Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna

by Terk

Product Details

Data Sheet [162kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 14.4 x 13 x 3.6 inches ; 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001FV36E
• Item model number: HD-TVi
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (275 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #28 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Antennas > TV Antennas
  • #77 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > TV Accessories
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 1, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With over 1,000 stations in more than 200 markets broadcasting digital television as of 2003, 9 out of 10 households can now receive free high-definition (HDTV) signals when using the right antenna in conjunction with an integrated HDTV (or with a set-top box and an HD-ready television). Most antennas are large and unwieldy and need to be mounted outdoors or in a cramped attic. This is not an option if you live in an apartment or condo, or if you don't want the hassle of installing an antenna yourself. The solution? A quality indoor antenna that can pick up all local HDTV channels; one that will look great next to your television, and one that is easy to install: Terk's HDTVi indoor antenna.

At the time of its release, the HDTVi was (and may yet be) the only indoor HDTV antenna optimized for both UHF and VHF reception, channels 2 to 69. The HDTVi elegantly solves the aesthetic challenge of integrating a log-periodic-type element assembly in an indoor antenna. It's tuned for optimum HDTV reception with a unique design that uses log-periodic elements and dipoles for receiving both UHF and VHF HDTV broadcasts, bringing you more stations than lesser antennas.

You can easily route the antenna's output cable in 2 directions (front or back) for flexible cable management, and the antenna connects easily to your set-top box or television (integrated HDTV--with built-in ATSC tuner--required for direct connection).

Its high gain picks up distant stations and its high back-to-front ratio rejects unwanted signals. You can mount the UHF antenna element vertically or horizontally, as experience dictates.

What's in the Box
Antenna with integrated 75-ohm cable, instruction manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

Terk antennas are designed to deliver sharp, clear, high definition signal reception. At Terk, the engineering department is dedicated to designing antennas that enhance both the latest technology and the aesthetics of any viewing environment. The HDTVi indoor antenna installs in minutes, is easy to use and simple to adjust. Features: Optimized for HDTV reception UHF and VHF elements for reception of all available broadcasts (channels 2-69) Highly directional UHF element reduces signal interference Specifications: VHF channels: 2-13 UHF channels: 14-69 Output impedance: 75 ohms Height with dipoles fully extended: 42" Manual included Warranty: one year parts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

310 of 315 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good antenna, March 20, 2005

By 

R. Hessler (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna (Electronics)

To start, your antenna is only as good as the signal that is reaching your home! The HDTVi does a great job on receiving UHF signals, a very good job on VHF signals. From alot of reviews of antennas, it would appear people are clueless on HDTV reception. For your local reception, I'd check out the forum at the following address. They have information and experience going back a couple years on HDTV reception in many cities. So before trying to wrestle with antennas, first make sure you aren't searching for nothing. When I started, I couldn't find ABC not because of the antenna, but because the station was transmitting for four days! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=7e85bb49c56fa3787e7ed73e6ec7473d&forumid=45

I tried 5 antennas, an old one, the HDTVi, the Terk TV5, Radio Shack amplified antenna (15-1880), and Philips' amplified antenna (SCA050). The best reception was received on the Radio Shack, however, the amplifier needed to be higher for reception of CBS while it had to be lower for FOX or FOX wouldn't come in. This was bothersome. I was also able to get a weak NBC signal unlike any other antenna I had, but the signal just wasn't strong enough. The TV5 had mediocre coverage. It was able to get UHF decently, but it was fighting to get upper and lower VHF. The Philips and HDTVi had similar reception, but the HDTVi wasn't amplified which meant I would have more options regarding moving the antenna around, such as placing in the attic without worrying about plugging it in.

Ultimately, as far as UHF was concerned, each antenna had similar results. It was in VHF that the antennas were a bit different. As far as ranking the antennas for reception:

1) Radio Shack's 15-1880 Best
2) Terk HDTVi Very good
3) Philips SCA050 Very good
4) Terk TV5 Decent

The Terk HDTV wins out because of the lower price, the fact that it is unamplified, had very good reception, and took up the least space. One last comment would regard the coax cable you use. I tried using some coax (about 30 feet) just laying around to hook up the receiver to the antenna. The signal just wouldn't carry the distance. When I used a much higher quality coax that came with the installation of my sat dish, the signal came in loud and clear.

If possible, I'd recommend get a few antennas at the same time and make sure you can return them, most stores have 30 day policies. Plan on spending a week on gaining the best reception with the best antenna for your home.

252 of 258 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No better than simple rabbit ears, December 1, 2007

By 

A. Tubesing - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna (Electronics)

If you're looking for a plain old rabbit-ear type antenna with about the same performance, this model will work for you but it's nothing special. It didn't improve the picture over our cheap $10 rabbit ear set with UHF loop. It's large and unstable with such a small base. One advantage is that the VHF telescoping antennae are quite thick and stout, much more durable than your average cheapo antenna.

I am a cable TV professional and have the gear to make actual measurements. I took readings on all the local channels and compared them to my simple antenna. This one measured at most 10% higher in signal strength, not enough to make a difference in the picture.

Here's a couple tips on antennas in general:
Other posts are correct when they say there's nothing HD about any antenna. The HD channels your TV tunes in are simply UHF channels, though it tries to hide that from you. So as long as your antenna has UHF capability then it's already HD capable. Don't waste money replacing an existing antenna thinking you need a new one for HD. For those of you who don't get the lingo, VHF uses the long pole antenna and includes integer-numbered channels 2-13. Everything else is UHF (including the ones your TV calls decimal numbers like 5.1, 5.2, etc) which uses the loop antenna or t-cross type elements as in this model.

One more note, an "amplified antenna" will not improve reception. They are made for applications with long cable runs or where you need to split the signal to several locations--they boost the signal to overcome signal loss introduced by the cables and splitter. If you are connecting the antenna to a single device, then the amplifier will not help you, in fact it's more likely to make things worse. The antenna tunes in what is coming through the airwaves, and an amplifier can not improve the strength of that signal in the antenna. If you are getting a bad picture, an amplifier will not improve it, it will only increase the power of the bad signal resulting in a 'louder' bad signal. It's much like on a stereo when you're listening to the radio and you hear static, turning up the volume only makes the static louder, it does not improve reception.

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't get the HDTVi, get the HDTVa, May 8, 2005

By 

Brian Lee (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna (Electronics)

I was shopping around for an indoor HDTV antenna until I stumbled across Terk's HDTVi. I bought one but the HDTV reception was terrible. My Philips Magnavox SCP030 from Walmart even worked better.

I still needed a good indoor antenna so I headed to RadioShack. First I tried the RadioShack's Amplified HDTV antenna but that didn't work so well either. I noticed they also had a Terk HDTVa in stock so I exchanged it with that one.

The HDTVa and the HDTVi are essentially the same except the "a" version has an extra adaptor called an in-line signal amplifier. It's a powered adaptor that goes on the end of the coaxial cable. After attaching that to the antenna, the signal jumped from 75% to 85% signal strength.

I HIGHLY recommend the HDTVa version instead of the HDTVi. If you've already bought the HDTVi, you can make it an HDTVa by getting an in-line signal amplifier from RadioShack or any online store.