Archive for the ‘HDTV’ Category
The Perfect HDTV Antenna
The choice to use broadcast television is becoming more common. The cost of cable is frequently seen as one place to tighten the budget. Even a high end HDTV antenna is likely less than one month of cable fees. Getting a good antenna can seem like rolling the dice, but that is not the case. The answers to some questions can make your choice much simpler. It all starts with those answers.
Finding out which channels are available in your location is not difficult. However, signal strength will vary. Line of sight is important and the direction of the signal is important too. If there are mountains, houses or buildings blocking the signal, you may need more than the simplest antenna.
Ask at your retail dealer about which broadcast stations and what their signal strength is at your location. The list might mention those that have strong signals and those that weaker. Your choice of antenna will strongly depend on the signal strength of the desired station or stations.
All right, now that you know what is out there, you can begin to think about a HDTV antenna. They come in a massive number of set ups. Table top, roof top, directional and omni-directional are just a few of the types. If you live in a flat area, you may not need more than a set top somewhat like the old rabbit ears. But if you have signals that vary in strength, you may want another sort.
If you find that the stations available have good strong signals, then you perhaps can try an array antenna. These are directional and need to be adjusted to get the best reception. Some have motorized turning mechanisms that allow you tune the reception from inside. Of course, the more you add, the higher the price. But there is another option that may cost more but not require tuning.
Another alternative to directional arrays is the omni-directional antenna. These are circular disks up to several inches thick and installed on the roof. They also have powered amplifiers that can boost weaker signals. They can receive signals from all directions and require no tuning.
So there are several varieties of the HDTV antenna out there. Costs range from less than twenty five dollars to over one hundred dollars. Which one you might want will depend on the reception strength of the stations you want as well as the amount you want to invest. But knowing which stations are out there is where to start.
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