OT HDSat & Terrestrial to multiple systems, Need Help Options

[seanery]

I've hashed this out with a number of folks, including one member here. I'm looking for real experience here.

I've got a Terk S25 Satellite Dish and a Terk TV50 terrestrial antenna similar to the TV55 on the link. I have two Samsung TRS160 HD/Sat receivers. I want both receivers to get HD Terrestrial as well as the sat.

Has anyone tried a multiswitch like the Spaun 3403 or Spaun 5402 to do this? In theory it's all really simple, but I don't want something that won't actually work, or loses signal quality/strength of the Terrestrial signal.

I was also considering an amplifier on the terrestrial signal and running a separate RG6 to each receiver, but, man, that's turning into spaghetti!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences!

[richardL]

The Terk antennas - especially the TV55 and its friends are considered absolute junk by 'those who know' - I had a TV55 and it was useless. The best UHF antenna is considered to be the Channel Master 4228, which is a square mesh (36" X 36") with a network of elements just in front - so its only about 6" deep. When I bought that (Fry's $49) I was able to get much better OTA HD. All DirectTv HD receivers should accept an OTA input. You don not need to Multiswitch it with the Sat signal - different frequencies, format etc. You should be able to feed into the Ant. Input connector on the box. Generally HD OTA is better since it is not compressed.

All digital transmissions from Sutro are turned off most days during the day, while they do a Seismic retrofit - so the only reliable time to point the antenna is a Sunday. It will be like that into the summer unfortunately.

Also, of interest - DirectTV is going to carry the CBS HD signal before the Superbowl - they have a deal with CBS for areas where they own the local stations and we are in that situation here (I think you are in the Bay Area seanery?)

Much more info on avsforum.com where there are several HD specific forums.

HTH,
Richard