Apr 26 Podcast #580: Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna
We here at the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast are always looking for new products that make your home theater better. So when we find products that claim to revolutionize something we can’t wait to try them out. We read about the Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna and how it used military technology and kind of chuckled to ourselves about how could that make a difference. Since we were within the specs of the claimed 60 mile radius we decided it was worth yet another antenna test. And yes it does make a difference!
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Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna
We here at the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast are always looking for new products that make your home theater better. So when we find products that claim to revolutionize something we can’t wait to try them out. We read about the Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna (Buy Now $170) and how it used military technology and kind of chuckled to ourselves about how could that make a difference. Since we were within the specs of the claimed 60 mile radius we decided it was worth yet another antenna test. And yes it does make a difference!
Features:
- 60 Mile range
- Multi-directional: does not have to be pointed or adjusted
- Based on technology developed for the US military
- Clean Peak filter technology; low-noise, state-of-the-art digital amplification
- Dual powering options: USB or power cable
The Mohu Sky HD doesn’t look like a typical antenna. It measures 23 x 3 x 11 inches and only weighs about 4.5 pounds. It kind of looks like an infinity symbol with the edges lopped off. The antenna comes with 30 feet of low loss cable and as we have seen using the Green Dish antenna, a high performance cable is required to get the most out of it. Its nice that Mohu includes 30 feet of cable but our guess is that you will need more. The box also includes an integrated 15dB amplifier to get every last bit out of the signal as well as mounting brackets and post. In all its a nice looking package.
We did not do a complete install rather opting for a temporary position outside a bedroom window.
This was not ideal in the least and would really test whether the antenna had any legs. Once the antenna was positioned outside the window we connected it and the amp to the TV and hit scan. What resulted blew us away! The thing worked better than we could have expected. The Sky HD found 31 digital channels. Even without going above the roofline.
That in itself is very good when you consider the size of the device. But what was a surprise was that it pulled in channels in the upper UHF band. That was only possible with the Green Dish antenna which requires professional installation.
We were also able to picup channels in San Diego that were beyond the 60 mile range. There was also a channel that originated in Mexico that we have never seen before using any antenna.
Bottom Line
Yes this antenna is a little more expensive than others we have tested but none of which are as small and easy to install. The Sky HD by Mohu is now the HT Guys recommended outdoor antenna.
Reader Comments (9)
I am wondering if you tried this inside, perhaps in an attic or similar?
I have the Mohu Leaf, but find it has a little trouble with stations that I would have expected to be picked up. Wondering if this would do the trick, or if perhaps I should just give Aereo a shot next month when it comes to Boston.
I just purchased the Mohu Sky based on their review (used the amazon link), I'm going to first try mounting it in my attic, if it doesn't work then I'll put it outside. But I'm only 25 miles from my tv broadcast stations so I'm hopeful it will work great in the attic. I'm getting this one so that I don't have to deal with pointing. My current antenna (self built) works great but is very directional and I'm tired of having to move it.
TechRavingMad, please give us an update on the attic install. And how far you are away from the transmitter tower. I'm thinking of getting this for my parents, but dad will want it in his attic and he's abot 45 miles from the tower.
Thanks, Chad.
Bit the bullet and ordered one of these today. I've been on the fence about it for awhile, but looking at the issues we've had with cable along with the costs, I think this should finally axe cable if it works. If not, I'll return it and get my money back but I figured it was at least worth a shot.
I can get a season pass on iTunes for shows we want to see in season, watch other shows after on netflix and hulu plus and then get my sports on antenna. If I want to watch ESPN, I go to a bar or a friend's house. Problem solved!
And yes I used the HT guys link :)
This is one technology that I would love to be able to use for myself. It’s definitely a cut above the rest and I can’t wait until my provider has it. Your insight was what I needed. Thanks
Great new product. I'm ready to buy an antenna I'm about 30-45 miles from antennas in different directions, so this is perfect. The only problem. Now that I have 2 cable dvrs, one for living room one for theater room - what do I use. I have a mac-mini, but could never get it easy enough to use for my wife. So what is the best simple atsc dvr that can store hours of video, has two tuners, and has my wife happy because she can just use one remote and it is all there. I think this should be a show...
Thanks for the show it is great.
Hey Eric, I use my Mac mini with Elgato's EyeTV software to record my OTA shows. I use an HDHomerun network tuner connected to the ant. EyeTV will record entire seasons of shows with all metadata intact and automatically throw those shows into iTunes. From there I have an AppleTV at each TV in my house. With Apple's home sharing this enables me use them as DVRs streaming all content from that Mac mini in my office. (The one hooked up to the HDHomerun.) You can pick up where you left off in any room at any time and even stream over to any iOS device. It's a really sweet solution. I'm an old timer and I never have subscribed to cable or sat. And with options like these that we have today, I don't even need it.
Well just ordered from amazon! My big antenna quit pulling all the channels so i thought i would give this a try after the review,
So, does anyone have any more feedback on this antenna? Here is another reviewer who reported great results with a 2Edge, 17 db noise margin, 51 mile signal, but I don't think he really pushed or investigated beyond that (i.e. just used a temporary indoor install):
http://connecteddigitalworld.com/2013/04/13/mohu-sky-hdtv-antenna-review/2/
I am curious about this antenna's more "fringe" signal performance, i.e. 8-16 dB noise margins on 2Edge paths and ~53 mile distances.