I finally made the jump to internet-only at home. Dropping cable TV service at home and in my AirBnB is going to save me big bucks, but I'd like to still access local TV. I know there are digital antennas and streaming services, but I'm curious what those with practical experience find to be the best option. My streaming services have some local channels, but not all.
Post Reply
1 of 1
Local TV for internet-only service
633 Views |
12 Replies |
Last: 3 days ago by El_duderino
Antenna.
During football season I have historically used YTTV but have switched to Sling day pass. I am tired of the YTTV price hikes and channel bloat and i only ever bought YTTBV for football anyways.
The antenna works the best and I don't see a reason for anything else. I have an antenna inside my attic and located 50 miles from all the broadcast antennas. NBC, FOX, ABC are basically flawless. For some reason CBS rarely comes in. I get better reception on CBS if i turn the antenna 90 degrees. my next step is to add a second antenna to accommodate CBS but honestly i don't need that but for the handful of cowboys games and the 2:30 CBS on SEC.
During football season I have historically used YTTV but have switched to Sling day pass. I am tired of the YTTV price hikes and channel bloat and i only ever bought YTTBV for football anyways.
The antenna works the best and I don't see a reason for anything else. I have an antenna inside my attic and located 50 miles from all the broadcast antennas. NBC, FOX, ABC are basically flawless. For some reason CBS rarely comes in. I get better reception on CBS if i turn the antenna 90 degrees. my next step is to add a second antenna to accommodate CBS but honestly i don't need that but for the handful of cowboys games and the 2:30 CBS on SEC.
Antenna either direct to TV or antenna + HDHomeRun if you want DVR and network streaming capability. As mentioned above, you'll need to factor in your location relative to the transmission towers and aim it appropriately. Most HD broadcasts now are in the UHF band but there are a few stragglers in some markets which still broadcast on VHF. This impacts antenna selection.
This is my set up and I get all the locals no problem in Houston. Plex server for recording.
FightinTAC08 said:
Antenna.
During football season I have historically used YTTV but have switched to Sling day pass. I am tired of the YTTV price hikes and channel bloat and i only ever bought YTTBV for football anyways.
The antenna works the best and I don't see a reason for anything else. I have an antenna inside my attic and located 50 miles from all the broadcast antennas. NBC, FOX, ABC are basically flawless. For some reason CBS rarely comes in. I get better reception on CBS if i turn the antenna 90 degrees. my next step is to add a second antenna to accommodate CBS but honestly i don't need that but for the handful of cowboys games and the 2:30 CBS on SEC.
SEC football is no longer on CBS, so there is one less thing to worry about.
well that is great news. hadn't even considered that was changing.
Been that way for two seasons now.
If you just recently had cable or satellite, you may find that running coax from your tv to the jack in the wall behind it will work. The coax running through your walls or the satellite dish on your roof could serve as an effective antenna. Would be the simplistic solution, if it works.Ryan the Temp said:
I finally made the jump to internet-only at home. Dropping cable TV service at home and in my AirBnB is going to save me big bucks, but I'd like to still access local TV. I know there are digital antennas and streaming services, but I'm curious what those with practical experience find to be the best option. My streaming services have some local channels, but not all.
Antennaweb.orgRyan the Temp said:
I finally made the jump to internet-only at home. Dropping cable TV service at home and in my AirBnB is going to save me big bucks, but I'd like to still access local TV. I know there are digital antennas and streaming services, but I'm curious what those with practical experience find to be the best option. My streaming services have some local channels, but not all.
Antennaweb.org is your friend. It gives recs for antenna size, compass directions to orient the antenna for channels in your area, etc.
And there is no such thing as a "digital antenna". The only thing digital is the broadcast signal for HDTV.
It's kind of like back in the 80s when speakers were advertised as "digital ready" when CDs were the big thing. The signal to the speakers was strictly analog so "digital ready" had no basis in reality.
I am not the Six Million Dollar Man, but I might need that surgery. "We have the technology, we can rebuild him!"
nvm... missed that you mentioned antenna. Still, I am curious as to the age because it sounds like you haven't ever used a TV antenna, based on the question.
He said antenna in his post.
double aught said:
He said antenna in his post.
Ahh... still, it's a weird question if he's ever used an antenna. As long as it's a decent HD antenna, the clarity is better than cable, usually. Also, my response was more tongue in cheek, which is sometimes hard to relay in forums.
Antenna
“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
Featured Stories
See All
Texas A&M adds Illinois DT Angelo McCullom via transfer portal
by Ryan Brauninger
17:40
21h ago
8.7k
FINAL from Reed Arena: No. 7 Vanderbilt 91, Texas A&M 51
by Kay Naegeli
5 Thoughts: Texas A&M 83, Oklahoma 76
by Luke Evangelist