USB TV Tuner

[Harry]

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This is
not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a few
questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are government
channels and they are required to provide a service?

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV antennas
have on reception?

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have on
reception?

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor antenna?
Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal amplification?

 

[atec77]

On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:

trolling removed

add rabbit ears OR an external antenna and enjoy




X-No-Archive: Yes

 

[felix_unger]

On 26-April-2012 9:15 PM, atec77 wrote:

On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:




trolling removed

what trolling? obviously just wanted info

add rabbit ears OR an external antenna and enjoy




X-No-Archive: Yes

--

rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner

“Wayne Swan threatening the Banks, is a bit like being savaged by a dead sheep!”

Give Juliar the boot!.. http://ausnet.info/pics/boot.jpg

 

[Harry]

"atec77" <"atec77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jnbaok$ii7$1@dont-email.me...

On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:




trolling removed

add rabbit ears OR an external antenna and enjoy

Already tried cheap rabbit ears but not much joy. Hence my questions which
you snipped and criticised.

 

[SG1]

"Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote in message
news:jnb97m$dlu$1@speranza.aioe.org...

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This is
not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a few
questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Possibly

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV antennas
have on reception?

The bigger the better.

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have on
reception?

Can't comment on that one.

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

Only those with signal amplifiers.

5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna? Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal amplification?

Hook up to an external antenna, the house should have one.

 

[Clocky]

Harry wrote:

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This is
not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I
have a few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have
on reception?

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna? Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal
amplification?

In strong signal areas you might get away with rabbit ears but even in
medium areas you will likely need a basic external antenna pointed in the
right direction.

Boosters can be helpful but you need a signal to amplify, so if the
reception is really poor it won't help.

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Broadcasts are from different places. The obvious idea of coordinating
broadcasting so that transmissions serving an area all come from the
same place is apparently beyond the abilities of Australian regulators.
So the strength of the signal depends, amongst other things, on where
you are relative to each transmitter.

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

As an energy source, you mean? Not unless they have a mast amplifier.

Sylvia.

 

[Harry]

"SG1" <lostit@the.races.com> wrote in message
news:4f993616$0$9164$c3e8da3$9b4ff22a@news.astraweb.com...

"Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote in message
news:jnb97m$dlu$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Possibly


2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

The bigger the better.

Is height the biggest factor?

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have on
reception?

Can't comment on that one.


4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

Only those with signal amplifiers.


5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna? Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal amplification?

Hook up to an external antenna, the house should have one.

Intended use will not involve external antenna so not an option.

 

[felix_unger]

On 26-April-2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:

Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have
a few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

no. maybe you are closer to their transmitters, or their frequencies are
being received better

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

the longer the better

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have
on reception?

normally it only amplifies what is being received, unless it's a more
sophisticated kind that filters the noise and boosts the signal

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

no, but you can use a powered mast head amplifier that requires DC
voltage up the antenna cable

5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna? Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal amplification?

put it up as high as possible, and you could use something like this..
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LT3133&keywords=indoor+antenna&form=KEYWORD

generally the best solution is to use an external antenna, even a small
one just mounted on the gutter, or in the ceiling unless you have an
iron roof, is better than an internal antenna where the signal has to go
thru walls, etc.

http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdView.aspx?popup=1&Category=SXDD0530&Product=00620010&ProdDesc=COMBO20+COMBINATION+20DB+AMPLIFIED


--
rgds,

Pete
-------
“If Julia is the answer, then what was the stupid question?!”

"Julia finally got something right. Older people don't vote Labor, because they have seen too many incompetent, mismanaging, money-wasting Labor governments"

"If the WORLD as a whole cut ALL emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over on thousand years" - Tim Flannery, Climate Commissioner

“Wayne Swan threatening the Banks, is a bit like being savaged by a dead sheep!”

Give Juliar the boot!.. http://ausnet.info/pics/boot.jpg

 

[Harry]

"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.here.invalid> wrote in message
news:9vsr96FeraU1@mid.individual.net...

On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Broadcasts are from different places. The obvious idea of coordinating
broadcasting so that transmissions serving an area all come from the same
place is apparently beyond the abilities of Australian regulators. So the
strength of the signal depends, amongst other things, on where you are
relative to each transmitter.

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

As an energy source, you mean? Not unless they have a mast amplifier.

I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be connected
to electricity, on average?

What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?

 

[atec77]

On 26/04/2012 9:32 PM, Harry wrote:

"atec77" <"atec77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jnbaok$ii7$1@dont-email.me...
On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:




trolling removed

add rabbit ears OR an external antenna and enjoy


Already tried cheap rabbit ears but not much joy. Hence my questions
which you snipped and criticised.
The answer is deserved , google the answer or take the advice which is

valid

--









X-No-Archive: Yes

 

[Phil Allison]

"Harry"

I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be
connected to electricity, on average?

** Only rarely in a domestic situation.

Antennas on tops of buildings and blocks of units are another story.

What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?

** Having an unobstructed line through the air to the transmitter sites is
the big one - results in a much stronger and much cleaner signal. Plus you
can put up a physically large and efficient antenna that would be absurd
indoors.

It is a near miracle that indoor TV antennas work at all - everything is
against them.


.... Phil

 

[Harry]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:9vssbrFmt3U1@mid.individual.net...

"Harry"

I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be
connected to electricity, on average?


** Only rarely in a domestic situation.

Antennas on tops of buildings and blocks of units are another story.


What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?


** Having an unobstructed line through the air to the transmitter sites is
the big one - results in a much stronger and much cleaner signal. Plus
you can put up a physically large and efficient antenna that would be
absurd indoors.

It is a near miracle that indoor TV antennas work at all - everything is
against them.

I remember years and years of using indoor antennas. Is digital TV the
reason why they are no longer viable?

 

[Rob]

On 26/04/2012 9:48 PM, SG1 wrote:

"Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote in message
news:jnb97m$dlu$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have
a few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Possibly

This is a requirement of the public broadcaster/s to ensure a good
signal is provided to everyone.

 

[terryc]

Harry wrote:

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

The bigger the better.


Is height the biggest factor?

Clear line of sight between aerials will have a bigger influence.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Harry the Fuckwit TROLL "

"Phil Allison"
"Harry"

I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be
connected to electricity, on average?


** Only rarely in a domestic situation.

Antennas on tops of buildings and blocks of units are another story.


What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?


** Having an unobstructed line through the air to the transmitter sites
is the big one - results in a much stronger and much cleaner signal.
Plus you can put up a physically large and efficient antenna that would
be absurd indoors.

It is a near miracle that indoor TV antennas work at all - everything is
against them.


I remember years and years of using indoor antennas. Is digital TV the
reason why they are no longer viable?

** Truth is, they were never any good with analogue TV.

With DTV the need for a clean, strong signal is more crucial - if annoying
drop outs are to be avoided.


..... Phil

 

[Krypsis]

On 26/04/2012 9:54 PM, Harry wrote:

"SG1" <lostit@the.races.com> wrote in message
news:4f993616$0$9164$c3e8da3$9b4ff22a@news.astraweb.com...

"Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote in message
news:jnb97m$dlu$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna.
This is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I
have a few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Possibly


2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

Fully extended, they should be tuned to the middle of the TV frequency
spectrum.

The bigger the better.


Is height the biggest factor?

Height is always a factor but that is mainly to get above line of sight

obstructions such as houses, trees, etc.

3. What influence does electricity-powered signal amplification have
on reception?

From no signal on analogue to just acceptable. Digital is more picky.

Can't comment on that one.


4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

Apartment buildings where signals are split between multiple apartments
usually use amplification. Houses only need it if the signal is low to
begin with.

Only those with signal amplifiers.


5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna? Antenna size/length? Electricity powered signal amplification?

Get a powered antenna that has the highest gain.

Hook up to an external antenna, the house should have one.


Intended use will not involve external antenna so not an option.

Amplified antenna will be your only option. I think the digital TV
signals occupy a slightly higher spot in the spectrum so a standard UHF
antenna will work but may degrade at one end. Get one suitable for
digital transmission and you should be ok.

We use a signal booster on the TV in the bedroom - too many walls, too
many trees, too far from the outside antennaa. Used to work on analogue
quite ok but some channels snowy. No good whatsoever on digital. May
need to install a splitter and run a cable from the outside antenna to
solve my issue.

In your case, I suggest you either borrow a amplified antenna and try it
or get a guarantee from the shop that you can return with no penalty if
it isn't up to scratch.

--

Krypsis

 

[Phil Allison]

"Krypsis"

2. What influence does the length of the rabbit ears of indoor TV
antennas have on reception?

Fully extended, they should be tuned to the middle of the TV frequency
spectrum.

** Err no.

Fully extended they tune to channel 2, half extended is channel 7.

Amplified antenna will be your only option. I think the digital TV signals
occupy a slightly higher spot in the spectrum so a standard UHF antenna
will work but may degrade at one end.

** You seem to be unaware that DTV is mainly on VHF channels in all capitol
cities.

The VHF channels used are 6, 8, 9A, 11 & 12 plus a couple of UHF channels
for SBS etc.

DTV antennas for capitol city use are quite compact and cover all the above.


..... Phil

 

[Krypsis]

On 26/04/2012 10:03 PM, Harry wrote:

"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.here.invalid> wrote in message
news:9vsr96FeraU1@mid.individual.net...
On 26/04/2012 8:49 PM, Harry wrote:
Recently bought USB TV Tuner: Compro Videomate U620F

Finding that only ABC and SBS is picked up with included antenna. This
is not so bad since the other channels are mostly rubbish, but I have a
few questions:

1. Do the ABC and SBS broadcast stronger signals because they are
government channels and they are required to provide a service?

Broadcasts are from different places. The obvious idea of coordinating
broadcasting so that transmissions serving an area all come from the
same place is apparently beyond the abilities of Australian
regulators. So the strength of the signal depends, amongst other
things, on where you are relative to each transmitter.

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

As an energy source, you mean? Not unless they have a mast amplifier.


I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be
connected to electricity, on average?

Generally no.

What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?

External antennae a usually placed in a high position clear of line of
sight obstructions. As well, they have a much higher gain factor and you
can see this by the number of elements on them. The rabbit ears are a
basic dipole antenna and will have two active elements only. A
directional external antena will have the two active elements plus a
variable number of director and reflector elements. Director elements
are progressively shorter whilst reflector elements are progressively
longer than the active elements. Directional antennae, like those on the
rooves of houses everywhere, provide much more signal gain.

http://tinyurl.com/2xetan

http://tinyurl.com/2bro57k

A couple of websites to help you gain a better understanding of antennae
types.

--

Krypsis

 

[Krypsis]

On 26/04/2012 10:16 PM, Harry wrote:

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:9vssbrFmt3U1@mid.individual.net...

"Harry"

I ask the question generally. Would an external house antenna be
connected to electricity, on average?


** Only rarely in a domestic situation.

Antennas on tops of buildings and blocks of units are another story.


What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,
electricity, or some other factor?


** Having an unobstructed line through the air to the transmitter
sites is the big one - results in a much stronger and much cleaner
signal. Plus you can put up a physically large and efficient antenna
that would be absurd indoors.

It is a near miracle that indoor TV antennas work at all - everything
is against them.



I remember years and years of using indoor antennas. Is digital TV the
reason why they are no longer viable?

I suspect it is. Even a poor analogue signal will provide a snowy
picture can still be viewed. A poor digital signal will just freeze or
drop the picture out completely.

--

Krypsis