I live in very close to a large city, and I'm deciding between the HD Antenna or paying $50/month for digital cable. Does anyone know how well these anntena work?
2006-10-13 03:06:46 · 6 answers · asked by joe k 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
My advice is to give it a try--one can only know for sure how good over-the-air HD reception is in their specific neighborhood by trying it, unless someone here on Yahoo! Answers lives on the same block as you, has an HDTV and an HD antenna, and sees your question. You're just not going to get anything definite from the rest of us.
At most, you'll be out $30 or whatever you spend on your antenna (if you're too lazy to return your purchase). As the others have said, OTA HDTV is simply UHF, so don't be too swayed by antennas that claim to be "specially for HDTV."
As for me, I live in Los Angeles with one two-story building in the way between me and the TV transmitters on Mount Wilson, about 20 miles away. HD reception was spotty on my old rabbit ears, but I recently upgraded to a $60 amplified, directional antenna and reception became more reliable (though still subject to the occasional hiccup).
2006-10-13 07:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by themikejonas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are close in, you'll only need a decent UHF antenna. local HD uses the same frequencies that regular UHF stations use. You shouldn't pay more than 30$. Avoid special "HD antennas".
http://www.antennaweb.org
At least where I live, there is quite a bit of over the air HD content. It doesn't make sense to pay for it on cable. Cable does offer things like ESPN and Discovery in HD, but this is added cost to the basic digital plan. Not worth it for a couple of channels.
2006-10-13 10:22:00 · answer #2 · answered by siberia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get a rough idea of what you can receive at your location from this site: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
However, there are so many variables affecting individual locations that there is no way to tell if you can get good reception without trying it.
By the way, there is no such thing as an "HD antenna"; all TV antennas are the same, and they are either VHF, UHF or both in one. Any antenna that receives a good signal from the station will work for both analog, digital and HDTV reception.
2006-10-13 21:38:38 · answer #3 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am fifteen miles from an HD repeater and cannot pull a signal even with an enhanced antenna. It is UHF which is a long wave and does not carry well. Even people in the city near stations report only patchy good reception.
2006-10-13 10:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Antenna Arrays work on absorbing signals from land-based Transmitters or Stationary Satellites.
Not Sure where Your HD signal would Come from!
A hard wired Solution would obtain the best clarity of signal to Noise ratio!
Check your HD signal providers web site or Customer Service Team for Precise information!
2006-10-13 10:11:42 · answer #5 · answered by J. Charles 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you are within 30 miles you can get away with a small indoor or outdoor antenna without having to put it on your roof.
Reception is generally higher resolution than what the cable co. is offering. You should get a few channels in most areas now
2006-10-13 10:09:32 · answer #6 · answered by SunyJim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋