How to pick an HDTV antenna?

December 6, 2005 10:43 AM

HDTV Antenna question: My folks are getting a new HDTV delivered in two weeks or so. Their local cable company doesn't offer all of the local networks in hi-def so my folks are thinking of getting an antenna in the attic to pull in the rest of the local hi-def signals.

Does anyone have an indoors antenna system that they are happy with for pulling down HDTV? I have used AntennaWeb and tried reading the antennas forum at AVS forum but it just ends up confusing me even more. How well do rotators work and is it worth the extra cost? Are the "HD antennas" at Radio Shack adequate or do I want something else? Is there anything else I need to know?

posted by gyc to technology (12 comments total)

I have the Zenith Silver Sensor which I am very happy with. I bought this antenna after reading many favorable reviews.
posted by Sagres at 10:54 AM on December 6, 2005

Note that the "Zenith Silver Sensor" seems to be a UHF-only antenna, so likely wouldn't receive the local broadcast nets you're talking about (which are likely to be in VHF.)
posted by TonyRobots at 10:59 AM on December 6, 2005

You only need a rotator if you need to receive channels from multiple directions--and even then only if they are distant (>20 miles).

The Silver Sensor is always a pleaser; I have a Terk in the attic that I picked from Best Buy (~$50) and it works well to pick up the major networks of the two cities I live between.

I would definitely invest in an amp--Radio Shack sells one for about $20: one piece (solid-state) connects right at the amp (in your case, in the attic) to refine the signal and the actual amp is plugged in and connected near your TV.
posted by deadfather at 11:01 AM on December 6, 2005

"so likely wouldn't receive the local broadcast nets you're talking about (which are likely to be in VHF.)"

That's interesting. I receive all local HD broadcasts via the SS. What I am missing by not having VHF?
posted by Sagres at 11:04 AM on December 6, 2005

Yes, the major networks are almost always broadcast on VHF (ch 2-13), but only for their analog NTSC signals. The corresponding digital ATSC versions are in UHF.
posted by SpookyFish at 11:23 AM on December 6, 2005

You can check at Antennaweb to see which, if any, of your local digital broadcasts are on VHF. Around here, there's only 1 or 2.
posted by rxrfrx at 12:10 PM on December 6, 2005

Sorry, I'm an idiot. Apologies for posting on something I know dangerously little about.
posted by TonyRobots at 12:27 PM on December 6, 2005

Do not go nuts buying expensive antennas for this job. A simple pair of rabbit ears can actually do a decent job, believe it or not. I have had bad experience with "powered" antennas, which tend to interfere more than improve the signal. After running your antenna cable to the attic , try connecting whatever antennas you already own.
My best solution is a typical 4-foot wide rooftop antenna array (you know, like a tree branch variety) that I've attached to the ceiling (indoors) of my attic. It works quite nicely.
Over-the-air HD signals are either perfect or non-existent -- there's no fuzzy in-between, so it's not like an expensive HD-devoted antenna will improve reception you may already be getting with a cheaper antenna.
As an aside, pulling in local digital signals gives you a wealth of channels you never knew existed. I get all kinds of funky PBS/ABC/Spanish Language alternatives, not to mention an all-local weather channel in Philly, which I don't believe are available on my cable or satellite.
posted by sixpack at 12:48 PM on December 6, 2005

I just ordered the Zenith Silver Sensor. I'll report back on how well it works for my parents. Thanks for all of the help.
posted by gyc at 3:37 PM on December 6, 2005

A simple pair of rabbit ears can actually do a decent job, believe it or not.

sixpack has good advice, but I'll nitpick and say that "rabbit ears," in the strictest sense of two adjustable diverging antennae, are more suited to pick up VHF frequencies. Just remember that you want to pick up UHF; any antenna that says it's designed for UHF, or, absent that, one that makes a circle or figure 8, is better for your purpose.
posted by deadfather at 3:43 PM on December 6, 2005

I just ordered the Zenith Silver Sensor.

O wasted nitpick!
posted by deadfather at 3:44 PM on December 6, 2005

Update for anyone that cares: My parents can get all of the digital signals in the area except one (which is notoriously difficult to get with just an indoor antenna), and these are signals from up to 30 miles away, so they're very happy with the Zenith Silver Sensor. Thanks to everyone for their help
posted by gyc at 8:17 PM on December 16, 2005