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How will i know if i need a outdoor antenna for hdtv?

I want to replace my cable with a HDTV Antenna?

  • I am looking at dropping my cable (to save some money). I am considering replacing the cable with a HDTV antenna but I do not know if I would need converter box or something like a DVR? On the one hand I can see having the antenna only - but that would mean that I would pick up only what I can snatch from the sky and can not record anything. On the other hand, if I buy a converter box (that I likely would NOT need) it could a devise to record programs. I do NOT want to get a Tivo thing because what is the point of dumping cable to save money only to join a monthly subscription service - I already have that. Any suggestions about your experiences with this, best devices and so on...

  • Answer:

    All TV antennas are "HDTV" antennas, even 30 year old ones. The type of antenna you need depends on things like location and the construction of the building you are in. Start by going to http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 and find out how far away your local TV transmitters are and what direction they are in. Now ask yourself, what do the TV signals have to go through to reach a TV antenna? Besides the proper antenna (& a location that can receive signals), you need something with an ATSC digital tuner. Start by finding out if your TV has one. You can google the make & model or add the information to your question to find out. If your TV doesn't have a built in digital tuner you will need an external one, either a converter box or a DVR with a built in digital tuner. Walmart sells a no-subscription DVR with built in tuner for about $200. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-MDR-513H-F7-320GB-DVR-and-DVD-Recorder/14291489?findingMethod=rr You can also use a converter box with an old VCR but you have to manually change channels on the converter box, so that limits it's usefulness. If you are near zip code 31909 your Tvfool results will look something like this: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d7fb9e09ec2b72d Which tells you that you might be able to get several channels with an indoor UHF-VHF Hi antenna. The only way to tell is to try. Now figure out the cheapest way to try. There will be some spots in zip 31909 where you can pick them up with just a plain $10 rabbit ear antenna. There will be other spots where no indoor antenna will pick them up. For example, on one side of the house I'm in ( 5 miles from towers) an unfolded paper clip as an antenna will pick up all the local channels. But on the other end of the house no indoor antenna would give stable reception. If I had to guess with no additional information, I'd pick a Winegard SS 3000 antenna.

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If you have and HDTV, then you don't need the converter box. If you have an old analog TV, then you do need the converter box. The biggest factor in getting over-the-air (OTA) reception is a good antenna, preferably mounted up on your roof. You can check the sites below for channel lists and antenna recommendations for your location. Most indoor antennas are terrible and you'd need to be very close to the transmitters (under 10 or 15 miles). http://www.tvfool.com http://www.antennaweb.org Recorders are a bigger problem. VCRs are pretty useless with digital OTA TV since they don't have the ATSC tuner needed for OTA. You might try looking for a DVD recorder with an ATSC tuner. I think Magnavox makes one that Wal-Mart carries.

link

If you do this, hope you are close to the TV towers.. Otherwise, you will only get a few channels. Digital TV needs a strong signal, or it will not work... I tried an amplified TV antenna, and only got 3 or 4 channels.... Anything between you and the TV towers will cause the signal to drop significantly....This includes trees, buildings, hills, etc.. Try an antenna with at least 10db. gain..

Rich

HDMI....is a way of connection between video audio inputs and outputs with very high quality. converter box.......if you subscribe a cable company.....it is your decoder for watching if you pay bill. DVR......is a device for recording.with digital method.......VCR....acts on analog method. antenna.......receives free tv signals on your area. now think what do you want to do?

khalil

"..because what is the point of dumping cable to save money only to join a monthly subscription service" The secret to a DVR is the electronic program guide. It takes money and people to keep your box up-to-date so you can record New episodes of your various programs. People dont realize how important this is - until they do without it and miss the start of new shows or special episodes of shows. Without this - you need to subscribe to TV Guide and peruse the guide each week to setup the next weeks recordings. Your time + subscription fee for the TV Guide will exceed the cost of your monthly fee for an EPG. Note: I was getting all my HD locals and a HD DVR from my cable company (Time Warner) for $25/month because I subscribed to 'basic cable' package. Assume you would need 1 hour per week to setup your DVR with the next weeks shows - how much does it cost you in time vs paying the cable company for their DVR service?

Grumpy Mac

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