HDTV anntena question

[rowech]

Because I have Time Warner and Time Warner sucks, I am stuck needing to get an antenna for HD for our NBC affiliate. It comes through on channel 2 so I believe I need a VHF anntena of some sort. I know this channel does broadcast in HDTV so I wonder if I can get by without the fancy HDTV anntena and just get a regular one and be alright to receive the HD broadcast.

[cartman]

Nope, you are gonna have to get an antenna that says it is for HD. HD broadcasts on a different set of frequencies than standard def channels.

[Craptacular]

One thing you might want to do is go to antennaweb.org. You can punch in your address, and it will tell you what stations broadcast in your area, how far away you are from their towers, and in what compass direction they are from you. It will also tell you the type of antenna you'll need.

[rowech]

I did actually go to that site. Thanks guys.

[Tekneek]

HD does not broadcast on a different set of frequencies. The frequencies are in the same broadcast range as the standard definition channels. They are still either channels 2-13 in VHF, or 14-69 in UHF. The difference is in the tuner required to receive these digital broadcasts, opposed to the analog standard definition broadcasts. Additionally, you have to really be able to lock in the signal because either you get it clearly or you don't get it at all (unlike standard definition where you can have a little bit of 'snow' in the picture, or accept an amount of 'ghosting' (signal reflection) on the screen).

[Samdari]

Most broadcast stations these days are still sending out their normal analog signal on their originally assigned (usually VHF) frequency. Those that also broadcast digital send out a separate signal on a UHF frequency that your tuner will map to 2-1. So, you most likely need an antenna that is capable of receiving UHF. Many of these are labeled HD antennas these days, but it doesn't necesarily need to, it just needs to say UHF. Antennaweb will tell you what kind of antenna you'll need to get the station in question.

[Tekneek]

Not all stations have their digital signals going out on UHF channels, though. In Atlanta, the NBC affiliate has channel 11 for their analog signal and has channel 10 for their digital signal. Make sure you check it for your area and the channels you are trying to get.

Once the analog signals are turned off (which should happen eventually), the stations will have the option to send the digital signal out on their original analog channel (presumably, most will do this).

[rowech]

This is what it says for our NFL affiliate:

<TABLE class=text cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc33>yellow - uhf (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/antenna.aspx?color=Y)</TD><TD class=text>WDTN-DT</TD><TD class=text>2.1</TD><TD class=text>NBC</TD><TD class=text>DAYTON</TD><TD class=text>OH</TD><TD class=text></TD><TD class=text>352°</TD><TD class=text>8.2</TD><TD class=text>50</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Would it need to be a HD antenna or just a regular one?

[stevew]

You should theoretically be able to get that channell with a set top antenna that might cost between 10-30 bucks.

[rowech]

gotta love that word theoretically.

[stevew]

gotta love that word theoretically.

Well, I bought a set top antenna for around 18 bucks the other day that worked fine to get locals, but I have a crappy TV and wouldn't be able to get the hd anyways. You're only 2.1 miles away from the broadcast point, if you went to walmart and got a cheap antenna that says HD compatible on the box, you could just try it out, and if it doesn't work just return it.

[rowech]

Probably what it's going to take.

[Eaglesfan27]

I have a Terk HD antenna, and it really does a great job of getting HD channels and I'm about 15-20 miles away from the broadcast towers and it is only about 50 dollars. It sits right next to my HDTV. You might want to check it out.

[rowech]

My problem with that one is we get all our other local channels in HD. The only one we don't is the NBC affiliate and it's not because of the station. It's because of beloved Time Warner. To switch to Direct TV though we would have to get a land line and then our high speed internet switched and there's nothing out there comparing to the speed of road runner. Catch-22 really.

[stevew]

I can't stand TW either. Their rates for cable seem rediculous compared to the company that served where I lived previously. Digital service was more than 2 times what a comparitive DirecTV package would be.