Comments on: Tell me everything there is to know about TV tuner cards.

Question: Tell me everything there is to know about TV tuner cards.

jason's_planet — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:08:11 -0800

What channels can I get from a tuner card in NYC using just the antenna? No cable hookup or FIOS or any of that fancy sh*t. I plug the card into the computer, I put the antenna in the window, I activate the relevant programs, and . . . . ?

Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that the tuner card of which I speak is a model like this. Also assume that I'm in Western Queens, if that makes any difference. If you know of any brands that you've had especially good (or lousy) experiences with, I'd love to hear about them.

Many thanks in advance.

By: eschatfische

eschatfische — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:20:25 -0800

You can check at AntennaWeb to see which stations you could potentially get at your specific address, and which type of antenna you should use with your tuner card to get the stations that are important to you.

By: Brian B.

Brian B. — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:24:40 -0800

Here's a site that discusses this, the logos of the available channels are displayed, and advice on antennas to buy.

By: bonobothegreat

bonobothegreat — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:30:10 -0800

For the money, I suppose it's worth trying that model but if you seriously want to start watching OTA TV, then consider investing $60 into something like the ChannelMaster 4228HD. It's about 2'x3'. I've seen people hanging them in their windows. I'm in Toronto and we pick up Buffalo (about 50 miles away) but ours is on top of the house.

By: intermod

intermod — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:34:10 -0800

My favorite resource is TV Fool, better than AntennaWeb.

RabbitEars.info gets more technical data, in particular their excellent market listings.

For NYC OTA discussion, go to AVSforum.

By: JohnnyGunn

JohnnyGunn — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:41:10 -0800

2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 are the VHF channels you should be able to get.

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:57:36 -0800

2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 are the VHF channels you should be able to get.

Of those channels, 2, 4, 5, and 9 have actually moved to UHF (while still keeping the old channel numbers due to DTV's virtual channels). Almost all low VHF broadcasters have moved to UHF, and many high VHF broadcasters have as well.

By: mirage pine

mirage pine — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:44:06 -0800

The amazon link is to a DVB-T tuner. In the US ATSC is used for digital television.

By: Brian Puccio

Brian Puccio — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 08:20:15 -0800

Just a word of warning, I used TV Fool and should have had no problem getting PBS (Channel 13) in Long Beach (just east of the Rockaways) and don't remember having any issues getting 13 when I was a kid at my parents' house further east still. However, I tried using an HDHomeRun with my Mac earlier this week and didn't receive half the channels I should have.

http://ask.metafilter.com/224125/How-do-I-record-a-digital-HD-OTA-broadcast-with-a-MBP

I used both a $15 basic antenna and a $45 amplified antenna and there was no difference. To make sure it wasn't just the HDHomeRun, I hooked the antennas up to my TV, same channels.

If you'd like a gently used HDHomeRun ... :)

Good luck!

By: jason's_planet

jason's_planet — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:51:37 -0800

OK, now I know where to start.

Thanks, everyone!