I live in rural USA . The TV stations range from 55 to 120 miles away. I purchased my HD 65" TV in Nov. 2004 and signed on with Direct TV with OTA tuners with the STB and built into the TV. I used an outside antenna that consists of 6 Bow Ties mounted on a flat screen surface.
I immediately became disgusted with Direct TV and their lack of HD channels. So I signed on with VOOM with the intention of dropping Direct TV. Then I started hearing rumors about the future failure of VOOM. So I kept both systems and installed an additional outside antenna. THis antenna consisted of a high gain antenna with a rotator. This gave me the opportunity to compare both systems' OTA tuner.
The VOOM OTA Tuner outperformed the Direct TV tuner during stormy and rainy conditions using the high gain antenna. The tuner built into the Mitsubishi TV outperformed the Direct tv tuner and it was always connected to the Bow Tie antenna.
I found that during stormy weather I could move the High gain antenna as little as 10o and completely restore the picture. As you know with Digital you either receive an absolutely perfect picture or nothing at all. There is no compression so the picture is superior than any other source.
Another interesting fact is that most of these digital stations are operating on reduced power. I have no problems even with the ABC and one PBS affiliate over 120 miles away. The ABC affiliate is presently off the air installing a new antenna in order to increase their power. Over the past year there have been times when the digital signal was turned off for repairs. The stations will not inform you of their off air digital time . You have to send them an E- Mail to find our what is going on.
Another great feature is Multiple broadcasting. The two major network affiliates operate multiple digital channels. The second channel is devoted to weather with a real- time weather map. Both also operate full time 1080i.
The two educational channels multicast with one having 5 channels and one having 3 channels. Each station also has one full time HD channel.
The reason I wrote this is because I have had Direct TV servicemen that lived in my area and were not aware of what one can do with an outside 1950 technology antenna. One had an HD set and was going home and installing an antenna when he realized that he was missing out on 11 digital signals with more scheduled to go on -line soon.
A friend of mine lives in a Major city and he bought an antenna and had it laying on the floor behind the TV and it worked great. He was impressed most with the educational HDTV programs.
I feel fortunate that I do not have to depend on MR Murdock of Direct TV for the majority of my HD viewing. If it was not for ESPN i would cancel direct TV HD pkg.
I hope this info is helpful,
WOLJR
I immediately became disgusted with Direct TV and their lack of HD channels. So I signed on with VOOM with the intention of dropping Direct TV. Then I started hearing rumors about the future failure of VOOM. So I kept both systems and installed an additional outside antenna. THis antenna consisted of a high gain antenna with a rotator. This gave me the opportunity to compare both systems' OTA tuner.
The VOOM OTA Tuner outperformed the Direct TV tuner during stormy and rainy conditions using the high gain antenna. The tuner built into the Mitsubishi TV outperformed the Direct tv tuner and it was always connected to the Bow Tie antenna.
I found that during stormy weather I could move the High gain antenna as little as 10o and completely restore the picture. As you know with Digital you either receive an absolutely perfect picture or nothing at all. There is no compression so the picture is superior than any other source.
Another interesting fact is that most of these digital stations are operating on reduced power. I have no problems even with the ABC and one PBS affiliate over 120 miles away. The ABC affiliate is presently off the air installing a new antenna in order to increase their power. Over the past year there have been times when the digital signal was turned off for repairs. The stations will not inform you of their off air digital time . You have to send them an E- Mail to find our what is going on.
Another great feature is Multiple broadcasting. The two major network affiliates operate multiple digital channels. The second channel is devoted to weather with a real- time weather map. Both also operate full time 1080i.
The two educational channels multicast with one having 5 channels and one having 3 channels. Each station also has one full time HD channel.
The reason I wrote this is because I have had Direct TV servicemen that lived in my area and were not aware of what one can do with an outside 1950 technology antenna. One had an HD set and was going home and installing an antenna when he realized that he was missing out on 11 digital signals with more scheduled to go on -line soon.
A friend of mine lives in a Major city and he bought an antenna and had it laying on the floor behind the TV and it worked great. He was impressed most with the educational HDTV programs.
I feel fortunate that I do not have to depend on MR Murdock of Direct TV for the majority of my HD viewing. If it was not for ESPN i would cancel direct TV HD pkg.
I hope this info is helpful,
WOLJR
