Over 75% of the estimated 33 million American households that get television through an antenna use indoor antennas, such as rabbit ears, according to market research firm Centris. That’s why Antennas Direct created the ClearStream Convertible, its first indoor antenna model specifically tuned for DTV frequencies. The ClearStream Convertible would replace analog or other set-top antennas.
During Antennas Direct’s nationwide educational Antennas NOW! tour, a significant portion of TV viewers asked about indoor antennas, mirroring the national trend.
“We expect the ClearStream Convertible to be an extremely popular alternative to rabbit ears,” said Richard Schneider, president of Antennas Direct. “During the bus tour, an overwhelming number of people inquired about our indoor antennas models.”
The ClearStream Convertible, the first antenna of its kind, has the same powerful element of the ClearStream 1. But its 12-by-2-inch reflector is removable, and its neck articulates 90 degrees, allowing the loop to be placed by itself on a television, table, wall or even outside.
The Convertible has the same wide beamwidth as the ClearStream 1, which makes it easy to aim and increases the chances of picking up signal from more than one broadcasting tower.
“We designed the ClearStream Convertible with the same aesthetics, efficiency and power found in our ClearStream 1 outdoor model, allowing you to bring the power of an outside antenna indoors,” Schneider said.
Like the ClearStream 1, the ClearStream Convertible has a range of up to 30 miles. But because building materials can interfere with digital reception, indoor antennas can lose up to 40% of the signal. The ClearStream Convertible, however, is designed to perform better than rabbit ears.
“We generally recommend installing our antennas outside to achieve optimum lock-in of digital signal. But if you live within 30 mile of the transmitting towers and your rabbit ears don’t work, this may be the one you need.”
Specs for ClearStream Convertible
- Design: Tapered Loop
- Size: 12×12-inch reflector; 9×10-inch indoor configuration
- Gain: Typical 8.1 dBi
- Low Impedance Mismatch: Typical 2:1 VSWR
- Range: up to 30 miles
- Beam Width: 70 degrees
- MSRP: $79.99
ClearStream Convertible antennas will be sold initially at Best Buy stores and online at Bestbuy.com, and subsequently in popular national electronic chains and online retailers.
Antennas Direct is a St. Louis-based manufacturer of over-the-air antennas specifically tuned for core DTV frequencies. Its ClearStream antenna series has been widely recognized by broadcast engineers and industry publications for its superior design and performance for DTV. Antennas Direct, a 2008 Inc. 500 fastest-growing company, has invested major resources into the discovery and implementation of new antenna technology and continues to test and modify antenna designs, raising the bar by which antenna performance and appearance are measured.
