1byone New Concept Amplified Omnidirectional TV Antenna Review

By Greg Martinez / March 9, 2020
1byone New Concept Series Omnidirectional TV Antenna Review

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The 1byone New Concept Series Omnidirectional TV Antenna is one of those small and compact size antennas you can fit pretty much anywhere.

Coming in at only a foot wide and weighing a pound, you can install this in different settings, from the side of your house to the top of an RV.

It also has 360-degree reception, meaning it’s designed to pick up signals from all sides.

This added convenience means you usually don’t need to rotate it (either manually or via remote control) to pick up different stations. It’s especially convenient if the broadcast transmitters where you live are scattered all around you.

Features

One of the first things you’ll notice is its aesthetic, futuristic design, which renders it less noticeable in different settings around the house.

Its all-white color makes it not only a discreet ornament but also features an anti-UV coating that protects the hardware from the rays of the sun. It is completely weather resistant and durable.

However, you can paint the antenna another color without affecting reception.

An added benefit of this antenna’s shape and compact size is its reduced wind load, which should contribute to better signal reliability on windy or rainy days.

The reduced drag also makes it viable for mounting on a motor vehicle or boat.

Although it’s definitely an outdoor antenna (1byone markets it as being both water and snow proof), you can use it indoors as well, with some mounting it in the attic, or in a room next to a window. It is also suitable for RV and marine use as well.

Installing

Tools-Free Assembly

Although no mounting pole is included, the antenna comes with a stand and mount clamp (which would require a mounting pole with a diameter of 2 1/4″).

However, you wouldn’t necessarily attach it to a mast; the clamp allows mounting on a number of other types of surfaces such as flat walls or balcony rails.

It also boasts tools-free assembly; the mounting clamp relies on wing nuts that can be easily tightened or untightened by hand.

Personally, I find this to be a convenient feature of the antenna, as it allows relatively easy mounting and dismounting, especially if you’re installing it in a temporary setting.

Now, installation and mounting might require tools, though, depending on where you want to place it, as well as how complex your setup is.

Amplification and Omnidirectionality

The antenna comes with a built-in preamplifier with a power supply. Indoor antennas are always amplified as there’s a need to boost signal strength in the face of tough interference factors posed by indoor spaces (e.g., thick walls, metal roofs, etc.).

Regarding omnidirectionality, you may need to point the antenna in the direction of towers to improve reception.

This is because antennas are generally not 100% omnidirectional. In most cases, however, this shouldn’t be necessary.

Grounding the Antenna

The manufacturer claims there’s no need to ground the antenna.

However, there are good reasons (both safety-related and legal) to ground an outdoor antenna, and I’d definitely recommend doing it, even if only with a coaxial grounding block like the iMBAPrice Single 2.5GHz F-Pin.

Channel and Frequency Types

The antenna receives UHF signals. The manufacturer claims it gets VHF signals as well, but as an indoor antenna of smaller size, this claim may not be accurate in all situations.

RF channels, also known as “real broadcast channels,” are allocations of spectrum used by your local stations.

The channels we see on our televisions are actually virtual channels, however. Each RF channel contains one or more of these.

You can see which RF channels your local stations are using by getting your free signal report on RabbitEars.info.

Reception

This antenna offers a 150-mile range, meaning in theory, you should be able to adequately pick up signals from towers at a maximum distance of 150 miles away. This means it gives you the ability to watch HD channels without a monthly bill.

You will get local channels with high definition for free. You will also have a much clearer picture, low noise, and access to even more free broadcast TV signals.

However, the effective range for your situation may differ from this, as your geography and local interference factors will play a role, as it would with any TV antenna you choose.

Note that the higher you place your antenna, the better the reception will generally be.

Placing it on a mast above your roof will get you better reception than placing it in your living room, all things being equal.

This particular antenna offers 360-degree omnidirectional reception that can be adjusted between 0 and 150 miles. This omnidirectional reception outdoor TV antenna can also support two TVs at the same time.

Pros

  • Small, lightweight, and tool-free assembly
  • Receives OTA broadcasts from all sides (omnidirectional)
  • Aesthetic features that are designed to blend in with surroundings
  • Preamplifier comes with AC adapter in case television doesn’t have a USB port

Cons

  • Not suitable for those living in areas of fringe reception

The Latest and Greatest

That isn’t it either. 1byone also now offers a 720-degree omnidirectional reception TV antenna with a built-in amplifier.

1byone 720 degree Omni-Directional Reception TV Antenna

It has omnidirectional UHF signal reception for vertically polarized TV signals (as well as standard horizontal ones), which means you can pick up signals from many different directions without having to point or rotate your antenna.

Broadcasters are increasingly adopting vertically polarized TV signals throughout the United States as they seek to improve reception for indoor antennas.

This antenna also offers a range of up to 150 miles but also features a built-in upgraded intelligent IC chip. This allows you to watch exactly what you want for free in high definition.

It provides better reception than the older antenna versions offered by 1byone.

It still has a very compact size but has more of a UFO inspired design that has been built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions outdoors.

Its high-performance coaxial cable has three layers of aluminum shielding and a durable PVC layer.

This durable construction helps protect against electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference while providing you with the best picture quality and performance possible.

Finally, in addition to allowing for 1080p HDTV reception, it’s also 4K ready with new 4G LTE technology that can help filter out cellular and FM signals. This allows for enhanced grain, range, and above all, frequency performance.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a relatively long-range antenna that’s quick to set up and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, then you should take a look at this compact 1byone TV antenna.

This amplified outdoor HDTV antenna receives a broad range of UHF and VHF frequencies.

It’s built with materials meant to withstand windy and rainy days, snowy seasons, and other weather conditions.

If you live in an area where the closest towers are relatively far apart from each other, then an omnidirectional antenna is definitely suitable.

NOTE: Antennas that are similarly compact and alternately indoors/outdoors are the Antop UFO 720° antenna and the Lava HD8008.

Design

Direction

Omnidirectional

Coaxial cable length (feet)

20

Dimensions in inches (H x W x L)

11.69 x 11.69 x 8.27

Preamplifier

 

Our rating

4 / 5

Reception

Antenna range (miles)


150

Channels

Full HD (1080p)

Frequencies

FM/UHF/VHF

Help & Support

Warranty

2 years

Email support

 

Phone support

 

Omnidirectional Antenna FAQ

Which Is Better – a Directional or an Omnidirectional Antenna?

Omnidirectional antennas receive signals in all horizontal directions. They’re best suited for customers that require good all-around coverage.

Directional antennas are often more powerful but are better suited for those who live in more rural areas where the distances are much greater than those in other urban or suburban areas.

What Type of Antenna Do I Need?

The type of antenna you need is going to depend on your particular situation. This includes the distance and the direction of the TV station transmitters in relation to your home.

Other factors to consider include the power of the transmitter, the tower height, and if there are any obstacles that may lie between the tower and your antenna.

Do I Need to Purchase an Amplifier for My Antenna?

If you need to enhance your signal strength or overcome challenges when it comes to size or height, then you may want to use an amplifier.

Some come built-in, or it can be purchased separately and then gets installed in-line between the antenna and TV.

They’re typically easy to install. When the amplifier is installed on an outdoor antenna, it’s referred to as a preamplifier.

What Do the Terms Passive and Active Mean Regarding Antennas?

When you hear about a passive antenna, it’s one that doesn’t use amplification. It’s simply just the antenna or passive receiver.

Active antennas, on the other hand, include a preamplifier to help increase the gain of the antenna. It’s also a term that can mean to tune or match the antenna.

What Does High Gain Mean?

A high gain antenna is one with a narrow receptive beam or focus that increases receptive power.

These antennas offer you a more precise way of receiving radio signals and are essential for long-rang reception.

What Are the Benefits of an Amplified Outdoor Antenna?

If you have a weak TV signal or have high interference factors, then an amplifier can help improve reception and get you more channels.

However, while they can help with signal strength, there’s also the possibility that the amplifier can also increase noise.

10 comments
Marc Langley - July 5, 2019

If I mount it on the attic, will it decrease its signal on towers?

Reply
    Greg Martinez - July 5, 2019

    Hi Mark, cannot really say for sure but there is a likelihood of interference, first and foremost from the walls of your attic and roof. If you have a metal roof, interference will be stronger. Watch out as well for radiant barriers. Not saying it won’t work when you put in the attic, but these are some factors to keep in mind. Good luck!

    Reply
Sharon C. - July 30, 2019

Will this work with any country?

Reply
    Greg Martinez - August 1, 2019

    Hi, although I never set up an antenna in another country, I would give you a qualified yes if only because physics is physics anywhere you go 🙂 There might be some countries that are still on analog TV and perhaps VHF only, but as far as I know many countries have already made the digital switch as the United States has (so primarily on UHF, which this antenna gets).

    Reply
Oscar - September 9, 2019

Will I get any interference if I install this behind a satellite dish?

Reply
    Greg Martinez - September 10, 2019

    You might, but not from signal interference rather from a large metal obstacle placed directly in front of your antenna, especially if the dish is blocking the line of sight to the transmission tower.

    Reply
Valerie Prescott - October 5, 2019

Does this antenna need a power supply for it to work?

Reply
    Greg Martinez - October 6, 2019

    Hi Valerie, for the operation of the antenna itself, no. But the built-in preamplifier will need electrical power to function. Using an amplifier is not strictly necessary though – it only enhances received signals.

    Reply
Wilfred Hortin - October 17, 2019

It says here that there’s no need to be grounded. But can I still gound this just for safety?

Reply
    Greg Martinez - October 18, 2019

    Yes the manufacturer claims it doesn’t need to be grounded but for peace of mind I would separately ground the antenna mast (if it’s made of metal).

    Reply
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