Hello all! I'm a complete n00b, so ANY help would be MUCH appreciated! Here's my scenario-

I've got a Mitsu 65" DLP tv...I've just moved to Nashville TN, and can't stand the cable provider here(Charter). I can't get Direct tv because I'm told(by Direct tv's tech) that the # of HUGE trees right beside my house will jack up my HD signal.

I'm getting RAKED by Charter, and don't need half of the channels we have. I only need the big networks, in HD.

Please tell me what I have to do? Don't laugh, but cashed in a coupon for one of those digital converter boxes due to the switch to Analog.

Do I need to buy an addtl indoor antenna? Buddy of mine doesn't have an indoor/outdoor antenna, has an HD flatscreen, and just got one of these converter boxes. He removed his cable box, and is still getting big networks(ABC, CBS, etc) in HD?

I've tried, but I can't get ANY channels..what the heck am I doing wrong?

I'd love to think I'm intelligent, but this is making me feel like a huge idiot :)

Thanks in advance!!

1) Go to tvfool.com, enter your address and post the results.

2) We need to know how many TV's (ATSC tuners) you plan to feed off your antenna.

3) The boxes you get from the coupon program can't output HD resolutions, either you need an ATSC tuner built into your set or you need to buy a stand alone HD capable ATSC tuner.I'm going to guess your friend's set has one built in, if he's using one of those coupon boxes, he's not watching his local OTA channels in HD either.

Excellent advice in the post above.


Check tvfool.com to see what is available in your area (e,g, stations, signal strength etc.).


The trees you mentioned, may be problematic.



If your TV does not have an ATSC tuner, there are HDTVconverters available from $60+ (although not coupon eligible).


I gave up cable because I found in A/B test), the picture quality was better with OTA antenna reception (to fit all those channels on their pipe, the cable providers do much more compression, loosing fidelity).



Rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp High Definition (HD) digital program with enhanced audio (i.e. 5.1 surround sound) and/or multiple Standard Definition (SD) digital Dolby, programs simultaneously.



For example; in Boston, the NBC affiliate is broadcasting NBC programming in HD on channel 7.1 as well as MGM movies in SD on channel 7.2, one of the PBS stations is multi-casting 4 different programs, which adds World, Create, Kids, on channels 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 and 44.4. We also have many new channels such as the Retro Television Network, airing classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, DAYSTAR, ION (including IONLife, Qubo), full time weather etc..

Rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp High Definition (HD) digital program with enhanced audio (i.e. 5.1 surround sound) and/or multiple Standard Definition (SD) digital Dolby, programs simultaneously.



For example; in Boston, the NBC affiliate is broadcasting NBC programming in HD on channel 7.1 as well as MGM movies in SD on channel 7.2, one of the PBS stations is multi-casting 4 different programs, which adds World, Create, Kids, on channels 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 and 44.4. We also have many new channels such as the Retro Television Network, airing classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, DAYSTAR, ION (including IONLife, Qubo), full time weather etc..

The problem with this is the broadcasters can only send out so much bandwidth over their digital channel, when they start adding sub channels, it takes away from the available bandwidth to the primary HD channel which can impact it's PQ.

Ok, now I KNOW i'm not intelligent :) I did the search..I've got a bunch of results..which do you guys need? I only have one tv I'll be using. 'm assuming based on these results, I'd know if I need an antenna or not?

Below are my options..which ones should I post(pending I can figure out how to post :))


Current FCC database: All channels (save image)
Only Digital (save image)
Only Analog (save image)

Post-transition*:
(after 6/12/09) All channels (save image)
Only Digital (save image)
Only Analog (save image)

Buddy of mine doesn't have an indoor/outdoor antenna, has an HD flatscreen, and just got one of these converter boxes. He removed his cable box, and is still getting big networks(ABC, CBS, etc) in HD?If he doesn't have an antenna, and he's just hooked into the coax from the wall, it almost sounds like he's still getting the local channels from the cable company (cable companies generally don't encrypt local channels, and so if you're a subscriber - perhaps he's not officially cancelled yet or he still has high-speed internet from them - a TV with a QAM tuner can get them w/o a cable box).

Unless you live practically in the shadow of the stations' transmitter towers, you need an antenna of some sort.

We need post transition, digital only.

Before tackling an antenna project find out if your TV has a QAM (digital cable) tuner. If so, just plug into the wall and scan for digital cable chs.

Before tackling an antenna project find out if your TV has a QAM (digital cable) tuner. If so, just plug into the wall and scan for digital cable chs.

Don't think that'd work? I still have cable service?

see attached for tvfool.com search results.

I've known of cancelled cable service where they never rolled a truck to actually CUT off the basic cable. It very well may be active, and the QAM would probably have at least the locals in HD. It's worth a shot to try for sure. Like it's been said above, unless your TV has a QAM tuner it won't matter. Does your TV have an ATSC (digital) tuner? Hook up some sort of antenna, and get to scanning.

I'm sure some would argue that it's stealing, maybe it is, but until he gets his antenna sorted out, it would/could be a work around.

nate22,
You may be able get at least the first 4 channels in the tvfool results you posted, with an indoor antenna.
This one (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077) and this one (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034) have gotten good reviews on AVSForum. Start simple with something you can return if it doesn't work for you.

We need to know more about your TV to be more specific as what you need in order to receive digital broadcasts. There are three possibilities:

1) Your set is standard definition and has a built-in NTSC (analog) tuner only. In that case, all you can do is to get one of those digital converters available with the coupons, and hook it up with an antenna.

2) Your set is an "HD ready" unit that probably has an analog NTSC tuner built in, but no ATSC (digital) tuner. In that case, you need to buy a digital set top box (STB) and hook it up with an antenna. The STB is very much like the digital converter box, but also has high definition outputs. Samsung makes a nice STB, the DTB-H260F that you can pick up at Best Buy for about $180.

3) Your set already has a built-in digital ATSC tuner, in which case all you need is an antenna!

In any case, I think you are making a wise move. THe picture quality on over-the-air digital TV is generally better than cable or satellite, and it is free! Also, I think you will be pleasantly surprised as to how many channels will be available to you.

K..here's where I am...I had a tv service shop guy come out to look at my DLP bulb....while here, he said the tv DOES have the built in tuner capable of receiving HD signals.

He's plugged the coaxial from the wall straight to the tv.....