Over The Air HD by Antenna

[Real Corona]

Today I was at the electronics store buying a TV and I noticed an over the air HD antenna. Has anyone tried this way to get HD?

[socceraction]

First off, understand the terminology. A HD antenna will still need a tuner to watch programming in HD. Just like TV's, simply because it says HDTV, does not mean you are watching TV in high definition. You still need a source.

There are 3 ways to utilize a HD antenna to receive HD signals:

1. Your TV has a built-in HD tuner. Then all you need to do is connect the antenna to the TV and you can watch whatever programming is being beamed to you in HD. Most TV's are "HD capable" and don't come with a built-in tuner.

2. If your TV does not have a tuner, you can purchase a stand-alone HD tuner. Go to ebay and search "HDTV tuner" and you should have lots to choose from although Samsung has had this market cornered for some time.

3. If you have Dishnetwork or Direct TV, you can hook-up your HD antenna to the back of the receiver as there is a special "antenna" coax connector there. Go to the setup menu and download the local HD channels which then become a part of your on-screen guide (although without details of specific programming).

Only other thing to add is to avoid small "top of the TV" antennas that claim HD capability (aka rabbit ears). They just don't work well. I personally use a $75 antenna from Radio Shack that is plugged into the back of my Dish receiver. Being close to downtown Chicago, I receive exactly 30 local channels.

SA

[wjarrettc]

Use antennaweb.org to find out what size/type of Over the Air antenna you will need based on your location.

I use a mid-sized directional aerial on the roof of my house to pull down all my local channels in HD and the reception is terrific. The signals are uncompressed (unlike on satellite or cable) and much more reliable (no rain fade like satellite).