Free OTA HD after Feb next year?

[AlexCruz]

Maybe those of you who have HD Antennas can help me out. I was thinking about buying this:

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified-High-Definition-Antenna-Reception/dp/B0007MXZB2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&tag=380-20&qid=1212736004&sr=8-1

Anyways, I was just wondering if I would still be able to get free HD over the air with this after the digital conversion next year? I know the older analog antennas won't work, but this one is digital right? I just want to make sure it'll work in the future before I buy it.

P.S.
I didn't know wether to put this in the newbie section or this one, so mods feel free to move this if necessary.

[raginranger]

I bought a Philips antenna at Target for $29.99 a couple months ago. I don't know if it was digital or whatever but it did say clearly on the box "compatible with hdtvs." I get NBC-HD, CBS-HD, ABC-HD, ETV-HD, and FOX-HD for free. I don't expect anything to change on that front in Feb 09.

[RichiPuppy]

I just use a standard old analog antenna, seams to work fine picking up digital channels.

[deathscripture]

You'll be fine, although I hear the Terks are not all they are cracked up to be.

It also depends on how far out you are, you may need an outdoor antenna

[jswilli1]

Originally Posted by AlexCruz

Maybe those of you who have HD Antennas can help me out. I was thinking about buying this:

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified-High-Definition-Antenna-Reception/dp/B0007MXZB2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&tag=380-20&qid=1212736004&sr=8-1

Anyways, I was just wondering if I would still be able to get free HD over the air with this after the digital conversion next year? I know the older analog antennas won't work, but this one is digital right? I just want to make sure it'll work in the future before I buy it.

P.S.
I didn't know wether to put this in the newbie section or this one, so mods feel free to move this if necessary.

Try this website and see what HD channels are in your area and how far away you are from the transmitting antenna's. I have a TERK antenna mounted on the side of the house for my OTA reception. I am at the end of the footprint (about 60 miles) from the nearest antenna. My worst reception is with FOX as this antenna is the farthest away.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

[tron3]

Alex, NO NO NO. Stay away from that atenna. I bought it and returned it.

You want the phillips silver sensor. I have 3 of these on HD TV's at home. I never had this many channels in analog.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1...2756711&sr=1-1

Mind you, it is location sensitive. If it doesn't work for you, then you are just in a bad location. A roof antenna would also be good if you can swing it.

These aren't "digital" antenna. HD is broadcast in the UHF spectrum. These are UHF antenna. Rabbit ears wouldn't work well for you.

In any case, the Phillips is the way to go for indoors reception. Signal boosted antenna are a waste of time, money, and electricity in my experience. They just amplify the signal which could be noise, so it does nothing for you.

[SS316SRV]

I have seen a wire coat hanger pull in HD stations. Any UHF-VHF antenna should work. It just has to be strong enough to pull in the signal.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by tron3

HD is broadcast in the UHF spectrum.

Most DTV broadcasting is done over UHF, but not all of it---my local Fox & PBS stations are offering digital broadcasts in the VHF band.

[Jim L]

About 1.5 years ago (when I got my new HDTV and first Blu-ray player) I also upgraded from a set-top antenna to a large one that was installed in my attic. The installers ran the coaxial cable down through the wall so it came through the same outlet as my satellite/cable feed. Very clean and efficient.

If you go to Antennaweb.org, it will direct you to purchasing the correct type of antenna for your area stations and terrain/site conditions.

I couldn't be happier with it.

I now get all the HD OTA channels for:

• CBS
• Fox
• NBC
• PBS
• ABC
• WMYV

Plus I think that 4 of them also have digital sub-channels with other things like continuously available local news, weather, traffic, etc.

There is another new digital channel that I haven't added yet.

All this, and I live in a very small town in the middle of nowhere (compared to San Diego where I moved from).

[Bobby Henderson]

Lots of OTA HD channels are currently very underpowered. Unless you live within a somewhat close distance to the signal source you may get reception problems even with a very good quality antenna rated for picking up signals more than 50 miles away.

This situation should change next February when the old analog TV signals cease to be broadcast. TV stations will put all their amplification behind the DTV signals.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

I would stay away from all over the counter antennas.

Try these guys. http://antennasdirect.com

Different sizes to choose from to fit the distance you need from antennaweb.org

[owa]

Originally Posted by AlexCruz

Maybe those of you who have HD Antennas can help me out. I was thinking about buying this:

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified-High-Definition-Antenna-Reception/dp/B0007MXZB2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&tag=380-20&qid=1212736004&sr=8-1

Anyways, I was just wondering if I would still be able to get free HD over the air with this after the digital conversion next year? I know the older analog antennas won't work, but this one is digital right? I just want to make sure it'll work in the future before I buy it.

P.S.
I didn't know wether to put this in the newbie section or this one, so mods feel free to move this if necessary.

I have one of those and use it for the HD card in my PC. It works really well. I also have a non-amplified version that works well if I can keep it close to a window, patio door or whatever. The amplified one seems to work a little better away from windows, etc. (middle of the house). Basically, as long as it's that "style" of antenna, I've found it works well in my location. They also have larger versions for outdoor/indoor use. Also, I've tried some of the other much more expensive ones and they didn't work very well at all (for me anyway).

[jibucha]

Hello

All antenna's are the same; there is no such thing as an HDTV Antenna or SDTV Antenna, or an Analog Antenna or Digital Antenna.

It's all simply the same frequencies that we are accustomed to since the beginning of television; only the type of transmission has changed, and the specific frequency of a particular channel.

So; if you have an existing antenna, then it will work as before; this really is simple.

The only real concern is whether your original antenna for analog broadcast was properly set up or not, as the digital system is not forgiving to poor set up. Actually, neither was the analog system, but with analog you could receive a poor reception with a poor set up, while with the new digital system, a poor set up will result in no picture at all, unless set up properly.

There is considerable misinformation in this regard; especially marketing information.

Thank You

[jd13]

I have mine outside and run it through my Dish VIP622. I have a few problems now and then, but overall, it works well. One thing with outside antennas, and this will sound strange, they are susceptible to wind. If it is extremely busy, no matter how strong your signal, you will have issues.

Also, check TV Fool instead of Antenna Web. Their breakdown for TV ranges has been more helpful and accurate for me.

[mdabb]

This site called HDTVPRIMER.COM has all the info you may want to know about OTA HD & digital channels, antennas, how to, you name it plus has tons of other useful info about the realm of HD. Scroll down to "erecting a TV antenna" and click! http://www.hdtvprimer.com/

[crackinhedz]

Alex, NO NO NO. Stay away from that atenna. I bought it and returned it.

I have one and it works fine.

Guess it depends on location as to how well it works.


I guess the real question to ask is does the OP's TV have an HD tuner built in? if not, its pointless.

What TV are you using Alex?

[antennaguy]

Originally Posted by SamInNorthCakalakey

I would stay away from all over the counter antennas.

Try these guys. http://antennasdirect.com

Different sizes to choose from to fit the distance you need from antennaweb.org

Sam is right. Also try antennapoint.com for fast, simple antenna selection and aiming information.

Yes, if you're close enough to the broadcast towers you wish to receive, with straight unubstructed line-of-sight,a metal coat hanger may pick up digital signals from some towers. But people living in Metro loactions also have to deal with multi-path (bounced signals). Multi-path signals reaching the antenna out of phase can confuse the ATSC (Digital) chip set in the converter box (or digital TV tuner sets).

If the signal reaching the front of the antenna is not 2 to 3 times stronger than a bounced signal from the same station reaching the back of the antenna, the ATSC chip doesn’t know which signal to use, so it just keeps searching. This is particularly true with coat hangers and rabbit ears.

The answer is to up-grade to a new digital indoor antenna (outdoor is much better if you can install one), tuned to receive digital signals, working with the ATSC chip set to help reject Multi-path signals.

The correct digital age antenna installed and aimed properly, will receive the desired local stations it’s aimed at. The more powerful the antenna, the further from the towers your antenna can be located, up to 70 miles or more. Signals bounce off many things, such as buildings, hills, even walls inside the reception room, especially using rabbit ears. But sometimes a bounced signal can be stronger than trying to receive the signal straight on. If you’re going with a new indoor antenna, try several different locations and directions in the room.

Most TV consumers think of antennas as low-tech devices, but there is more behind some of the newer antenna designs than just bent metal and plastic. Many of the TV antenna designs on the market today such as the Yagi (on many chimneys) and rabbit ears have technology roots going back 30 to 50 years or more.

The switch to digital broadcasts is bringing consumers back to Off-Air reception and the increasing sales are providing the motivation and investments necessary to develop new models and new technology. The fact that most designs on the market now were developed prior to the advent of much of the computer technology, software and algorithms in common use today has left open numerous avenues to improve upon tried and true designs and develop new ones. Additionally, recent regulations and standards are opening new doors for antenna engineers to develop smaller antennas with improved performance, power and aesthetics.

With a new digital age antenna, you may also be able to receive out-of-town channels, carrying blacked out sports programs, almost completely uncompressed HD broadcasts (unlike cable or satellite) or network broadcasts not available in your home town. As an added benefit, an OTA antenna provides reception for second sets in homes or apartments not wired for whole-house signal distribution.

Depending on the level of desire to receive an excellent picture, almost completely uncompressed digital and HD signals and multiple broadcast signals, considering the investment in TV entertainment already made by many viewers, you should consider up-grading to a new Digital Off-Air Antennas and loosing the rabbit ears?

Buy your new antenna from someone who will refund your purchase price, no questions asked, until you find the right antenna. Antennas Direct offers a 90 day, no fault gaurantee and full refund.

[antennaguy]

"All antenna's are the same"

Not.

Many of the TV antenna designs in use and on the market today such as the Yagi (on many chimneys) and rabbit ears have technology roots going back 30 years or more.

In metro areas, with multiple buildings and other hard clutter, you have to deal with Multi-path (bounced signals). Multi-path signals reaching the antenna out of phase can confuse the ATSC (Digital) chip set in the converter box or digital TV tuner.

If the signal reaching the front of the antenna is not 2 to 3 times stronger than a bounced signal from the same station reaching the back of the antenna, the ATSC chip doesn’t know which signal to use, so it just keeps searching. The answer is to up-grade to a new indoor antenna (outdoor is much better if you can install one), tuned to receive digital signals and work with the newer ATSC chip sets, to help reject Multi-path signals.

Signals bounce off walls also in your apartment also, so move an indoor antenna around the room, to find the best location for it, aiming it in different directions as you watch the signal strength on one channel. When it’s the strongest, check your other channel signal strengths. Sometimes a bounced signal can be better.

antennapoint.com is another very quick and easy site to use in finding information on local station availability, distance, compose headings, ect.

Depending on the level of desire to receive all the broadcast signals available and almost completely uncompressed digital and HD signals, unlike cable or satellite, considering the investment in TV entertainment already made by many viewers, shouldn’t they consider up-grading to a new Off-Air Antennas?

Buy your new antenna from someone who will refund your purchase price, no questions asked, until you find the right antenna.