensitivity of the OTA section of these set top boxes, compared to quality computer HDTV cards like the Dvico Fusion 5, Vbox Cats Eye DTA-150, or even an ATI HDTV Wonder?

 

[Mojonba]

I've read the the "silver sensor" antenna is the best design but somewhat directional. That type of antenna is marketed by many name brands (Zenith, Philips, Terk). Here's and example.
If you are close enough to the stations I suggest trying some rabbit ears/bowtie which you probably already have laying around somewhere. Anyway I suggest you do your own research on the subject as I have no first hand experience (where I live there is no OTA HD).

 

[geoffkin]

Thanks, we'll just plug in a regular tv top antenna we have laying around first and see how it does. I don't think we have a 'bowtie' just one with two telescoping antennas and then a circular ring for the other band. This kind won't work well for HDTV signal?

 

[Mojonba]

The two telescoping antennas are optimized for VHF, while the circular and bowties are good for UHF and I belive most tv stations brodcast hdtv in UHF.

 

[XMan]

If you haven't found one yet, I got this for my father-in-law:

http://www.amazon.com/Grandtec-TUN-5000...-9664835-6364456?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

[geoffkin]

WHOA, $200 was what I DIDN'T want to spend on a box.
What functionality or picture quality am I giving up by going with a $60-$80 VOOM instead of this top of the line box?
I really just need a way to watch this ONE certain HD channel that is only on broadcast (over air) HD

 

[mshan]

I would concern myself primarily with how sensitive the HDTV receiving chip in the set top box is.

Otherwise, you will get no signal, or one that stutters and freezes so often that it just isn't worth watching.

The Silver Sensor is a very good hdtv antenna, it is directional so it is good in multi-path environments, but it only good if the transmitting antennas are 20 miles or so away from the set top box (the one I've got with an ATI HDTV Wonder picks up signals about 25 miles away, but reception quality depends on how powerful a signal is being transmitted - e. g. NBC is great, CBS is very tough).

If you can mount the antenna in an attic or outside, that helps a lot and Terrestrial Digital makes some nice hdtv antennas. I think Winegard Square Shooter is also supposed to be good.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: geoffkin
WHOA, $200 was what I DIDN'T want to spend on a box.
What functionality or picture quality am I giving up by going with a $60-$80 VOOM instead of this top of the line box?
I really just need a way to watch this ONE certain HD channel that is only on broadcast (over air) HD

The VOOM is used, I pointed you at a new product. I was doing the same research you're doing now; I would rather have something new with a warranty than something cheap off E-Bay. Just trying to help man.

 

[geoffkin]

Thanks for the help! Gambling $60-$80 without a warranty is more my game!

Whoa, you'd put a directional antenna in an attic or on a roof? I guess you'd need it automated too, so it's not a long trip to change it's directions. We aren't looking to spend that much money. We are in the center of Silicon Valley, so I think signals should be pretty strong here.

 

[sewerrat]

Just buy an OTA HD decoder box.
I got a brand new one off Ebay for $70.
Check out auction 270070849195
Works great with a Silver Sensor and I'm 30 miles or so from the HD towers.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: geoffkin
Thanks for the help! Gambling $60-$80 without a warranty is more my game!

Whoa, you'd put a directional antenna in an attic or on a roof? I guess you'd need it automated too, so it's not a long trip to change it's directions. We aren't looking to spend that much money. We are in the center of Silicon Valley, so I think signals should be pretty strong here.

They have antenna rotors. I can redirect my antenna with a remote control.

 

[geoffkin]

I can't find any current auctions for that Motorola HD Receiver! That seems to be the only one on Ebay and it's already sold! Who else makes something similar and perhaps cheaper?

Yes a remote controlled rotor, that's what I had pictured. I think we can get by with a standard cheepo antenna setup.