Zenith Silver Sensor (& Clones) OTA Antennas - Page 18 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Emerald_Boar · 2008-11-26, 08:19 PM

Assuming that coaxial cable is short (meter or 2) it can be easily replaced.

If its much longer or permanently attached to silver sensor. Then you may have issues.

I would try using attaching another Coaxial cable to the silver sensor and TV tuner card. And see if that improves quality of the image.

Good Luck,
Alvaro Marques

PS. I dont have any certifications what so ever. In fact you probably know as much about this stuff as i do.

NWoolridge · 2008-12-08, 02:15 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great info here...

Is there a retail location in the greater Toronto area where the zenith Silver Sensor or one of its clones (Philips PHDTV3) is available?

I see that some have asked the question in this thread, but I'm not sure if it was ever answered; maybe its only available online (I'm a bit loath to order from Dell)...

Thanks

stampeder · 2008-12-08, 02:37 PM

See the various OTA supplier threads in this forum:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164

cheers

pmartel1 · 2008-12-10, 01:12 PM

Dumb question, but could a Silver Sensor ever be stacked??

I'm thinking on buying one off a friend and wonder how & if they work indoors at all or by a window at best.

Ideas??

stampeder · 2008-12-10, 07:29 PM

Not a dumb question!

You can gang Silver Sensors for better gain. Here is Ken Nist's "Two Antenna Trick" over at hdtvprimer:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html

stampeder · 2008-12-27, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbberius

The Source will start selling the Terk HDTVa

Confirmed

See this thread:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=78265

willis · 2008-12-28, 04:20 PM

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and a total noob in the OTA arena. I live in a condo, and so I don't have a choice but to get an indoor antenna. It appears as though the silver sensor and clones are the best bet in getting the best reception. One thing I don't understand is the amplified vs non-amplified version. Can someone explain what the differences are, the advantages/disadvantages of both, and what factors are used to decide one over the other?

Thanks very much in advance.

stampeder · 2008-12-28, 05:24 PM

Welcome here, willis - It all has to do with your specific situation. The best thing for you to do is read through the thread for Indoor Antennas in the Toronto area to see how others in North York have done:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=42391

gashlycrumb · 2009-05-27, 11:45 AM

Hello all! I'm just confused about something, hoping someone can clarify.

I'm looking at buying a "zenith silver sensor clone" for inside my apartment (as recommended by the FAQ). I found the Philips PHDTV1. However, when looking at this thread, most people are talking about the Philips PHDTV3. When I look at the picture of the PHDTV3, it looks nothing like the Zenith Silver Sensor or the PHDTV1.

I'm just wondering which one I should buy - the PHDTV1 or the PHDTV3. Thanks!

stampeder · 2009-05-27, 11:56 AM

The looks might be different, but the actual antenna beneath the plastic cover is exactly the same.

The Philips models are different just in the fact that one has a built in amplifier while the other one does not. If you're unsure of which one to get, keep in mind that the amplifier can be shut off as needed so its probably the better choice. You can tell from web page specs which one has the amplifier and which one does not.

SmartGrizzley · 2009-09-19, 04:48 PM

What are all the names of all the Zenith Silver Sensor Clone OTA antennas ? Even if the information is located in threads, it's an awful lot to go though so I'm hoping people can give names ?

Wharfe · 2009-09-19, 06:21 PM

I have a Terk HDTVa (amplified) which is also available unamplified (HDTVi) .. has built in rabbit ears for VHF.. got a good deal on it.. really wanted a "silver sensor" design but needed VHF... works excellent for me indoors!

Walter Dnes · 2009-09-20, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartGrizzley

What are all the names of all the Zenith Silver Sensor Clone OTA antennas ? Even if the information is located in threads, it's an awful lot to go though so I'm hoping people can give names ?

Look for "Silver Sensor", because sometimes it's refrred to as a "Philips" and sometimes as a "Zenith". I believe Philips and Zenith are now 1 company. The Terk HDTVa and the CM4040 are brand-name clones.

j0dest3r · 2010-06-23, 05:55 PM

Wow not much action in here for a while.

I have the amplified clone from the Source. I managed to get one extra bar of reception using the Terk in my location over the included wire whip ANT that came with my Hauppauage 950q USB tuner. One think I wanted to ask, It says that the amplifier has to be plugged in even though it is in the off position. I was wondering if it is recommended to include the signal amp in the hookup or if it was ok to leave it out. Currently I have a long cable run so I have it in, but there are times I use it just hooked up to the laptop and less than 15 feet of cable. so should I still use the AMP in that short cable run?

Thx

byebye_cable · 2010-10-18, 01:09 PM

The Source has the Terk HDTVa (the amplified version of the ZSS clone) for sale now, $40. Only for a couple more days.

2008-12-28, 04:20 PM	#262
willis Rookie Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North York, ON Posts: 1	amplified vs non-amplified Hello, I'm new to the forum and a total noob in the OTA arena. I live in a condo, and so I don't have a choice but to get an indoor antenna. It appears as though the silver sensor and clones are the best bet in getting the best reception. One thing I don't understand is the amplified vs non-amplified version. Can someone explain what the differences are, the advantages/disadvantages of both, and what factors are used to decide one over the other? Thanks very much in advance.

2009-09-19, 04:48 PM	#266
SmartGrizzley Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37	Zenith Silver Sensor Clone Names What are all the names of all* the Zenith Silver Sensor Clone OTA antennas* ? Even if the information is located in threads, it's an awful lot to go though so I'm hoping people can give names ?

2010-06-23, 05:55 PM	#269
j0dest3r Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,623	Terk HDTVa Wow not much action in here for a while. I have the amplified clone from the Source. I managed to get one extra bar of reception using the Terk in my location over the included wire whip ANT that came with my Hauppauage 950q USB tuner. One think I wanted to ask, It says that the amplifier has to be plugged in even though it is in the off position. I was wondering if it is recommended to include the signal amp in the hookup or if it was ok to leave it out. Currently I have a long cable run so I have it in, but there are times I use it just hooked up to the laptop and less than 15 feet of cable. so should I still use the AMP in that short cable run? Thx

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2008-11-26, 08:19 PM	#256
Emerald_Boar Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: (SoHo area) London ON Posts: 600	Assuming that coaxial cable is short (meter or 2) it can be easily replaced. If its much longer or permanently attached to silver sensor. Then you may have issues. I would try using attaching another Coaxial cable to the silver sensor and TV tuner card. And see if that improves quality of the image. Good Luck, Alvaro Marques PS. I dont have any certifications what so ever. In fact you probably know as much about this stuff as i do.

2008-12-08, 02:15 PM	#257
NWoolridge Rookie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	Hi all, Thanks for all the great info here... Is there a retail location in the greater Toronto area where the zenith Silver Sensor or one of its clones (Philips PHDTV3) is available? I see that some have asked the question in this thread, but I'm not sure if it was ever answered; maybe its only available online (I'm a bit loath to order from Dell)... Thanks

2008-12-08, 02:37 PM	#258
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	See the various OTA supplier threads in this forum: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164 cheers

2008-12-10, 01:12 PM	#259
pmartel1 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 15	Dumb question, but could a Silver Sensor ever be stacked?? I'm thinking on buying one off a friend and wonder how & if they work indoors at all or by a window at best. Ideas??

2008-12-10, 07:29 PM	#260
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Not a dumb question! You can gang Silver Sensors for better gain. Here is Ken Nist's "Two Antenna Trick" over at hdtvprimer: http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html

2008-12-28, 05:24 PM	#263
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Welcome here, willis - It all has to do with your specific situation. The best thing for you to do is read through the thread for Indoor Antennas in the Toronto area to see how others in North York have done: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=42391

2009-05-27, 11:45 AM	#264
gashlycrumb Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2	Hello all! I'm just confused about something, hoping someone can clarify. I'm looking at buying a "zenith silver sensor clone" for inside my apartment (as recommended by the FAQ). I found the Philips PHDTV1. However, when looking at this thread, most people are talking about the Philips PHDTV3. When I look at the picture of the PHDTV3, it looks nothing like the Zenith Silver Sensor or the PHDTV1. I'm just wondering which one I should buy - the PHDTV1 or the PHDTV3. Thanks!

2009-05-27, 11:56 AM	#265
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	The looks might be different, but the actual antenna beneath the plastic cover is exactly the same. The Philips models are different just in the fact that one has a built in amplifier while the other one does not. If you're unsure of which one to get, keep in mind that the amplifier can be shut off as needed so its probably the better choice. You can tell from web page specs which one has the amplifier and which one does not.

2009-09-19, 06:21 PM	#267
Wharfe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St. John's, NL Posts: 565	I have a Terk HDTVa (amplified) which is also available unamplified (HDTVi) .. has built in rabbit ears for VHF.. got a good deal on it.. really wanted a "silver sensor" design but needed VHF... works excellent for me indoors!

2010-10-18, 01:09 PM	#270
byebye_cable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 434	The Source has the Terk HDTVa (the amplified version of the ZSS clone) for sale now, $40. Only for a couple more days.