Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna (Silver and Black)

Other products by Gemini Industries, Inc.

Product Details

Data Sheet [167kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 13.2 x 13.2 inches ; 2.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006FXR9
• Item model number: ZHDTV1
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (344 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  #26 in	Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Antennas > TV Antennas
  #27 in	Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > TV Accessories > HDTV Accessories > HDTV Antennas

• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 10, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
NOTE: Please note that the newest version of this antenna is the Philips PHDTV1 Digital HDTV-UHF Indoor Antenna.

Features:

• Highly Directional--High front-to-back ratio helps reject unwanted multi-path signal corruption. This ensures densely populated urban areas receive clear HDTV and data broadcasting signals.
• Even Response--A flat forward gain slope delivers balanced reception throughout UHF. Ensures all channels are received to the same quality.
• Proven in the Field--This antennea has proven itself in front of the FCC, and is now the "reference antenna" for data broadcasting.
• Easy to install
• 75 Ohm, gold-plated "F" connector for antenna inputs
• Note: When using the enclosed antenna, you will only receive UHF channels. To receive VHF channels (Channels numbered 1 thru 13), you must also connect a VHF antenna to the TV. You can install a device referred to as a "antenna combiner" which will combine the two antenna output signals into one 75 ohms for a single connection.
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 9.5" x 13" x 13.5"
  
  Product Description
  High front-to-back ratio helps reject unwanted multi-path signal corruption. This ensures densely populated urban areas receive clear HDTV and data broadcasting signals.A flat forward gain slope delivers balanced reception throughout UHF. It ensures all channels are received to the same quality.Silver Sensor proven itself in front of the FCC, but it is now the "reference antenna" for data broadcasting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

209 of 219 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic HDTV Indoor Antenna, October 24, 2002

By	Sam Hershey "Sam" (Chelsea, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I live in a historic brick building, which means I cannot get cable or install a satellite TV antenna outside. As a result, my reception has been horrible, which is a pity considering my nice HDTV. I have been using a Terk TV55 indoors with limited success (I constantly have to reorient it in order to find the "sweet spot" to receive digital and hdtv channels).

This antenna is a dream come true. Small, light, easily moved, the reception of this small un-amplified antenna is FAR better than that of the Terk one I upgraded from (and a fraction of the cost, I might add). Considering the poor reception I had before, I am greatly impressed with the ability of this small antenna to overcome the thick brick walls in my building without the constant loss of signal that the Terk antenna had.

Fantastic! This is the third HDTV antenna I've tried and so far, it is the best I've ever seen. I should reiterate that this antenna is un-amplified, which means that unlike other HDTV antennas, you don't have to plug it into an outlet.

One caveat though: the antenna is not exactly rugged. One of my friend dropped it on the floor and it broke the connection to the back, requiring me to order a new one.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent indoor antenna!, August 13, 2003

By A Customer

This is an excellent indoor antenna, I haven't found better! Great picture quality, very low multipath, high gain for long range. If you wish to use an indoor antenna for whatever reason (in my case, I don't feel like the hassle or expense of installing an outdoor antenna yet, I probably will one of these days). There are a few things any potential buyer should note:

1. This antenna is marketed as an HDTV antenna. And, yes, it will receive ATSC (American HDTV) signals. No, a special antenna isn't necessary to do this. This antenna is actually made by a British company (Antiference) where they have a totally different digital TV system (DVB-T, which is debatably significantly better in terms of reception ease). I'm sure this is a great indoor antenna for HDTV - but the same characteristics of a great UHF antenna, make it a great antenna for any UHF signal, be it ATSC (American HDTV), NTSC (American analog), PAL, or DVB-T. No special antenna required. Though ATSC is so hard to receive with multipath, a GOOD antenna is important (which this is for an indoor).

2. Even the best indoor antenna simply will not compete with even a decent outdoor antenna. Outdoor antennas are able to use bigger, more effective designs and even more importantly they have a clear line of sight. An good outdoor antenna is best, this is merely a good 2nd place.

3. This antenna is UHF only. In case you're not aware, that means this antenna will not recieve channels 1-13 (VHF-Lo, and VHF-Hi). Well, actually, it will, but VERY poorly. This isn't a problem with this antenna. It's a UHF log-periodic design. It's a wonderful UHF design. It simply isn't made to pickup VHF. If you need VHF, look elsewhere (in my case, I have this antenna for UHF since my UHF stations are weak and this is the best I've seen, and I have very inexpensive rabbit ears for the single, strong, VHF station I get. Distant VHF stations I simply try to forget about ).

4. Finally, this antenna isn't amplified. It may benefit from setting up some sort of preamp, especially if your tuner is noisy. I found this with my computer. "Snow" can appear if the incoming signal is very good quality, but weak enough to be too close to the noise floor of the tuner. Note, that this antenna DOES give me a better picture (for UHF), no amp, than the nicest amplified rabbit ears + loop designs). Your results WILL vary. (Antenna needs depend greatly on location).

Anyways, good luck! OTA television with a great picture is a challenge. The best antenna for every location is different. This antenna is great if, like me, you need an antenna for UHF only; have a moderate degree of multipath (it's not as directional as many outdoor antennas, but it's better than any of those rabbit ears + loop antennas I've seen), reasonably strong signals mainly from one direction (or multiple directions and don't mind moving it), and don't want an outdoor antenna.

-update- I added an inexpensive 20dB amplifier I picked up at a major discount store, and it makes this antenna produce a much cleaner picture on weak stations. This antenna has always had a great signal (VERY clean), but it was noisy on weak stations because it's unamplified output was below the noise floor of my TV's tuner. With an amplifier added, my reccomendation for this antenna is even greater. It was ALREADY better than the best rabbit ear + loop amplified designs. Now it's almost ready to compete (amplified) with an unamplified outdoor UHF antenna!

113 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW this little dude works!, May 30, 2003

By	uthaman "uthaman5" (Milford, MI United States) - See all my reviews

After many attempts to find an antenna that would provide a consistent signal for my 5 local HDTV over-the-air broadcasts...the search is over! This is the one!

I live about 40-50 miles away from the broadcast towers in the middle of the woods (4 acres). Previously I purchased a Channel Master 4-bay UHF antenna. This was big, bulky and very ugly...not to mention dangerous to handle due to all the sharp wire ends. The [costly] Channel Master 4-bay antenna picked up less (inside my house) than a pair of rabbit ears with an adjustable UHF loop...which at least picked up 3 channels (1000 kw power stations) without much problem. The rabbit ears and loop needed to be constantly adjusted to keep the signals in over the course of several hours. This ZHDTV1 instantly gave me 5 channels and held the signal strength for many hours without needing to be adjusted. Once it is pointed...IT WORKS!

I also love the simple design. It took 5 seconds to put the pieces together. The coax cable attached to it is removable...which means I have the option to upgrade the cable to a higher-quality one and/or a different color that better matches my decor.

My only beef is that it is too light and thus can be easily tipped over or knocked off whatever it is resting on. A weighted base would be a welcome design improvement. A small piece of Velcro on the bottom of the base might work.

One last note, I do have it connected to a small external amplifier.

Believe the reviews...this antenna is sweet. Watching Jay Leno on the Tonight Show in 1080i HD is something that just can't be explained...you have to experience it for yourself.