My brand new HDTV has a very weak OTA tuner in it (it picks up hardly anything, though our old HDTV picks up plenty, with an indoor antenna). It's the second one (we returned the first set) with a weak tuner. Perhaps sub par tuners are the norm now that everyone uses cable. Anyway, rather than try every HDTV in the store, I wondered will this external tuner bypass my internal tuner and get me more channels? (At least as many as my old HDTV did, perhaps? More than two would be an improvement.) My brand new HDTV has a very weak OTA tuner in it (it picks up hardly anything, though our old HDTV picks up plenty, with an indoor antenna). It's the second one (we returned the first set)... » Read More My brand new HDTV has a very weak OTA tuner in it (it picks up hardly anything, though our old HDTV picks up plenty, with an indoor antenna). It's the second one (we returned the first set) with a weak tuner. Perhaps sub par tuners are the norm now that everyone uses cable. Anyway, rather than try every HDTV in the store, I wondered will this external tuner bypass my internal tuner and get me more channels? (At least as many as my old HDTV did, perhaps? More than two would be an improvement.) « Show Less
609008
I can tell you that I hooked up the tuner to a projector that doesn't have an internal tuner and I get about thirty channels.
609009
Yes, It will bypass your HDTV tuner, similar to the way a cable box bypasses your TV tuner when hooked to a cable connection. You will need to set the HDTV to the channel specified in the instructions, then you can use the external tuner connected to your antenna to switch channels.
609010
We bought this for our analogue cable signal, which is amplified. It works well for that. I don't know how well it would work for an OTA signal.Bill
609011
It works for me very well getting 1080i on most channels. The remote is a little slow turning the tuner on/off, but other than that I'm pleased,
608334
Yes, that is exactly what I am using one of the two I bought to do. And, yes, an amplifier will help you be able to tune in weaker channels as well. I am using an amplifier to do that as well, without it sometimes one of my weaker channels will drop out ... and if that happens at the beginning of a show time it will cause my DVR to skip recording the entire show. So I use the combiner to connect two OTA antennas pointed in different directions and then boost the signal strength. Hope that helps you to solve your problems.
805271
it has a qam and off air hdtv tuner but only one or the other not 2 tuners that can be used at once but if you get a combiner then in reality i would think when u scan it will find both if thats ur question.. look on their website for the manual it should explain that because i no longer have it since its sold..
1479154
I use this device with an OTA antenna (ClearStream4) and Tivo. The antenna goes into this device's input, and the outputs go to the Tivo (and other TV's). There is no question that it improves the signal coming in and can say this confidently because the Tivo has a feature that measures signal strength for OTA on a scale of 0 to 100. With this device, the strength measurement on each channel is increased by 20 on that scale of 0 to 100. I have tested this on practically every channel, and the results are the same.
196421
Yes. This tv has the best tuner of all the Sony's I have owned. Practically any antenna will get something, usually in hd. If you hook an antenna directly to the unit instead of through the sattelite or cable box it works best. Hook up an antenna, do a digital channel search. I got 22 channels of hd. Most stations are broadcasting more than one program at the same time. My local pbs broadcasts 4 high def programs at the same time. FOR FREE If you have a fox station anywhere nearby try watching the superbowl over the air. You will realize the true capabilities of your new tv.
561335
It depends. This item is an amplifier so you will get more channels. I put this on an outdoor antenna on my house just west of Boston and the antenna is pointing south. I pick up about 40 channels including all the Boston ones, most of the channels from Rhode Island, and some from New Hampshire. If you put another amplifier in line with this amplifier (booster as you called it) you may be able to get channels from further away or with weaker signals, but you may also amplify the closer/stronger ones too much and you will no longer be able to watch them.I suggest you try this amplifier as is. It depends. This item is an amplifier so you will get more channels. I put this on an outdoor antenna on my house just west of Boston and the antenna is pointing south. I pick up about 40 channels including all the Boston ones, most of the channels from Rhode Island, and some from New Hampshire. If you put another amplifier in line with this amplifier (booster as you called it) you may be able to get channels from further away or with weaker signals, but you may also amplify the closer/stronger ones too much and you will no longer be able to watch them.I suggest you try this amplifier... » Read More It depends. This item is an amplifier so you will get more channels. I put this on an outdoor antenna on my house just west of Boston and the antenna is pointing south. I pick up about 40 channels including all the Boston ones, most of the channels from Rhode Island, and some from New Hampshire. If you put another amplifier in line with this amplifier (booster as you called it) you may be able to get channels from further away or with weaker signals, but you may also amplify the closer/stronger ones too much and you will no longer be able to watch them.I suggest you try this amplifier as is. « Show Less
1101715
Make SURE you have the seller test the ATSC tuner, as well as the satellite tuner before shipping out the receiver. I have read reviews that the ATSC tuner is bad, and I experienced the same thing when I got my first box. But once I requested a return, the seller tested BOTH tuners prior to shipping, and now I have an AWESOME box! The only setback is that I had to pay an additional $15 to ship the defective box back. But the seller did compensate me with a free additional remote control, so it was not a total loss. I am VERY HAPPY with my current Linkbox 8000HD Local. Like I said earlier, just make sure the seller tests everything prior to shipping. Make SURE you have the seller test the ATSC tuner, as well as the satellite tuner before shipping out the receiver. I have read reviews that the ATSC tuner is bad, and I experienced the same thing when I got my first box. But once I requested a return, the seller tested BOTH tuners prior to shipping, and now I have an AWESOME box! The only setback is that I had to pay an additional $15 to ship the defective box back. But the seller did compensate me with a free additional remote control, so it was not a total loss. I am VERY HAPPY with my current Linkbox 8000HD Local. Like I said earlier,... » Read More Make SURE you have the seller test the ATSC tuner, as well as the satellite tuner before shipping out the receiver. I have read reviews that the ATSC tuner is bad, and I experienced the same thing when I got my first box. But once I requested a return, the seller tested BOTH tuners prior to shipping, and now I have an AWESOME box! The only setback is that I had to pay an additional $15 to ship the defective box back. But the seller did compensate me with a free additional remote control, so it was not a total loss. I am VERY HAPPY with my current Linkbox 8000HD Local. Like I said earlier, just make sure the seller tests everything prior to shipping. « Show Less
1950343
When I installed my Mini, it downloaded new software saying that it no longer needs a dedicated tuner. My understanding of this is that, when you choose to watch Live TV it will look for an available tuner and use that one. You release the tuner, by switching from Live TV to watching recorded shows.
913364
Sorry, I don't know. I just plugged mine in, a few years ago, and have used it ever since with no problems at all. I might add that the antenna it's attached to is an outside HD antenna. I can say with certainty that quite a number of channels, from the antenna, come in far better with the booster (without which some don't come in at all), but I suspect that its amplifying capabilities may not be enough to help much with a much weaker signal than one gets with the outside antenna. ....You might try Googling the model number, though; there might be something available on-line. Good luck.
1994536
Janet, did you after connecting the coax cable, then AUTO-TUNE your TV? That is, go to the settings where it searches / tunes the broadcast channels? It's a necessary step, taking maybe 2-3 min. (Sorry if my info insults, just want to be sure you completed the entire set up process!)
410293
I have placed an order through MacMall for $760 (after $40 shipping mail-in rebate). They do not have it in stock but gave me ETA of 1st week or March. I do not have any type of cable service currently. How does this tv display OTA TV channels? I plan to use it for OTA that will be digital soon and DVD and w/portable video player.
596221
We did. My high performance gets about 30 channels in my area. My son's (in the same house) extreme antenna gets 2-3 more channels and is more solid on some of the channels that are a little shaky on mine. Although the extreme is an improvement, I personally wouldn't pay double for it (although I probably would have been willing to pay $10 more for it), but that's up to you.
956715
Read this article: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/pn64h5000-201403143657.htm. It does the best job summing up the TV. Yes, when I am 2 feet from the TV you can see the honeycomb effect. I don't watch the TV at this distance. At 5' it noticeably less it and by 10' it is not noticeable at all. Admittedly it did bug me a little at first every time I would walk in front of the TV, but now I am fine with it. Movies have been awesome and I didn't have to shell out over $2k to get a 240Hz LCD of the same size. I didn't need a smart TV w/my Blu-ray player and have an Onkyo TX-NR818 in a 7.1 config for sound. I definitely prefer the plasma refresh rate with no ghosting with fast action on the screen. Read this article: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/pn64h5000-201403143657.htm. It does the best job summing up the TV. Yes, when I am 2 feet from the TV you can see the honeycomb effect. I don't watch the TV at this distance. At 5' it noticeably less it and by 10' it is not noticeable at all. Admittedly it did bug me a little at first every time I would walk in front of the TV, but now I am fine with it. Movies have been awesome and I didn't have to shell out over $2k to get a 240Hz LCD of the same size. I didn't need a smart TV w/my Blu-ray player and have an Onkyo TX-NR818 in a 7.1... » Read More Read this article: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/pn64h5000-201403143657.htm. It does the best job summing up the TV. Yes, when I am 2 feet from the TV you can see the honeycomb effect. I don't watch the TV at this distance. At 5' it noticeably less it and by 10' it is not noticeable at all. Admittedly it did bug me a little at first every time I would walk in front of the TV, but now I am fine with it. Movies have been awesome and I didn't have to shell out over $2k to get a 240Hz LCD of the same size. I didn't need a smart TV w/my Blu-ray player and have an Onkyo TX-NR818 in a 7.1 config for sound. I definitely prefer the plasma refresh rate with no ghosting with fast action on the screen. « Show Less
571568
Nothing more than your tv - plugs into the antenna output. We're really pleased with how well it works. Use it on a spare 19" HD set and receive all digital channels. Sometimes a slight turn of the antenna needed to bring in the strongest signal. Hope this helps!
961870
HI, I HAVE BEEN USEING THIS ANTENNA FOR YEARS NOW, IT REALLY WORKS GREAT,BETTER THAN THOSE MORE $ ones, anyway it comes with a cable already attached to the base of the ANTENNA. All you do is screw the other end into HE ANTENNA port on the back of your TV, then go into your TV settings and make sure it's set to over the air TV ,not cable.OVER THE AIR.THEN IN SETTINGS YOU THEN PRESS THE SCAN ALL AVAIBLE TV CHANNELS AND WHAT EVER THE ANTENNA FINDS IS HOW MANY FREE TV CHANNELS YOU WILL GET.ALSO TRY MOVING THE ANTENNA AROUND TO DIFFERNT SPOTS EVEN A INCH TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAN MAKE YOU PICK UP MORE FREE CHANNELS.,I PUT MINE AD HIGH UP ON THE WALL BEHIND MY TV. HI, I HAVE BEEN USEING THIS ANTENNA FOR YEARS NOW, IT REALLY WORKS GREAT,BETTER THAN THOSE MORE $ ones, anyway it comes with a cable already attached to the base of the ANTENNA. All you do is screw the other end into HE ANTENNA port on the back of your TV, then go into your TV settings and make sure it's set to over the air TV ,not cable.OVER THE AIR.THEN IN SETTINGS YOU THEN PRESS THE SCAN ALL AVAIBLE TV CHANNELS AND WHAT EVER THE ANTENNA FINDS IS HOW MANY FREE TV CHANNELS YOU WILL GET.ALSO TRY MOVING THE ANTENNA AROUND TO DIFFERNT SPOTS EVEN A INCH TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAN MAKE YOU PICK... » Read More HI, I HAVE BEEN USEING THIS ANTENNA FOR YEARS NOW, IT REALLY WORKS GREAT,BETTER THAN THOSE MORE $ ones, anyway it comes with a cable already attached to the base of the ANTENNA. All you do is screw the other end into HE ANTENNA port on the back of your TV, then go into your TV settings and make sure it's set to over the air TV ,not cable.OVER THE AIR.THEN IN SETTINGS YOU THEN PRESS THE SCAN ALL AVAIBLE TV CHANNELS AND WHAT EVER THE ANTENNA FINDS IS HOW MANY FREE TV CHANNELS YOU WILL GET.ALSO TRY MOVING THE ANTENNA AROUND TO DIFFERNT SPOTS EVEN A INCH TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAN MAKE YOU PICK UP MORE FREE CHANNELS.,I PUT MINE AD HIGH UP ON THE WALL BEHIND MY TV. « Show Less
2058505
Two answers: Based upon your post, I assume you inquire about OTA (off the air). 1. Unless you use an external antenna, antenna orientation is very important. The little telescopic antenna with the radio frequency circuitry behind it might not be enough for where it is placed. Try moving location for better reception as broadcasts are on UHF TV. 2. Proper programming is very important. I have found programmed channels I know I can receive sometimes do not work. Go through the menu, delete channel 7-1, enter in manual tune and check for signal stregnth. You can in portability walk about the home to see where reception is best, When decent signal is received, use 'quick add.' Most of the inexpensive LCD sets are designed for ATSC digital reception which uses MPG-3 technology which for most is far better than old NTSC analogue. Just because station advertises HD does not mean your set is receiving HD. I suggest going to TV Fool.com for further information and obtaining a reception map based upon your zip code.
970739
I'm an Old School holdout. Never had cable, never will. There's enough on broadcast TV to distract me from real life. Odd you should ask this question. To answer, YES. I had an old giant CRT running off an Insignia DTV box without any problems right up to the day the tuner in the TV went belly up. I retained the DTV box to feed my VCR (Yes, I still have several of those) and added the Vizio with a splitter. The Vizio did not like this arrangement and refused to accept some channels. I finally had to feed the Vizio from another antenna outlet across the room. This solved the problem (mostly) but I have an annoying coax cable running through the bedroom. Depending on the weather the picture and sound will break up at times. If it really gets unbearable I watch the programming through the DTV box that far outperforms the Vizio direct tuner. Unfortunately this arrangement only allows a reduced screen and fuzzy captions. In my opinion the tuner capture capability of the Vizio is borderline and a real disappointment. I'm running a roof mount antenna in a suburban area.