http://www.r18civic.com/forum/picture.p ... ctureid=27

Here is 2 pics of my HDTV Receiver with my Navi. It works pretty good. Not as good as analog TV but its pretty cool. Simple install. I currently have connected to my AV2 input which is that white IPOD wire. Any way here is what I did. First parts.

1 HDTV Receiver: Access HD Model DTA 10550D Rite Aid $19 dollars with $40

coupon.

2 Rabbit ear antenna the type that snaps in a regular tv Not Desk mount.

$1.99 at a 99 cent store.

3 9ft coaxial cable. Same place same price

4 coaxial barrel connector. This to connect two cables together.

5 75 watt inverter or power supply adapter you need the 6 volt setting with 2

amps.

6 If your going to use AV2 you need IPOD cable the has 3 RCA outputs. L & R

speaker out and 1 video out.

7 TV in signal booster.( TV preamp) radio shack $30

1 Unscrew the metal antenna ears replace it with 12 G wire same length, do not take off insulation only at the base. The base looks like a T. Install the antenna along the headliner along the front windshield. tuck it in. Connect the coax adapter to the antenna and run it along side the molding into the dash where the receiver will be. Connect the preamp to the radio hot lead .Power when the car is started.

2. Modify your cigarette lighter inverter. Add a wire to the positive tip and ground side of the inverter and connect it to a hot lead of your accessory port behind the dash. and ground to ground. Plug in the HDTV power supply to the inverter and the HDTV receiver.

3 Plug in the IPOD cable to the TV receiver and run it to AV2. And follow the instructions of the HDTV. Scan for channels and enjoy TV.

*** 4. I forgot connect a ground wire from the receiver to the car if your hear a buzz or you see lines running across your screen.

If you want to use AV1. Get a switch box and stash it in the glove box to switch from your IPOD to your TV. Here are the pics I was watching the Tyra Banks show. This is temp set up. I'm picking up the switch box today.

Try the ARTEC 3AP converter box. Can get it from Tiger Direct w/o a coupon for $43 or 3 BUCKS WITH A COUPON! 12 volt ready-made for RVs. Comes with remote too. Hard wired in and hooks up to vid 1 or 2! As far as an antenna, I use a combination of two-I am using that flat plastic ine like on page one of this thread...AND the antenna wires that were originally connected to my Pioneer GEX7000 NTSC receiver that I had attached before the digital conversion. Since the signals ARE digital, no ghosting, etc., and since the digital signals are more "directional" than the analog signals were, this antenna combo works a lot better than just using that flat plastic wing alone.

How big is this box? The reason I picked this box is because it fits underneath the radio counsole in my Honda Civic. Most of the Boxes Ive seen in my area a were pretty wide. Ill try to find this model.

Ok Looked up the ARTEC T3AP it looks good 6.42â€(W) x 3.94â€(D) x 1.18â€(H)(Body) Ill order it. I have one more coupon. Im trying to get a neat install. Thanks

Hello Everybody

I'm in Canada. So if any one of you guys could direct me to an analog tv tuner that I could install, it would be great.

If someone wants to sell a used one, I'm open also. You can send me a pm

We still have analog tv until 2011 in Canada...

Greetings

Labgate

didnt read through tthe whole thread but how bout a small laptop with a laptop connect card from at&t or whatever service yoiu have for cell phone.. used in conjunction with the slingbox.... check their website.. video quality should be great and if you have a way to connect the pc to the avic then you can buy a wireless mouse or a wireless pen mouse to change the channels in my mind thats butter on bread as long as you can go from hdmi to rca or vga to rca. the sling box allows you to use your cable at home. it plugs in the sling box and plugs in to your ethernet at home and is then accessible through the web.. even to change channels .....WDYT?

so, do you have to do a new channel scan everytime you start the car?

I just received my ARTEC and am interested in hard wiring to my vehicle. Any idea if a regulated power supply is needed or can this be wired directly to vehicle wiring. The included power supply is 12v @ .5 amps wall AC adapter. Thinking.......chop off wall plug and splice into car wiring. I am assuming a variance of 12-14v with car wiring, so am wondering if I can do this. Thanks for your help.

I just received my ARTEC and am interested in hard wiring to my vehicle. Any idea if a regulated power supply is needed or can this be wired directly to vehicle wiring. The included power supply is 12v @ .5 amps wall AC adapter. Thinking.......chop off wall plug and splice into car wiring. I am assuming a variance of 12-14v with car wiring, so am wondering if I can do this. Thanks for your help.

this may be an easier solution: http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/RVs_and_Converter_Boxes.html

i think the biggest obstacle for this project is the antenna. apparently you can't split off the factory radio antenna b/c of impedance/ohm issues. everyone, including me, seems to want a stealth install- ie no rabbit ears sitting in the back of the car. the other problem is having to run power to an amplified antenna, something I would like to avoid.

possible solutions that i have seen for stealth antenna placement:

1. under the headliner antenna's http://www.carelectronicsworld.com/flatpanelheadlinermounttvantenna.aspx (regardless of whether you can fit the antenna under the headliner panel to your satisfaction, won't the roof above block all the signal?)

2. small rod antennas that can be run along pillars or window bases http://www.carelectronicsworld.com/dualleadamplifieddipolecartvantenna.aspx http://www.buy.com/prod/Boss-Audio-ANT8-Amplified-Dipole-TV-Antenna-with-Coaxial-F-Connector/q/loc/111/204254412.html

3. ultrathin antennas that could stick to windows http://www.rcaaccessories.com/rcaaccessories/RcaaccessoriesProductDetail.do?ACTION_TYPE_ID=ACTION_TYPE_PRODUCT_DETAIL&ACTION_CATEGORY_IDSTR_CATEGORY_INDOOR_ANTENNAS&ACTION_PRODUCT_ID=ANT1000 (that example is the best i could find and still wouldn't be very stealthy) found a better one: http://www.etronics.com/p-23401-pyle-plvwan7-thin-film-diversity-tv-antenna.aspx

other solutions or antenna's that you know of? any better solutions would be much appreciated.

another antenna that could work is one of those tiny antennas that come with computer TV tuners. reception would probably be terrible though.

for me, i think the best solution would be a thin passive rod dipole antenna run along the bottom of the windshield with wires hidden in the vents or whatever else is there.

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.

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.

so for the headliner antenna's you would need to make sure there was metal to metal contact? a

also do you know where one might purchase simple wire antennas?

it was not metal to metal, the wire was held away from the roof by fasteners w/ double sided tape, the antennas came with the tv unit.

this may be an easier solution: http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/RVs_and_Converter_Boxes.html

Thanks for the suggestion. I just went out to walmart and bought an inverter(100 watt) that has an outlet for AC, usb, and DC from the clearance aisle. It was $20 and a little more versatile for a few extra bucks. I wanted a more stealth intall without the lighter plug, but it's not like I will be using it rolling down the road.

As far as antenna goes, I bought the flat "bat wing" looking one from walmart and it works fine. I live in a rural area and the nearest station is 30 miles away (PBS). It picks up fine. Any other stations are 60 miles away and I didn't expect to pick them up. I do visit more civilized areas on weekends and figure it will come in handy when the wife is in the mall.

Another subject to discuss on this is how long can I safely run my head unit/TV converter w/o running the battery down while parked?

I just posted a full write-up with tons of pics of my F700 and Artec tv tuner install, head over and take a peek:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=23833

I just posted a full write-up with tons of pics of my F700 and Artec tv tuner install, head over and take a peek:

 

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=23833

awesome. thanks. i'll check it out.

I just posted a full write-up with tons of pics of my F700 and Artec tv tuner install, head over and take a peek:

 

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=23833

that looks really good. I like the idea of having 2 antennas. How is the reception?

I just received my ARTEC and am interested in hard wiring to my vehicle. Any idea if a regulated power supply is needed or can this be wired directly to vehicle wiring. The included power supply is 12v @ .5 amps wall AC adapter. Thinking.......chop off wall plug and splice into car wiring. I am assuming a variance of 12-14v with car wiring, so am wondering if I can do this. Thanks for your help.

Buy another plug from radio shack with the wire. Just cut the other end off and split the wire. Look for the positive tip wire. Add a glass fuse holder to that wire and connected to a power source when the ignition is on. The other goes to ground. Use a multi tester set it at ohms connect it to the tip of the plug and check both wires. When the meter moves you found your positive lead. Or a test light. same method

so, do you have to do a new channel scan everytime you start the car?

In NYC all the transmitters are all pretty much in the same area. So I drove 5 miles away looking at the sky line and did a scan. Loaded up all the digital channels and that was it. If yo plan on driving out of the area and you dont pick anything up than yes do another scan. But im guessing all the stations probably use the same frequencies.

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?

Did anyone try these antennas?

http://www.pickyguide.com/automotive/ca ... ended.html

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.

isnt there a tv tuner made by pioneer?

I think so but its about 300 or so dollars and its for Sirius TV.