Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna (Silver and Black) by Gemini Industries, Inc.
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Digital camera reviews of Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna (Silver and Black)
Digital camera Review: Best Deal in High Def
Summary: 5 Stars
After buying my HDTV, I was beginning to think that it would cost me an arm and a leg just to run the thing to its abilities. After buying a $50 HD antenna (RCA) and getting it home to only find 2-3 channels picked up, I took it back and jumped two "strengths" in antennas. This new antenna cost me almost $75 and I was assured it would work. Nothing. After reading the reviews of this antenna, I thought I'd try it and have been nothing but IMPRESSED. I live in a suburban/metro area - 5 miles from downtown Cincinnati and I get EVERY local station and some non locals with at least 80% strength. VERY happy with my purchase.
The product is a little flimsy, be careful. If you can keep it out of traffic or falling, it's the best electronic investment I've made in over a year.
Digital camera Review: Best Indoor Antenna Ever - Must Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I must say, I was skeptical when I took this out of the box. It comes with three pieces that look like a three year old put them together but this exceeds its reputation. I live in only 9.5 miles away from the mountain where all TV signals are broadcast from the top. I had previously tried every single antenna known to man but couldn't not get any signal strength and thought my hdtv tuner was broken. But, I decided to try to order this one and by turning the antenna vertical versus horizontal how it is shown, i got a full strength signal. You might be saying well sure you live close but let me explain why I could never get a signal before. I live less than a mile from a major international airport and airplanes fly less than 200 feet above the top of my condo complex not to mention I am surronded by tall buildings like corporate headquarters right next to my building and lastly I am on the far side of the condo complex on the second floor, so the signals have a lot metal to travel through before they get inside my residence. What does all this equal? If you live in a city with all the major signals coming from one location, this antenna is a must, especially when you turn the antenna vertical as described on the back of the box. Don't bother trying the old school circular or rabbit ears, they just dont work unless you live a mile away.Digital camera Review: Best Indoor HDTV Antenna available.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have tried 5 or 6 indoor HDTV antennas before I finally purchased the Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna 5 months ago. The other antennas I purchased (and eventually returned) were manufactured by TERK, Samsung, and RCA to name a few, each costing between $50 and $100. All of these antennas are designed to look good, but to extent that they compromised the ability to work well for appearance. This is not the case with the ZHDTV1, as compared to all of those antennas it was by far the best indoor HDTV antenna I have owned. (Note that I only tried indoor antennas.)
I live in the metro St. Louis area. In St. Louis there are seven Digital Stations that are available over the air. The seven include FOX, CBS, ABC, WB, NBC, PBS, and UPN. All of their broadcast towers are located between 12 to 20 miles away from my house [FOX (12 mi), CBS (14 mi), ABC (11 mi), WB (11 mi), NBC (11 mi), PBS (14 mi), and UPN (20 mi)]. (You can find the location of you local digital stations at http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx). Furthermore my house is surrounded by tall trees that easily stand some 40 feet, and my house is located in valley that is roughly 75 feet lower than surrounding hills.
To actually be able to view a digital off-air channel you need a signal strength of at least 60. All of the previous indoor HDTV antennas I tried were able to receive between 3 to 5 channels with a signal strength around 70. The ZHDTV1 on the other hand receives all 7 of the digital stations that are available. And every station has a higher signal strength as well. FOX, CBS, NBC, WB, and ABC I get a signal strength between 80 to 85! PBS I get around 72-75, and UPN between 60 and 65. And I use the antenna unamplified!
I must warn people who are considering purchasing this antenna about several things. First it is a UHF (digital) antenna, so don't complain if you don't get VHF (analog) signals. Second it is a highly directional antenna. This works well for me because all seven of the digital stations are located in the same direction (Southwest). It is not an omni-directional antenna, so if you live in an area where digital stations are scattered around your location this antenna may not work as well. Finally I had to spend considerable time adjusting the antenna to a direction where I was able to receive every channel. Every antenna requires some kind of adjustment to find digital signals, and sometimes it is a meticulous process. Finally this is the best INDOOR antenna I have tried. There are some better outdoor antennas, such as the DB8 Multidirectional HD Antenna available at www.antennadirect.com, although the ZHDTV1 is on par with many commercially available outdoor antennas, and actually outperforms several outdoor antennas. Overall i am very pleased with my purchase of the ZHDTV antenna, and it is truely a bargain at $20.
Digital camera Review: Best indoor HDTV Antenna i have used
Summary: 5 Stars
This product is great. Works like a champ. Installation could not be easier. I get great HD reception in my apartment. I highly recommend this item. Worth every penny and more.Digital camera Review: Best indoor UHF bar none!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have tried about a dozen other antennas (2 outdoor and 10 indoor). And most of those were "supposed" to be high-quality/high-performance models. In fact, several were significantly more expensive than this one. However, this antenna NOTICEABLY outperformed ALL of them - be they amplified or unamplified, indoor or outdoor. So, as long as you only need to receive channels in the UHF range (it does not receive VHF) then I highly recommend this antenna.