Digital TV antennas

[Elhuero]

Ok so I need some clarification and edjumications.

Back when broadcast analog switchted to digital, I didn't pay attention because I figured I'd always have cable.

well, since comcast are money grubbers I no longer have cable. kind of sucks now, because I missed out on the free govt dough to help buy a converter. oh well.

I have a flatscreen TV bought this year.

so am I right in thinking I can just get a digital antenna and hook it up to the TV for the free HD digital.

or do I need a converter box as well?

I just want to watch the news, and HD would be a bonus. the basic comcast I had looked like crap anyway. they wanted more $$ for HD.

so if I can see local news in HD that'd be neato.

so info and experiences with the digital TV waves would be appreciated.

[Mazin]

I also would like to know. Logic would be new tv should just need the digi ant and it gtg. I dropped comcrap also and have just been running netflix but i miss football.

[Rooskibar03]

Assuming the TV you bought this year was new then it should have a digital tuner in it. That would eliminate your need for any type if converter box.

Head down to Worst Buy and pick up a set top digital antenna, hook that sucker up and at the worst you should get standard alphabet networks in crystal clear HD.

Keep in mind signal strength may vary based on your homes location. Sites like this one will help you decide what kind of antenna you should consider and what channels you can expect to pick up. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

If you want to spend a little more for an attic mounted or outdoor rig you might be able to pick up a little more.

The best part of OTA HD tv (or worst depending on how you look at it) is it's all or nothing. No more fuzzy reception and fiddling with the rabbit ear
For each channel.

I'm trying to convince Mrs Rooskibar to let me kick Comcast cable to the curb but no such luck yet.

[BushMasterBoy]

If the TV has a built in digital tuner you don't need the box. I have a flat screen component TV with no tuner. That means I run the TV radio signal from the antenna, to the digital converter box, then into the TV. Read the manual that came with the TV. If you can't find the manual, google it.

[SideShow Bob]

Yep, you are good to go, late model flat screens receive over the air digital broadcasts. Just have to follow the set up menu for broadcast digital. And of course ditch the old rabbit ears antenna. Set up a digit antenna in your attic hanging from the rafters for better reception, or an outdoor one if you are out in the sticks.

[SideShow Bob]

Damn, you guys have fast fingers.

[Ah Pook]

I have some digital to analog converter boxes. NIB (with the box) that I'd sell for $30.00 ea. They retailed for $50.00. We live in a "dead zone" and don't get digital reception.

PM me if your interested.

[Bowtie]

This website has alot of info on antennas. You can type in your address and they will tell you what kind of antenna and which direction to point it.

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

[ChadAmberg]

Plug in a set of rabbit ears from Walmart and you should be set. We've got good coverage here in the Springs, I only use an antenna and Netflix streaming for my TV fix. My TV was made in 2001 and it doesn't need any converter or anything...

[trlcavscout]

One house can get 50 channels their neighbor may only get 1 channel it really depends on location.

[ghettodub]

This website has alot of info on antennas. You can type in your address and they will tell you what kind of antenna and which direction to point it.

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

beat me to it. This is a good site, and will help you out. Really, you can go get a crappy one, and as long as your TV has a digital tuner built in, it'll work

[kwando]

Ygpm

[PanamaDave]

I recently dropped CommieCast cable and had to buy some new antennas... I went w/ an amplified model Clearstream micron (25 mile range/20db gain) made by Antennas Direct and bought at Best Buy for ~$80. I get probably around 35 channels up here in Westminster.

They do have cheaper amplified models and non-amplified models also but I didn't want to be constantly moving the antenna around for poor reception. I have had to move it on occasion but overall happy w/ the two I bought.

YMMV depending on your location...

[Sharpienads]

I bought a $20 antenna from Walmart and got all the local channels, some of them in HD. You should be good to go with your TV.

Funny story, we were trying to figure out the best placement for the antenna, and as i was moving it around the wall the wife was flipping through channels. We weren't getting very good reception until I accidentally dropped the antenna, it landed on the floor propped up against the wall facing the interior of our house, and BAM! We got all the channels we were supposed to get.

[Colorado Osprey]

There is no such thing as digital TV antennas. It is just marketing.
There are better and not so good antennas just like with old analog TV.
Bunny ears actually work surprisingly well although directional.

A broad spectrum non-directional amplified antenna will get you as good results as any marketed digital antenna at a fraction of the cost.

In fact FM radio string antennas (split wire) will get you just about as good reception as a non-amplified antenna for about $3-5 although they too are directional although not as sensitive to direction as bunny ears.