off air HDTV Antenna

[TN-W124 Diesel]

I have Direct HDTV, and now I would like to get my off air channels, what is the best off-air antenna to buy?? Winegard??

[MTI]

In your locale, are the local HD stations on VHF or UHF, or both?

First you need to check www.antennaweb.org and see what size antenna would be best once you check that we can determine which antenna would be best.

Hook up a set up rabbit ears first and see what you get, it may be all you need.

[MTI]

Hmm, the perfect compliment to my plasma panel . . .

[TN-W124 Diesel]

Originally Posted by MTI

In your locale, are the local HD stations on VHF or UHF, or both?

I can get both UHF and VHF in my zone. I get some of the channels now, but there is a lot of channels that I do not get..so I was thinking of installing a FM and UHF/VHF antenna(s)..

[dmorrison]

I have a HDTV got it 4 years ago. Purchased the largest antenna Radio Shack had, that would fit in my attic, which was there largest. Have recieved all channels since. Use good cable to the TV. And make sure the connections are good and tight.
There is not a lot of True HDTV being transmitted. All the stations are requierd by law to be transmitting on HDTV channels as of last year. But may a time the standard signal is upgraded to HDTV. It is not a true High definition signal. Once you see A true HDTV recorded show, you will know the difference.

We actually don't watch a lot of HDTV. Some games and everyonce in a while we do. I bought it because HDTV was coming and since I wanted a 60 screen for movies. I liked getting ready for it. Plus with the line doubler the the movies look nicer.

Dave

There's a ton of HD programing check http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=45

for your local thread and start enjoying!

I have a huge rooftop antenna because I live in the sticks, but anyone near or in a city should be able to get the big 4 no problem.

[dmorrison]

Originally Posted by MedMech

There's a ton of HD programing check http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=45

for your local thread and start enjoying!

I have a huge rooftop antenna because I live in the sticks, but anyone near or in a city should be able to get the big 4 no problem.

Actually they are transmitting DTV not HDTV. A true HDTV show/movie/special must be "filmed" in HDTV. The majority of the daytime shows are upgraded to the HDTV signal and are just DTV not true HDTV 1080i transmissions. The clarity and resolution is not there. The picture is giving you the show but the resolution is the normal 380 lines of resoution made to transmit to the 1080i format, but the true HD is not there.


Due to the digital signal you want to get the best antenna you can buy. The digital signal is a lot weaker that the analog signal. I had an antenna that recieved all the analog stattions. But on the HDTYV I could not get 2 stations. Got the largest antenna and I recieve all of them now. I also loose the same 2 stations during one of our heavy Texas thunderstorms, due to signal propagation, or dispersion due to the rain drops. This was not a problem with the analog system. It is just due to the lower power of the digital signal vs. the analog. And the digital electronic setup of either you have a signal or you don't. So when you don't you don't

Dave

[TwitchKitty]

There are signal amplifiers for TV antennas probably for sale at Radio Shack. I have seen them make great improvements in picture quality. Don't know if they are any different for HDTV. Don't see why they would have to be any different.

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Actually they are transmitting DTV not HDTV. A true HDTV show/movie/special must be "filmed" in HDTV. The majority of the daytime shows are upgraded to the HDTV signal and are just DTV not true HDTV 1080i transmissions. The clarity and resolution is not there. The picture is giving you the show but the resolution is the normal 380 lines of resoution made to transmit to the 1080i format, but the true HD is not there.

Oh wow thanks for the information but 1080i is down converted from 720p and it's not UPGRADE its UP CONVERT. Do use use RGB DVI or HDMI?

Anyway, many of the prime time shows are HD PBS
HD is almost entirely HD.

Yes morrison almost everyone in the world knows about upconverting to fullscreen, we've had many HD discussions on this forum in the years past.

Plug in your rabbit ears and see what you get.

Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

There are signal amplifiers for TV antennas probably for sale at Radio Shack. I have seen them make great improvements in picture quality. Don't know if they are any different for HDTV. Don't see why they would have to be any different.

Yes on the antenna's, but with digital you either get it or you do'nt the only problem that might arise from omni-directional antenna's is multipath issue's.

Again check antennaweb.org and avsforum.com .

Also with HD you get dolby 5.1 which is nice, my favorite HD shows are Las Vegas, and CSI.

Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

There are signal amplifiers for TV antennas probably for sale at Radio Shack. I have seen them make great improvements in picture quality. Don't know if they are any different for HDTV. Don't see why they would have to be any different.

They work excellent, but it's a good idea to check avsforum because some actually degrade a DTV signal.

[TN-W124 Diesel]

OK I installed the Channel Master 3671 antenna (U/V/FM) now I am getting local channels from 65 miles away.... wow..Free HD is great. I might shop around for a Rotor to see what other channel I might get

[LK1]

Here's a stupid question. I don't have a HD tv but I do notice that when I play a dvd the picture is better then my cable signal. Would an antenna help and/or give me a higher quality picture then my cable does on the HD broadcasts?