Setting up your OTA signal

Before you can get started, you'll need to decide what kind of signal you are trying to get, be it OTA, cable or an external video device. For the purposes of this review, we're covering OTA only, but most of the instructions apply to the other setups as well. For further help, we do suggest hitting up as it provides a lot of useful and relevant information.

The operations console is the main controlling mechanism for the GT. The main window displays the channel information, including the language, resolution and time. There is a real-time "Signal to Noise Ratio" or SNR running in the upper left that is essentially a signal strength meter. While this does help, AutumnWave has a better tool accessible by pressing CTRL+6.

Ideally, you'll want a reading of 20dB and up for a stable picture. We've gotten by on ~18dB, but experienced more glitches and mosaics at that reading. When searching for a signal, which can be done by moving the antenna (the included one or one such as our homemade one or rabbit ears), we suggest selecting the SNR sound option. This will give you an audible click that increases in frequency as you get a stronger signal. A good rule of thumb is if you can get a good analog signal, you can probably get the digital equivalent.

Once you've gotten a good signal, you can click CRTL+5 to pull up the Channel Manager.

Normally you won't see anything until you've scanned channels (Scan CH) for the first time.

You can select what kind of signal you wish to scan. You'll only be able to scan for OTA or Cable at any given time since they use the same physical input connection. Sticking with OTA, you can scan both analog and digital at the same time. As the software scans, the software will lock in on a signal and try to pull down the PSIP information. If the signal is not strong enough, the "wait PSIP" will fail to lock.

When the unit is on and working, there will be a blue LED shining through the front of the GT.

Powered On	Weak Signal

If the signal is weak, there will be a red LED on the front of the device Adjust the antenna until the red LED turns off, which will likely mean the SNR has shot up past 20dB.

What channels you'll get will vary greatly on your location. For Americans, we suggest to checkout to see what may be available in your area. This site isn't really useful for Canadians, unless you live close to the border. I was able to get 7cchannels using the included antenna, and another 5 using my DIY DB8 clone.

Other features worth mentioning are the recording and PVR features. Time-shifting works rather well, and you can time record up to 80 programs. You can access many of these options and features by right clicking on the main TV window.

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