Thanks Jase88. Yes it is confusing about the channel changes. I used to get CBC Toronto on CH 12 and CITY TV on CH 10, but they both disappeared about a month and a half ago. (The system used to show the lobby on CH 3 but no longer does. I think i may have messed that up by running auto scans on my DVD-R and TV:confused:)

I had been thinking about getting an indoor antenna. I assume you would recommend a powered antenna.

@ membrain: Ask the property manager about the system--he/she may offer some insight.

I would recommend reading the OTA results in the Toronto Indoor thread for feedback on solutions.

Depending on the direction your apartment faces, the floor you're on, etc., you may also consider an outdoor antenna solution for your balcony or a window that would allow reception of distant stations (i.e. Buffalo). Of course, this would depend on the rules associated to your building....

There is a post somewhere in the forum with regards to MATV. Stampeder probably knows better where it is. I think your problem is because the converter is scanning for digital channels that don't exist on those you get through analog. If you only have VHF antennas that are specifically cut for a particular analog channel, you will not receive the new reassigned UHF digital channels using those antennas. This will be problematic for these kinds of systems because even if you install a new MATV, with potential changes in the future we may see stations moving back to HI-VHF.

Depending where your apartment windows are facing, you could buy a decent indoor antenna and point it south ie. SS clone. Or if you have a balcony you could install an outdoor antenna, which will give you the best reception possible.

Yes, the MATV thread is here:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57242

Thanks to all for your help. When I got home yesterday I remembered that I had an old indoor antenna in storage. 18 years old to be exact. Long story short; I hooked it up and I now get 13 channels in DVD quality. :oI'm amazed and very happy. This is a great forum. Thanks again:p

I installed a CM4221 yesterday and I'm getting infrequent signal for Buffalo NBC/ABC/CBS stations. I seems to be getting FOX/PBS/CW clearly 100%.

Antenna is placed at the downward sloping part of roof in the back and pointed sw.

I'm getting the listing channels at 100%:
5.1
9.1
17.1
17.2
17.3
18.1
23.1
25.1
29.1
41.1
44.1
57.1
64.1
66.1

However I only seem to be bringing in 2.1, 2.2, 7.1, 7.2 and 4.1 on occassion.

Any advice on bringing in Buffalo stations permanently? Would elevation of antenna on roof impact reception?

Thanks

Hi DevoOTA,

Welcome. Do you have a long run of cable? Do you have any obstructions blocking your southern view? Height is a factor. If you could get it on the highest point on the roof it would be better. Your direction should be fine but you can adjust it to the south and see if the reception improves.

Yes the cable is pretty long. There are some trees/houses that obstruct the southern line of sight.

You may need a premp for the long cable run.

Are you splitting the signal to multiple TVs? This could knock your signal down too. You will probably need to mount it as high as possible to clear the houses and trees. Is that possible?

Fox/PBS/CW are almost always 100% for me, they're the strongest signals.
I could probably pick up CW with a cable held in the air...

Anyways, check frequently throughout the day. If they're in and out, it's probably weather problems, and your positioning is fine.
For example, today NBC/CBS/ABC were at like half their normal strength. 30 mins later I checked again, they were solid at their normal strengths.

Hi everyone,

Recently i convinced the wife to drop the cableTV for OTA. I bought a CM4221HD clone to demonstrate the picture quality and shes convinced. She doesnt watch TV much nowaday.

Anyway, fast forward to my problem. I'm on 6th floor with a balcony facing East. I pointed the antenna to the South. (I'm located near Fairview Mall in NorthYork). This is the list of channels i got:

CHCH-DT
CBC-HD
WNLO-DT (unstable)
CFTO-HD
Omni2-DT
Omni1-HD
Omni2-HD
CityTV-HD
CKXT-DT (unstable)
SRC Toronto-HD

Since i use HTPC, i dont know how to check the signal strength (just upgraded my HTPC and switched to MeediaPortal)

I'm clueless on what i need to get this going smoother. I have few questions:
+ To mount the antenna to the side wall, what tool do i need?
+ How do i ground the antenna to the balcony?
+ Does fabric cover affect the signal strength? (i will make a frame with nice decorative fabric to cover the antenna completely - condo board prohibit antenna on the balcony. )
+ How do i properly aim the antenna? how do i figure the correct direction for me? I guess a compass is required.

Ultimately after a proper mount setup, i will get a better antenna to boot


Based the results of ppl at the same location with me, i would not need the preamp. But would a distro-amp help at all? (i plan to install another tunner for recording)

I greatly appreciate any inputs,

Thanks in advance

Fabric should have a negligible effect on signal, considering the wavelengths we're talking here.

As for finding direction, TVfool should give you some degree values and just use a compass to find the right spot (or just the right general area, then slowly move the antenna to tweak).
Also be sure to note the difference between "true north" and "magnetic north" ;)

+ How do i properly aim the antenna? how do i figure the correct direction for me? I guess a compass is required.

Use the interactive Map feature at TVFool.com
Use the 'satellite view' so that you can position the location of your antenna directly on your balcony (warning -- or where your balcony would be if it was located at the base of your building's footprint, as many buildings in the aerial view are shot at an angle.)
Click on 'show directions to transmitters'

See if any of your lines to the transmitters travel through any adjacent high rises. That could be part of your problem.

If not, just use the the satellite view to find local landmarks to aim your antenna with.
If you have a compas, you could also use the magnetic compass heading listed for each channel in the TVFool 'radar plot'.

So the most important question now is how to ground the antenna? The bacony has steel/alu rail with glasses. Can i ground it to the rail?

ps. where do you guys buy the pole to mount the antenna to? I was told i can get 10' pole from HD but thats too long. I think 5 ' is a perfect length. I'm also gonna to get this mount : http://transatelectronics.com/store/rca-antenna-wall-mount-kit_P516 . Is it what i need to mount the pole to the side wall ? (not on the balcony rail/fence but on the side wall outside of my living room).

jetway1212, please read through the Grounding thread and ask any questions about grounding there:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=62265

I also live in a house beside Fairview Mall (in the neighborhood just west of the apartment buildings you are most likely talking about) and I get those channels plus Buffalo stations like Fox, ABC, and CBS (sometimes PBS too). Considering that I'm getting this using a sloppy SBGH antenna held together with cardboard and scotch tape and no pre-amp, mounted indoors behind a window with the blinds drawn, it looks like you have lots of room for improvement :p

Hey Schmerm,

You don't live that far from me and you are getting FOX ABC CBS indoors? That's pretty good. I have a chimney mounted to get all the available channels in the area. Except for WNGS which stopped broadcast on 7.2 :(

Nice! I'm going to do a chimney mount this spring (with a sturdier SGBH design) and cancel Rogers for good. Any chance of getting Rochester stations too?

I used to get Rochester a lot with my 45ft tower but that has been a temporary loss because the rotor is stuck and having difficulty with finding someone to replace it. The tower needs some work too. On a good tropo day I could get all analog Rochester channels. Just before the rotor gave out I used to get WXXI-DT & WROC-DT quite often. But, forget about getting them now in digital because they will be more directional (south) come June 12.

I also live in a house beside Fairview Mall (in the neighborhood just west of the apartment buildings you are most likely talking about) and I get those channels plus Buffalo stations like Fox, ABC, and CBS (sometimes PBS too). Considering that I'm getting this using a sloppy SBGH antenna held together with cardboard and scotch tape and no pre-amp, mounted indoors behind a window with the blinds drawn, it looks like you have lots of room for improvement :p
I'm not sure where about are you but i'm right across fron DVP. I certainly dont have clearview tho. The balcony are all glasses. Would glass affect the signal? I'm still on Cable untill May so i have lots of time to make my wife happy lol.