Vip622 OTA HD Tuner

[ISG]

Since I got good responses before here is another request.

1 Does the 622 rcr w/HD OTA tuner receive both mpeg 4 and mpeg 2 HD programs from the locals along w/5.1 dolby(I assume most local HD programs are recorded in 5.1audio)?

2 Can one conclude this OTA tuner is as good as most separate OTA digital tuners such as HUMAX hfa100, viewsonic hd12, etc.?

3 Are there many local OTA HD xmissions in MPEG4?

Thanks,

ISG

[Matt Beachy]

2 Can one conclude this OTA tuner is as good as most separate OTA digital tuners such as HUMAX hfa100, viewsonic hd12, etc.?

I can't speak to how it compares to a separate OTA tuner, but my experience indicates it is not as good as the internal tuner in the Sony 34 XBR-970.

[Bradtothebone]

OTA broadcasts are in MPEG-2 only. This is part of the ATSC standard, so it's probably not going to change anytime soon.

Brad

[Beer Kahuna]

Since I got good responses before here is another request.

. . . . . .

2 Can one conclude this OTA tuner is as good as most separate OTA digital tuners such as HUMAX hfa100, viewsonic hd12, etc.?



I can say in response to ? #2: It is much better than my Samsung SIR-T151 HDTV tuner was and it is about the same as the built-in tuner in my Sony 40" LCD XBR1. The Sony is better on 2 channels, the 622 better on 2, and they're the same on the other 4.

[ISG]

Thanks for your inputs.

I think I will become another vip 622 user.

ISG

[Jeff P]

I can say in response to ? #2: It is much better than my Samsung SIR-T151 HDTV tuner

I will second this.

On my setup, the OTA tuner is definitly superior to the Samsung SIR-T151. For starters, the OTA scan only took a couple of minutes. I seem to recall it took almost 15 minutes on the Samsung.

PQ also seems to be a bit better.

[ndyclrk]

I bought a DB2 from Solid Signal with the intention of hooking it up in my attic. I figured until I got around to it, I'd put the TV2 Remote antenna on the OTA antenna input and see what I could do.

I got all of my stations. Most are in the 90-100 range. The lowest is 78. Of course, it helps that I live only 6.5 miles from all of the towers.

I probably won't be bothering with the DB2.

[m00se]

I bought a DB2 from Solid Signal with the intention of hooking it up in my attic. I figured until I got around to it, I'd put the TV2 Remote antenna on the OTA antenna input and see what I could do.

I got all of my stations. Most are in the 90-100 range. The lowest is 78. Of course, it helps that I live only 6.5 miles from all of the towers.

I probably won't be bothering with the DB2.

Just tried this and got nothing. I am about ive miles from the towers Any suggestions?

[Rob Glasser]

Just tried this and got nothing. I am about ive miles from the towers Any suggestions?

Any obstructions between you and the towers? Trees, houses, hills, etc ...? If so that may be your issue. Also, try putting it outside instead of in the attic if you do have it in the attic. It will increase your signal strength. Other than that, try different areas, heights, directions. Higher is not always better. Pointing an antenna can be a tricky thing to do.

Another issue you might have is multipath since you are so close to the towers. If that is the case a smaller antenna may do you better, i.e. a silver sensor.

Finally, if you haven't already, check for any OTA forums for your area on AVSForums. If one exists you can find tips from people local to you that are familiar with the area and the terrain.

Good Luck.

[ChuckA]

mOOse, I am only a few miles from the DFW towers in Cedar Hill. Originally I tried a set top OTA antenna and got about everything except channel 8. The wife did not like the looks of the inside antenna where I had to sit it so I got a cheap RS UHF/VHF (channel 8 is VHF) antenna and put it in the attic. I now get all the OTA channels I am interested in with excellent signal strength.

[m00se]

mOOse, I am only a few miles from the DFW towers in Cedar Hill. Originally I tried a set top OTA antenna and got about everything except channel 8. The wife did not like the looks of the inside antenna where I had to sit it so I got a cheap RS UHF/VHF (channel 8 is VHF) antenna and put it in the attic. I now get all the OTA channels I am interested in with excellent signal strength.

ChuckA, the view out my bedroom windows at night during the winter is the twinkling red christmastree-like view of the Cedar Hill towers, however, that is an upstairs view and that could be the reason I wasn't getting any signal on the big screen downstairs. I will give it a try again on the bedroom tv this weekend. I'll also check the AVSForums as Rob suggested. I haven't gone there in a while. I definitely don't want rabbit ears sitting on top of any tv and that's not even possible with the big screen, but I wouldn't mind having the option of OTA as well. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.