Ultra Cool Gadgets

The DB4 has become our most popular model because it is simply the best Mid Range HDTV antenna on the market. With an approximate 13.7 dB gain, it is one of the strongest multi-directional antennas available and performs consistently across the entire UHF spectrum. It even works well in areas where HD transmitters are in multiple directions

Weight : 4.6lb
13.7 dB Gain, Strong performance across entire UHF band (Channels 14-69)

Customer feedback:

1. This antenna is hands down, awesome. The J-bar and butterfly screws that are included give it a secure hold on just about any surface (brick, concrete, wood). For portability sake, I have the DB4 drilled into a cinder block, for ease of lining up the signals. Use a compass! Don’t guess. You’ll quickly see that this antenna does exactly what your money pays for and more.
If you are trying to decide between an indoor antenna and outdoor. Look no further. Outdoor is much more reliable … when it rains or snows, this one has never failed me. Don’t be fooled by amplifiers, you don’t need it with the DB4 if you have outdoor access and 50-75ft of cable distance.

2. The DB4 was the strongest antenna I have tried. It is also the only one that receives every digital station at nearly 40 miles from the Kansas City stations, (and my signal meter pegged.) I was even able to pick up a few out of area stations I was not expecting. The build quality is better than anything else I have seen.
I have recommended the DB4 to several friends who are also having similar success. It would be hard to screw up HD reception with a DB4, but I would not use an antenna as strong is this if you live less than 5 miles from the transmitters as you may encounter multipath interference.
Also keep in mind, even a great antenna can not make up for line of sight obstacles such as buildings and hills, and no antenna will it solve installation errors with, poor connections, splitters, long cable runs, low elevation or faulty tuners.

Enjoy stunning quality HDTV on the high-resolution display of your Mac with EyeTV Hybrid. EyeTV Hybrid receives unencrypted digital and analog TV by antenna and cable, so it not only turns your Mac into the world¿s most affordable flat-screen HDTV and DVR, it is also an excellent solution for the Digital Transition.

Technical Details:
Watch, pause, and rewind live television on your Mac and listen to FM radio
Record TV and FM radio shows and export them to your iPod, Apple TV, and iPhone
Powerful, compact TV tuner stick
Includes award-winning EyeTV 3 software

Customer feedback:

1. The new EyeTV Hybrid (2009 version with FM radio reception) is an amazing package of hardware and software. It has its flaws, notably the remote control is not intuitive. But this could be sold without the remote and it would still be a great product. Ease of use: if all you are doing is watching broadcasts, the EyeTV package is easy to use. I would not recommend it for my elderly parents, but non-techies will have it up and running in a few minutes (assuming you have an antenna feed handy). Recording broadcasts is very easy too.

2. I just got a new TV. It’s the size of a USB flash drive, interfaces with my Mac, allowing me to pause, rewind, and skip ads, and allows me to record all of my favorite programs for viewing on my schedule, on my Mac or iPhone. My new TV also hooks up easily to my VCR and allows me to digitize my old VHS videotapes for archiving on DVD or posting online. My new TV, and my favorite TV so far, is an EyeTV Hybrid, powered by the amazing EyeTV 3 software.
Elgato has managed to shrink a digital HDTV tuner into a stick the size of a so-called “thumb drive”, which turns any USB 2.0-capable Mac (G5 and later) into the coolest TV on the block. This little USB-plug-in device feeds an HD signal into the Eye TV software, which gives you access to a control center bringing together live TV, previously recorded programs, and a TV Guide-powered listings screen.

Intended for people at great distances from the transmitters, the DB8 is our most powerful multi-directional HD antenna. In fact, its 15.8 dB gain make it one of the most powerful multi-directional antennas available. The bow tie design of the DB8 uses triangular elements instead of rods to greatly increase the bandwidth allowing it to cover the entire UHF band. Additionally, the mesh reflector of the bowtie is more efficient than a rod reflector, is lower in weight, and provides less wind resistance for greater performance and durability. This DB8 is the ideal antenna for use in locations that can pull long range signals from various directions and offers an attractive alternative to using a directional antenna mounted on a rotator.

Technical Details:
Range: Up to 70 miles or more
Impedance 300/75 ohm
Works up to 70 miles or more from transmitters
Very flexible aiming characteristics
Weatherproof construction

Customer feedback:

1. I have a Channelmaster 4221 and an AntennasDirect DB8, one pointed at distant Seattle and the other pointed at Canada, and both connected to an RCA A/B antenna switch. Both antennas are excellent; the DB8 is slightly more sensitive but extremely hard to point. I would rate it 5-stars except it didn’t come assembled and the assembly instructions are a bit puzzling. Construction and materials are good. The Channelmaster 4221 is somewhat easier to point but still highly directional; it came mostly assembled. Gain is good in my location. I’m only rating it four stars because the construction is less solid. If you’re looking at these same two antennas but unsure of what to buy, I’d start with the 4221: it’s much cheaper and more forgiving about the pointing direction. If you find yourself needing better reception, perhaps buy a preamp to go with it; if that still doesn’t work, maybe move up to the DB8 or a higher mounting location.

2. I live over 50 miles from the stations. The DB8 is the best antenna I have found for long range reception. It is tuned for the higher DTV frequencies and is resistant to interference. It will be much harder to get the same results from a combination UHF/VHF antenna.
With my previous antenna, I could only receive 3 Of the 8 HD stations in my area. After installing the DB8, I not only got all 8 stations with 85% or better signal strength, I was even able to improve the signal on my existing channels by about 20 points.

Logitech Harmony 1100 Advanced Universal Remote – powerful home-entertainment control through a customizable, 3.5-inch full-color touch screen. The Harmony remote makes it easy for any family member to use the home-entertainment system without help – and start any activity with just one touch of a button. NO more navigating a variety of entertainment components with multiple remotes and/or a complicated sequence of commands, which often require a set of written instructions.
The Harmony 1100 is a powerful, customizable remote with a stunning brushed metal and piano-black finish. Harmony 1100 — a brilliant addition to your living room. One touch to your entertainment: No more complicated lists of what to turn on or which button to select. Everyone can select what he or she wants to do. Just press the “Watch a DVD” button and the Harmony 1100 powers on your TV, DVD player, and stereo receiver, sets all your inputs, and even starts your movie.

Customer feedback:

1. While I have not been using it for very long, I’m pretty pleased so far. My wife who is not technical savvy by any stretch loves it and has already started getting used to it and is anxious to get rid of our other remote controls. One minor annoyance is the need to “page” through a number of screens for some of the devices to get to their device-specific controls. For example, if you want to get to your DVR on your cable box, I have to hit the “page down” button five times, but once I’m there, I have full control using the tactile buttons on the right side of the remote. Perhaps there is a way to create a shortcut for this, although I haven’t found it yet.

2. The Harmony 1100 is a highly customizable universal remote designed for easy set up and take control of all your electronic needs. If you normally turn on a PVR, amplifier, and TV plus be concerned with the TV’s input setting just to watch your programs, this remote can handle all this by pressing one button. Unlike the Harmony one, the Harmony 1100 is more customizable, and supports Z-Wave (RF) Technology although won’t support third party Z-Wave devices such as light dimmers.