I bought an ABS CBN TV Plus because the area where I live right now could hardly get any free air channels (analog TV channels). Upon initial set-up, the ABS CBN TV Plus channels were limited:
- Cinemo!
- YeY!
- ABS-CBN
- ABS-CBN Sports+Action
- DZMM Teleradyo
- Knowledge Channel
I wanted more!
BACKGROUND: Before I continue, why did I buy the ABS-CBN TV Plus?
Prior to moving to our new home, I asked my family if we were going to get satellite TV or cable TV subscription. Although when I was driving around the village before we moved in, I figured it might only be Cignal TV available in the area. My family’s suggestion was instead of getting a TV subscription, might as well get faster internet.
So I said, fine, let’s get faster internet!
However, when we moved and I powered up my TV sets, I could not get any free air channels. I installed the basic TV antennas and got some free air channels but they were totally snowy and blurred such that you will give up watching TV.
But I still needed TV to watch news and sports like the PBA.
At that time, I was not aware that there were other digital TV boxes available. I only knew of the ABS CBN TV Plus and ordered from Lazada straight away.
Going back to the story…
So I got the ABS CBN TV Plus, powered it up and voila, just the channels I listed above plus KBO, which you have to pay a minimal subscription to watch ABS-CBN movies.
No good, I need more.
I read the manual, asked Google for help and watched YouTube videos and learned that I could easily add more channels! Great! I did an auto scan and did see an increase in TV channels.
Now I have:
- GMA 7
- GNTV (GMA News TV)
- CNN Philippines
- ETC
- 2nd Avenue
- TV5
- AKSYON TV
- IBC 13
- ShopTV on BEAM
- OShopping on BEAM
- TVShop on BEAM
- Pilipinas HD on BEAM
- Islang Living on BEAM
- PinoyHowTo on BEAM
- eGG on BEAM
- Inquirer 990 on BEAM
- And some more channels that I hardly care about (mostly shopping and religious channels)!
So I should be happy now, right? WRONG! I learned something new again!
With free air channels (analog TV), whenever you have a very weak signal, you get snowy and blurry video. It turns out that with digital TV, weak signals cause your audio and video to stutter such that you cannot understand anything. Think choppy signals when talking to someone on a cellphone.
I tried to move the antenna into a different location, no luck.
So back to Google and YouTube again to find solutions. I learned that I could DIY a UHF antenna and point it in the direction of Metro Manila. But this was too much work for me.
Luckily, I saw this video in YouTube by Gadget Addict:
After watching the video, I decided that this is what I needed.
The Baron BRL Digital Antenna is an indoor antenna that comes with a 10M cable. It may also be used outdoors if you want to. It is suitable for use with ISDB-T Ready Televisions.
ISDB-T is a technical standard for digital television broadcast. More information may be found HERE.
The Baron BRL is also compatible with Digital Set Top Boxes (ex. ABS CBN TV Plus) to boost Digital Signals. It is beneficial for areas where digital signals are weak and prone to dead spots.
I temporarily installed the Baron BRL Digital Antenna on my staircase railing at the topmost floor. Luckily, this side was facing Metro Manila.
Voila! The TV channels were clearer now and no more stuttering!
All I need to do now is finalize the installation. Right now the set-up is so ghetto-like.
With the Baron BRL Digital Antenna, I am not limited to the ABS CBN channels anymore. I have other options to watch the news on TV as I have clear GMA 7, GMA News TV, Channel 5, Aksyon TV.
One bummer though is that CNN Philippines is on and off. Sometimes it is there but most of the time it is not, the digibox reports NO SIGNAL. I couldn’t find anything on the web why is this so but it could also be because of my area. Who knows?
There is limited information when it comes to digital TV here in the Philippines. Unless someone can point me to a link where I could read up about digital TV here. Post your comment below if you know of any information I could use.
One good thing also with this new antenna is that because I have clearer Channel 5 now, I could watch basketball particularly the PBA.
UPDATE: There is now a Power Bundle (Baron BRL Digital Antenna + ABS-CBN TV Plus) that can be bought online. You can view it HERE or click on the image below.
Check out other GADGETS post HERE.
I am not techie so I can’t do this on my own. I need someone to help me do this 😢