kickaha: (Default)
kickaha ([personal profile] kickaha) wrote2009-04-22 02:25 pm

Trailer park geek

A few weeks ago, [livejournal.com profile] jason0x21 and I made a couple of HD antennas out of tinfoil, pegboard, scrap 2x4, and coat hangers.

Yesterday my EyeTV Hybrid showed up.

Last night I set it up... and we get 30 channels, most in HD, with excellent quality. Which isn't bad, since we're 30 miles upriver from the broadcasting rig on the Empire State Building. And, it has full guide/DVR support with some kick-ass software. Which means... except for random live events on cable-only channels (ie, UNC basketball on ESPN), we really no longer have much of a reason for cable.

Awesome.

And since it's plugged into the Mac mini next to the TV, between Hulu, Fancast, iTunes Store, Netflix, etc, etc, etc, there's *REALLY* little reason to spend godawful cash on cable each month. Methinks I will be adjusting our service soon.

*happy dance*

I *may* play with making another antenna just for the hell of it, but damn if this isn't just funnier than hell to me. Coat hangers and tinfoil. Gotta love it.

[identity profile] night-monkey.livejournal.com 2009-04-25 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
was the antenna from plans, or just thrown together? I got good results rigging an old rooftop antenna in the rafters of the garage with an all-in-wonder HD card on a PC. But this being Charleston, SC, I was only able to pick up a few, counted on one hand, channels.

[identity profile] kickaha.livejournal.com 2009-04-26 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
From plans... kind of... http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot.com/

My next attempt I think will be based off of: http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/index.htm

Similar, but more precise dimensions, and some ideas on how to make it more lightweight and portable.