Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Films/DVD Asylum

rooftop antennas

63.26.11.61

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Films/DVD Asylum ] [ FAQ ]

In Reply to: LOL! I would take Berlin any time too! posted by Victor Khomenko on October 02, 2000 at 18:05:01:

I hear that VK. In my bedroom community we are fobidden to have rooftop antennas, so every house was wired for cable. I put up with it for a few years--redid the ground and replaced all the splitters, put RS terminators on all the unused feeds---nothing helped. The cable signal was just awful--loud buzzing, went out at every thunderstorm or heavy snow (the times when I most wanted to see the doppler radar), thick black vertical lines, ghosts...
So I bought a dish. Well, at first, I couldn't believe what I'd been missing. It was fantastic! But I couldn't get the local radar from the Weather Channel, which is about 90% of what I watch on TV. Then, the picture started to pixellate on me, at first rarely, then, almost daily. Directv started dumping junk channels onto the band--adding three a day for a while, and no matter how many times I reprogramed to get them off my clicker they kept adding new ones.
So one day I went to Sears Hardware and bought a $35 rooftop antenna and put it in the attic. I plumbed it into the cable tv feed (I dropped the cable as soon as I saw the Dish picture) and nearly pissed my pants when I saw the evening local news (a live feed thru the air). So I called the Dish people and dropped everything but the shows my kids like (pbsk).
You are right VK. Most people have no idea how good regular TV can be.
By the way, I've recently joined netflix. Now THAT is the way to rent movies! If only they had more of the kind of films only VK rents...

Follow Ups:

DirecTV Bruce from DC 08:06:20 10/09/00 (0)
Pixellating pictures? I've had my DirecTV dish up since 1/1/99; and the only time I experienced this problem was with an approaching rainstorm and resulting loss of signal strength. It's happened about 5 times since then.
A videophile acquaintance of mine does claim that DirecTV's delivery of more channels has resulted in visibly poorer resolution on his high-end HDTV set; but he never complained about pixellating. Were you watching sports when you saw this? Fast action requires higher bitrate, I believe.
Cable companies are going to a digital tier, which should cure some of the problems you're experiencing. This requires rebuild of the system with a fiberoptic to nodes, then coax to the house. Reduced length of the coax runs and elimination of long RF amplifier cascades should result in better analog signal quality, too. Of course, the quality of the digial signal is completely dependent upon the datarate the company chooses to feed you.
Your cable company is Suburban Cable? I think Comcast bought them out in Phila. suburbs.
RBB --
"Q-tips (tm) work great!"
Telll us about that netflix Victor Khomenko 06:38:41 10/07/00 (5)
And BTW, since you are receiving a pretty clean signal (being where you are), buying a good HDTV receiver will move your pleasure up another notch.
No, not to watch the HDTV programming (same story as the SACD as of now - nothing to watch), but to see the regular programming at a much improved quality level. You will not believe the improvement that a good HDTV receiver will provide on the normal NTSC signal - much more vibrant colors, better focus, smooth picture - trust me and buy it.
I envy your location, location and location (read: reception, reception, reception), but not your political views.
BYW, apparently the new Toshiba set-tops are coming, should be here soon, and I have high hopes for this one. It THIS doesn't work, I am screwed out of the HDVT, until such day that our local cable starts it.
Steve has been trying to talk me into installing the 7' parabolic antenna on my roof (I don't know, and perhaps don't even have zonning restriction, and the dear are not going to complain to the ground hog).
But the last time I was fooling around with an antenna, it was VERY windy, and I was standing there on the roof top, looking down at the rocks many feet beneath me, with that huge double-boom structure in my hand, moving wildly in the wind, the other hand trying to hold onto something, anything, feeling like a little ant flying away'er and away'er on a dry leaf... the vision of the emergency room stretcher being so vivid in my memory from my last visit there (broken collar bone, and several before that...), that I am not sure I am all that eager to try it again.
Well, you never know...
- I checked... Victor Khomenko 07:11:13 10/07/00 (4)
  ...and it looks very interesting.
  Is the return shipment included too?
  How long does it take to get the films? Where do they ship from?
  AND...
  ...for fine family entertainment, definitely get the 1-900.
  Get your divorce lawyer on the ready.
  - another caviat petew 11:15:35 10/07/00 (1)
    I'm getting a whole bunch of junk mail from netflix and CDNow. It's really pissing me off. They send something every day. Why do on-line companies think it's ok to torment their customers? I hate computer programers!
    and another thing:
    > "...for fine family entertainment, definitely get the 1-900.
    Get your divorce lawyer on the ready. " <
    I have no idea what you mean. I'm not that smart VK, I flunked out of college in the first week (but stayed on campus another two years for the great sex and drugs and vinyl). You have to be plain if you expect me to understand anything--or point to the book (with pictures).
    Is there something on netflix I missed? are you refering to a specific flic or a catagory? ...oh wait...I think I get it. Let me check that out.
    - Re: another caviat Victor Khomenko 11:41:44 10/07/00 (0)
      > "...for fine family entertainment, definitely get the 1-900.
      Get your divorce lawyer on the ready. " <
      ***I have no idea what you mean. I'm not that smart VK, I flunked out of college in the first week (but stayed on campus another two years for the great sex and drugs and vinyl). You have to be plain if you expect me to understand anything--or point to the book (with pictures).
      OK, I shall use some words, the movie comes with all the pictures you might want... then some more...
      ***Is there something on netflix I missed? are you refering to a specific flic or a catagory?
      The title is "1-900". They have it in the foreign section (which is quite good, BTW). It is about, you have probably already guessed it, phone sex. Lots of what that "lady" former Surgeon General was dreaming about teaching our kind - masturbation - asd if they need her teaching them... I think she was hoping to get some practical sessions.
      ***...oh wait...I think I get it. Let me check that out.
      Got it? Well, it IS different.
  - netflix.com petew 11:01:46 10/07/00 (1)
    The Genuardi's in Audubon is about 2 kilometers from my house and 1 klick from Lloyd's house (Walker). That's where I used to get my movies, since being with toddlers; I hit the grocery store at least once a day, and often three times.
    So the selection isn't great (Rocky, Batman, Star Trek, Terminator...the usual suspects). I've tried the Blockbuster, but didn't make it more than ten feet before I had to run screaming out the way I came in. I know I don't have to tell you why.
    I thought the Dish would help, but there's nothing like being able to re-play a scene that's particularly poignant, or when you missed a mumbled dialog (VK, don't tell anyone, but I'm about to go HT--and buy a couple of subs and a center channel---the whole nine yards. Any recommendations???).
    Finally I thought I'd check out the netflix.com site. I signed-up for the $20/month unlimited deal. I made a list of about ten films, and received the first one in two days, and three more the next day. I almost threw them in the trash--thinking it was another AOL promotion. This is a way cool way to do it. Return postage is included--you just reverse the mailer, pull off the sticky tab, and pop it in the mail. Highly recommended.
    One caviat: I've had a few pixellations on "A Simple Plan" (recommended film! it has Billy Bob -- need I say more?). I think some of the disks may be abused. I've kept the bad one and I'm going to try the Auric Illuminator to see what happens. I'll let you know.
    Thanks very much for the recommendations on receivers. This has been what's preventing me from going for one of the Toshiba or Panasonic sets (direct view). A few days ago I was in the KoP Bryn Mahr store looking at a $20,000 Pioneer flat screen HDTV. I had a big boner, so I must be thinking seriously about selling MRK @ 76/share (before Gore drives the stock back down to 16, where I bought it) and going nuts with HT. It didn't help when John Curl admitted that he'd rather watch TV than listen to his stereo. I decided its time for me to come out of the closet and confess something: I like to watch.
    I didn't realize the HDTV receivers work for all the bands. I thought it was a kludge specific for the broadband HDTV signal. I've seen the Panasonic HDTV receiver in American Appliance, but nowhere else. Does anyone sell these things? Do I need to drive down 202 to Wilmington and load the Volvo with a new set of Blizzaks, a dozen cases of wine and HT gear?
    With fall in the air (and a technocolor one at that), TV-watchin season is here!
    Hey VK, did you watch the season premier of West Wing? Don't let your politics keep you from some of the best television Americans are capable of. You don't have to admit you like it.
    oh...I'm left with the impression (windy roof) that you are up high. Didn't anyone tell you Delaware only has three counties...at low tide?
    There are no high spots where you live. I can't imagine you not being able to get a good air broadcast...unless you are in the shadow of the city????
    - Re: netflix.com Victor Khomenko 13:25:01 10/07/00 (0)
      ***I thought the Dish would help, but there's nothing like being able to re-play a scene that's particularly poignant, or when you missed a mumbled dialog (VK, don't tell anyone, but I'm about to go HT--and buy a couple of subs and a center channel---the whole nine yards. Any recommendations???).
      What, are you running a sting operation for the local ad-police? Wanna bust me? My layer will get you on entrapment charges. We have e-mail, you know...
      Anyway, yes, today's recommendations: buy low, sell high.
      
      ***Finally I thought I'd check out the netflix.com site. I signed-up for the $20/month unlimited deal. I made a list of about ten films, and received the first one in two days, and three more the next day. I almost threw them in the trash--thinking it was another AOL promotion. This is a way cool way to do it. Return postage is included--you just reverse the mailer, pull off the sticky tab, and pop it in the mail. Highly recommended.
      Yep, sounds good, I shall think about it. I saw lots of tempting titles.
      
      ***One caviat: I've had a few pixellations on "A Simple Plan" (recommended film! it has Billy Bob -- need I say more?). I think some of the disks may be abused. I've kept the bad one and I'm going to try the Auric Illuminator to see what happens. I'll let you know.
      OK.
      ***Thanks very much for the recommendations on receivers. This has been what's preventing me from going for one of the Toshiba or Panasonic sets (direct view). A few days ago I was in the KoP Bryn Mahr store looking at a $20,000 Pioneer flat screen HDTV. I had a big boner, so I must be thinking seriously about selling MRK @ 76/share (before Gore drives the stock back down to 16, where I bought it) and going nuts with HT. It didn't help when John Curl admitted that he'd rather watch TV than listen to his stereo. I decided its time for me to come out of the closet and confess something: I like to watch.
      ***I didn't realize the HDTV receivers work for all the bands. I thought it was a kludge specific for the broadband HDTV signal.
      They take any signal, and they convert the NTSC into a line-doubled one. The result varies from brand to brand, but usually is quite good.
      
      ***I've seen the Panasonic HDTV receiver in American Appliance, but nowhere else. Does anyone sell these things? Do I need to drive down 202 to Wilmington and load the Volvo with a new set of Blizzaks, a dozen cases of wine and HT gear?
      Bryn Mahr has lots of them, including the Toshibas.
      ***Hey VK, did you watch the season premier of West Wing? Don't let your politics keep you from some of the best television Americans are capable of. You don't have to admit you like it.
      No, I don't watch much TV at all. Are you saying it was good?
      
      ***oh...I'm left with the impression (windy roof) that you are up high. Didn't anyone tell you Delaware only has three counties...at low tide?
      Oh, one doesn't need to be THAT high to break the neck. Thirty feel is plenty.
      But we do have some high areas. I see houses on high hills around here all the time.
      ***There are no high spots where you live.
      Come and see, there are there.
      ***I can't imagine you not being able to get a good air broadcast...unless you are in the shadow of the city????
      Take my word for it. I have to get pretty steep angle to jump over those trees. Not good for TV stations. On the other side of the building, where you want your sat dish, it sticks straight into the hundreds-years old oaks, and the installers walked around and left. No shot.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

You can not post to an archived thread.