mtbjoe Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Did anyone try these antennas? http://www.pickyguide.com/automotive/ca ... ended.html Pyle - 4 Way Car TV Antenna - PLVWAN1 looks pretty good for what I want. thanks for posting the link. Good find, I'm looking at the super high range deluxe one. If it's magnetic it may be perfect for my truck. I already ordered the flat one from the eBay link posted earlier so I'll try that first and see how it goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black04MazdaRX-8 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Has anyone tried connecting a slingbox to their head unit? This would be best if it would work with my DVR at home. I'm not sure what type of antenna they use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xdanx Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Did anyone try these antennas? http://www.pickyguide.com/automotive/ca ... ended.html Pyle - 4 Way Car TV Antenna - PLVWAN1 looks pretty good for what I want. thanks for posting the link. Good find, I'm looking at the super high range deluxe one. If it's magnetic it may be perfect for my truck. I already ordered the flat one from the eBay link posted earlier so I'll try that first and see how it goes. According from the previous post, that flat antenna from ebay doesn't work when the car is in motion. Let me know how it goes with the super high range deluxe antenna. I'm thinking of purchasing one too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JCinderella Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Does anyone know if those antennas are going to work after the digital switch? I didn't see anything on there about them being HDTV compatible or about them being digital compatible... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gte534j Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 My understanding is that as long as it is a VHF/UHF antenna, it will receive both digital and analog signals. The antenna is not the issue w/ getting digital TV reception while driving, its the converter box. This was discussed earlier. You basically have to have a fancy digital converter box that can take into account motion (like a cell phone). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wiretap Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Does anyone know if those antennas are going to work after the digital switch? I didn't see anything on there about them being HDTV compatible or about them being digital compatible... All those "HDTV antennas" or "digital TV antennas" are a gimmick marketing trick. There's no difference between those and you're old regular "analog antennas" from the 70's. They'll all receive the same signals. Some may receive that signal much better though. Do some thorough reviewing to see which one is going to work best before buying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dumpystig Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 All those "HDTV antennas" or "digital TV antennas" are a gimmick marketing trick. There's no difference between those and you're old regular "analog antennas" from the 70's. They'll all receive the same signals. Some may receive that signal much better though. Do some thorough reviewing to see which one is going to work best before buying. You contradict yourself there mate, but also what you're saying is plain wrong. Digital is digital, analogue is analogue: big difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I have that in my car, works fine for me Im did dual antennas my self because analog when you can watch it on a weak signal, digital signal is all or nothing Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 This TV tuner and antenna I saw on amazon looks like could work in this setup. Any thoughts on that?http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Digital-Atsc ... pd_sbs_e_5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 The one i use remembers the channels and other settings when power is turned off Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 ok, so here is the deal, i purchased the RCA digital converter from Walmart and got a 20 dollar antenna fron Target and ran the converter through a power inverter for the time being. it all works great, im a decent distance out of Houston, Tx and still get 25 channels. While moving the channels are a bit glitchy, but i think that has to do with the cheap antenna i purchased...going back today to exchange it for a better model and will hopefully get better reception. The quality of the picture is perfect, looks just like my Direct TV in my house. All thats left to do is run splice into my IR wire on the box and run it to my dash and hide it, im also going to splice my inverter to an accessory line so itll only come on when the truck is running. Ill post some pictures along the way just to give an idea of what im doing here in case you guys are curious at all. Just make sure that the box doesn't lose the stored channels when you take away power. It would be a pain to have to scan for channels every time you get in the truck. Definitely post pics/video if you can do that, I'm tempted to do this... if there was a tv tuner that had a built in dvd player I'd be all over it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I have that in my car Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 This TV tuner and antenna I saw on amazon looks like could work in this setup. Any thoughts on that?http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Digital-Atsc ... pd_sbs_e_5 bump...I'd like to know more about this too. Looks very tempting. I'm curious if it has a better "moving" reception than the homemade DTV boxes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stang94 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 All you do is just hook up the rca's from the annenta to the out2 source? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Nope not the one i have, it remembers my channels when power is turned off Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 so, do you have to do a new channel scan everytime you start the car? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I never thought of putting the antenna under the headliner, is this for digital tvs? ill put mine under it and see if the signal is better while moving Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 I used to have TV in my old truck, the unit came with 2 window wire antennas. (they stuck along the side of the windows). BUT they got MUCH better reception when mounted to the metal roof of the car in the headliner area. MOST antenna do better if mounted to metal objects b/c of the "ground plane" that it creates. The normal radio antenna should NOT be used b/c its not tuned to the feq. that TV need (its not just an impedance issue, having the antenna the right length so thats it picks up the channels wave at the right point is important) and will get bad reception. The Bigger is always better thing does not always apply to antenna's, unless its tuned, antenna should always be at 1/4 intervals in the wavelength. so a feq that has a 2 meter wavelength would have antennas at .5meters, 1meters 1.5 meter or 2 meters long to get best reception (and transmission in 2 way radios). This also include the antenna wires, Thats why when you install some car audio parts that require you extend your radio antenna wire they tell you not to cut the extension to fit b/c it will mess up the tuning. edit: this all comes from being a HAM radio operator for 12years, working in a 2 way radio shop as an installer for 2 years and also being a nightclub/theatrical sound and lighting system designer/installer/tech for 15 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thabg007 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Some said try putting the antenna on the car metal not the glass, between the roof and headliner to hide it, they say you will get better reception that way, ima try it later sometime Here is my digital tv tuner, but it came with a non-amplified antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301528484 I order this ground loop insulator to stop engine noise http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0327613134 I ordered 2 amplified antennas, ill put one in the front window and one in the back window http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0328735328 I ordered this to connect 2 antennas in one connection http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2759.l1259 I applied for the coupon a while back and got it about the second week in April, I 've just yet to be on and comment on it.The converter box I got was the Artec T3AP. It does not require a power inverter. I plugged the AC adapter into the wall and used a multimeter to determine which wire was positive and which one was negative. Since the AC adapter's output was 12 volts, I figured I could rig something up. I found that the wire with the white markings on it was the ground, and the plain black was the positive. I cut the AC adapter off and spliced the plain black wire into the cigarette lighter wire, and then grounded out the white wire. Everything is working fine too! Well for the converter box anyway. I put an HD Antennae in the trunk of my car and ran the coax wire from the back of antennae down the passenger side of the car under the trim, and then to my converter box which I secured discreetly to the underside of the passenger side of the dash, under the glove box. The antennae is powered off a 12 volt AC adapter as well, so I did the same trick I did above and ran some wiring for the antennae. When the power of the antennae is turned off, the reception sucks, the powered way is definitely the road to take. However, I still can't figure out a way to get reception while I'm driving. It works perfectly if I'm stopped at a stop sign, sitting in my driveway, or even out in the Boonies camping and trying to track the big storm. So if you're planning on only using this when you aren't moving, such as tailgating, I would definitely go for it. If you expect to be able to drive and watch TV at the same time, as of right now I would say forget about it. If someone finds an antennae that works while moving, please let me know, otherwise I guess this is where we sit as of now. Maybe we'll have better luck after everything goes digital? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wiretap Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 All those "HDTV antennas" or "digital TV antennas" are a gimmick marketing trick. There's no difference between those and you're old regular "analog antennas" from the 70's. They'll all receive the same signals. Some may receive that signal much better though. Do some thorough reviewing to see which one is going to work best before buying. You contradict yourself there mate, but also what you're saying is plain wrong. Digital is digital, analogue is analogue: big difference. No, I didn't. I said the antennas are the same. They receive the same signals through them.. it's what's on the other end that matters, like a digital converter box or analog tuner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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