If you’re beginning to flirt with the idea of cancelling your cable and looking into the Best TV Antenna, then you’ve probably got some questions. First, narrow your search down to the Best Indoor TV Antenna, and then look for something powerful and easy to use like the Channel Master SMARTenna Plus.
Why We Like It – Channel Master SMARTenna Plus
The Channel Master SMARTenna Plus is a big and bulky TV antenna that will get the job done. It’ll use all the technology available to it, such as the Active Steering Technology and built-in amplifier, to get you the most and clearest stations possible.
- Can Scan from 7 Different Configurations
- Two Push-In Coaxial Cables
- Amplified
- Doesn’t Pick up as Much Channels as it Should
- Average Customer Reviews
Performance
The Channel Master Indoor Antenna uses Active Steering Technology to get the most digital TV reception possible. You can actually scan from seven different antenna configurations so you can find the one that works best. It should be able to pick up about 31 channels if you find the optimal mode, but only 22 will be watchable. Check out the FLATenna 35 so something with a little more power.
Ease of Install
The Channel master comes with two coaxial cables, a 16-foot and 6-foot, so the AC power adapter can be located and plugged in between the antenna and your TV. These are also push-in instead of screw-in, making the process a lot easier. And of course, they come with the basic push pins for setting it up on your wall. If you prefer the tower variety, consider the ANTOP HD Smart Bar Amplified TV Antenna. You can also get an indoor antenna like Mohu Leaf Glide Antenna that guarantees you a painless installation process.
Durability
The Channel Master looks almost the same as every other indoor TV antenna but has a module attached to the base that’s about ⅝ of an inch thick. This is where the signal processor is housed. It also sports a control button and a status LED along the bottom. It may be bigger and bulkier than most other tv antenna models out there, but sometimes bigger and thicker is indeed better.
Range
Any Channel Master SMARTenna review should mention the range of the unit, and it’s 50 miles. It’s an amplified TV antenna, so this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. With this much range both city and rural customers should be able to get a decent amount of channels. But you can also check out the U MUST HAVE Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna for something with even greater range.
Value
One spec you don’t get much with indoor TV antennas is noise level. It is a machine, so it will make noise. The good thing about the SMARTenna is that it’s rated to make only 1dB of noise. It’s nice to know you’ll be able to watch TV in peace. Customer reviews on Amazon could be better, though. As it stands, it holds a 3/5 star rating based on 55 reviews.
Channel Master SMARTenna Plus Wrap Up
Most of the problems that stem from indoor TV antennas is that their range can’t really accommodate customers in rural areas because they are far away from broadcast towers. The Channel Master SMARTenna Plus mitigates this somewhat with its excellent 50 mile range and plethora of scanning options for the most channels possible.
