Review on Philips SDV2710/27 Passive Enhanced Digital Performance Antenna - Discontinued by Manufacturer: A Comprehensive Review and Alternatives by Jason Wesley

This is a comparison between Philips SDV5122/27 (amplified) and SDV2710/27 (passive, shown on this page) . The boosted SDV5122/27 (meaning you have to plug it into a 120V outlet) isn't much better, if anything, than the passive (powerless) Philips SDV2710/27 antenna. Comparison - same location (window), same TV, same day (15 minutes straight), clear weather Location - about 21 miles from the transmitters, ground floor window overlooking the transmitters. Feature - For UHF signals/transmitters the SDV5122/27 is slightly better and pulls a few more transmitters, but the SDV2710/27 connects all the main transmitters but not a few smaller transmitters. For VHF signals/transmitters, the single dipole (whip antenna used for some VHF channels like ABC in my area) on the SDV5122/27 is a disadvantage for this unit as it requires a lot of tuning to get any sort of picture . but still not good enough not to have image problems. Holding the end of the dipole antenna gives you a great picture :((go to [.] to see which stations are using VHF and UHF near you). Photos by raising the height of the antennas a few feet For the SDV5122/27 it is detachable, making it easy to buy a longer cable to route it near a window For the SDV2710/27 the antenna cable is permanently attached to the unit so you will need an adapter to increase the length (and some lost signal with an additional adapter) Power Consumption - The SDV2710/27 is passive which means it has no power consumption so it can be used if its free after your purchase price. However, the SDV5122/27 is reinforced, which means that it has an adapter power supply (white with white wire) that needs to be plugged into a 120V outlet in order for it to work, it consumes 24W, and you need to and turn it off when you want to save power. However, the V energy level, the Energy Star level, only applies when the product powered by the transformer is "off”, and since the antenna is never switched off, the transformer always delivers full power (even when the TV is switched off). ) to the stand for the antenna - SDV5122/27 has a better stand, SDV2710/27 has a good one, but you either have to extend the leg from the bottom (if you don't know it's there, you'll never see it unfolds) or forms the antenna in the shape of the letter V to hold it. Price - When I bought the SDV2710/27 it was about $10 less than the SDV5122/27, but now the SDV5122/27 is cheaper. (You can visit the SDV2710/27 for a lower price on the manufacturer's website.) Other Notes - The digital antenna is not as easy to use as the old analogue ones and what is good for one person may not work in your application Distance to transmitters, tall buildings, tall trees, the direction your antenna is pointing, and whether or not you have aluminum cladding (aluminum cladding can block the signal from reaching your indoor antenna). My experience with both of these antennas and the old rabbit ears I have is that the best spot is right in front of the window, everywhere else it hits or misses and it's difficult to pick up all stations without moving the antenna.