So Confused about Digital Over-the-air Channels - Blu-ray Forum

PrinceAllen · 01-02-2009, 02:39 AM

Hey, last month I bought a Panny HDTV. My family is subscribed to Charter so I use the cable to get most channels. However, I receive a Few DIGITAL HD CHANNELS like ABC, CW, NBC...

My question is, Do I get these channels from my cable provider or are these FREE OVER-THE-AIR Channels I am getting?

I am so confused because I know HDTVs now get over the air channels BUT do they get these just by themselves or do I need an antenna?

AcidBurn003 · 01-02-2009, 02:43 AM

Unless you have your t.v. hooked up to an antenna, like rabbit ears, you should be getting your local channels from your cable provider. Mine come through direct TV. So unless you use an antenna you should be fine when the switch over happens in Feb.

PrinceAllen · 01-02-2009, 02:49 AM

Well, I'm not worried about the DTV switch... I was just asking because I want to know if I were to not have a cable service would I still be getting the HD channels?

And these are like 114-9, 109-3...

master_8ball · 01-02-2009, 02:53 AM

Those channels are free with your provider when you have a HDTV cable/sat box. Then they charge you for a package with more HDTV channels.
No you will not get HDTV channels over an aerial.

CanadianKrazyMods · 01-02-2009, 02:53 AM

do you switch inputs to get the different channels? if not then they are from your cable provider.

PrinceAllen · 01-02-2009, 03:20 AM

I am only connected via a cable, I use no box or anything like that.
and no I do not switch inputs.

SO the only way to get over-the-air channels is using an antenna?

DrinkMore · 01-02-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinceAllen

I am only connected via a cable, I use no box or anything like that.
and no I do not switch inputs.

SO the only way to get over-the-air channels is using an antenna?

Yup.

If you have NO box, then you have basic cable. Not sure how that works as far as HD goes. I know for FIOS, you have to have an HD box.

Joe Cain · 01-02-2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Those channels are free with your provider when you have a HDTV cable/sat box. Then they charge you for a package with more HDTV channels.
No you will not get HDTV channels over an aerial.

You can get HD broadcasting over-the-air via antenna. I do, even from my local PBS station.

jeabombers · 01-02-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

You can get HD broadcasting over-the-air via antenna. I do, even from my local PBS station.

I get three from PBS.

It all depends on your location. If you got regular stations over the air, then you'll get the same HD stations. You almost *have* to have an antenna, though. I can get one station without an antenna sometimes.

Blove23 · 01-02-2009, 07:20 AM

Your local channels come in High Definition i.e(ABC,CBS, NBC, and FOX). If you did not have a box, then you need an antenna for HD OTA. You're set for the conversion in Feb.

ixlegitballinxl · 01-02-2009, 08:41 AM

over the air hd is awesome.. glad i have right now, considering whats going on with brighthouse

aramis109 · 01-02-2009, 02:27 PM

Just wanted to chime in here and say that if your set has a QAM, you don't have to have a cable box to pull in HD content via cable. I have basic cable, no cable box, no antenna, and I get Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, My24 and PBS all in HD. QAM tuners can save you some money (and most sets sold now have 'em) so check it out before adding more to your cable bill.

gearyt · 01-02-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Those channels are free with your provider when you have a HDTV cable/sat box. Then they charge you for a package with more HDTV channels.
No you will not get HDTV channels over an aerial.

WRONG !! yes you will... connect a proper antenna and you will receive your local channel in HD at no charge

dereksworl · 01-02-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

WRONG !! yes you will... connect a proper antenna and you will receive your local channel in HD at no charge

yeah, i was about to say the same thing. i dont know what that dude is talking about

bda4life · 01-02-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

Just wanted to chime in here and say that if your set has a QAM, you don't have to have a cable box to pull in HD content via cable. I have basic cable, no cable box, no antenna, and I get Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, My24 and PBS all in HD. QAM tuners can save you some money (and most sets sold now have 'em) so check it out before adding more to your cable bill.

I was under the impression that it is an NTSC tuner, not QAM in the U.S. Anyway, to answer the OP, if your tv/monitor has a built in NTSC/QAM tuner, it will have the ability to pick up over the air (OTA) digital signals. These digital signals (at least right now) are designated as .1 extensions.

I have two HDTV's that have the built in tuners, so I can pick up the digital signals of NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and others via a UHF antenna. Check out antennaweb.org to find out what type of antenna you would need to pick up the digital signals.

Another positive to OTA signals is that they are not compressed at all. Most if not all tv providers (satellite and cable) compress their signal to make more fit.

master_8ball · 01-02-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

WRONG !! yes you will... connect a proper antenna and you will receive your local channel in HD at no charge

Well I guess I stand corrected, but I have never got an HD signal through my antenna, could be the general area I'm in, I don't know.

brett_day · 01-02-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Well I guess I stand corrected, but I have never got an HD signal through my antenna, could be the general area I'm in, I don't know.

what antenna are you using?

Joe Cain · 01-02-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett_day

what antenna are you using?

That oughtn't matter, if he's getting over-the-air signals. I've gotten HD broadcasts with cheap set-top rabbit ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Well I guess I stand corrected, but I have never got an HD signal through my antenna, could be the general area I'm in, I don't know.

Could it be that you have an HD display that does not have a digital/ATSC tuner?

master_8ball · 01-02-2009, 05:05 PM

I have a VHF/UHF antenna, could it be possible that b/c my tv doesn't have a built in HD tuner I would not get them?

meckel · 01-02-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master_8ball

I have a VHF/UHF antenna, could it be possible that b/c my tv doesn't have a built in HD tuner I would not get them?

That is correct

You would need a tuner box to pass the HD signal to your TV to pick-up OTA HD.

01-02-2009, 02:39 AM	#1
PrinceAllen Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Blu-ray reviews:2	So Confused about Digital Over-the-air Channels Hey, last month I bought a Panny HDTV. My family is subscribed to Charter so I use the cable to get most channels. However, I receive a Few DIGITAL HD CHANNELS like ABC, CW, NBC... My question is, Do I get these channels from my cable provider or are these FREE OVER-THE-AIR Channels I am getting? I am so confused because I know HDTVs now get over the air channels BUT do they get these just by themselves or do I need an antenna?

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01-02-2009, 02:43 AM	#2
AcidBurn003 Member Member since:Sep 2008 Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:330 Blu-ray reviews:2	Unless you have your t.v. hooked up to an antenna, like rabbit ears, you should be getting your local channels from your cable provider. Mine come through direct TV. So unless you use an antenna you should be fine when the switch over happens in Feb.

01-02-2009, 02:49 AM	#3
PrinceAllen Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Blu-ray reviews:2	Well, I'm not worried about the DTV switch... I was just asking because I want to know if I were to not have a cable service would I still be getting the HD channels? And these are like 114-9, 109-3...

01-02-2009, 02:53 AM	#4
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	Those channels are free with your provider when you have a HDTV cable/sat box. Then they charge you for a package with more HDTV channels. No you will not get HDTV channels over an aerial.

01-02-2009, 02:53 AM	#5
CanadianKrazyMods Expert Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:NB, Canada PSN/XBOX:BennettCKM Home Theater Gallery:5 4K collection:209 Blu-ray collection:457	do you switch inputs to get the different channels? if not then they are from your cable provider.

01-02-2009, 03:20 AM	#6
PrinceAllen Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Blu-ray reviews:2	I am only connected via a cable, I use no box or anything like that. and no I do not switch inputs. SO the only way to get over-the-air channels is using an antenna?

01-02-2009, 07:20 AM	#10
Blove23 Senior Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Pittsburgh Blu-ray collection:67 Blu-ray reviews:1	Your local channels come in High Definition i.e(ABC,CBS, NBC, and FOX). If you did not have a box, then you need an antenna for HD OTA. You're set for the conversion in Feb.

01-02-2009, 08:41 AM	#11
ixlegitballinxl Banned Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Magic Kingdom, FL Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:631 Trading Score:22	over the air hd is awesome.. glad i have right now, considering whats going on with brighthouse

01-02-2009, 02:27 PM	#12
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	Just wanted to chime in here and say that if your set has a QAM, you don't have to have a cable box to pull in HD content via cable. I have basic cable, no cable box, no antenna, and I get Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, My24 and PBS all in HD. QAM tuners can save you some money (and most sets sold now have 'em) so check it out before adding more to your cable bill.

01-02-2009, 05:05 PM	#19
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	I have a VHF/UHF antenna, could it be possible that b/c my tv doesn't have a built in HD tuner I would not get them?

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