June 12th, 2010 | 
Author: Antennas Direct DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna
Although the DB2 was originally designed for outdoor use, it has quickly become one of the most popular indoor antennas due to its small size and extraordinary gain. The bowtie design provides strong gain across the entire UHF spectrum and it functions incredibly well in areas where a low profile antenna is required.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars More consistent signal strength
Got a DB2 to replace an older rooftop VHF/UHF combo antenna. This antenna feeds 5 TVs, with amplification to keep signals usable despite all the splitting.
Our older antenna generally did fairly well, but was highly sensitive to angle for the local PBS station. Further, signal strength from the old antenna varied widely, leading to lots of dropouts even from relatively strong signals. We no longer needed VHF, so I figured why not give this smaller antenna a try.
The DB2 is tiny compared to the old antenna, whose widest elements were 7 or 8 feet from side to side. Despite this, the new antenna brings in nearly comparable signal strength, and doesn’t require angle adjustments. Better still, with the DB2 signals are far more consistent, so that even if peak strengths are slightly less, reception has far fewer dropouts.
A good little antenna, even in a fairly demanding setup like ours.
5 Stars Works in northern NYC
ZIP Code: 10466
Installed: In attic
Signal strength by channel:
100% – 2-1 WCBS-HD
100% – 4-1 WNBC-HD
100% – 4-2 NY NonStop
100% – 4-4 USports
100% – 5-1 WNYW (FOX)
100% – 7-1 WABC-HD
100% – 7-2 LivWell
100% – 7-3 Weather
100% – 9-1 WWOR (My9TV)
100% – 11-1 WPIX (CW)
100% – 11-2 Estrella TV
100% – 13-1 WNET (PBS)
100% – 13-2 Kids
100% – 13-3 V-Me
100% – 25-1 WNYE1
100% – 25-2 WNYE2
100% – 31-1 ION
100% – 31-2 qubo
100% – 31-3 IONlife
100% – 41-1 WXTV (Univision)
100% – 41-2 WFUT (Telefutura)
100% – 47-1 WNJU (Telemundo)
I initially debated on getting the more powerful DB4 as I planned on an attic install. I called Antennas Direct using the phone number listed on the website, to ask their recommendation on an attic install for my area (Bronx/Westchester border). The support tech gave me a generic CYA answer and suggested I get the DB4 if I was unsure. The only thing I was sure of was that I didn’t want to get stuck with a larger than needed antenna so took a gamble and went with the smaller DB2. In the end, the DB2 is the one I kept and installed. Below is the simple installation breakdown I performed.
The back of the antenna has two clamps tightened using wing-nuts. I had a scrap 2×2 strip of wood available, which was about 3 feet long. I attached one end to the clamps on the antenna and screwed the other end to an attic rafter. I then ran a 25 foot coaxial through a attic vent to the existing Cablevision splitter on the side of the house. Then, went in the house and turned on the TV to perform a channel scan.
The channels listed above are the ones which came through crystal clear. Your mileage may vary depending on structural obstructions in your neighborhood, but I for one am certainly pleased with the smug feeling of sticking it to the cable company with free TV, considering the very basic package will run approximately $45/month.
Netflix and Hulu fill any other gaps quite well.
5 Stars Longmont, CO – 30.8 miles away from tower – perfect reception with indoor placement
Just wanted to add a review for Longmont, CO since I looked through hundreds of reviews hoping to find one for this area to see if it would work but could not find one (would also apply to Erie, Firestone, Niwot, Frederic, Dacano, Mead, Platteville etc.).
I pointed the antenna SW towards Denver, plugged my cable wire into the antenna and rescanned the channels and instantly had perfect HD reception from inside my house (pointed through two walls and a neighbors two-story house even). The towers are exactly 30.8 miles away from my home. The antenna picked up 27 HD channels and they are all high quality HD. Direction makes a lot of difference – if I moved the antenna channels would drop out and sound/picture artifacts would appear (especially ABC channel 7 for some reason). If I actually put this on a mast outside or even on the second floor of my house I can’t imagine ever having problems with reception.
I can’t believe I didn’t buy this sooner! No more paying $17 a month for the Comcast “basic” plan just so I can watch network channels. This will pay for itself in two months!
5 Stars WOW!!!
I have to admit I was skeptical at first, but when I set up the antenna, and hooked it to my TV I was blown away by the beautiful picture!!!!! This is TRUE 1080i and its FREE!! I Love It!!
4 Stars Great Antenna but may vary on your location! Had a philips mant510 which was poor, and the DB2 pick-up alot more channels!!!
Just keep in mind that the antennas may vary on your location! I live in Brooklyn, New York (around Midwood area)on the 5th floor of a 6th floor apartment building. I had a Philips Mant510, it was one of my first DTV antennas, and let me tell you that it completely sucked!!! It just barely picked up 4 digital channels which was 5.1, 5.2, 9.1, 9.2. But after researching and crossing fingers of which antenna would be good I went with the DB2, and let me tell you something it picked up 25 channels which was very surprising. Plus I have this antenna indoors too! There are downsides, for example when you have very windy days you will get pixelated or fuzzy channels, also I’m still having a tough time getting 11.1, 13.1 (which are wpix and wnet thirteen) what is up with these channels??!
All in all I’m happy with it, I mean its enough for me I barely watch TV, most of the time I watch movies and there is no way I’m shelfing money for the cable company so they could rip me off of $40-$60 a month.
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