HD: Cable vs air signal

apc

We've got 2 HD TVs, but have not upgraded to digital cable with HD. Spoke with the company yesterday and the cost per set is pretty high. Someone told me we could pick up local channels in HD using an antenna. Anyone else doing this? Is it as good as cable? I'm told Terk makes an antenna in the $40 range that is recommended for this.

edit - this may be better suited for Electronics. If so, can it be moved?

tryrrthg

I use a big antenna in my attic, I got it from Radio Shack, works great. No need to spend high dollar on a Terk. Any cheap set of rabbit ears will work (as long as you are close enough to the signal) Over the air is the best signal you can feed your HDTV.

From Crutchfield:

Over-the-air digital reception provides the best picture quality: Cable and satellite providers offer tons of channels, but to do this they use data compression or other techniques that compromise picture quality, resulting in a "soft" image, distracting video "artifacts" (distortion), or both. Off-air antenna reception is the best way to enjoy HDTV programs at the full resolution the TV networks intended.

Link to full article

this web site can help you find the right antenna for your area

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

apc

Very good info. I didn't realize air was better! Thanks.

Ricardo

I have over the air with a $70 (I think) Winegard(SP) antenna; I live 20-25 miles from most stations and couldn't be happier with PQ and SQ; Even in strong storms my Directv signal dies way before my HD signal.

jrlouie

tryrrthg wrote:

Any cheap set of rabbit ears will work (as long as you are close enough to the signal)

Interesting, I didn't realize this. I'm just a little pissed right now because Charter decided to yank CBS high-def because they don't want to pay a fee to CBS (apparently CBS is trying to charge them). What terrible timing with the Super Bowl just around the corner. I get every other high-def channel through Charter.
Maybe I'll go buy a relatively cheap antenna and see how it looks. Any specific budget antenna recommendations?

McLoki

I purchased a budget antenna ($20 at american) and put it behind my TV. You can't see it and I get cbs, nbc, abc, fox and pbs in high def. My TV has an optical out connection that I am not currently using, but if I were to hook it up, it would be in surround sound as well. (currently just using the TV speakers for high def shows)

Michael

Ricardo

This the one I have, and works great; I'm sure you can get something cheaper that works as good. I have the optical out from the TV into the AVR and get great DD sound.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&PROD=SS-1000

Here's another place $20 cheaper
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/ss1000.htm

bobman1235

Wish my Comcast DVR could record OTA channels, I'd definitely throw up an antenna, but I can't go back to commercials

halo

I've found that the rooftop antenna provides a better signal than a pair of rabbit ears. I got a lot of signal break up w/ pixelation using the bunny ears that I don't get with the big guy on the roof. Even during heavy storms the signal never completely goes out (or even sufferes that much).

tommyboy

Just make sure the tv you are hooking the antenna to has a built in HD tuner. If not, you will have to dish out another $100-200 for one. You probably can find cheaper ones online, I never looked.

jrlouie

Yeah, I've got a built in HD tuner. Apparently Charter is negotiating with CBS and until then, can't broadcast their HD. So at any rate, the need for an antenna might only be temporary. I'm not sure.
So, I'm thinking about grabbing a cheapo indoor (live in an apartment downtown) that'll get the job done. Hopefully I can find one. I might stop by Radioshack this evening.

vhabaygiurbm

I didn't know the over the air would be better..interesting.

apc

This is all new to me and my Sharp only has one 75 0hm input. I have basic cable, but want to try the air based HD. Does this mean I have to get an A/B box or is there another alternative?

Shizelbs

My neighbor uses an antenna for his HD signal. It looks awesome. Probably better than my digital cable feed.

Ricardo

APC: If you have a receiver and your cable box has S-Video or Component video outputs, you can use those and get the audio into the receiver. (Make sure you do have a HD tuner built in for your TV)

ntculenuff

over the air antenna for me get all my local HD
I think the broadcasts look better than what the cable company is providing too.
the local HD that comes across the cable seems to digitize more and looks a bit muted in comparison

jrlouie

tryrrthg wrote:

Any cheap set of rabbit ears will work (as long as you are close enough to the signal)

I live downtown and around 10 miles from most towers (definitely not more than 15). I might give a cheapo RCA amplified indoor a shot, see what happens. Curiosity is getting me I guess

tryrrthg

jrlouie wrote:

I live downtown and around 10 miles from most towers (definitely not more than 15). I might give a cheapo RCA amplified indoor a shot, see what happens. Curiosity is getting me I guess

You may not even need to spend that much. go to wal mart and buy the cheapest rabbit ears you can find. I bought mine 3 or 4 years ago for $10-12, I think, but that was before people started buying them to get HD, prices are probably up now.

If you have a piece of long coax laying around just try plugging it into your TV and let it be the antenna, it may work, or it may not. but it would be a free attempt...

jrlouie

Holy crap! It works pretty good. I just took the little FM wire antenna I received with my Outlaw 990, which came with a coax connector, plugged her in, ran auto-setup on my Antenna input and boom, high-def. I now get CBS which is sweet for the Super Bowl.
Right now I’m watching “My Name is Earl” on FOX and the picture is amazing. For a while I’d get intermittent cutouts but it seems pretty stable now after rearranging the wire.

Ricardo

Good for you!!!! That was easy

McLoki

jrlouie wrote:

Holy crap! It works pretty good. I just took the little FM wire antenna I received with my Outlaw 990, which came with a coax connector, plugged her in, ran auto-setup on my Antenna input and boom, high-def. I now get CBS which is sweet for the Super Bowl.
Right now I’m watching “My Name is Earl” on FOX and the picture is amazing. For a while I’d get intermittent cutouts but it seems pretty stable now after rearranging the wire.

The intermittant cutouts are what you can reduce by getting a better antenna. If you are in a good location, a cheap antenna will be all you need. (its a digital signal, so its there or its not)

Michael