

If you can't get TV reception with an indoor antenna, a gain amp may not actually help you, and in other cases, it could make your reception worse by overloading channels that already have a strong signal. Based on our experiences in a number of locations, however, amplifiers offer a wildly unpredictable signal strength benefit. While the 1byOne will also work without the amp attached, the Channel Master won't.
#HDTV ANTENNA BOOSTER PLUS#
It's worth noting that some of these antennas - the 1byOne and the Channel Master Smartenna Plus - include gain-boosting amplifiers. Did the antenna have a long, high-performance coaxial cable or, even better, a detachable one? You'll be sticking one of these in your window, which could be a long way from your TV, so longer is better.

Most of the TV antennas are based on the same rectangular design, but there was one important consideration: the cable. While the results will vary depending on where you live and how far you are from TV towers, we found that the best-performing models received more of the most popular channels as well as local channels and additional radio broadcasts and Spanish-language stations. In addition we added popular channels CBS 2.1, WNBC 4 (NBC), and WNYW 5 (Fox). Our list of "problem" channels in Manhattan was WABC 7.1 (ABC), WNET 13.1 (PBS), WPIX 11.1 (CW - Manhattan only) and WNJB 58.1 (PBS - NJ only).

The TiVo Edge is an OTA recorder for cord-cutters Joshua Goldman/CNET Hills or large buildings in the way will have an effect on frequency range and reception of TV channels. Depending on your location, you might receive broadcasts from multiple antennas.

We tested the antennas in two main locations: in midtown Manhattan just a half-mile from the broadcast antennas on the Empire State Building - albeit obscured by other buildings - and in suburban New Jersey, 9 miles from the closest broadcast towers. Much like real estate, how well a TV antenna works is based on location, location and location. U Must Have Amplified High Definition Digital TV Antenna ($29).Channel Master Smartenna Plus ($49, discontinued).Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse ($45).1byOne Upgraded Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna ($21).AmazonBasics Ultra Thin Indoor TV Antenna ($20, discontinued).Here are the seven TV antennas we originally looked at: The best TV antennas were able to pull in more channels than the others and delivered stronger, clearer TV signals, even on "problem" channels. Not sure if you already have a TV Antenna Booster? Have a look at the mast up on your roof (from the safety of ground level!) that has the TV Antenna installed on it – if it has a grey looking box about half way down the mast (see below photo) – you have a TV Antenna Booster – if there is no obvious box it’s unlikely that you will have a TV Antenna Booster.We tested seven different indoor antennas with prices ranging from $10 to $90 (all much less than the most basic cable TV). We quite often find when we visit properties that are having Digital TV signal issues – especially rental properties where the previous tenants have moved out – that the previous occupiers of the property have packed up all their TV equipment and inadvertently taken with them the power supply for the TV Antenna Booster.Ī TV Antenna Booster requires power to operate – and we find that in most instances to stop occurrences of power supply’s going missing or being turned off it’s advantageous to have these power supply’s installed within the roof cavity.
#HDTV ANTENNA BOOSTER FREE#
In this instance your Antenna system would then require a TV Antenna Booster (Masthead Amplifier) to boost the signal at the Antenna therefore allowing all 3 TV points to bring adequate signal in from your TV Antenna and allow you picture perfect viewing free from pixilation and drop outs. Manufacturer of TV antenna, wireless digital doorbell, car equalizer, automatic voltage regulator, power inverter and TV antenna booster. Therefore if your Antenna on the roof is pulling in a Digital TV signal of 50dB and you have 3 TV points in the property each TV point will drop below the minimum threshold for digital tv signal therefore causing pixilation and drop outs. It is important to realise that for every additional TV point you have installed within your property this will drop your tv signal around 5dB per point. In Australia according to the ABCB guidelines for Digital TV the optimal TV spectrum for digital tv signal is between 45dB and 80dB. Dependent on your location to the nearest Broadcast Tower (check out the mySwitchwebsite to find your local transmission tower) you may have a weak signal and there is only so much “signal” your TV Antenna can pick up – but by installing a TV Antenna Booster into your Antenna system you are increasing or boosting that signal. What is a TV Antenna Booster and why do I need one?Ī TV Antenna Booster more commonly referred to in the industry as a Masthead Amplifier is used to boost your TV signal.
