Channel Master 4228HD Long-Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna
by PCT International, Inc.
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Category: Home Theater
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PCT International, Inc.Brand: Channel Master
Edition: Electronics
Model: 4228HD
Publisher: PCT International, Inc.
Studio: PCT International, Inc.
Music Label: PCT International, Inc.
Product features:
- receives digital and analog UHF and high-band VHF TV signals
- 60 mile range for UHF
- 45 Mile range for VHF
- 75-ohm coax output
- Roof or Attic installations
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Channel Master 4228HD Long-Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna
Customer Review: Not the same as the earlier (excellent) CM-4228
Summary: 1 Stars
This is not a review in the traditional sense because after reading reviews elsewhere and examining the product in a B&M, I decided against purchasing the antenna. Instead, the primary intent of this "review" is to alert potential customers that the earlier reviews here were for an entirely different product. The secondary intent is to provide a summary of information that I found elsewhere to facilitate your finding such sources. I strongly recommend that you read the comments here--several contain useful info and two contain links to pages quantifying some of the issues mentioned below (positive and negative experience and assessments), esp H. Ziesing and John B.
Note: I cannot give links to the reviews I found elsewhere: Amazon policy--enforced by automatic scanning of review submissions--prohibits such links in the product reviews themselves.
Note: Amazon collapses together reviews for models it thinks are (near) equivalent. This can be useful in cases such a paperback edition of a book or a movie in different distribution media (DVD, Blu-ray, download), but misfires badly in cases such as this.
The predecessor CM 4228 (no "HD" suffix) was widely regarded as one of the very best antennas. A corporate change moved manufacturing from the US to China and introduced a major design change--you can find pictures on the web of the original model and see that it has a starkly different reflector grid. Consequently, disregard the (rightfully positive) reviews of more than a year ago--Summer/Fall 2008--as applying to that previous model (and some of the newer reviews may also be for the old model).
For the 4228HD, there was widespread complaints about manufacturing quality (many times in reviews comparing it to the original 4228 model). So although some may have good experience with the new model, YMMV. For something where I have to climb up on my roof, "YMMV" is almost an automatic disqualifier. However, recognize that manufacturing problems can be fixed, so factor in the dates on various reviews.
One review I saw (elsewhere) said that the 4228HD's performance is so poor that it is roughly comparable to its 2-bay sibling, which has the advantages of being cheaper (about 40%), lighter and smaller.
Design problem: _Reportedly_ the antenna generates its own interference (but I don't know how big an effect this is): The wires connecting the elements on each side to the balun are different lengths and geometries, thereby creating an antenna that is broadcasting into the intended antenna. This is so, so very basic that it is impossible for me to trust anything else in the design. Note: the _total_ length of each wire from one side to the other is the same, but the balun is connected at different points (relative to the ends) on the two wires, thereby creating the antenna effect (from a review by someone who appeared credible and that was consistent of what I remember of my course in antenna design). Background: Every wire is an antenna, both receiving and broadcasting. Where the effect is _non-trivial_, the standard practice is to have the two wires be the same length (same frequency response) and parallel, close together with crossovers to cancel each other out. Recognize that in _ideal_ conditions--that both sides of the antenna are receiving the exact same signal--this effect cancels out. The typical buyer won't know if their location is far enough off this ideal to matter. If you were concerned only about the signal broadcast by the TV stations, this would be much easier to guesstimate, but you also have signals broadcast by a wide range of other devices, both intentionally and not.
Design problem, balun (signal): Observation that the balun's location in the plane of the antenna results in it radiating (broadcasting) into the antenna. Aside: The balun provides the proper impedance for the coax cable downleads (conversion by induction circuit).
Design problem, balun (physical): Complaints about difficulties connecting to the balun (sealed box; terminal is not adequately fastened and rotates until it breaks). Complaints that the projected/inevitable problems with the balun (as it weathers) are not easily fixable.
Design change: The reflector screens are very different and in ways that could produce substantial differences in performance between the original and current models. Recognize that the 4228 was designed when most stations were in the two VHF bands and the lower portion of the UHF band. After the DTV transition, the lower VHF band (2-6) was surrendered, there are far fewer stations in the upper VHF band (7-13) and much more of the UHF band is being used.
On the complaints about manufacturing in the (credible) reviews I found: Proper connectivity and isolation of elements is crucial to performance, but poor quality construction and assembly negates some elements (out-of-the-box or as it is buffeted by the weather).
Description of Channel Master 4228HD Long-Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna
Channel Master's 4228HD antenna can receive digital and analog over-the-air TV signals in the UHF band and high VHF band. The 4228HD is optimized for "deep-fringe" reception of HDTV and receives digital and analog UHF and high-band VHF TV signals; range is 60 miles for UHF (ch. 14-69), 45 miles for VHF (ch. 7-13); 8-bay bowtie dipole design; 41"W x 5-1/2"D x 33"H.Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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