Reviews on Ge Ultra Pro Hover Hd 250 Amplified Antenna Bar

April 16, 2022 Post a Comment

At a Glance

Expert'south Rating

Pros

Built-in signal finder
Inline signal amplifier

Cons

Average operation
No VHF reception

Our Verdict

The GE Signal Finder Hard disk Amplified Antenna is an indoor with a built-in signal finder. In our tests information technology did a mediocre job of pulling in TV stations.

The GE Signal Finder Hard disk drive Amplified Antenna is an indoor Telly antenna with a built-in signal meter that volition assist yous observe the all-time identify to install it. Yous'll need it. In TechHive's tests the antenna exhibited mediocre reception and didn't displace the Winegard FlatWave Amped every bit our favorite indoor antenna.

The antenna is nearly the same length and width equally a mag and looks proficient with a smart black plastic front end. A couple of rows of LEDs in the lower correct-paw corner are the antenna's main selling point.

The top row of three LEDs indicates the general indicate strength and assistance you observe the best location in your room. A second row of five LEDs indicates the "orientation" of the antenna. This is never actually explained in the user manual, merely information technology appears to exist akin to a fine-tuning indicator. At that place'south too a switch to plow off the LEDs.

ge 2 — The pinnacle row of LEDs indicates general signal strength, while the lesser row indicates "orientation," a factor that the manual never explains.

The meter provides a very full general indication of signal level across the unabridged UHF ring and cannot be targeted to any particular channel. If you live in an expanse with strong or very strong signals—and that is where this antenna is designed to be used—it will provide a broad indication of where to locate information technology in a room.

If signals are weak, the meter won't work as well, only y'all should check out an attic-mount or external antenna anyway.

Towards the end of the antenna's ten-foot cable is an inline amplifier that requires ability from a small wall-wart adapter. It uses a butt-connector, and and then it cannot exist powered via a USB port on your television. This is unfortunate as it means you'll need a spare outlet and installation probably won't be equally cracking.

ge 3 — The signal amplifier requires AC power (Jasco Products manufactures the antenna under license from GE).

Operation

TechHive tests antennas by performing several scans to meet how many channels are received. A design emerges over the course of the scans and we get to see how well an antenna pulls in the diverse stiff and weak channels on air in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento regions.

In our tests, the antenna didn't perform well. It managed to receive a maximum of 4 broadcast channels successfully (each digital broadcast channel carries several Tv stations), with an additional two coming in merely at the limit with broken signals. In contrast, the Winegard FlatWave Amped pulled in eight circulate channels, with an additional single channel with cleaved signal.

On the channels information technology did manage to pull in, the point levels measured were a piddling lower on the GE Signal Finder than the Winegard antenna. For this reason, we don't recommend the GE Signal Finder Hard disk drive Amplified Antenna.

This antenna is designed for UHF reception, which includes the majority of major TV stations in most cities, but you should bank check your city before buying. TechHive has a guide that explains how to determine which broadcast channels are used where yous live and where the transmitter towers are located.

Our top-ranked indoor antenna, the Winegard Flatwave, is similarly designed for UHF-reception merely, but it managed to pull in a strong local VHF station, too. The GE Ultra Pro did non.

The marketing re-create on the box advertises 60-mile reception, although this is possibly only under perfect conditions. Numerous factors influence Tv reception and these range claims shouldn't be taken equally a guarantee on this or any antenna.

ge 5 — Shoppers should accept the 60-mile range claim with a very large grain of salt, as it'south probably possible merely nether perfect weather (eastward.g., no physical obstacles between the antenna and all of the broadast towers you wish to tune in).

Parts and Installation

The box contains three pieces: The antenna with attached cable and in-line amplifier, a ability adapter for the amplifier and a plastic stand that tin can be connected to the rear of the antenna so it stands upwardly on a shelf or desk-bound.

If yous don't use the stand up you'll desire to mount it to a wall. Mounting holes are on the rear with a convenient "7-inches" characterization printed on the example and then y'all get the altitude betwixt your mounting screws correct. The antenna has grooves cutting in the rear that the cable tin be subconscious within for neat flush mounting on a wall.

ge 4 — The 10-foot cable is hardwired to the antenna, and then you lot might demand to coil up the excess and hide it behind your TV.

The cable is ten anxiety long and because information technology's fixed, yous might cease upward with a fleck of surplus, but information technology shouldn't exist difficult to hibernate behind your Boob tube.

There's an included note that reminds customers to perform a rescan of their TV once the antenna is installed. Information technology'due south a maybe obvious step, only plenty people must forget to do it that the annotation is included. Presumably this is largely when people switch from cablevision Telly to over-the-air and don't realize a rescan is needed.

Conclusion

The GE Indicate Finder Hd looks skilful and the signal meter will help customers find a good position for their antenna despite its crudeness. The single most important affair with an antenna isn't looks, yet; it's how well it performs.

The GE antenna didn't do well in TechHive'southward tests.

turnerconamill.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.techhive.com/article/584025/ge-ultra-pro-signal-finder-review.html

Turner Conamill