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ESPN snaps up BCS rights starting in 2011, antenna viewers SOL?
ESPN recently announced it's locked up the rights to televise all the college Bowl Championship Series games beginning in January 2011, but that's not making everyone happy. The National Association of Broadcasters is airing a beef on the side of those who prefer to experience major sporting events -- particularly those featuring publicly funded institutions -- via free OTA broadcasts, not to mention the potential for further delaying a playoff system. The upside for viewers of course is the sports giant's commitment to high definition broadcasts and ability to deliver on multiple platforms, and playoff or no playoff, someone was going to grab those TV rights. Any OTA diehards planning to make the switch or say goodbye to the BCS in a couple of years?
Two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons
There's no doubt that the CEA and NTIA have been spreading the word about the 2009 digital TV transition as hard as they can, but some folks still aren't taking the time to listen. 'Course, 62% is way better than what we've seen in the past, but that still leaves a full third of OTA-reliant American households sans a government-issued voucher with under 100 days to go until analog slides under the guillotine. Currently, 17 million homes have requested 33.5 million coupons (in other words, most folks are requesting the maximum of two) and 13.5 million have been redeemed. For those with a strange curiosity to know even more, it's stated that a number of eastern cities have the highest coupon application rates, while folks in Hawaii and Alaska could apparently care less. Can't blame 'em given the scenery, eh?
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best short-to-mid-range OTA antenna?
Following up on last week's promise, we present to you a similar (but very different) question about pulling in OTA signals: "I'm relatively close to my local TV stations, and I'm not looking to overtake my roof with chicken wire in order to get a signal. I want an OTA antenna that can be setup indoors, preferably something that's either easily hidden or not atrocious. The short-to-mid-range antenna market is so over-saturated -- someone, please help me pick the best one!" Your turn, city dwellers. What indoor antenna do you use to fetch relatively nearby TV signals? Know of a good deal on it? Dole out your masterful advice below.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best long-range OTA antenna?
Unless we're badly mistaken, there's a general feeling of love 'round these parts for OTA programming. After all, it's free, it's remarkably good looking and it's gratis. Thus, we figured Rodney's question on the matter was worthy of being aired out for all to see. "I'm just on the outskirts of a pretty big city and I'm hoping to get enough stations with just an antenna to avoid paying for cable or satellite TV. I'm looking for an attic or roof-mounted OTA antenna that will pick up stations a good ways out, but obviously the smaller the better (but not at the expense of signal reach). Any suggestions? I don't want to order a huge antenna only to realize the reception is subpar."So, OTA lovers: what long-range antenna do you rely on to pull in your HD locals (and maybe those of the next closest town)? Where did you get it from? Was installation a real chore? Speak up! (Oh, and look for a short-range version of this question to pop up next week.)Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
RCA introduces $60 ANT1500 flat OTA antenna
Nah, this isn't yet another digital-to-analog converter, just a tried-and-true OTA antenna for those looking to ditch their pay-TV provider and live off the fat of the land (or whatever HD locals you can fetch, same difference). The RCA ANT1500 Flat Indoor Antenna is a 10.5-inch square that checks in at just under one-inch thick, and its design supposedly helps it minimize the "cliff effect." RCA notes that this device is just the first of seven new RCA antenna products created with digital TV reception in mind that will be announced this year, and those satisfied with numero uno can find it around right now for $59.99 (or less if scouring the streets).
Poll: Do you tune into OTA programming?
So we've invaded your personal space before by asking how many options you have for HD programming, and we've also wondered about the primary medium of delivery, but this week's question hovers around the tried-and-true antenna. We're simply curious to know how many of you out there still rely on OTA programming for some or all of your HDTV consumption? Are there enough locals to keep you from shelling out to a pay-TV provider every month? Do you supplement your service with OTA offerings? Or do you tune into OTA locals just because they look better than what's delivered via cable? Deposit your vote below.[Image courtesy of HMSTV] %Poll-16082%
Antennas Direct taking preorders for ClearStream2 OTA antenna
Well in time for the analog shutoff, even for the test subjects in Wilmington, NC, Antennas Direct is rolling out its long-range UHF/VHF ClearStream2 antenna on June 30th. According to the linked press release, the company has started taking preorders for the C2. Based on the specs, this model could be a real life saver for many folks near the scary precipice that is the digital cliff -- a 50-mile range combined with a 70-degree swath, all from a 10 x 20-inch assembly. We spoke with a company rep who said there should be a "small batch" of these available as early as this week to those who place a pre-order for the $79 antenna.
GSSI / Toptronics / Antennas Direct intro DA-001 indoor antenna
We heard Antennas Direct was going small, and it wasn't kidding. In partnership with GSSI and Toptronics, the firm has just rolled out the DA-001 indoor antenna, complete with a "patented element and low noise amplifier designed for digital signal reception." Checking in at 12- x 8- x 13-inches, the unit was crafted to receive both VHF and UHF signals (channels 2 to 69), and supposedly, it can fetch said waves up to 50 miles away. There's been no official mention of a price, but a modicum of digging puts it just south of $65.
CEA gets official with smart antennas
We've talked about "smart antennas" before in the context of DTV converter-box coupons. We're pretty big on the idea of self-aligning OTA antennas -- when you consider reports of HDTV misunderstandings, anything that reduces the knowledge necessary to get HD signal into the home is a good thing, in our book. Enter CEA-774-A, which puts forth standardized testing for these magical antennas that self-align for optimum reception like some DTV dowsing rod. We're hoping that these smart antennas get some sort of special CEA-standardized designation to differentiate them from standard multi-directional antennas, perhaps even a special color code along the lines of those already in use by the CEA.
DIY Gray-Hoverman antenna promises better OTA reception
With pay-TV prices headed nowhere but up and programming quality getting dodgy in spots, we've got just the thing for those looking to go OTA. The Gray-Hoverman Antenna for UHF Television Reception is an improved version of the original Hoverman antenna, and thanks to a little help from computer modeling, users are reporting some fairly amazing pickups. Best of all, the creators have made the instructions for assembling one yourself totally free and available in the read link, and just in case the 0 to 60 mile range of the single bay edition isn't enough for you, the double bay model can purportedly fetch stations from 20 to 100 miles out. We'd love a little confirmation if any of you are courageous enough to put one together and give it a spin.[Via RetroThing]
Griffin's ugly-ass ClearBoost iPhone antenna booster hits the scene
Griffin's antenna-stub sporting ClearBoost case for the iPhone just hit the streets, and opinions are already pouring in. The case involves the antenna, a bumper and a screen protector, and while the resulting combination is not much for loooks, iLounge found it to improve performance in certain situations. Apparently in very low coverage areas the ClearBoost isn't much help, but in wonky two or three bar situations ClearBoost added one or two bars. Sounds like a win to us, but you're going to have to have some serious need of signal to sacrifice iPhone aesthetics this totally. [Via iLounge]
Antennas Direct going small at NAB
We've already seen Antennas Direct sizing down its antennas while still promising wicked long range, and apparently, it's making the small initiative official at NAB. Aside from showcasing the aforementioned ClearStream2, the all new Lacrosse Micron DTV antenna will also be making its debut. Designed specifically to "target post 2009 DTV frequencies," the Micron -- hailed as "rabbit ears on steroids" -- boasts a 8.6 dBi maximum gain, is up to 98-percent efficient and arrives in a 10- x 10-inch Radome. Lastly, the firm is all set to "announce a partnership with the NAB to develop a new CEA909A-compliant Indoor Smart Antenna," but it seems we'll have to wait until April to find out more on that one.
Sales of OTA antennas continue to surge, no one surprised
Early last month, we heard that the DTT receiver market was apt to blossom in the run-up to the US analog shutoff, and now we're seeing that OTA antenna sales are still booming after quite an increase late last year. According to Richard Schneider, President of Antennas Direct, its antenna sales "for the first two months of 2008 are up 125-percent over this time last year, a year that in itself that was up 60-percent over 2006." Granted, one company isn't a gauge for the entire industry, but this particular firm is certainly a mainstay in the sector. Still, it remains to be seen what will happen in the long haul -- particularly when you consider how many satellite subscribers will soon be receiving their locals via DISH / DirecTV when the duo's latest birds finally get launched -- but so long as cable providers keep jacking up those rates, we've all ideas the OTA market will remain quite healthy.
NAB collaborates with CEA to make AntennaWeb more informative
For years now, folks have been surfing over to AntennaWeb.org in order to find out what stations they could pull in over-the-air from their exact address. Thankfully, the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters have teamed up to make the site even more useful and informative. Most notably, the two have developed "an online antenna mapping program designed to help consumers and electronics retailers determine the proper outdoor antenna to use in order to receive free local broadcast channels." Additionally, the partnership includes "infrastructure and site capacity upgrades, site design improvements, and database upgrades that will further improve the user experience." Head on over to the site to see what's changed, and be sure to check back often to monitor if these two keep their promises.
Antennas Direct unveils ClearStream2 long-range OTA antenna
Just a few short months after Antennas Direct's president witnessed unprecedented sales of its OTA antennas, the firm is fleshing out its product line with the all new ClearStream series. The first device in said lineup will be the ClearStream2, which enables owners to pull in UHF / VHF signals some 55 miles away in a design that measures just 10- x 20-inches. Additionally, the company promises that "up to 98-percent of the available broadcast signal" will actually reach the incoming antenna cable compared to "just 10-percent" in most alternatives. Interestingly, we aren't told how much this unit will demand -- and we're left to imagine what it'll actually look like -- but availability is promised for next month, with mid-range and ultra long-range designs to follow shortly.
Will the digital changeover make people put away the rabbit ears? Probably not
Anyone still watching TV solely via OTA broadcasts is probably not going to stop just because of the oncoming digital transition, at least according to new survey results. The Association of Public Television Stations surveyed 1,153 households and figures only 12% would switch to cable or satellite service, with about half purchasing a converter box or new digital TV to keep getting free TV. That makes sense, since anyone who hasn't gotten cable or satellite yet is probably not moved by the channels available, and with upgraded digital sound and picture quality, there's even less reason to switch. Still, we're not sold on the APTS president's statement that rabbit ears are poised for a big comeback as "wireless TV", new name or not, most viewers will go where the content is.
OTA antenna sales skyrocket, cable subscribers jump ship
One could certainly argue the actual link between OTA antenna sales going through the roof while some one million cable subscribers decided to ditch their service this year, but nevertheless, that's exactly what has happened. Richard Schneider, President of Antennas Direct, saw his Terrestrial Digital brand of antenna sales "triple" during the same time period in which the cable industry lost two-percent of its market share, and while there's a very real possibility some of those folks opted for fiber or satellite-based alternatives, we've no doubt that some just decided to make do with the crystal clear, uncompressed HD locals; furthermore, new satellite subscribers in areas without HD locals would be awfully tempted to pick up an OTA antenna to complement their service. Of course, teaching the HD illiterate how to install and use one is a whole 'nother matter.
NEC develops Wideband Wearable Antenna
TV's important right? Sure, now ask yourself: Is it important enough to turn your meat sack into a wideband antenna? NEC thinks so and just announced (officially, that is) its wideband wearable antenna which turns a small, flexible print substrate into a high-performance mobile antenna. The prototype is said to work equally well in open space or when operated up against the juicy impedance of the human body. NEC will be testing the first prototypes for reception of digital terrestrial broadcasts in the 470-770MHz band -- perfect for that upcoming FCC auction eh, cowboy?[Via Akihabara News]
NEC shows off cloth antenna: receives OTA, clears nostrils
We've seen some pretty outrageous looking antennas in our day, but NEC could have a hit on its hands with this newfangled cloth iteration. Granted, details are still hazy, but apparently this device can receive OTA TV signals and double as a handkerchief if you so desire. Reportedly, the firm has lined the cloth triangles with a "special metal" that can pick up broadcasted signals, and it's already thinking about integrating this into tents and other outdoor equipment. Additionally, this could certainly take wearable electronics to a new level if it were woven into one's garb (walking televisions, anyone?), but sadly, there's no word as to when (or if) this technology will hit the mainstream.[Thanks, kaztm]
Engadget Chinese gets hands-on with La Fontenna
Although we certainly wish it was our hands wrapped around FON's La Fontenna, we've been admittedly busy handling other matters over the weekend, so we're glad to see that our Chinese brethren were able to do the honors. The directional antenna looks to be a rather simplistic and unvaried device, as it simply replaces the stubby antenna on your La Fonera and instantly boosts your range (and popularity amongst other now-nearby users, we presume). During rather unscientific testing, the crew was able to notice a halfway decent increase in signal strength in a number of (marginally) faraway locales, and while recorded increases weren't anything to write home about, more connectivity is never a bad thing to have. So go on, give the read link a visit, and check out a few more unboxing shots during your stay.
