Is an Outdoor TV Antenna Better than an Indoor One – See the Benefits

Despite impressively modern designs and functionality, the perception of TV antennas are that they are old-fashioned, bulky, and aren’t overall a great option for free over-the-air TV. High-definition TV antennas have come a long way over the years.

Subscription streaming services aside, a little over-the-air TV access isn’t a bad thing with local news and programming something you won’t necessarily find on any service like Netflix. Surprisingly, indoor antennas work rather well at finding and receiving signal. Even so, there are limitations. Is an outdoor TV antenna better than an indoor setup – well, yes. Here’s why.

How does an outdoor HD TV antenna work?

Any HD TV antenna is a transducer which means it receives electromagnetic waves and then converts them into electricity signals. An outdoor TV antenna is both a receiver and transmitter. Any waves – radio or TV – intercepted by an antenna is converted to either video or audio according to what’s possible by the type of the wave.

Digiwave® UHF Ultra Clear Outdoor Digital TV Antenna
$32.99

Why to get an over-the-air TV antenna in the first place

Using an indoor or outdoor TV antenna, you’re immediately saving on cost with free TV. No subscription or cable bill. If you don’t watch a lot of TV, here’s your solution and you still get up to 20 channels – a lot of which are local – with news, sports, and common television programs.

PrimeCables® Outdoor HDTV Antenna
$22.99

Can’t I just use an indoor TV antenna?

An indoor TV antenna is a more budget-friendly, affordable solution. While it works well, it also compromises a lot. For example, an indoor antenna isn’t mounted on any kind of high point meaning that there will be interference. Signals have to travel through walls and objects, which reduces signal quality.

Why an outdoor TV antenna is a better option

An outdoor TV antenna is better than an indoor model because it operates interference-free, boasts a higher frequency, and will provide a better signal quality.

If you live in a major city like Toronto, you can receive a lot of signal from an indoor antenna. In more rural areas though or even outside of the downtown area, you’re going to start seeing worse and worse capture.

Outdoor TV antennas reach further, and will ensure you’re getting the maximum quality and amount of signals as possible.

PrimeCables® Professional HDTV Fishbone Outdoor Antenna
$19.99

An outdoor TV antenna is well worth it for anyone who doesn’t watch a lot of TV, who want to reduce their cable bill or get rid of it altogether, or who wants an upgrade over an indoor model. Pick up yours today from Canada’s own PrimeCables.

See TVs, Media Streamers, and Home Theater Products on Sale for Prime Day

Prime Day hits July 15 and in celebration, PrimeCables has a number of TVs, media streamers, home theater accessories, and more stocked and ready to be sold on sale. Canadians don’t want to miss out on these products available at record-low prices you won’t find anywhere else.

How to save even more this Prime Day is to shop Canadian. Instead of Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, or elsewhere, don’t give your hard-earned money to corporations who don’t need it. Drop by PrimeCables this July. You’ll find everything you could want to instantly upgrade your home theater and home entertainment setup with your favourite home theater products, TVs, and accessories.

TVs

While you’re at it looking through the PrimeCables home theater category, surely you’re bound to find some of our TVs. See deals on a 32” 720p TV, a larger 43” 1080p TV, or catch some of our combo deals including a 32” 720p TV with HDMI cable and 4K Android smart TV box for under $180. If you want to upgrade your bedroom’s entertainment setup, have a smaller room in the home you think a TV would work in, or are living in a small condo with no TV yet, this is the Prime Day TV deal for you.

Smart TV box

A smart TV box 4K HD media player is the perfect upgrade for any rudimentary home theater setup. Perfect for streaming video and music, all you need is an HDMI cable to hook up this box and instantly turn even a basic non-smart TV into something spectacular. Any time you want to watch a movie, binge-watch a TV show, or listen to some tunes, you won’t need to hook up a laptop or fumble with your mobile trying to make it work. With a smart TV box, apps like Netflix, YouTube, and others are already pre-installed, and there’s plenty more you can set up.

What else will you find at PrimeCables?

Beyond TVs, smart TV boxes, and media streamers, you’ll also find computer monitors, surround sound speaker systems, TV wall mounts, projectors, professional audio and musical instruments, outdoor and indoor high-definition TV antennas, A/V cables, network routers and switches, and even some smart home accessories which you could add to your collection. Jump in on these products. Look at top quality brands at a fraction of the cost you’ll pay on other brands. Don’t miss out!

This Prime Day, we want to see our customers maximize their dollar. For cord-cutters, movie lovers, musicians, home audio enthusiasts, and more, drop by PrimeCables. See huge savings any time you shop with us and pair up your favourite accessories!

Where to Mount your TV Wall Mount in the Home for Maximum Viewing

Unpacking your new TV wall mount, you likely already have ideas on where you want to install it. As you begin to set up though, you may find the studs aren’t where you expect them to be, sunlight may be an issue, or you may be facing safety hazards. Even a lightweight flat-screen can easily weigh 20 or 30 pounds. You don’t want it falling off the wall because the mount is not properly affixed. Here are some things to consider when mounting your TV wall mount.

The traditional mounting places for a TV wall mount.

Mounting your TV in the living room across from the couch is traditional. That said, you’ll want to consider where your light sources are, including window and lamps. Do you think the light from the window could create glare on your flat-screen during the day – if so, you might want to change the location. If your wall’s brick, that could also complicate things compared to mounting on drywall which simply requires you to find the studs. Ultimately, wherever you install your wall mount, maximize it for your comfort.

More unique mounting places for a TV mount.

There are other places to mount the TV in the home but you always want to be aware of what’s around it and the risks. For example, the kitchen is a popular place to mount a TV but you may have splatter from cooking or steam damage it. Alternatively, if you mount your TV outside, this involves navigating many hazards. A home gym, a man-cave in the basement, a she-shed, or bathroom are all areas that need to be evaluated for possible complications.

Where you should never put a TV wall mount.

Don’t put a TV wall mount anywhere that is not safe or comfortable. If it’s not securely mounted to studs, don’t do it. Also, if your TV’s too close to the ground and there’s a risk of a toddler or pet knocking it over, or if it’s somewhere with cables hanging down, you may wish to re-adjust where you’re putting it. Although you can mount a TV over a fireplace, you should have a fireplace-specific TV wall mount to ensure there’s no risk of electronics or cables being exposed to heat.

Shop the ultimate selection of TV wall mounts in Canada from PrimeCables. Find the perfect mount for your home and enjoy entertainment in a whole new light! Also, there’s ‘free shipping’ applied on all orders above $49.

See the Best TV Antennas in Canada for Rural Areas

If you’re living in a rural area, your regular HDTV antenna might not necessarily give very many channels. The best outdoor TV antennas in Canada for rural properties are always going to be one with a sizeable range to them, which are installable outside, and which provide the best signal. PrimeCables shares several outdoor HDTV antennas with its consumers and these are sold every day to Canadians across the country.

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There’s a lot to consider with TV antennas, especially if you’re living in a rural part of Canada. Before buying anything, go online and search out your location to see what channels you’re eligible to receive. Some locations are further out from a broadcast tower than others. Ideally, locate your nearest broadcast towers. If they’re outside of a 75-mile range you may be challenged to find a lot of channels on any outdoor TV antenna. Even so, all hope’s not lost.

 

Although an indoor TV antenna may be able to pick up some channels, if you’re living rurally, outdoor high-definition TV antennas are your best bet. The range is oftentimes wider, both in different receptions received as well as in distance. An outdoor antenna is always going to have more going for it than an indoor antenna so living in a rural environment, installing an antenna outdoors is where you want to focus your attention on.

 

Price is absolutely a consideration and at PrimeCables, we know that more than most. As a discount eCommerce Canadian-based retailer, we do our best to offer the highest quality electronics, home theater accessories, and HDTV antennas at a fraction of what you’ll pay elsewhere. Shopping our indoor and outdoor TV antennas, you’ll find some models priced as low as under-$10 although you’ll most definitely want not-the-cheapest antenna if you’re searching channels from a rural property.

 

After you have your outdoor TV antenna, you may need to experiment with it a little bit to see what channels you can receive. Make adjustments and re-scan. Some Canadians are able to receive up to 20 channels or more, depending on what’s in between your property and the nearest broadcast tower as well as where you sit in distance from the tower. It’s evidently trickier cutting the cord from a rural property however between what you receive on an HDTV antenna and anything you can receive through an Internet connection, it’s often more than enough!

 

Shop your indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas today from Canada’s own PrimeCables. Receive fast, free shipping on all orders above $49 and there are free returns on any home theater purchase!

How to Choose a TV Antenna | PrimeCables Antenna Buying Guide

An HDTV antenna picks up free over-the-air television broadcasts, as a great way to cut your cable bills and save $100s every year. Most areas in Canada have anywhere from 4 to 20+ channels to tap into.

 

Though not all TV antenna channels come in high-definition, a lot do. In fact, you may find picture quality on an antenna to actually be quite a bit better than a cable or satellite as the signal’s not as compressed. Choosing the right HDTV antenna for your home however comes down to several things.

 

First thing is you want to look up are how many channels are available in your region. This information can be seen online and searched out. Now, there are indoor and outdoor TV antennas. You’ll find many indoor TV antennas work just as well as outdoor antennas and therefore, for most Canadians, it will come down to preference on which one is sought out.

 

The other thing which can determine how many channels you receive, other than your physical location, is how much range your antenna has. Some come with ranges as sizeable as 70 miles out whereas others have much shorter ranges and come at a more affordable price. Browsing the PrimeCables catalogue, you’ll find several TV antennas with different ranges and at different price points. While selecting your favourites, keep in mind price, range, and region.

 

Now, to this last point, a simple indoor TV antenna is going to be good enough for some households. Others will want a larger antenna outdoors which will pick up signals stronger and further away. If you’re concerned about installing an antenna outdoors, shopping an indoor high-definition TV antenna is still a great option. They’re much easier to set up and can be hung on a window, set up beside the TV or on a table, and/or can be completely obscured from view.

 

Something else which could affect which TV antenna you buy in Canada is where the TV broadcast tower is located. In some cases, you may not be able to successfully angle the antenna from indoors and your best bet might be to use an outdoor TV antenna. That isn’t to say you wouldn’t pick up anything on an indoor antenna but just that an outdoor antenna would work better and likely have more power to it.

 

Attention cord cutters! Browse the ultimate selection of TV antennas at PrimeCables. Choose from indoor and outdoor models, all in high-definition and with reaches extending to 70 miles and beyond.

Here is the HDTV Antenna Basic that you Should Know About

Imagine a basic HDTV antenna for under $6 from an established Canadian-made brand. That’s what you get when you browse the pages of PrimeCables. In our catalogue, you’ll find an amazing HDTV antenna which easily stands up as one of the best in Canada.

 

So what makes it special – well, it’s flat, super thin and easily concealed if you don’t want it on public display. The price is also right, at under-$6. The basic HDTV antenna will pick up FM, VHF, and UHF signals, all free over-the-air and in high-definition full HD quality. The installation is also fast and easy. Unwrap it, plug it in, and scan for channels. Within minutes, you’ll have anywhere from a few channels to 20 or more.

 

Let’s say you want to take things a little further though. Maybe you want an outdoor HDTV antenna, further range to receive more channels, or a different antenna setup. That’s understandable. PrimeCables has plenty of HDTV antennas in a wide range of styles, different price points, and with different features. These are all worth exploring if you’re going beyond the basic. That said, to get started, all you need is a basic under-$6 high-definition antenna!

 

Setting up a TV antenna, you’ll receive TV signals with less compression which means they have the potential to look better than what you see on cable or satellite. There’s also no monthly fees, no monthly bills, and no subscription required. After you have your 1080p HDTV antenna, the rest is absolutely free.

 

If you live within a few miles of a TV broadcast tower, you’re as good as gold. If you’re not and are in a rural area, you may need an HDTV antenna which is outdoors and which may have some additional range to it. This way, you’re most likely to maximize your channel selection. Using the basic HDTV antenna, you can still receive channels in a rural area however there may not be as many. To learn what’s reasonable to expect for your location, input your location online and browse one of the databases relating to broadcast towers and where to position your HDTV antenna. Save $100s this year by getting rid of your cable bill and choosing a TV antenna.

 

Needless to say, the basic HDTV antenna is our top pick and very impressive! At this price point, nothing comes close to the basic in performance. Shop this antenna and dozens of others at Canada’s own PrimeCables today. Free, over-the-air TV is just a purchase away!

HDTV Antenna Selection Guide

On the average HDTV antenna in Canada, you have the potential to get anywhere from 4 to more than 20 channels. Some of what you can expect to find in channels over-the-air from an antenna include Canadian favourites like CTV and Global, and the big six American networks which are ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and The CW.

PrimeCables’ HDTV antenna selection guide hopes to give some insight into what channels are accessible and what’s possible using your antenna. Now, if you live in a metropolitan area, you’re going to be able to access more channels than if you are living in a rural area. That’s because you will be closer to local broadcast towers. Similarly, if you’re located closer to the US-Canada border, you’re likely to pick up more American stations as well compared to residents further up north.

Now there are indoor and outdoor TV antennas. Indoor antennas work well and can have pretty good range however they are usually not as powerful as outdoor HDTV antennas can be. Depending on what your budget is and whether you want to install something on the outside of your home, one of these options may appeal more than the other.

After you have your antenna in hand and it’s ready to set up, you need to locate where the nearest broadcast tower is. This is where your antenna is going to need to be pointed towards. Thankfully, this information is easily found online. If you have a single tower near you, it’s easy to angle your HDTV antenna in accordance with it. If you have multiple towers and you want to capture stations from both, you may need a multi-directional bay-type antenna. These multi-directional antennas are usually strictly manufactured for outdoor use – another reason why outdoor HDTV antennas often come recommended.

In browsing different antennas, you may see terms like UHF, VHF, etc. In North America, over 75 percent of all over-the-air TV signals are broadcast using UHF signals while 23 percent use high-VHF and the remaining 2 percent uses low-VHF. Keep this in mind when examining the channels which are possible to receive in your area as they will oftentimes indicate what frequency the channel is using.

After you have the right HDTV antenna for the frequencies you want and you know where the broadcast tower, all that’s left to do is install it in an appropriate location and scan your TV for channels. Shop your HDTV antenna with PrimeCables today.

5 Tricks to get the Best Reception with your TV Antenna

Correct placement of your TV antenna, whether you’re working with an indoor or outdoor antenna, is what’s going to yield the best reception. For some quick tricks and tips on how to maximize your channel pick-up on your TV antenna, here are five things to keep in mind.

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Locate the broadcast towers.

If you don’t know where to aim your antenna, you could be getting as less as half as much channels as you could. Aim your antenna in the direction of the broadcast tower. There are sites online showing where the broadcast tower is in various Canadian regions which can help.

 

Place your HDTV antenna near a window.

The less obstructions between your antenna and the broadcast towers, the better. Yes, ceilings and thick walls count as obstructions. Placing your indoor HDTV antenna near a window is your best bet. They’re your best chance at getting a clean line of sight however beware of heat absorption from the sun which could damage your antenna by bending or warping.

 

Place your antenna high.

To get the best reception, place your HDTV antenna as high as you can. This is why outdoor antennas pick up more channels typically than the indoor alternative. If your TV’s down in a basement, consider placing your antenna on a higher floor with a longer coaxial cable heading down.

 

Keep your antenna away from metal.

Metal can cause interference with the digital signal and block reception. If you place your HDTV antenna near metal burglar bars, a metal bug screen outside the window, or anything metal in close proximity, you may run into trouble. Furthermore, if you have a metal roof, installing an antenna in an attic space or on your roof is unlikely to yield the best results.

 

Testing different placements.

Plugging in your antenna and receiving maximum channel pick-up is unlikely. You may have to experiment a little. Test different locations and find the position you like best. Receiving the best reception, you’re going to need to move things around, scan, re-scan, and keep going.

 

TV antennas from PrimeCables are a cord cutters’ delight! Pick up free, over-the-air TV just like thousands of other Canadians are doing. It comes with no monthly bill, and you can save hundreds of dollars off your utility bills by getting rid of your cable or satellite subscription. There’s no need to mess around with the rising costs of cable TV. Instead, become a cord cutter and choose an HDTV antenna from PrimeCables.

Has the Super Bowl Inspired you to Buy a New TV and Mount – get it from PrimeCables!

The big game has passed and the Super Bowl has ushered in the end of yet another NFL season. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of having a big flat-screen at home, we might go to a friend’s place to catch the game.

 

Now that that’s past though, do you really want to do another Super Bowl without your own upgraded, advanced tech flat-screen – probably not. If you’re looking to get a new TV and TV wall mount before next year’s Super Bowl, come to PrimeCables.

buy a new tv at PrimeCables.ca

Browse some of the best mid-sized TVs at the lowest prices in Canada. Choose from our top two favourites – a 32” high-definition flat-screen TV for $138.88, or a 43” 1080p flat-screen for $297.99. Depending on the size of your space, one of these may be more appealing than the other.

 

Needless to say, TV deals don’t come better than PrimeCables’. Anyone who wants to shell out $1,000s for a 4K TV, absolutely go for it. If you’re looking to save some money though, you can still get a great looking flat-screen without spending a ton.

 

After you have your flat-screen TV set up at home, you may want to prop it up with a TV wall mount. You can really get things looking amazing, just like if you were watching a movie at a theatre. And, again, you don’t need to spend $1,000s to get this look. Thousands of DIY home theater setups in Canada and the US spend only a few $100, and they’re able to have it all.

 

Browsing PrimeCables’ catalogue, you’ll find wall mounts such as a heavy-duty tilting model for $19.99, a full-motion model for $39.99, a dual LCD monitor desk mount if you’re handling flat-screen computer monitors as well for $39.99, and more.

 

Some of the top rated TVs and wall mounts in Canada can be found through PrimeCables. Before the next Super Bowl comes around, shop your best TV and mount from us. Receive fast, free shipping on all orders above $49. There’s also free returns and a 1-year product guarantee, ensuring you’re fully satisfied with the product you receive.

 

Also, you get the huge bonus of for the rest of the year sans Super Bowl, you’ll still have your entire home theater setup there to watch movies, binge-watch TV, and enjoy other sports. Please feel free to look at other home theater accessories from PrimeCables as well, such as 4K smart media streaming boxes, HDTV antennas, speaker systems, and more! Shop with us today.

Should I Use a Projector for my Home Theater and How to Connect your Smartphone

Although so many of are chasing 4K TVs, 1080p TVs, and all sorts of flat-screens, going with a projector for your home theater system can be way more affordable alternative.

Let us share a little secret about home theater projectors. The screen size is adjustable and you can connect your smartphone and/or almost any device to your projector. Whether you’re watching Netflix, enjoying a full-length movie on your Blu-ray player, or catching up with something on your DVR, you can still enjoy all these things on a projector.

 

All in all, you won’t need to spend $1,000s on a massive flat-screen. You can get the same sized screen with a projector at a fraction of what you’d spend on a 4K TV. There’s almost no comparison, cost-wise. This is a massive reason why many Canadians choose to go with a projector over a screen.

 

Using a projector, you’ll also notice how it saves on space. For example, you can mount a projector against the back wall and you don’t need to contend with setting it up on a table. You’ll also save on not having a big screen on a mount or TV table. It can be a big change for some households but we’ve heard very few regrets after they’ve made the change. You don’t even need to have a projector screen set up per se in order to enjoy your projector.

 

If you’re looking to connect your smartphone, it’s very easy to do. If your projector or anything connected to it such as a media streaming box is not Bluetooth-enabled, you can use an HDMI to USB cable or adapter to make that connection. As long as you have the right equipment, it’s as easy as plugging in your smartphone to get it synced up.

 

Universally speaking, so much of us prefer flat-screens but we haven’t tried a projector as an alternative. If you’re serious about creating a theatrical home theater system, a projector really does make it feel like you’re watching in a theater. It’s a great way to enjoy 1080p movies, binge-watching Netflix, watching sports with friends, or enjoying yourself on a night-off. Consider it the next time you’re looking to upgrade to something new for your home theater system.

 

Shop projectors, projector mounts, and projector screens at PrimeCables, and see big discounts you won’t find anywhere else. Affordable and yet amazingly powerful, projectors make for an amazing tool in your home theater arsenal. Shop these products and more at Canada’s own PrimeCables.