USB TV Tuner

[Harry]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:9vt2dtF4p6U1@mid.individual.net...

"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.

Is there a centrimetre by frequency guide that can be used?

eg. 50cm = Channel 7, and so forth?

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 11:54 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

"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.

OK, that's different to the instruction sheet that came with my

amplified rabbit ears. Reccomendation was to use it fully extended all
the time for best reception and, at less than that, the signals degrade
no matter what channel I'm tuned to. It is a Yum Cha brand however.

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.

You'll have noted that channels below 6 have been excluded hence the
upswing in the spectrum that I mentioned.

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


..... Phil

--

Krypsis

 

[Rod Speed]

Harry <harry@unreal.mail.com> 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?

Nope.

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

It does make a difference with the older VHF channels.

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

That gets complicated. It doesn't help if there is a lack
of signal where the antenna is, most obviously inside with
either metal walls or that metal insulation in the walls.

It can be useful when the problem is just a pathetically
inadequate antenna supplied with a tiny tuner.

4. Do external house antennas rely on electricity?

They can be done either way. They can be entirely passive,
no electricity required, or they can have a mast head amp
at the antenna and that does need power. That's normally
supplied down the coax to the external antenna, with a
device that allows the power to be connected to the coax
at the tuner end of the coax.

5. What would be the best way to improve reception using an indoor
antenna?

Try some of the better internal antennas.

Unfortunately Dick Smith no longer has their 14 day
free trial and return if you don't like it approach, but
BigW still does and likely Kmart etc does.

Bunnings does too, but doesn't have much of a range of them.

Antenna size/length?

You cant specify them that way with the new digital channels.

Electricity powered signal amplification?

Worth trying but not worth buying on the off chance it will help.

A proper external antenna will be better, but rather more expensive.

Plenty do find that a decent internal antenna does work fine with digital
TV.

 

[Rod Speed]

SG1 <lostit@the.races.com> wrote

Harry <harry@unreal.mail.com> 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?

Possibly

Fraid not. Our SBS was MUCH lower power than all the rest.

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

The bigger the better.

Nope, not with UHF channels.

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.

Not necessarily one that does UHF tho.

 

[Rod Speed]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.here.invalid> wrote

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.

Sometimes they are, sometimes they arent.

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.

Its just not possible in some places.

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.

 

[Rod Speed]

Harry <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote

SG1 <lostit@the.races.com> wrote
Harry <harry@unreal.mail.com> 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?

Possibly

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

The bigger the better.

That's just plain wrong.

Is height the biggest factor?

Not in strong signal areas.

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.

You'd better say what the intended use is then.

The bigger powered internal antennas are quite big and not very portable.

 

[Rod Speed]

felix_unger <me@nothere.com> wrote

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

That’s not right with UHF digital channels.

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

Not even possible.

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

 

[Rod Speed]

"Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com> wrote in message
news:jnbdj4$q4n$1@speranza.aioe.org...

"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?

Normally not. Only a subset have mast head amps.

What is the reason they are better than indoor antennas? Height,

That's a large part of it.

electricity,

Nope.

or some other factor?

Yep, they arent using what signal does get into the house
past the foil insulation that's often in the walls etc.

And they are much bigger than most want in their house
too and can be designed to work best at the frequencys
that the TV broadcasts are on.

Even a pure UHF external antenna isnt that small and
bigger than most want inside their living room etc.

 

[Rod Speed]

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

"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.

Yes, but you likely remember that they could be a bit fiddly too.

Is digital TV the reason why they are no longer viable?

Nope, in fact plenty find that their internal antenna isnt very satisfactory
with the old analog TV and does work fine with digital TV.

Same with exernal antennas too.

Where do you plan to use it ? Even in the capital citys, some citys
do have areas where the signal level isnt great for various reasons.
>

 

[Rod Speed]

"Rob" <mesamine@google.com> wrote in message
news:jnbfh5$cmv$1@dont-email.me...

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.

No it is not. Our SBS transmitter was in fact by far the lowest power of
all.

 

[Rod Speed]

"terryc" <newsninespam-spam@woa.com.au> wrote in message
news:jnbfva$fo1$1@dont-email.me...

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.

Not with digital TV.

 

[Rod Speed]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:9vsvqqFh2iU1@mid.individual.net...

"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.

To Harry, that is just plain wrong.

You can see how much notice you should take of
him from the change he has made ot the subject.

He used to fix toasters before he was sacked even from
that and has been completely unemployable ever since.

 

[Rod Speed]

Krypsis <krypsis@optusnet.com.au> wrote

Harry wrote
SG1 <lostit@the.races.com> wrote
Harry <harry@unreal.mail.com> 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?

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.

It doesn't work like that with those cheap chinese tuners.

The antenna is basically what will fit in the box.

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.

Not with digital TV.

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

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

Nope. Plenty find that what isnt a viable analog
antenna works fine for digital TV and it's a lot cheaper
to get a set top box than to replace the antenna.

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.

And when there is a long run of coax with UHF.

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.

Wont work if there is fuck all signal there.

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.

Not necessarily. A decent passive inernal antenna may be viable.

I think the digital TV signals occupy a slightly higher spot in the
spectrum

Nope, the channels are interleaved in the UHF spectrum.

so a standard UHF antenna will work but may degrade at one end.

Fraid not.

Get one suitable for digital transmission

No such animal.

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.

 

[Rod Speed]

"Krypsis" <krypsis@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:jnbodf$39n$1@dont-email.me...

On 26/04/2012 11:54 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
"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.

OK, that's different to the instruction sheet that came with my amplified
rabbit ears. Reccomendation was to use it fully extended all the time for
best reception and, at less than that, the signals degrade no matter what
channel I'm tuned to. It is a Yum Cha brand however.

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.

You'll have noted that channels below 6 have been excluded hence the
upswing in the spectrum that I mentioned.

Nope, because the entire UHF band is above those
in the spectrum so your original is just plain wrong.

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


..... Phil






--

Krypsis

 

[Petzl]

On Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:54:23 +0800, "Harry" <harry@unreal.mail.com>
wrote:

Is height the biggest factor?

Digital is very dodgy at best

If you get it it is picture perfect if you don't you can't
Even if you get it that can change for no ryme nor reason
Like you tried a digital area from ALDI and could only get 2, 3 group
http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_21330.htm?WT.mc_id=2012-03-26-09-17
Got the same without it?
--
Petzl

 

[felix_unger]

On 27-April-2012 7:58 AM, Rod Speed wrote:

felix_unger <me@nothere.com> wrote
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

That’s not right with UHF digital channels.

and he didn't say if he wanted to receive digital or just analogue

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

Not even possible.

I use this at home with excellent results ..
http://www.hillsantenna.com.au/Products/Product_subcat/Product?cat=8&ProductID=297

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

 

[Phil Allison]

"Rod Speed"

To Harry, that is just plain wrong.

** To Rod - go fuck yourself, you rabid nut case TROLL

 

[Phil Allison]

"Krypsis"
Phil Allison wrote:

"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.

OK, that's different to the instruction sheet that came with my amplified
rabbit ears.

** You *can* use it fully extend all the time - but my comment is also
true.

Cos " ye canne change the laws of physics ... " .

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.

You'll have noted that channels below 6 have been excluded hence the
upswing in the spectrum that I mentioned.

** Bollocks.

The VHF channels are all at a *much lower* frequency than the UHF ones.

VHF 6 begins at 174 MHz while UHF 28 begins at 526 MHz.

A UHF only antenna will not work on the VHF band.


..... Phil

 

[Harry]

"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:9vtv6mF6l6U1@mid.individual.net...

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

"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.

Yes, but you likely remember that they could be a bit fiddly too.

Is digital TV the reason why they are no longer viable?

Nope, in fact plenty find that their internal antenna isnt very
satisfactory
with the old analog TV and does work fine with digital TV.

Same with exernal antennas too.

Where do you plan to use it ?

Small room in accommodation in a capital city without a TV, for a very brief
period so I don't want to spend too much money on it, else I would purchase
a small TV for the purpose. The tuner I bought was only $24.

 

[Sylvia Else]

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?

As Phil says, indoor antennas were never much good. But analogue
television was relatively forgiving in the sense that a bad signal would
still give you a picture - albeit a bad one. Some people seemed able to
mentally edit out the ghosting and general instability. At least, that's
the only reason I can think of to explain why people didn't install
outdoor antennas despite being told of the expected improvement, being
able to afford it, and having the clear power to have the installation
done (I'm particularly thinking of my now departed father).

Digital TV gives a better picture, but at the cost of being less
tolerant of poor signal quality.

Sylvia.