Hi,

I currently subscribeto Bell ExpressVU and HD and pay $75 a month plus tax.

Here's the thought process...... I only watch network channels and can currently receive all of them off air, WB included as I live in Welland, Ontario about 30 minutes from the border.

Question is; why the hell not just go OTA and ditch the $75/month bill ?
Seems to me that Candian avaialble on demand internet services are just around the corner.

So, why not build a HTPC with dual HD PCI tuners for recording and watching simultaneously?

Anyone ponder the sameor better yet actually take the plunge? I have yound kids but it seems CBC in the AM has plenty of kids stuff on as well as Think on 43-3 (PBS).

Kryspy

Many have done this.

Well, remember there are other expenses: the antenna (which could run a bit depending on how far you are away from what you want to receive), plus some sort of HDTV receiver. And if you want an OTA HD DVR... well right now there aren't many. There's an older LG that lots of people have had problems with, and the Sony which was generally better is now discontinued (after like only 8 months). Hopefully more coming out later this year, the TiVo keeps threatening to release an OTA HD compatible model.

Beyond that, if you mainly watch the nets anyways, then yeah - OTA is good and cheap. Plus, it's the only way you can get HD programming in its absolute best unreprocessed quality (and I will tell you that OTA looks better than cable and much better than satellite).

Thanks,

HD DVR wise I was going to build an HTPC and use 2X Avermedia A180 for OTA HD recording and one analog card for SD viewing of either analog cable or satellite via set top box and ir emmitter.

Anyone go this route?

I already have an antenna set up and pulling in all of the US nets; I can point a secong one above it at Toronto and add an amplifier and pull in the Canadian nets as well.

Kryspy

There's a very active forum at AVS all about HTPCs. We don't talk about them too much here.

I've been running my MCE HTPC for about a year now. I love it. I went OTA in October. So far, I'm very happy with the entire setup. I kept my rogers subscription because the I like some of the 'specialty' stations they have. I used to use the Avermedia card, but decided to go with a DViCO Fusion HDTV5 USB Gold tuner instead. It can do QAM and ATSC.

Personally, I would highly recommend an HTPC because of all the other stuff you can do with it. DVD Player, MP3 Player, Movie (AVI, Divx, etc) player, Internet browser, etc. My excuse is that it makes my TV investment go further. :D

If you're interested in building an HTPC, visit these guys: http://mcehq.sensuz.com

I saw them at the Markham Home Show back in October. They were running a demo with their MCE system with an OTA setup. I didn't buy one of their systems, but I got most of my equipment from them.

What antenna setup are you using Kryspy, and how far does your reception carry on the map below? I am not too far away in Ridgeway, and would like to go OTA as well - any details would be great.

Thanks.

[Link: remotecentral.com]


I would be more than happy picking up most of the channels in that map. I currently get only Grand Island stations from a cheapie table top antenna

Hi,

I am reaching as far as the WB WNYO at 75% signal and no amplifier using a Wade 4 bay UHF antenna.

Here is a photo of my set up:

[Link: community.webshots.com]

Kryspy

Thanks. Any suggestions on local places to buy such antennas - Canadian selection seems to be almost non-existant at the moment... online the only option?

I bought that set up last week at Nutech electronics in St. Catharines. They are located on Nielson Ave. off of Welland Ave.

It cost me $140 for the antenna ($70) and the tripod and pole. I may ount a second one above it and drop that one lower on the pole and add an amp for the Toronto stations.

Kryspy

Thanks for the info, I will have to make a trip down there to see what they have.

This topic is exactly what I was thinking before I found this site and exactly what I did. I just installed an outdoor Wade 1483, connected through a 75' RG6 cable and I am very happy with my station selection - the couple Canadian stations I wanted I still get through cable TV (disconnected). Thanks for the help in this thread guys!