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The best HDTV set-top antenna you can buy
Pros
It really does work better than conventional UHF loop antennas
Cons
Its expensive for what it is
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you are in the market for a HDTV set top antenna this is the ONLY one to consider.
I recently put one foot into the HDTV world and bought an off-air HDTV set-top box. This type of box, of course requires an antenna like any other TV, so off I went hunting.
I've had DirecTV for years now so the idea of shopping for an antenna was a be foreign to me. (I opted not to get DirecTV HD yet because of the extra dish I'd have to put up. I'm just not ready for that yet). Luckily I'm close to a big city (Washington DC) but no right smack in the city. As such I get good analog reception with just a set top antenna, so I assumed digital reception would be the same as well.
Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City all offer the same types of set top antennas, even if they are packaged differently. There is the basic unamplified unit, the basic amplified version, and the super amplified model. All of them either under the Jensen, Philips/Magnavox/Zenith, or RCA/GE brand. While at Best Buy I noticed the Zenith Silver Sensor model ZHDTV1. (This is also sold under the Philips/Magnavox and Gemstar brand. They are all the same antenna).
The Silver Sensor was quite expensive at $39, given that it is not amplified. It was labeled as a HDTV Digital antenna, which I brushed off an marketing hype. As such, I initially looked past it and picked up super amplified antennas from Jensen and Philips. They ranged in price between $29 and $35.
Once I hooked up each antenna I found reception was very spotty. I could get channel 4, but not 5 unless I repositioned the antenna. The Philips was the best of the two, but I wasn't inclined to keep either, so back to the store they went. My old rabbit ears worked just as well (or poorly, depending on how you want to look at it).
Out of curiousity I bought the Silver Sensor when I returned the other antennas. To my shock and delite it really did as advertised. It shamed the conventional loop antenna's performance. I could get EVERY digital channel broadcasting in my area, save one that no one seems to get, without have to move the antenna around once. In fact, I placed the antenna on top of my TV cabinet, out of the holder they supply, and out of sight. The picture is better than DirecTV. Needless to say, I'm keeping my Silver Sensor.
$39 is still a lot of money to pay for what it is, however. I wasn't content to pay that price so I did a price search. Both Amazon and Buy.com have it for $24 and change. (Buy.com gives you free shipping, and Amazon will too, but you'll have to add another .75 worth of product).
The Silver Sensor is great, but I don't want to give the impression that its perfect. Its not. On occasion I still get some brief break up on certain stations. However, its still far more tolerable than having to reposition an antenna every time you change channels. Also, I live about 4-5 miles from the main towers. I can't say how performance will be further away or closer. Generally, however, I think if you get good analog reception the Silver Sensor will work well for you too.
I've had DirecTV for years now so the idea of shopping for an antenna was a be foreign to me. (I opted not to get DirecTV HD yet because of the extra dish I'd have to put up. I'm just not ready for that yet). Luckily I'm close to a big city (Washington DC) but no right smack in the city. As such I get good analog reception with just a set top antenna, so I assumed digital reception would be the same as well.
Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City all offer the same types of set top antennas, even if they are packaged differently. There is the basic unamplified unit, the basic amplified version, and the super amplified model. All of them either under the Jensen, Philips/Magnavox/Zenith, or RCA/GE brand. While at Best Buy I noticed the Zenith Silver Sensor model ZHDTV1. (This is also sold under the Philips/Magnavox and Gemstar brand. They are all the same antenna).
The Silver Sensor was quite expensive at $39, given that it is not amplified. It was labeled as a HDTV Digital antenna, which I brushed off an marketing hype. As such, I initially looked past it and picked up super amplified antennas from Jensen and Philips. They ranged in price between $29 and $35.
Once I hooked up each antenna I found reception was very spotty. I could get channel 4, but not 5 unless I repositioned the antenna. The Philips was the best of the two, but I wasn't inclined to keep either, so back to the store they went. My old rabbit ears worked just as well (or poorly, depending on how you want to look at it).
Out of curiousity I bought the Silver Sensor when I returned the other antennas. To my shock and delite it really did as advertised. It shamed the conventional loop antenna's performance. I could get EVERY digital channel broadcasting in my area, save one that no one seems to get, without have to move the antenna around once. In fact, I placed the antenna on top of my TV cabinet, out of the holder they supply, and out of sight. The picture is better than DirecTV. Needless to say, I'm keeping my Silver Sensor.
$39 is still a lot of money to pay for what it is, however. I wasn't content to pay that price so I did a price search. Both Amazon and Buy.com have it for $24 and change. (Buy.com gives you free shipping, and Amazon will too, but you'll have to add another .75 worth of product).
The Silver Sensor is great, but I don't want to give the impression that its perfect. Its not. On occasion I still get some brief break up on certain stations. However, its still far more tolerable than having to reposition an antenna every time you change channels. Also, I live about 4-5 miles from the main towers. I can't say how performance will be further away or closer. Generally, however, I think if you get good analog reception the Silver Sensor will work well for you too.
