RCA is now offering a new “flat plate” consumer antenna designed for off-air reception of digital television signals. The Indianapolis-based firm says that viewers should consider pairing the product with their DTV receivers or converter boxes to maximize their viewing experience in connection with the new programming opportunities being offered by broadcasters.
“Our patented duo-plane design on the RCA Flat Antenna incorporates both VHF and UHF reception on the same multidirectional antenna element,” said Hank Caskey, vice president of reception products at Audiovox Accessories Corp., which markets RCA antenna products. “Simply put, this small pizza box-sized antenna can pick up more digital TV stations than a conventional antenna. The advantage of a multidirectional Flat Antenna is not just cosmetic. The design is discrete, but the performance is outstanding.”
The new antenna, model ANT1500, is constructed as a square measuring slightly less than 10.5 inches from side to side and top to bottom with a thickness of less than an inch. It was developed by RCA’s research and development team and is optimized for reception from stations in multiple directions from the receive site and also to minimize the “cliff effect” associated with digital reception. It may be either placed on a tabletop or hung on a wall. A metal stand is included to allow it to be placed upright if desired.
The antenna is the first of seven such offerings planned for release by the company this year. Other models will incorporate “SmartAntenna” technology to provide reception in difficult environments. Retail prices are expected to range between $14.99 and $99.99 for the new product line.
