Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception
by Terk
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: TerkModel: HDTVA
Product features:
- Amplified indoor HDTV antenna engineered to receive VHF channels 2-13 and UHF channels 14-69.
- Optimized to receive all HDTV channels (2 to 69) for free local high-definition entertainment when used with a compatible TV or TV/receiver
- Exclusive Dual-Drive Amplifier ensures clear reception of both distant and close HDTV and DTV stations
- High-gain antenna array can be oriented horizontally or vertically for optimum reception
- Appealing design with small footprint; easy to install--supplied cable carries video and power
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception
Customer Review: Antennas Compared
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm a first timer at getting OTA HDTV. This has been an experiment in progress for the past 5 weeks. I have gone through four antennas (they are all here as I write this) before finding something that's satisfactory (rather than tolerable).
I live around 25 miles from Manhattan, where the towers of most TV stations are located. I am also aware of the directional information from [...], and have experimented accordingly with its effects on reception. My apartment's windows all face north, while the signals all comes from southwest. I cannot get signals from where it comes from, and thus needed to get signals from deflections perhaps off nearby buildings and trees. It's a very poor circumstance for over-the-air reception, maybe just slightly better than being underground. Signals are weak, and are affected by weather. Stormy and windy days have shown effects at disrupting signal reception.
With this said, and without going into much detail, let's talk about the antennas. Now all these antenna have been tested with the same equipment, setup, directional adjustments, location, etc. etc. and have been tested through good an foul weather, day and night, to observe differences.
1.Terk HDTVa Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception- After reading some rave reviews and high ratings at [...], log periodic types (looks like a fishbone) seems to be the way to go. I got the Terk HDTVa first, thinking that the amplification and VHF antenna should nail my reception problems at the start. However, after more than two weeks of fidgeting around ad nauseam (directions, locations, amplifications, different devices, etc.), I only managed to pick up two ATSC channels' signals, and even those don't have strong enough signals to display anything. I thought maybe it's just my poor location, and that I should probably give up on the attempt. The included in-line amplifier dongle doesn't work at all. Powering it on makes no difference in signal strength readings, which hovered around 5-10%.
It is well built, looks nice, good concepts, but it just didn't work.
2.Phlips PHDTV1 Philips PHDTV1 Digital HDTV-UHF Indoor Antenna- The venerated "silver sensor" which was previously sold under the Zenith brand also had great ratings and reviews. It's in fact nearly legendary. I decided, in desperation, to try it out, even if it doesn't have amplification. It seems all my local HD channels are in UHF anyway, so I won't miss the VHF dipoles.
The unit has startlingly poorer build quality compared to the Terk. It has paint bubbles, hairs and dusts trappings in the paint, sharp edged cheap plastics and much thinner metal blades that's covered in oil and has some dings and bendings. I wasn't impressed with the quality, and didn't expect much from it as I set it up.
To my surprise, it picked up 9 working channels (note: the terk got two channels' signals, but they didn't work) from the start, even if it's randomly placed. It's thrilling as it was the first time I saw OTA HDTV. After some adjustment and location experiments, I was able to receive 19 channels. However, not all of these channels work well given the same direction.
The directionally sensitive antenna needs to be adjusted as I switch channels. e.g. NBC and CBS seems to work well in one direction, while ABC has its own favorite direction, which works also with FOX. I tried as best as possible to find a compromise point where everything works. I couldn't. It just needs to be adjusted constantly.
The transmission is often dogged by reception fluctuations. Signal quality tend to fluctuate quite a bit, especially affected by weather. That means the TV playback would get choppy at times, with its severity dependent on the direction I point the antenna at. I didn't think fluctuating signals was a characteristic until I tried the latter two antennas later. I also found that I had to constantly play with the directional positioning to get a stable signal from each of the stations.
It works, and I was impressed, but then in retrospect it could only be best described as a "tolerable" HDTV experience as I struggled for a smooth signal delivery.
3.RCA ANT111 Basic Indoor Antenna- While shopping in stores, I saw this basic and classic RCA loop/dipole antenna for less than $[...]. I couldn't resist the temptation to try it out, just for the heck of it. It is also a different type of antenna than the previous two.
Again, I was surprised. This cheap antenna worked well, especially considering how it's only a fraction of the price of the two I'd tried. I ended up getting 17 channels, a few less than the PHDTV1, with the same location and setup. Some channels also don't work, even if signals were detected. The quality of the signals seems to be the key.
So what's so special about it? It strangely had better signal delivery for the channels that worked. It's not as choppy, and quality level is very steady. It is also not as affected by directional positioning. I was for the first time able to view FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC without adjusting the antenna. However, the lack of directionality also makes it ambiguous when I lost the signal. It seems that there's no "favorite direction" for the channels, which also means I can't pull in stronger signals at my choosing. It is also quite susceptible to weather changes, particularly wind (which probably affected signals reflected by trees?)
The signal strength also seems to be a little weaker, though the signal quality tend to be higher in general. That probably contributed to the smoother video delivery. It also tempted me to get a similar design that has amplification.
4.Philips MANT510 Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/ Vhf/ Fm Antenna- This unit has a "digital TV optimized, patent pending UHF panel array". I thought I'd try it out just for the slightly different antenna design, if not just for the adjustable amplification.
Well, it works, and works quite well. The antenna doesn't work without power, and with amplification turned off it works a little less than unpowered PHDTV1 and ANT111. Yet with the amplification turned on, I get 24 channels, with strength up to 81% (compared to 3-10% unamplified, and quality consistently above 60 and usually in the 70-90%+. That generates the most reliable video delivery of all the ones tried.
While thunderstorms still managed to distrupt signals, it's much less often and only momentarily. I also don't have to worry about hunting for signals as I just point it in one general direction and I get everything but three NJN channels (they are even further from here.. maybe a good 50 miles).
I finally can just set the antenna and forget it. It lets me focus on the programming rather than antenna adjustment. While it needs to be powered, it gives me the confidence to finally enjoy HDTV, rather than tweaking and tolerating it. It's good enough that I can probably stop searching. I hope it'll be helpful to you who may be going through the same purchasing decision nausea as I have.
More Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception reviews:
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Description of Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception
Terk indoor amplified hd-tv uhf/vhf ant.The high-performance HDTVa amplified indoor HDTV antenna from Terk Technologies is designed to capture both UHF and VHF signals (channels 2 to 69) while extending the reception range for all local HDTV broadcasts. The HDTVa uses an ultra-low-noise, high-gain amplifier with Terk's exclusive Dual-Drive Amplifier technology for clear reception of both distant and close HDTV and DTV stations.
Capture both UHF/VHF signals while extending the reception range for all local HDTV broadcasts. Click here for a larger image
Features a curved, tapered, polished-aluminum look.
Integrated 75-ohm cable.
Enjoy Full-Resolution Broadcasts
Suitable for those living in city apartments as for those in suburban homes, the compact HDTVa lets viewers experience HDTV broadcasts in full resolution. Designed for total reception versatility, the HDTVa's high-gain antenna array can be oriented either horizontally or vertically within its mounting base to achieve optimum capture of off-air broadcasts.
The antenna is engineered to receive all local HDTV channels, with an operating bandwidth covering both the VHF (channels 2 to 13) and UHF (channels 14 to 69) frequency ranges. Its highly directional log periodic UHF and precision VHF elements are designed to receive HDTV broadcasts with maximum signal strength while rejecting all or most interference.
Boost Weak Signals
Set the amplifier to high-gain mode to compensate for signals that are too weak or might otherwise be bypassed for a stronger signals nearby.
Easy Installation
Simplifying your installation, the HDTVa uses Terk's Power Injector to derive power via its coaxial connecting cable. The result? One cable is all you have to connect, making it easy to install the HDTVa atop or near your television.
Great Modern Looks
As an added bonus, the HDTVa is as exceptional in appearance as it is in performance: its curved, tapering, polished-aluminum antenna elements are mounted in a slim base with a contoured front that visually complements the curve of the antenna elements.
Specs
- Dimensions: Base 13" x 9.125 x 16 Inches
- Height of Dipoles Open: 44 Inches
- Operating Bandwidth: VHF Channels 2-13; UHF Channels 14-69
- Output Impedance: 75 Ohms
- Amplifier Gain: 12 dB Typical VHF (11 dB UHF)
What's in the Box
Antenna With Integrated 75-ohm Cable, Instruction Manual, Warranty Information
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