My plan was to get one of those big aerials and mount it inside my attic space and run the line down into my On-Q box. I've yet to do it, but I should be able to get good strong local signals, and maybe even the voices in my head in HD.
I bought a radio shack antenna (this is the same one http://www.ebay.com/itm/191174456871). I also bought a variable gain signal booster. I mounted it in my attic and after much tweaking I got a semi-reliable ~90% reception on all the channels. I eventually decided that my reliability needed to be closer to 99%.
I found that an outdoor antenna was much more reliable, however i haven't gone through the trouble of permanently mounting one as I believe I need POA approval.
If anyone is interested in borrowing my variable gain signal amplifier for testing I'm glad to lend it out, I haven't had a TV plugged in for some time.
My next thought was to buy one of these http://amzn.com/B0024R4B5C and mount it in the attic. I believe they are highly directional so I'm not sure if I would be able to get all the channels with one antenna.
Finally I decided I should probably higher an antenna expert or mount one outside. I haven't done either.
Putting an antenna inside one of our attics probably will only work if you have a window facing the direction of the Westlake Hills antenna farm - about 290 degrees. The roof shingles and the insulation used in our houses usually contain metal, which will block the (mostly) UHF TV signals. In your (icemonkeyharvest) house, you might be able to put an antenna in the upper attic pointed through the eaves above your west facing bedroom. I'd try that, because it's much easier than mounting an external antenna.
Speaking of external antennas, you do not need to ask the HOA's permission due to the FCC OTARD (Over The Air Reception Device) rules, which allow you to mount an antenna for local reception without permission from HOAs or even local/state gov't. I think you have to notify the HOA, however.
I agree about the Roku 3 - great device. Between Netflix, Amazon Prime and the free stuff on the Roku, I don't miss cable, and really don't watch much OTA stuff - news, some PBS and the (diminishing) sports programming on free TV. The only shortcoming of the Roku 3 for me is the lack of a real uPnP/DLNA player/renderer. And if I cared about current network programming, I'd get a Hulu subscription and/or a DVCR.
Huh, I hadn't though of the shingles being an issue. I'll have to do some tests with my old rabbit ears.
It's true about the FCC rules. I learned about it when I wanted to mount a Direct TV dish to the balcony of my apt. when I was in school. The argument was the unfair advantage of cable vs. satellite and OTA TV.
I've Hulu Plus for shows such as Cosmos and The Daily Show. They do have movies and it's decent, but if I ever get some kind of DVR setup for local news and broadcast TV, I'd ditch Hulu.
By the way, if you have a Roku and are a fan of The Daily Show and Colbert Report, the Plex Channel will stream them without commercials. I think it's a free trial then an one time fee of $5. Plex will also let you stream content from your media server like TV including TV and recorded TV like a DVR provided you're media server is equipped for it.
I also hear that you can use your Roku like a DVR, but the experience is lackluster.
Quote: Speaking of external antennas, you do not need to ask the HOA's permission due to the FCC OTARD (Over The Air Reception Device) rules, which allow you to mount an antenna for local reception without permission from HOAs or even local/state gov't. I think you have to notify the HOA, however.
The HOA says:
"[Satellite dishes and television antennas] do require Modifications Committee review and approval, mostly they just review to make sure it is in the least visible area from public areas as possible. They are allowed to be visible though, just as less as possible if that makes sense. I've attached the guidelines and application for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns."
The guidelines don't talk about TV antennas specifically, but say this about satellite dishses:
"Satellite Dishes, provided that they are not mounted on a streetfacing façade (roof or wall) and that no part of the dish surpasses the height of the adjacent roof ridge(s). Such dishes may be mounted on alley-facing facades or interior sideyard facades. In the case of the sideyard facades, dishes must be set back at least 10 feet from the front, street-facing corner of the house."
That's what the HOA says. Here's what the FCC says:
Q: What types of restrictions unreasonably delay or prevent viewers from using an antenna? Can an antenna user be required to obtain prior approval before installing his antenna?
A: A local restriction that prohibits all antennas would prevent viewers from receiving signals, and is prohibited by the Commission's rule. Procedural requirements can also unreasonably delay installation, maintenance or use of an antenna covered by this rule.
For example, local rules or regulations that require a person to obtain a permit or approval prior to installation create unreasonable delay and are generally prohibited. Permits or prior approval necessary to serve a legitimate written safety or historic preservation purpose may be permissible. Although a simple notification process (e.g. post installation) might be permissible, such a process cannot be used as a prior approval requirement and may not delay or increase the cost of installation. The burden is on the association to show that a notification process does not violate our rule.
As I said, it would be nice to notify the HOA, but you don't need to, and you certainly don't need their approval, prior or otherwise. You may need to defend your choice of location as being necessary for proper local reception.
