Perhaps a link or two could be added to explain some of the terms and concepts presented in this article.
Wilma J. Wright
· 1 year ago
Mr. Cugnini, I read your article on smart antennas and need to know where I can buy the CEA-909A. I need one for indoor and one for outdoor. I have 2 smart ready digital boxes but can't find them online. Please help. I like the design you showed in Figure 2, I assume this is for indoor? Please send all material you have on them.
Lauren
· 12 months ago
Mrs. Wilma My name is Lauren Delaney, i live in Picayune, MS when you get a reply on your question would you forward any info. would be very helpful, Thanks so much Not getting any recepition
Your article was extremely interesting, however you failed to mention what effect the cucus factor would have on digital reception and how this affected the FCC's selection of the analog cutoff date. Perhaps future articles would benefit from some more information on how smart antennas can be adapted for use in our public school's PA systems.
AldoC
· 1 year ago
Author's note: John's comment above is an inside joke -- so don't be too puzzled about the subject. As for terminology in the actual article, Wikipedia -- with qualifications -- is usually a good source for specific definitions.
bkcorbett
· 1 year ago
Can you tell me why I would want a smart antenna vs another omnidirectional antenna (such as rca's ant1500) ?
I have a converter box that will accept the smart antenna (rca's dta800B) but I am currently using an rca ant1251 but I am not wild about the rabbit ears. Also, although I can pick up quite a few channels with the ant1251, I have to manipulate the rabbit ears and sometimes move the whole unit (somebody's gonna put an eye out with that thing! ;- ] ) to get certain channels to come in at all.
I'm happy to spring for the 15 extra bucks for the ant2000 that with a smart antenna connection for the converter box, but is there a benefit to this? I'd rather not lock myself into the smart antenna connection if I don't have to --- some day we will want to upgrade to a real HDTV and I'm guessing it won't be easy to find HDTVs with smart antenna connections.
Michele Bushey
· 1 year ago
Not trying to sound like a dummy but does a smart antenna replace the converter boxes in the DTV change? It seems like it would be simpler than one box for each of our four TV's.
tired
· 1 year ago
I am really pissed about this whole thing. I recieved the new converter box, we hooked it up and we get maybe a couple more channels, which would be nice if the channels did not pause and jump. It is like a remix of your TV show. We finally turned the box off to watch through our digital rabbit ears, which is not extremely clear but at least it did not pause and jump around. I am upset because they are making this switch telling you, Oh here is the coupon for the converter box, with nothing said about having to go out and buy a new antenna. The instructions for the converter box say to buy a Smart Antenna. Try googling that! There are a million options for everything under the sun. What are we supposed to buy?
I did see one model of Smart Antenna at my local Best Buy. And, as the information notes, Smart Antennas are readily available from Internet stores.
Patty
· 11 months ago
I feel the same way as you. I got the converter box because I have an antenna for locla channels and directv for the rest. I have tryed all different ways to hook this thing up and get nothing. I emailed directv and they told me I needed to gea a new directv box to beable to hook all of this up. I said no way I will get a new TV with the ditigal tuner. Because my TV is back in the early 90's. I think I am better off doing that. I think this whole thing about turning everything over is nothing but a money grabbing joke. I can't afford food for my family and in this time of the world with everyone out of work then this. I am with you... Pissed.. Patty
I THINK THE FCC AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS. I LIVE IN RURAL LOUISIANA AND WE DON'T HAVE AN OUTDOOR ANTEANNA BECAUSE IT ALWAYS GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTENING. INSTEAD, WE HAVE RABBIT EARS AND YOU CAN'T BUY THOSE ANYMORE. I GOT A HDTV CONVERTER BOX, BUT IT WON'T WORK WITHOUT THIS SMART ANTEANNA. JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE LUNATICS THAT RUN THIS COUNTRY TO MAKE MONEY. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT IS GETTING KICKBACKS FROM THE SALE OF THESE HD/FLATSCREEN TVS OR THEY WOULDN'T BE MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT IT. WELL, I AM NOT SPENDING MONEY ON ONE OF THESE HIGH-PRICED ANTEANNAS WHEN MY TV IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. I'LL JUST NOT WATCH TV, I'LL WATCH MY DVD'S. HOW ABOUT THEM APPLES???
wolfbyte
· 1 year ago
LOL i would just point out...you probably paid tax on those dvd's so your damned if you do damned if you dont.
Moco
· 1 year ago
I live in Louisiana as well (outside of Lake Charles) and purchased one of the (RCA) digital flat antenna's, to hook up to the converter box, and it was far worse than my rabbit ears. I brought it back to the store and got my money back. Now I guess I'll have to find an outdoor antenna.
A Note: they still sell 'rabbit ear' antennas at Wal-Mart, and I assume some other stores too.
Michael Craft
· 1 year ago
What about the effectiveness when dealing with various hillsides, obstructions, ect between the "smart antenna" and the transmitting source. Am I to believe that this is better then a rooftop antenna that has about 1000% more surface area for signal gathering? With an Appropriate rotor mast and even antenna booster (if needed) the cost is around $300. I have seen the price points of these antennas at $75-$150 at some locations. Considering the difference in cost, wouldn't it be more prudent to describe the shortfalls of this antenna?
Van Hart
· 1 year ago
my DTV converter will not pick up most PBS stations. So where can I get a "smart antena" to recieve these "wonderful" new broadcast signals ? not the burp- hick- fart ones..???
Bob
· 1 year ago
I don't want to pay for anything else that doesn't work. I'm fustraited by the lack of knowledge on solutions to this problem. I get 14 anolog an 3 dtv stations.
Don6366
· 1 year ago
Are there any hdtv sets that have the smart antenna connection capability.
john
· 1 year ago
My education is not technical & I want to make an informed decision on which anatenna to purchase. I am in the violet area of the map & apparently require a large directional antenna. On this site I read, re: "Practical Smart Antennas" "An alternate type of smart antenna is the so-called switched beam antenna system. In this system, multiple fixed elements within the antenna are selectively used so that a primary receiving direction is favored..."
Could somebody provide me with more info. I think ??? this would work with, or instead of, a large directional antenna. I am about to purchase a new LCD HDTV & antenna & would like to do it right the first time. I am about 80 miles from Sacramento stations which I would be "aiming" at. thanxxxx
Sean
· 8 months ago
You will need just as much metal in the air for digital, if not more. None of the smart antennas I've seen are for distance.
They are more of a UHF suburban system where maximum distance is 30 miles. The active beam steering should help fight multipath and electronically do what twisting the rabbit ears around for pointing it at the transmitter antenna.
D,S.
· 1 year ago
OK, so what about the Smart antenna? As you said, we have to educate ourselves. Which ones are there and where do you get one for a reasonable price? I read the entire article hoping to get a clue!
John Love
· 1 year ago
You hear a lot about the new convertor boxes and you'll need to have one to be able to watch local stations. But what you or say I have not heard anything about needing a SMART ANTENNA until I bought a convertor box & read the instructions. Thats where I found out about the smart antennas. In my opinion they don't tell you about this and it just another way for the government to get you to spend more of your money, because they will give you a $40.00 coupon for this convertor box, which is a joke, but NO ONE EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT SMART ANTENNA! and no coupons for this.
Kim
· 12 months ago
Where can I buy a smart antenna without pulling out my gold bars? The chepeast I have seen is $90. That is still way too much.
Kathy
· 11 months ago
We bought the RCA Auto Adjusting Smart Flat Antenna for 65.00. What a waste of money! The rabbit ears were smarter!
Nora
· 11 months ago
will the smart antenna only work in feb. when things change,or can it work now ,will trees and building block the singnal ? I cannot get the smart can'nt find stations.
Nora Carrico
Kathy
· 11 months ago
The smart antenna and converter boxes work now. I ordered the antenna from Walmart online.
I did move the antenna and did a channel scan again - and I did pick up more channels.
Seems like it should work better however. They advertise right on the box that you don't have to deal with the manual movement of rabbit ears but it still seems like it does matter where you put the antenna. I haven't decided if I am keeping the antenna or not.
greg
· 11 months ago
Thank You, I have asked at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit city, and Walmart, and have inquired about the smart antenna. not a single clerk could help me. Nor could anyone direct me to yours or any other site for info. (no wonder they are laying people off). your site has been most informative again thank you
michael
· 11 months ago
I live in L.A.,Cal. and I'm having a hard time finding anyone local with smart antennas.As said,no said anything about this until after you get the box.Typical tactics,business as usual. This is a Very informative site. Thanks to everyone for imput and info.
Robert Curry
· 11 months ago
Many antennas being sold for "DTV" mislead the consumer, as the antennas do not work on VHF, or have very poor VHF performance, and in most areas there are, or WILL BE, both UHF and VHF DTV signals after the transition, even if there are none NOW. FACT: antenna performance is related to physical size, and physical size is related to frequency--SMALL antennas work especially POORLY on VHF !
dcwoodard
· 11 months ago
What is a practical, inexpensive indoor smart antenna to use with a DTV converter box?
Mrs. Beard
· 10 months ago
I also need the same questions answered that Wilma Wright asked on 11/22/2008. Where can I purchase? I live in North Louisiana, and what is the cost on these. We have two boxes, so what or how many will I need - antane. Thanks for your asap help..Mrs. Beard
J
· 10 months ago
I wanted the "smart antenna" for Xmas, so some friends ordered 2 for me, they finally came in last week. 2 Months later! I spent 4 hours messing with it because the instructions on how to hook it up are so small you have to have eagle eyes to read them, so I got out the flashlight and the magnifying glasses and still had to struggle. Then, if you hook it up according to their instructions, it has no way of connecting to the tv so you get no signal. Finally, got it to receive a few channels but they were fuzzy. The so called extra channels I got were either the local spanish or religious channels. No offense but, I don't speak spanish and I don't like money hungry evangelists preaching to me about the lord. It worked for about an hour, then lost signal and I could not get it to retrieve any thereafter. I felt like pitching it across the room! Do not waste your money on this! Rabbit ears bring me a picture as clear as cable! I have the ones you plug into the wall outlet and the signals are great!
Jerry
· 10 months ago
Very informative I now understand more about digital TV antennas. Does he reccomend any brands or what to compare to when we buy one?
Bill
· 10 months ago
Thank you for your article. While it introduced the terminology, it told me nothing of substance. So you say smart antennas get better reception for multiple directions. How much so? Am I really better off with a smart antenna, or should I just stick a couple of regular antennas in my attic, and a good preamp to join the signals?
Numbers and references please, not just hand waving and reassuring nods.
turd
· 6 months ago
Please read the "Proven Utility" section.
How much so? 12dB for DTV says the article.
If you stick a couple of regular antennas in your attic and join the signals, there will be a phase difference between those signals. You'll need to delay the signals from the different antennas by different amounts so that the peaks and troughs of the signal add...and some amplification would be nice. Oh wait...this IS what a smart antenna is...never mind.
W. griffin
· 9 months ago
excellent information and clear.
Pat Ziegler
· 9 months ago
What this article fails to talk about is GAIN. The smart antenna has very little if any. Looks to me to be a fancy dipole or unity gain antenna. It is a great concept but if they build a deep fringe, high gain model it will be huge and unaffordable.
The marketing boys have dusted it with pixie dust and made it out to be the magical answer to all your reception woes…
Buyer beware… If you’re in fringe reception country, nothing beats metal in the air…
Pat Ziegler Wholesale Electronics Inc. www.weisd.com
vic arizpe
· 8 months ago
i have a apex converter box and it has an smart antenna option how much are those antenas in the market.
Trish
· 7 months ago
you can get a good one for around $60. try googling RCA ANT 2000 smart antenna. Most stores don't sell them yet... you may need to get it online.
loisbryant29
· 8 months ago
Purchased a Sony Bravia TV. New instore antennas don't work as well as my old UHF/VHF indoor antenna ( which worked well on my old TV). Which indoor antenna recieves the strongest signal? Where can I purchase it? Currently I don't recieve the digetal signals in the area and the pictures are very snowy. Signal strenth on this new TV is 25%. Live at 204 Mallard Point Court, Georgetown, KY. Pick up Lexington, KY and Cinn. Ohio Channels.
Claudette Darnell
· 6 months ago
I've been looking around for a smart antenna for my dtv converter but I do not know who carries them and where. I face knee replacement surgery soon and I do not want to keep getting up to adjust the antenna during my home recovery period. I live alone.
davemac9230
· 6 months ago
have you tried looking in FRY's?
David Vitiello
· 6 months ago
I have a DTA-5000 smart antenna (made by DX corp.) ($70) which solved my multipath problem. I can send you my test results if you send me an e-mail adderss. My e-mail address is davidvitiello@webtv.net.Your receiver must have a smart antenna interface or else you can't use a smart antenna. My converter box is an Apex DT250A. Regards, David
need one to get off direct tv sat.and need you phone number
Ken Brookes
· 6 months ago
A good article, but you need to define your terms.
SNR, BER, C/N, D/U etc.
AldoC
· 4 months ago
SNR, Signal-to-Noise Ratio BER, Bit Error Rate C/N, Carrier-to-Noise (ratio) D/U, Desired-to-Undesired (signal)
gloria1113
· 5 months ago
will it work can you receive abc, nbc, cbs with a smart antenna in every area of the U.S.
centralva
· 5 months ago
Hooked the dtv converter box up to the tv in my RV and the vertical hold rolls along with the horizontal not clear, in other words, only glimpses of what tv would be like. Do I need another antenna? I am using rooftop and had about 4 channels available before the switch. Now nothing!! Help!!
Linda Robinson
· 4 months ago
im already getting a converter box that is installed with a smart atenna and what i want to know is that a good thing and does that count as a good converter box
ronniekk
· 4 months ago
this is quite confusing to me! would you be so kind as to tell me what converter box am i to use in order to use a smart antenna? i have a 1 year old hdtv and have been told by numerous people that i don't NEED a converter box, that my tv has a tuner built into it. but on the other hand, the smart antenna needs to be able to plug into my set and i guess my set does not have the recepticle for this? i would appreciate any input you may have to offer regarding this issue! thank you
evelyngarrison
· 4 months ago
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE MART ANTENNA I LIVE NEAR FT. SCOTT, KS.
All Comments
My name is Lauren Delaney, i live in Picayune, MS when you get a reply on your question would you forward any info. would be very helpful,
Thanks so much
Not getting any recepition
the FCC's selection of the analog cutoff date. Perhaps future articles would
benefit from some more information on how smart antennas can be adapted
for use in our public school's PA systems.
I have a converter box that will accept the smart antenna (rca's dta800B) but I am currently using an rca ant1251 but I am not wild about the rabbit ears. Also, although I can pick up quite a few channels with the ant1251, I have to manipulate the rabbit ears and sometimes move the whole unit (somebody's gonna put an eye out with that thing! ;- ] ) to get certain channels to come in at all.
I'm happy to spring for the 15 extra bucks for the ant2000 that with a smart antenna connection for the converter box, but is there a benefit to this? I'd rather not lock myself into the smart antenna connection if I don't have to --- some day we will want to upgrade to a real HDTV and I'm guessing it won't be easy to find HDTVs with smart antenna connections.
I totally understand your frustration. That's why I developed this brief answer sheet (http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forum...). I hope it provides information that's helpful.
I did see one model of Smart Antenna at my local Best Buy. And, as the information notes, Smart Antennas are readily available from Internet stores.
Patty
A Note: they still sell 'rabbit ear' antennas at Wal-Mart, and I assume some other stores too.
"An alternate type of smart antenna is the so-called switched beam antenna system. In this system, multiple fixed elements within the antenna are selectively used so that a primary receiving direction is favored..."
Could somebody provide me with more info. I think ??? this would work with, or instead of, a large directional antenna. I am about to purchase a new LCD HDTV & antenna & would like to do it right the first time. I am about 80 miles from Sacramento stations which I would be "aiming" at. thanxxxx
They are more of a UHF suburban system where maximum distance is 30 miles. The active beam steering should help fight multipath and electronically do what twisting the rabbit ears around for pointing it at the transmitter antenna.
The rabbit ears were smarter!
Nora Carrico
I did move the antenna and did a channel scan again - and I did pick up more channels.
Seems like it should work better however. They advertise right on the box that you don't have to deal with the manual movement of rabbit ears but it still seems like it does matter where you put the antenna. I haven't decided if I am keeping the antenna or not.
Numbers and references please, not just hand waving and reassuring nods.
How much so? 12dB for DTV says the article.
If you stick a couple of regular antennas in your attic and join the signals, there will be a phase difference between those signals. You'll need to delay the signals from the different antennas by different amounts so that the peaks and troughs of the signal add...and some amplification would be nice. Oh wait...this IS what a smart antenna is...never mind.
high gain model it will be huge and unaffordable.
The marketing boys have dusted it with pixie dust and made it out to be the magical answer to all your reception woes…
Buyer beware… If you’re in fringe reception country, nothing beats metal in the air…
Pat Ziegler
Wholesale Electronics Inc.
www.weisd.com
SNR, BER, C/N, D/U etc.
BER, Bit Error Rate
C/N, Carrier-to-Noise (ratio)
D/U, Desired-to-Undesired (signal)
Help!!
i would appreciate any input you may have to offer regarding this issue!
thank you