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The best indoor HDTV antenna
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending more than 20 hours attaching many antennas to multiple TVs in two different testing locations (one suburban and one urban), watching way too much daytime programming, and compiling objective data from a signal-strength meter, we think the new 35-mile-range Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse is the indoor HD antenna with the best combination of features for most users. It matched or outperformed larger models in pulling in TV signals, required less (basically zero) assembly, and was easy to hide. The omnidirectional antenna is double-sided (black on one side, white on the other), equipped with a detachable 12-foot coaxial cable, and designed to stick to your wall without any hardware or tape, so finding the right mounting location is simpler than with the other antennas we tested.
The best gear for building your home theater
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. Everyone loves watching a great movie on a big screen with a kickass speaker system, but few would complain about losing the sticky floors, uncomfortable seats, and kids with smartphones (unless they're your own kids). Our A/V team spends thousands of hours each year to find the best-looking and -sounding home theater equipment. Whether you have a dedicated theater room planned or are thinking of upgrading your weeknight living room movie night, we have recommendations covering whatever space and budget you have.
The best HDTV indoor antenna
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After spending more than 20 hours attaching many antennas to multiple TVs in two different testing locations (one suburban and one urban), watching way too much daytime programming, and compiling objective data from a signal-strength meter, we think the Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse is the indoor HD antenna with the best combination of features for most users. It matched or outperformed larger models in pulling in TV signals, required less (basically zero) assembly, and was easy to hide. The omnidirectional antenna includes an attached 12-foot coaxial cable and sticks to your wall without any hardware or tape, which makes finding the right mounting location simpler than with the other antennas we tested.
The best gear for your living room home theater
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. Everyone loves watching a great movie on a big screen with a kickass speaker system, but few would complain about losing the sticky floors, uncomfortable seats, and kids with smartphones (unless they're your own kids). We spent thousands of hours on research and testing to find the best-looking and -sounding home theater equipment to upgrade your living-room movie-watching experience from simply functional to highly enjoyable. (We have recommendations for a dedicated theater space as well in our full review).
Antenna's Direct steps up its indoor DTV antenna offerings
We've always been big fans of Antennas Direct, in fact our love even goes back before we wrote our still popular how to get free OTA HD where we showed you how to use a couple of the site's antennas to maximize our HD reception. But maybe you aren't living somewhere that you have the luxury of mounting an outside antenna, and your significant other isn't down with those ugly things. If you fit the picture we just painted then the new ClearStream Micron is just what you've been waiting for. The UHF only antenna has a range of 25 miles and is only 9 by 11 inches square and a mere 15 mm thick. Obviously we can't vouch for the capabilities of this antenna ourselves, but we can for Antennas Direct and at a price of $50 it is probably worth your time if you are in the need for an indoor antenna.
Antennas Direct cuts its ClearStream2 antenna in half, calls it ClearStream1
If your area poses any sort of "challenges" to getting OTA reception, you'd be wise to do a little research before plunking down money on an antenna. If you tap into the interwebs for that kind of knowledge, theres' a good chance you'll come across some happy customers of Antennas Direct. Last month, it rolled out the ClearStream2 model, but if you don't need that 50-mile reach then the new ClearStream1 model might be a better fit. At 10- x 10-inches, with a single loop (as opposed to the CS2's figure-eight layout), the CS1 will pull signals in from a swath 30-miles away 70-degrees wide. We'd say it's $59 well-spent, especially knowing some portion goes to the legal-comedian staff at Antennas Direct that warns: "Do not attempt to install if drunk, pregnant or both; Do not eat antenna; Do not throw antenna at spouse."
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.
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.
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.
At least someone is benefiting from HDTV conflicts
Electronics stores. If you can't get Super Bowl XL in high definition via your cable provider, you're probably running to the store to get an antenna. St. Louis is a part of the long list of communities that don't have ABC's HD feed included in their cable package. As a result, local companies like Antennas Direct are doing brisk business in selling the necessary equipment to pull in the big game.If you're still wondering what you need to see the Xtra Large game in HD we have a list. Otherwise, you could always start a petition.
