Top Antennas and DVRs Cord-Cutters Need to Watch & Record TV for Free

Last Updated:

ANTENNAS, SPLITTERS, AMPLIFIERS & DVRs

You can use an OTA Antenna to access and record locally broadcasted Network Channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) for free and in HD with a DVR. Here’s a quick overview of your options.

Indoor Antennas

Provides FREE access to locally broadcasted Over-the-Air (OTA) HD channels. Before purchasing one you need to find out if you are within range of broadcasting towers and if your TV has a DTV Tuner.

AirWave Antenna – This is a wireless antenna that broadcasts its signal directly to your streaming device through an app called Mohu TV. OTA TV is now accessible via any WiFi-connected device.

Buy Direct | Mohu Airwave Review

Leaf Indoor Antenna – This antenna, built by Mohu, is paper-thin, omnidirectional, and comes in models that have a range of 30 and 50 miles. Takes 5 minutes to plug in and you’ll gain access to HD Broadcast TV for Free, with access to local television shows.

Buy Direct | Mohu Leaf Review

FLATenna – Channel Master offers a flexible, ultra-thin, omnidirectional indoor antenna that is able to receive broadcast signals from up to 35 miles away.

ClearStream Eclipse – Built by Antennas Direct, this antenna has a range of 50 miles, and their Sure Grip™ Technology lets you easily position & re-position the antenna on any flat surface.

Outdoor Antennas

Sky Outdoor Antenna – Mohu’s Sky offers a unique design that allows for easy mounting. This omnidirectional antenna includes a tightly integrated low noise state-of-the-art digital amplifier which greatly increases its signal range (60 miles).

Buy Now | Mohu Sky Review

STEALTHtenna – Channel Master is a durable UHF/VHF, compact outdoor directional antenna that receives signals within a 90-degree radius, from up to 50 miles away.

DB8e Extreme Long Range Bowtie – The DB8e antenna, built by Antennas Direct, has an impressive gain of 17.4 dBi, is multi-directional” or “omnidirectional” and has a 70+ Mile Range.

Masterpiece 100 – Channel Master line-of-sight, directional (log periodic) outdoor antenna that receives signals from a single direction. This powerful antenna is designed to withstand extreme outdoor conditions and has a reception range of up to 100 miles.

*** Note: There are dozens of other antennas out there by various manufacturers… too many to list here. Do your research and figure out which one best fits your needs.

Splitters and Amplifiers

Monster Standard RF Splitter – Effectively split your Cable TV and over-the-air antenna signals. These splitters allow you to break up your signal into three separate outputs, while losing minimal signal strength.

How to Use

Channel Master Distribution Amplifier – works to boost your digital TV and HDTV OTA broadcast signals, increasing their overall signal strength. This device comes in very handy when you don’t have enough signal strength to get either a clear picture or connect your antenna to multiple TVs.

How to Use

Amplify Adjustable Gain Preamplifier

Channel Master Amplify Adjustable Gain Pre-Amplifier – Professional grade, easy to install, TV antenna amplifier. By design, this Pre-Amp can boost signal strength on any Indoor or Outdoor Antenna on the market.

Over-the-Air DVRs for Antenna TV Recording

If you want to record free TV, you’ll need to get a DVR for antenna TV recording. Here are some of the best OTA DVRs out there.

Channel Master DVR+ – DVR Free Live TV With No Subscription Fee. One of the things cord-cutters miss the most about cable is the awesome DVR (Digital Video Recorder) feature that many cable subscription packages come with. With a DVR, you never have to worry about missing your favorite show because you got home from work a little later than usual.

Channel Master DVR+ Review

TiVo Roamio OTA – If you are looking for a way to record OTA TV, the TiVo Roamio OTA could be a great choice due to its full set of features and easy-to-use interface. When purchasing you want to be sure to buy the lifetime service, or the monthly fee will add up quickly.

More About Tivo Roamio

TiVo Bolt – TiVo’s top-tier iteration to the OTA DVR Streaming Box brings together your OTA signal, DVR, and all your streaming options via a single smooth interface. No need to switch from device to device in order to find the show you want to watch.

Tivo Bolt Review

Tablo – A OTA DVR that works seamlessly with your HDTV Antenna. Tablo is a system designed to stream and record your over-the-air (OTA) TV broadcast signal to any device – anytime, anywhere in the world.

Tablo Review

HDHomeRun Connect

HDHomeRun Connect – SiliconDust’s HDHomeRun is a TV tuner that allows you to record OTA TV. Once it is connected to your home router, you can access the content from any computer in your home, using Windows Media Player.

How to Setup

PlayOn – Not quite an exact match for this list, but well worth mentioning, as this software allows you to record streaming services, acting as a Streaming DVR of sorts. This is a really great option for people who are looking to record shows in off peak times – due to how their paying for internet access.  Or for people going on a road trip, and want to download a reservoir of movies before they hit the open road.

Check Pricing | PlayOn Review

Looking to build your own OTA DVR? Read Using a TV Tuner Card to build a PC based DVR for Recording OTA Free TV

Page Updates

  1. Various content updates.

  2. Image changes. Misc changes to content.

  3. Updated some sub-sections.

  4. Updated some of the sections. Image changes. Changed a few bits of content.

  5. Updated some section headings. Image changes. Added some links.

  6. Updated some section headings. Image changes. Reworded some things.

  7. Image changes. Added some links. Various changes.

Frank Moraes
Follow me

Leave a Comment

  • I would like to see poker schedule on Stadium channel.

    • You will have to check out the Stadium schedule itself. I wasn’t aware they provided much poker coverage. For current events, check out our poker page. It doesn’t have any schedules but it does provide you with the services that provide the best coverage.

      Note that there isn’t a lot you can get OTA. The poker industry has its own services. But you can see a lot on YouTube and Twitch.

      Good luck!

Ask Our Experts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *