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[05omegav6]

Looking for a suitable Shark fin type aerial.

Found this as a starter for 10... http://www.smartauto24.com/car-shark-antenna-for-am-fm-radio-gps-gsm-dvb-t-5-in-1-1744

Looking for comparible recommendations, bearing in mind the following...

My current system consists of all Sony...

XAV-72BT HU
XT-DTV1 DVB/DAB tuner
VCA-130 window mounted DTV antenna
XT-100HD tuner
XA-C30/40 (can't remember which) source selector
CDX-656 disc changer x 3

The Digital reception is woeful locally, and intermittent on the move, have previously tried an alternative window mount aerial to no avail. Thinking roof mounted might obtain a clearer signal.

Radio reception is fair to good, both with and without the HD tuner connected, but being a US unit, the frequency choices are somewhat lacking A european version of the HU could resolve that issue, but decent DAB reception would render that problem irrelevant... I can also stream internet radio from my phone to the head unit.

I would prefer Plug and Play, and prepared to pay a reasonable amount for something that provides at least
DVB, DAB and analogue signals, GPS/GPRS capability are a plus

[zirk]

Looking for a suitable Shark fin type aerial.

Found this as a starter for 10... http://www.smartauto24.com/car-shark-antenna-for-am-fm-radio-gps-gsm-dvb-t-5-in-1-1744

Looking for comparible recommendations, bearing in mind the following...

My current system consists of all Sony...

XAV-72BT HU
XT-DTV1 DVB/DAB tuner
VCA-130 window mounted DTV antenna
XT-100HD tuner
XA-C30/40 (can't remember which) source selector
CDX-656 disc changer x 3

The Digital reception is woeful locally, and intermittent on the move, have previously tried an alternative window mount aerial to no avail. Thinking roof mounted might obtain a clearer signal.

Radio reception is fair to good, both with and without the HD tuner connected, but being a US unit, the frequency choices are somewhat lacking A european version of the HU could resolve that issue, but decent DAB reception would render that problem irrelevant... I can also stream internet radio from my phone to the head unit.

I would prefer Plug and Play, and prepared to pay a reasonable amount for something that provides at least
DVB, DAB and analogue signals, GPS/GPRS capability are a plus

IMHO unless you live very close to a Transmitter or within a known good DVB Signal Area, its all a bit of a non starter trying to use DVB whilst on the move in the car.

Might be better off using TVcatchup.com on 3g or HSDPA somehow.

[05omegav6]

Streaming from the phone is audio only

[zirk]

Streaming from the phone is audio only

Why is that then?

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, DVB is a non-starter while actually moving. The transmission standard simply can't cope with the amount of multipath fading you get on the move.

Bearing in mind that a house antenna is up about 30' off the ground and has a gain of 10-15db or more, and that's the benchmark by which network coverage is planned, you are always going to be fighting a losing battle with a very low gain antenna in a car.

[05omegav6]

Surely the DAB signal would be improved with a roof mounted aerial rather than one mounted inside the rear windows

The tuner is mobile rather than portable, which implies a certain level of moving

Streaming from the phone is audio only

Why is that then?

I have to stream via Bluetooth as the HU won't recognise a USB connection to my phone, (still charges it though).
Suspect this is because the HU is designed to be crapple friendly...

Newer models of the HU have mirror link, which accepts some Sumsung phones...

[Broomies Mate]

Surely the DAB signal would be improved with a roof mounted aerial rather than one mounted inside the rear windows

The tuner is mobile rather than portable, which implies a certain level of moving

Streaming from the phone is audio only

Why is that then?

I have to stream via Bluetooth as the HU won't recognise a USB connection to my phone, (still charges it though).
Suspect this is because the HU is designed to be crapple friendly...

Newer models of the HU have mirror link, which accepts some Sumsung phones...

It either accepts Android or it doesn't.

If it accepts iOS, you know what to do! 

[05omegav6]

Set light to it

 

[zirk]

Any old Nokia's or SE kicking around in the cupboard with RGB or HDMI out? 

[05omegav6]

Any old Nokia's or SE kicking around in the cupboard with RGB or HDMI out? 

Phone has a mini hdmi socket on it if that helps HU has a flying lead with standard USB socket... there's a readily available adaptor lead for it for crapple purposes which also needs a separate RCA video lead...

Just to add, the USB input is perfectly capable of running a n other storage device, such as a memory stick or Arcos type device, struggles with much over 40mb iirc

[Kevin Wood]

Surely the DAB signal would be improved with a roof mounted aerial rather than one mounted inside the rear windows

Yes, it'll be better, of course. Just saying that it's unlikely to be great whatever you do, especially while moving.

The tuner is mobile rather than portable, which implies a certain level of moving

Yes, but it's the signal it's trying to receive that is vulnerable rather than the receiver itself. What you're trying to do is akin to trying to play records in a WRC car, i.e. "it might work OK when you're parked" is about the best you can expect IMHO.

[05omegav6]

  that makes sense, the tuner doing what it can with the signal it receives...

[Andy H]

Surely the DAB signal would be improved with a roof mounted aerial rather than one mounted inside the rear windows

Yes, it'll be better, of course. Just saying that it's unlikely to be great whatever you do, especially while moving.

The tuner is mobile rather than portable, which implies a certain level of moving

Yes, but it's the signal it's trying to receive that is vulnerable rather than the receiver itself. What you're trying to do is akin to trying to play records in a WRC car, i.e. "it might work OK when you're parked" is about the best you can expect IMHO.

OP's question was about DVB (digital video) I agree that it will be a 'challenge' to hang on to a DVB signal on the move as it was never designed to work with low gain omnidirectional receiving aerials.

DAB (digital audio) was and is intended for mobile use. I get excellent reception with a roof mounted aerial in my Omega.

[Kevin Wood]

Sorry - didn't spot the shift from DVB-T to DAB. 

[05omegav6]

Not so much a shift same unit for both

[Andy H]

Packing all the antenna into one small device I suspect you will have something that is Jack of all trades, master of none

My DAB aerial is a short whip aerial on the roof of the Omega, I don't think a sharks fin is big enough to get a decent length aerial for the frequency used for DAB

My DVB aerial is a 14 element thing about 4 feet long stuck on the roof of the house 

[05omegav6]

BMW fit summat similar to their cars with Nav/DAB/TV HU, and a mate of mine has a new shape Superb with inbuilt Nav/Phone/DAB with the ability to drive a tv tuner (albeit not fitted) which has a single Shark fin aerial and no reception issues

I hear what is being said with regard to the DVB side of things though

[05omegav6]

Anyone any experience with these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/602-407-002-Hirschmann-AUTA-1-DVB-T-/300992710110?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item46149045de

Guessing might be better than my first suggestion