I'm trying to setup better HD reception (aren't we all). But after going through all the effort to have speaker and AV cables routed through the walls to keep a nice clean look, my wife and I don't to slap an antenna on the table. I certainly want to get an antenna, I just want to be able to hide it. I'm superficial that way, so on to the possible solution that I'm curious if anyone can help with.

What I do have access to is the previously made paths for cables. The Rear speaker line runs through the wall into the basement. Across the the ceiling of the unfinished basement to the other side of the room and back up behind the couch.

Obviously the closer an antenna is to an unobstructed signal the better. So going to the basement causes a problem, although from what I've seen it may still be OK with a good antenna. However in the basement, I'm free to do whatever I want. I could build a full array across 1000 sqft of ceiling if I wanted. I was specifically pondering whether or not I could take advantage of the copper pipes that criss-cross most of the basement ceiling. I know that copper is conductive but have no idea how it does if you tie into it for an antenna signal. (obviously I know nothing what-so-ever about antennas)

Also, please keep in mind, that when I say build a full array across the basement, I don't have cable for or satellite for a reason, and it's a recession. I'm trying to be creative to get better results, not create something that an engineer would stop by and a tear roll down his cheek at it's beauty. Thanks for any help

Substantially all of your copper plumbing is grounded. That means radio signals get shunted to ground along with static electricity, so the pipes are of no use as an antenna. Even if the pipes weren't grounded, an antenna like this would be incorrectly sized, too low and probably not pointed in the right direction.

Instead, buy a good VHF/UHF antenna suitable for your area, install it in your attic, and run an RG-6 coax cable from the antenna down to the basement. If you're within 35 miles of the transmitters, have line of sight to them (not blocked by big hills, ridges, buildings etc.), and the attic isn't a "signal-free zone" thanks to a metal roof or foil-lined insulation in the walls up there, a simple setup like this will cost less than $100 and work pretty well in most areas. The coax cable can either be "fished" trough walls, closets and/or chases down through the interior of the house, or routed to an outside wall and sent down to the basement that way.

Enter your address here (http://www.tvfool.com/) to see what kind of antenna you need to buy. Post the results back here.

Forget the copper pipes andputting an antenna in the basement.

sadly since I'm a new to the forums I can't post a link until I've done at least 3 posts... who knew. My area and Zipcode is Cincinnati OH 45223. It gives pretty much the same result with or without the address line, so you can use that as a reference.

Your tvfool.com report looks like this:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618a028c7a43a2

The signals are quite strong in your area, so it looks promising especially if there is a basement window facing the transmitters (S, SE or SSE). Try a UHF antenna first because it's small. You can always add a VHF-Hi antenna later for 10 and 12. Or, try a small UHF & VHF-Hi combo antenna.

I'm pretty close to downtown transmitters, and was hoping that was going to help. And yes there is a basement window facing that direction.

Just have to try it now, thanks for the help

That's different! At that distance from the towers, you should be OK, even in the basement. Try something very simple first, and UNamplified.

This rabbit ear/loop antenna from Radio Shack works well for many people close to transmitters. It has also gotten very good reviews in the AVS antenna forums.
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2265519w345.jpg (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077