Audiovox HDTVa TV antenna

Keep in mind that in purchasing the antenna my only hope was to get the major 4 channels in HD (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox). I do not care about analog channels because I have regular satellite that will bring those to me with a better picture than an antenna could deliver.

I bought the Terk antenna last night from Best Buy as well as the Philips Indoor HDTV Antenna (PHDTV1) from Circuit City. I wanted to watch ‘Lost’ on ABC in HD very badly and thus setup the Terk antenna first. I got a reception but it would come and go on occasion but I was amazed at the clarity of the picture for the 95% of the time I had a reception. Even if the signal is week, assuming you have a picture, it is very good (near perfect). It is not like an analog channel with which can be snowy or grainy. You either get the HD channel or you don’t. There is no in-between from my experience.
Hawaii has never looked so beautiful on my Sony SXRD 50A2000 1080p TV!! I read my TV owner’s manual and figured out how to determine what the signal strength was for each channel I was getting. Initially, when I was watching ‘Lost’, the auto-channel setup only found about 10 analog stations and 3 HD stations with the Terk installed. Once I began using the signal strength information to more precisely aim the antenna, I could get ABC with no problems or breaks in reception. It was awesome!! When the signal strength for a station drops below the 60% threshold, I generally loose the channel reception. ABC had been fluctuating around the mid-sixties when I watched ‘Lost’, but now it was steadily in the seventy percentile. I tried the automated-channel search again and it found a few more channels. I started fumbling with the Terk box and found another box inside. This contained the signal booster (the amplifier) that I had completely forgotten about. It works in tandem with the included coaxial cable so you don’t have to install it to use the antenna. I hooked that bad boy in and now all of my signal strengths increased by approximately 20 to 25 additional percentage points (ABC went from the seventies to a solid 98%!!!!). I was amazed and ran the auto channel setup again. This time it found about 12 HD channels and 24 analog channels!! I couldn’t believe the difference. Because the Philips model did not have the amplifier, I didn’t even bother setting it up and will return it soon. I plan on using some Velcro tape on the bottom of the Terk antenna to help secure it a bit more.

Financially, I bought the Terk from Best Buy for $69.99 but will return it ASAP. I’ve found it for sale on a few internet sites for under $30.
I know antennas are hit-or-miss, but if you want to try an indoor antenna, I strongly recommend this one!!
I’m very, very pleased.

I purchased this more expensive antenna to pick up more stations, I thought. Well, it picked up 2. The old Phillips picked up 20+. I stood in my living room pointing, aiming, restanding the unit and once I might have signal, it falls over again. I fought this thing and humbly put the cheap Phillips back on and now just watch the 20+ stations I had before.

I probably would not have like the look even if it worked for me, it sticks out everywhere. It is not real practical.