Comments on: How to pick an HDTV antenna?

Question: How to pick an HDTV antenna?

gyc — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 10:43:08 -0800

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?

By: Sagres

Sagres — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 10:54:45 -0800

I have the Zenith Silver Sensor which I am very happy with. I bought this antenna after reading many favorable reviews.

By: TonyRobots

TonyRobots — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 10:59:25 -0800

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.)

By: deadfather

deadfather — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:01:28 -0800

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.

By: Sagres

Sagres — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:04:53 -0800

"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?

By: SpookyFish

SpookyFish — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:23:55 -0800

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.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:10:17 -0800

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.

By: TonyRobots

TonyRobots — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:27:57 -0800

Sorry, I'm an idiot. Apologies for posting on something I know dangerously little about.

By: sixpack

sixpack — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:48:53 -0800

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.

By: gyc

gyc — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 15:37:23 -0800

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.

By: deadfather

deadfather — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 15:43:16 -0800

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.

By: deadfather

deadfather — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 15:44:13 -0800

I just ordered the Zenith Silver Sensor.

O wasted nitpick!

By: gyc

gyc — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 20:17:24 -0800

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