Antennas Direct DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna Reviews

• Works wonders, even indoors, 16 miles from nearest antenna

  
  By AIOPD46ZIV8K2 on 2007-04-09
  We have a secluded lot, about 2 acres, with mature (40ft+) dense trees around us. The nearest antenna is 16 miles away and the Chicago antennas are 44 miles away. We use this with our Phillips Flatpanel 50" pixelplus 2 HDTV with its own built in HDTV antenna. With only the HDTV antenna that came with the TV we received maybe 2 channels on a sunny day.
  We first plugged in this antenna in our ground floor bedroom and kept it right behind our right: obstructed view. We did a search and found 17 HDTV channels and another 20 clear regular channels.
  When we then placed the antenna on the roof (used an old DirecTV cabling on the roof) we solidly got 20+ channels in HDTV and another 34 regular channels. Some aren"t prefect but most are as good as old 'regular' tv quality.
  
  We will probably upgrade in the near future to the DB4 now that we know this works for us. This thing is no hoax but we do think you have to be within about 30 or max 40 miles to get any type of reception.
  
  Our advice:
  drop the useless expensive cable or satellite and take a 15$ per month Netflix membership to beat / defeat all the showtime or HBO stuff and add this antenna for the local news stuff. Saves us at LEAST 60$ a month.
  
  

• May not be exactly what you need

  
  By A36BE8S4Y32YGD on 2008-04-04
  I'm in the South Jersey area, trying to pull in the Philadelphia stations in an upstairs bedroom. The antenna is indoors, attached to a Zenith digital converter box. It IS pulling in 25 stations, but not a major one we wanted--WHYY, the major PBS station in our area.
  
  While researching how to get the station, I discovered two things: 1) Many people are having trouble receiving it, and we'd probably have to put an even larger antenna than the DB2 on the roof to get it. 2) In February, 2009, they aren't even going to be broadcasting their digital signal on UHF anymore, and neither is the local ABC affiliate. They will both be broadcasting digitally on VHF channels. This DB2 antenna is for UHF only. So as of next February, it will be useless for two major channels we want to watch. And there isn't much sense in trying VHF antennas yet, because we can't really test them out til the digital VHF broadcasting begins. In this case, it seems like procrastinating might have been the best course of action!
  
  FYI, the antenna doesn't include the coaxial cable you need to run between the antenna and either your converter box or digital tv.
  
  
  
  

• It actually works......really well!!!!

  
  By AMN184X3POZPF on 2007-11-28
  I originally used the Philips Silver Sensor antenna, but couldn't get stable reception. Added an amplifier and got more than half of the HDTV channels, but needed to move/adjust the antenna for the other channels (very annoying!).
  
  With this DB2 antenna, i have ALL of the free "over the air" HDTV channels, with at least 90% reception, WITHOUT an amplifier!
  
  It works for me in Orange County, CA!! GREAT HDTV ANTENNA! I will buy another!
  
  

• One of the best HDTV Antennas I have tested.

  
  By A2HBRRM3SAMWLM on 2007-08-10
  I tried about 5 hdtv antennas . This one was the best one . I live in Orlando near Sea World and all of the locals come in with no problem. I get 90's signals on all of the locals. . I also get Tampa Stations(28 and 32 ) at night. This antenna works better inside for me. I have it setting on top of my entertainment unit. It won't get the local NBC station because they broadcast in VHF. I tried it outside but the signals were worse .
  
  

• The best antenna I have tried.

  
  By A27HNXMK5V3YRF on 2007-02-03
  Since I bought my HDTV in October I have tried pretty much every antenna available at Walmart/Circuit City/etc. The only one that picked up anything at all was the silver sensor and it was annoying because anytime anyone walked by or depending on the time of the day the signal would go out. Anyways now I have the DB2 and it works outstanding. My only complaint is that it did not come with a stand to set it up indoors since many people use it indoors now. I had to attach it to a lamp that I wasn't using.
  
  
• Works GREAT!
  By A1RPB8MB5YZPDR on 2007-02-01
  This antenna gets all the stations I was expecting, and then some! I even receive stations originating 180 degrees from where it's facing. Yes, I am fairly close to the tv towers (20- 30mi), but I can't find any flaws with this antenna even though I have it set up indoors. Very pleased, would highly recommend!
  
  
• stronger signal as advertised
  By AJL5P1866L52R on 2007-06-01
  i bought this to replace some cheapish terk looking device, so a comparison isn't really fair, but that $30ish-looking antenna would lose signals and required being pointed and elevated. i bought this thing and as i was trying to position it around my tv, i dropped it behind the tv and onto the chest the tv is sitting on. this thing picks up signals quite well for being in a triangular spot that is the tv and a room corner while randomly pointed and elevated 4' off the ground and at least two walls away from the open air in a 1-story house with no highrises around. i get significantly few signal drops, though i didn't bother to count if i received more or less hd channels.
  
  it ain't pretty, smaller than it looks in the picture, but it sure works and i don't see it anymore. i'd repurchase in a heartbeat.
  
  
• Much better than I was expecting!
  By A1T3WEI8KFTQKE on 2008-01-10
  With the addition of a $20 RG6 quad shielded cable I purchased seperately at Lowes, I put this antenna in my attic. I mounted it to a 3/4" of PVC about 4' high and used a male threaded adapter to screw it to a galvanized flange that I screwed to the floor in my attic. So I spent about $30 in total to install and mount it.
  
  I'm about 20 miles from the antenna farm in Philadelphia. And even with having this in my attic and in a wooded area, I have to say I was amazed how well it works.
  
  I get crystal clear picture and sound of all the digital channels. The HD is amzing with this antenna!! I also get the analog channels and can actually watch some of them. But I just block them for who wants to watch analog when you can get HDTV through this high tech version of rabbit ears?
  
  I read that you can lose as much as 50% signal strength but putting this type of antenna in your attic. So I put it in there first under the assumption that if it didn't work there, I was going to have to put it on the roof. If you are considering purchasing this unit or any other antenna, you should also keep this in mind. It is NOT the antennas fault (in most cases), its that the signal is just too far away or not strong enough.
  
  Overall, I'm super pleased with my results!
  
  
  
• Free HD - What More Could You Ask For?
  By A1ZBDJ66B00HG5 on 2007-07-06
  When you're friends stop by and say, "Dang man, that's an unbelievable picture on your tv," you can proudly say, "It's FREE High Def!" The DB2 is a multi-directional antenna that picks up stations within 30 miles of your home. I live about 15 miles outside of the city, and I pick up about 15 stations - six or seven are in HD. I mounted this on my roof about a week ago and have been enjoying free HD shows all week with no interuptions. If you're looking for some free local channels in high def, this is a great antenna. If you live more than 30 miles from your local towers, try the DB4 - it's pretty much two DB2's stacked on top of each other. Make sure your tv has an HD tuner before purchasing.
  
  
• Want Free HDTV? Get This Antenna!
  By A16PJCJK5IOIRD on 2007-09-13
  Quite an amazing product.
  
  I live about 19-23 miles from majority of transmission towers. My first purchase was a Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified HD Antenna which picked up 2 HD channels. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed, and didn't have much expectation for DB2. But boy was I wrong. This baby picked up 20 yes 20 stations from the same spot inside my house! Now I have free HDTV on my 46" 1080p Samsung 4661F (also a great product). I am extremely pleased.
  
  Of course, antenna performance varies depending on your location. It's a good idea to buy it from a place with a good return policy in case it doesn't work out for you.
  
  Pros:
  - Excellent reception.
  
  Cons:
  - Need to find a pole to mount it
  - Kind of look out of place in a living room
  
  
• Best Indoor Antenna
  By A1G0DSL415NKXU on 2007-03-28
  Sure, it's ugly, but it has the best reception out of any antenna that you can get in it's size. I've tried 4 other antennas and this works the best. It was rated the highest performing indoor antenna by HDTVPrimer -- see the data results for yourselves: [...]
  
  I live 21 miles SW of Phili in an apartment that faces SW - the opposite direction of all the TV towers, and I still get flawless HD reception on 5 channels and decent reception on 9 other channels.
  
  It worked better than the antennas that I have tried with amplifiers, including Radio Shack and Philips. Your OTA HD TV Tuner only already adjusts a signal strength required for its own processing -- so what matters is noise relative to real signal. A pre-amp does you no good if the amp itself is noisy. I read that Radio Shack Amps are extremely noisy, and Philips are okay, but the DB2 performed much better than any of these antennas with an amp. You would only need an amp if you had a long cable +10 ft to accomodate for signal loss over the cable.
  
  If you can't get a good signal with the DB2 indoor, you can't get a good signal indoor, period --- you'll have to put it in a new location, maybe outdoor, and probably would need to get a DB4. you first step should be to go to [..]
  For indoors, the DB2 is probably the best that you can do.
  
  
  
  
• Works great ... no "drop outs", puts my old antenna to shame.
  By ACDJL2NYQL0GT on 2008-02-12
  I don't have cable and was always getting digital break up of the picture and a blank screen at crucial points in TV shows with my old antenna. But this one, which I purchased on the strength of the reviews, has been absolutely perfect. There's no need to adjust it, ever. I have it sitting indoors, near the TV, but hidden behind some plants. No matter which tower in my area is serving the signal (and they're located in several different directions from my home) this antenna picks up the signal and delivers a crisp, clean, steady picture. After disappointment with three previous antennas, I want to thank the previous reviewers for guiding me to this great product.
  
  
• Antenna is a beast, but one you'll be glad to have
  By A26IH2NFZOMVBI on 2007-10-17
  I want to point out first that you'll need a coaxial cable to use with this antenna, and that you can get one much cheaper off Amazon (or anywhere online) than you will in some desperate run to a store on receiving it. It shouldn't be surprising that an antenna needs a cable, except I already have two indoor antennas and they both have cables built into them. For that matter it isn't clear that any changes have been made to this outdoor antenna after deciding to market it for the indoors. It expects to be mounted to a vertical pole, for example, and I don't have (or want) any of those inside my apartment.
  
  But even with those surprises I would recommend this antenna, and I'll be using it instead either of my two indoor antennas. I don't know if it's some genius of the trivial-looking design or just the size of this thing, but it receives signals more strongly and with less falling out than the others. My floor is slightly below ground and I had practically given upon on broadcast, but after some fussing with this unwieldy thing in a window I realized that lying it flat on the sill (which is unusually deep) I can get all four channels I want. This is contrary to the instructions to point it towards a tower--I'm pointing it towards the ceiling--but maybe I'm so close to the towers (in Harlem) I'm practically "under" them. Anyway, just get this antenna and with some work you will get the best reception your residence can be expected to get.
  
  
• Meeting the challenge
  By A1EQUS44NOE2W4 on 2007-10-30
  I was looking for an antenna for a studio where I work, in a corner at the end of an alley...a challenge for TV waves! Over months of trials and errors, I probably installed half a dozen 'indoor' antennas - none of them worked at all! Then, I saw this one on Amazon and I decided to rely on the good reviews it has. At first, I was disappointed because it is not 'powered' and I thought that it should have made a huge difference. Then I tried to find a good location for it...and almost gave up. But, before returning it, I placed it just above the door on the small entrance porch...miracle! Instantly, my new HD-TV received 40+ channels - most of them I didn't even know existed, many of them in HD - with crisp beautiful images and fantastic surround sound (I only needed to hook up an old stereo receiver a friend gave me). And that was only possible because the antenna is NOT powered. This is a pure example of excellent 'made in the USA' craftsmanship! I have already returned the other 'made in China' junk-antennas and got back twice as much as this one cost. I just watched the world series and I thought I was actually there in the ball parks! Fan-tas-tic.
  
  
• Nice antenna
  By A1FL0JMKNFDMSJ on 2007-12-30
  I researched this antenna thoroughly and decided it would work in my attic. Once I received it I was very skeptical and thought it was too small to pick up all the signals I wanted. I tried it any way and to my surprise it not only picked up signals within it's specified range, but also far beyond it's range from inside my attic!
  
  This is a great antenna, but as with any antenna, your milage may very. I would not guarantee nor expect any antenna to outperform it's specifications, but in this case it most certainly did just that. If you need an antenna for digital over-the-air broadcast and the towers are in range of this antenna you will love this one. It's small, light, high quality and a great performer.
  
  Amazon had the best price on this at the time I wrote this review too.
  
  
• Good UHF antenna.
  By A2J0D8EHQBF4KM on 2008-07-12
  What's nice about this antenna is it's small size(12"X19"X4"), and it works quite well. I was able to pickup quite a few NYC channels indoors, and am roughly 8 miles from the towers. Then I mounted it on the roof and picked up a few more channels making a total of about 20 channels.
  
  Recently, I removed the DB2 antenna though and put up a Philips Mant900 Antenna. The reason is many of my local channels that are broadcasting on UHF are going to broadcast on the VHF band after Feb 2009. The DB2 is a UHF only, while the Philips covers both UHF/VHF. The Philips was definitely an improvement in terms of signal strength as well.
  
  Go to antennaweb(dot)org to see if your channels are changing bands in Feb 2009, as you will probably need a dual band tuner.
  
  This is a great antenna if you only plan on using the UHF band.
  
  Edit 10/09/2008: I would also like to mention that there isn't any such thing as a HDTV antenna. As long as you have a HDTV with a HD tuner, you're all set. I'd definitely lean toward a dual band (UHF/VHF) antenna though, simply because both bands are in use and the prices aren't all that different.
  
  
• good quality antenna for close distance to tower
  By A23I41Z74X0V46 on 2007-02-22
  get good signal with only crudely aiming the antenna without a signal meter; after hooking up tv i get about 77 on signal strength. some trees to go through and no hills. there maybe some reflection from the back but until i play with the aiming more i won't know for sure.
  
  
• Great product
  By A14A6Y4DGMCJT9 on 2007-08-15
  Am using this indoors, where previously I got only fuzzy reception from my faithful set of Wal-mart rabbit-ears. Plugged this baby in, set the new LCD TV to autoscan again, and now have all the local HD channels, plus better reception on the non-HD stations (PBS etc). Very happy with the result, and amazed how much better HDTV is.
  
  
• Junk! Beware!
  By A34GG58TJ1A3SH on 2007-10-20
  I have two TV's. I just moved to a brick building in the city. I've hooked a Terk up to both, and it works well, even on the TV where I can't put the antenna in the window.
  
  After reading these reviews, people made it seem better than the Terk. I figured, "Well if it gets a better signal than the Terk, I'm sold."
  
  The Downsides:
  
  1. It doesn't work very well. Reception is spotty at best, even in the window. I can't even get all the channels. I have to spend 10 minutes playing with it to find a channel, and then, of course, I lose all the other channels.
  
  2. It's ugly. I knew this going in, but I was willing to take the trade-off because it was supposedly so good (I thought I'd hide it.) It's a big thing that looks like a BBQ grill, or a baking rack, with several other metal things attached. Ugly, ugly, ugly.
  
  3. You have to spend more money. Just don't think you're going to buy this antenna and that's it. You have to buy coaxial cable, and make or buy something to support it. (because it's meant to be an outside antenna)
  
  ***Update***
  
  Well it's been a few months, and I'm still not satisfied with this product. It needs to be in the window in order to get reception, and I constantly have to move it around to get a signal. Sometimes after moving it to get one channel, I'll lose the other channels. This is very frustrating considering the Terk (as I've said before) never needs to be touched. (for the guy who asked, it's the Terk Indoor / Outdoor model) From my experience this product is a lot weaker than the Terk, which is disappointing considering that I live in the city and most people raved how powerful this product is.
  
  
• Comparison of AntennasDirectDB2 with TerkHDTVa
  By A1K22IFHM99SVT on 2008-09-09
  Summary: the Antennas Direct model worked noticeably better than the Terk model. Plus, the fact that the Terk model needs to be plugged in to an electric outlet and you'll probably leave it on 24/7, burning up electricity, makes the Antennas Direct DB2 the better buy by far.
  
  Living in Rockland County, N.Y., about 50 miles from New York, the signals are weak enough that a good antenna is required to get digital signals. I bought the two best-ranked on Amazon, hooked them up to a DigitalStream converter box (of the 3 boxes I have, I like DigitalStream best for its remote which will learn your TV's power on/off signal, and also has its own volume control). I carefully adjusted each antenna for maximum reception (takes time because signal strength fluctuates.)
  
  The results of my mini-experiment: the Antennas Direct DB2 performed better than the Terk HDTVa. This, both from looking at "signal strength" readings, as well as a judgement made after living for about 2 weeks with it set up each way -- the Antennas Direct DB2 was the definite winner.
  
  As to the negatives of the two items:
  
  The Terk HDTVa requires you to plug it in to an electric outlet, and basically keep it plugged in. This means it is plugged in 24/7 and using electricity all the while. Who knows how much that'll cost in electric bills, wasted electricity, etc!
  
  The Postive and Negative of the Antennas Direct DB2 model, is that it really is designed to be hung on a wall -- but if you really want to maximize reception, you must aim it carefully, through a trial-and-error process (same as the Terk, which you must aim). So, the final position that is best for you, might not end up being parallel to a wall! So in the end you'll have to stand this thing up on a flat surface anyway.
  
  Note that the Terk and the Antennas Direct are both roughly the same size... not counting the Terk's two huge rabbit ears you can extend up to 4 feet (which I certainly extended and played with, in making the comparison.)
  
  Also note, that the coaxial cable you use to connect to the Antennas Direct, should be the sort that has a little screw/nut at the end. The cheaper kind, that just slips on and off, might not stay well enough. So I had to go out and buy a $5 coaxial cable segment.
  
  In summary: the Antennas Direct beat the Terk for performance, as well as the fact that it doesn't need to be plugged in and using electricity 24/7.
  
  
  
• Great indoor antenna
  By A3D934OB3XYXZF on 2007-06-10
  I have this antenna clamped to a Radio Shack desktop mic stand with a gooseneck attachment which is great for finding the signal sweet spot. Picked up all my channels just by putting it on top of the TV.
  
  
• Damn good!
  By A2ULD9KKIDIA50 on 2007-11-05
  Well, I was very apprehensive about the claims that this product made regarding its reception, especially after fidgetting with rabbit ears for as long as I did. And lo and behold, when I found the sweet spot, (you have to direct it in a specific direction to get all channels) my reception has been pretty impressive. I receive all the HD channels in my area! Once in a great while, not sure if it's dependent on weather or other conditions, I do get blips here and there on the lower channels, but it doesn't last long. Also, I found a funny connection between if there are aircraft overhead and temporary disruptions in reception. Overall, VERY satisfied.
  
  
• Nothing more to add than what other reviewers have said
  By A283ITE3G0MVOO on 2007-11-12
  Using this inside the house, and just wanted to confirm -- it works great. I am 35 miles outside of Washington DC and pick up all the DC HD channels perfectly. Highly recommended.
  
  
• DB2 Antenna Reception Excellent
  By A2HMKWIVB91B5J on 2007-11-19
  I just received the DB2 antenna. Since I am 50 miles from the only digital signal source I did not expect any results. I am amazed that I am receiving signal strengths of 65 to 75 on my Dishnetwork receiver scans. To make matters even more interesting my home is totally surrounded by radiant barrier (walls and attic). I tested the antenna within an upstairs room on top of the TV. Pointed the antenna in the general direction of the source and scanned for channels. I received all known digital channels. One additional comment. My elevation is roughly 600 feet higher than the antenna farm location. I do have a significant amount of hilly terrain between the source and my location. I am considering peeling a small amount of the radiant barrier back in my attack and mounting the antenna up there for keeps. I am still amazed.
  
  
• Excellent
  By A2EZ80LJMEMJM9 on 2007-12-07
  Excellent antenna.. Spent this last week trying everyone of the local stores OTA antennas, Trek, Philips etc. None of them picked up ABC here in PGH Pa. Tower is 15 miles away. This DB2 did with no problem plus all my other locals in HD aswell and a couple other stations. I didn't even have to take it upstairs for a better reception either. Its sitting right next to my tv at the window. Great product, very well built, light weight. It is a winner..
  
  
• Most Excellent!
  By A2IAYCDZRPXCOO on 2008-01-04
  I bought the Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna from Amazon and it worked but the picture would go in and out when I walked around and when a train would come through town. So I thought I might try putting a little more money into an antenna and WOW! I am impressed! I have 4 or 5 more channels than before! No change in picture when trains come through town or when I walk around the room. I would recommend this antenna to anyone!
  
  
• There is GOOD and BAD Depending on Your Area
  By A3V6Q7MA4UVA6Q on 2008-05-17
  My wife purchased this item to work with the new HDTV converter boxes that we got a few weeks ago. We decided to give this antenna a try based on reviews here on Amazon. There is GOOD and BAD news with it. The bad news has NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PRODUCT!
  
  Where we live, Corpus Christi, Texas, for whatever reason, most of the current 10 digital channels are being broadcast over VHF. This antenna, of course, is "tuned" for UHF frequencies and, as I understand it, in February 2009 all digital stations will be moved to UHF frequencies. If you live in a place like Corpus Christi, Texas it can be a mess! The antenna works fantastic on the UHF channels receiving about 80% signal strength at a distance of about 20 (obstructed) miles from the tower. The bad thing is those UHF stations, with the exception of PBS, are Spanish-language stations.
  
  It would be grossly unfair to mark stars off on this antenna (as some have done) for poor reception on the lower VHF frequencies that this antenna was not designed to receive. I would like to offer some information on the signal strength of this antenna based on another antenna available at Amazon, the Philips MANT940 UHF Digital and Analog Indoor/Outdoor Antenna.
  
  Signal strength in the UHF range is about 79-80 percent, while the DB2 gives me about a 70 percent on the same frequency. This is remarkable considering the Philips antenna is electrically amplified. The problem really comes when you get into the VHF range where the DB2 is not designed to receive. There the DB2 runs at 50 percent or less, while the Philips maintained a 70-80 percent signal strength.
  
  The bottom line: If most of your stations are in the UHF range, by all means this is the antenna for you. If most of your channels are in the VHF range waiting for a transition in February, this antenna will be near worthless to you. In that case I would advise that you use the Philips antenna I mentioned before. My wife will be returning this antenna, or maybe we will keep it around for February 2009.
  
  UPDATE: Thanks to a link by N4YQT (please see his comment on this review) it appears that the stations in my viewing area will be staying in the VHF and UHF range per their current assignment. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can use this antenna with a VHF antenna, or use the Philips; although the Philips is listed as a UHF antenna the in-box information has it cut for VHF, UHF and FM. Still, for UHF, you can't go wrong with the DB2 antenna -- it is terrific in the UHF range.
  
  
• Amazing Antenna at an amazing price
  By A2SG7ETQTKN602 on 2007-10-02
  I'd purchased a HDTV/analog antenna from Walmart and it was ok. There were always a couple channels that didn't come in, so I decided to try out the DB2. Not only was it very small, but the reviews were great, and the price was right. After putting the small antenna up in my living room, I'm getting full HDTV signal on most of my stations, and the couple I couldn't hardly get at all, I'm getting around 7 bars now (which is great). I would recommend this antenna to anyone who's looking for a good/reasonable solution to finding HDTV signals. If you need more range then 30 miles the same company sells antennas that go 70+ miles (which is actually 4 of the DB2's put together). Don't be afraid to purchase this product...I am very very happy with it, and it really beats those $30-God knows the price antennas you buy at the retail stores. Just remember this antenna does not pull a analog signal.
  
  
• THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY
  By A3IJB0EVEIWDWP on 2007-11-10
  This Antenna picks up signals 35 miles away and some come in at 100%
  others in the mid 90's. I have it sitting in my window. You cant go wrong with this one.
  
  
• Good HDTV antenna!
  By A2KDDM7OXWLPQY on 2007-11-14
  Once it is plugged and know where the antenna point to, scanned and see 60+ channels.
  
  

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