Antennas Direct Clearstream 1max Multidirectional Tv Antenna (C1mv-cn) Review
Our Verdict
A very capable antenna that delivers more stations than many other antennas, even models costing much more.
For
- Good reception
- Works indoors or out
Confronting
- An eyesore in living rooms
- Necessary cable not included
Tom's Guide Verdict
A very capable antenna that delivers more than stations than many other antennas, even models costing much more.
Pros
- +
Good reception
- +
Works indoors or out
Cons
- -
An eyesore in living rooms
- -
Necessary cable not included
CLEARSTREAM MAX-V: SPECS
Range: 60 Miles
Channels Received: 51
Amplified: No
1080p Reception: Yep
Cablevision Length: N/A
Size: 17.25 10 27.v ten 3.v inches
The ClearStream MAX-V isn't simply another pretty antenna face up. In fact, it isn't pretty at all. But if you want to ameliorate over-the-air TV reception with i of the best Goggle box antennas we've reviewed, it's a very attractive option, indeed.
Rated to capture stations as far away as 60 miles, the ClearStream MAX-V from Antennas Straight volition piece of work indoors or out and is competitively priced. It doesn't apply an amplifier simply it withal did very well in our tests. For example, information technology pulled in 15 more channels than we saw in our Mohu Arc Pro Indoor HDTV Antenna review, a similarly priced amplified model. And while it didn't practice too in testing equally some outdoor models, like Antop AT-800SBS HD Smart Panel Antenna, the ClearStream MAX-V is roughly one-half the price of such antennas.
ClearStream MAX-5 review: Design
Shaped like a big figure 8 with a horizontal antenna bar, the ClearStream MAX-5 may not suit the decor of many living rooms. It can't exist concealed like a flat indoor-only antenna or tucked behind a bookcase. The MAX-V could be hidden backside a table-top situated TV, but to get the best reception information technology's better to attach information technology to a wall (with the supplied mounting plate) nigh the exterior of your home, which many may regard every bit akin to sticking a behemothic blackness insect on the wall.
Alternatively, the MAX-V can be placed outdoors on a pole or on the roof or side of your house for a clearer reception path. Manufacturer Antennas Direct also recommends placing the antenna in an attic for meliorate reception while still keeping the MAX-Five out of sight.
ClearStream MAX-V review: Setup
Out of the box, the ClearStream MAX-V includes a cross bar component, which screws together and and so snaps hands into place, equally well as a subclass for pole mounting and a wall plate should you lot install information technology within or on an exterior wall. Antennas Direct doesn't include the necessary coaxial cabling to connect the antenna to your Tv set'southward tuner, withal. A xx-foot cablevision costs between $10 and $20. And if you want to stand it upright within, the company offers a curved base stand for $5.99.
Before deciding on an indoor or outdoor installation, we recommend checking on what's available over the air in your neighborhood. Sites such as Antennaweb.org can show you a listing of channels and a map with the location of local broadcast towers based on your zip code. It may exist, for example, that there's enough nearby stations to let y'all to forego the hassle of placing the antenna exterior.
ClearStream MAX-V review: Functioning
From our standard New York City exam location, the ClearStream MAX-V located 60 channels in an initial series of scans. In testing the reception of each station we found the antenna revealed some impressive skills, such equally pulling in the elusive CBS affiliate in 1080i, which is at present a challenge to melody in since the FCC moved stations around. The antenna besides captured other local affiliates that some indoor flat antennas, such as the $90 Mohu Foliage Supreme Pro and popular models like the $thirty 1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna, missed.
However, the ClearStream MAX-V's reception wasn't perfect, and we found that 9 of the stations listed were not watchable due to picture and sound dropouts. That still left an impressive 51 free over-the-air stations to bask, putting the MAX-V amongst the better Television receiver antennas we've tested. Indeed, what was missing from the initial scan included the local PBS affiliates and the local Fox outlet, which was also distorted to watch. Unfortunately, the latter meant we couldn't watch an old episode of the Modernistic Squad. Also missing in action were some retro stations in the upper midrange of the dial. Those included the likes of MeTV with some pixellated Gilligan's Island episodes.
Not only did it do better than many of the aforementioned models, the Max-Five also bested the comparably priced $80 Mohu Arc Pro, which captured 34 stations in our tests, and even Antenna Directly's own more than expensive $100 ClearStream 2Max antenna, which pulled in 44 stations.
The ClearChannel MAX-V didn't capture as many stations as, for instance, the $100 Winegard Aristocracy 7550 (73 stations) or the $150 Antop AT-800SBS HD Smart Panel Antenna (68 stations) but it is much less expensive. And information technology did much better than some comparably priced models, such as the $lxxx Mohu Arc Pro Indoor HDTV Antenna that only pulled in 34 stations in our testing.
ClearStream MAX-5 review: Verdict
While its aesthetics may leave something to be desired, there'southward no doubt that the ClearStream MAX-Five is a very capable TV antenna. Not only did it do better than many of our favorite indoor antennas, including the Mohu Arc Pro, it also matched some of the best outdoor antennas, like the ClearStream 2MAX HDTV Antenna, though paying for a more expensive model volition often become you improve functioning thanks to amplifiers and better tuning capabilities. If you're looking to get more than over-the-air stations in your area, the ClearStream MAX-5 is a solid pick. Just don't forget to get the necessary cabling when you gild it.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/clearstream-max-v-hdtv-antenna
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