My very first HDTV is on order. So I bought an indoor antenna (Terk HDTVa) that I hooked up to my old TV and it receives analog TV very well (I'm less than 25 miles from sources and slightly elevated compared to surroundings).

UHF comes in great but two of the four VHF channels are a little fuzzy.

My question is, since HD reception is either "you get it or you don't", how can I expect the fuzzy analog channels to compare to their digital counterparts once I have the HDTV?

For example, Ch 2 has some static for me. No amount of adjustment changes this (it's an indoor antenna and an outdoor antenna is not going to happen). So how well will the digital version Ch 2.1 come in? All or none?

Thanks for any help.

Zip code ? We can't tell anything from what you have given us so far. It is 100% sure that your analog channel 2 is on a differnt channel for their digital broadcast, and what's fuzzy there maybe perfectly fine for the digital.

Let me re-phrase my question. If I receive channel 8 shown below with an analog signal that is watchable but has static, will the digital channel 8.1 shown below (assuming it is sent with the same signal strength as the analog signal) be "on" or "off" (or something in between)?

Everyone keeps telling me that a digital channel is "either you get it or you don't". What I want to know is how poor does the signal need to be before it flips to "you don't get it"?

Can I expect to get 8.1 in perfect clarity even though Ch 8 has some static? Or since Ch 8 has static is Ch 8.1 not going to display at all?

yellow - vhf KUHT 8 PBS HOUSTON TX 282° 23.6 8
yellow - vhf KUHT-DT 8.1 PBS HOUSTON TX 282° 23.6 9

Houston's Channel 8 (digital version) is actually broadcast on channel 9 (frequency). I can pick up analog ch. 8 with a bit of snow and still get 8.1 on most occasions. Where in the Houston area do you live (i.e. zip code)?

Let me re-phrase my question. If I receive channel 8 shown below with an analog signal that is watchable but has static, will the digital channel 8.1 shown below (assuming it is sent with the same signal strength as the analog signal) be "on" or "off" (or something in between)?

Everyone keeps telling me that a digital channel is "either you get it or you don't". What I want to know is how poor does the signal need to be before it flips to "you don't get it"?
Too many variables to answer your second question with any specifics. The station is sending out a digital signal on a different channel and different power level. It is tricky to project from the analog picture quality to whether you will get a solid digital signal.

Again, your zip code please so we can provide some meaningful advice on whether the Terk HDTVa - which is the amplified VHF rabbit ear & Silver Sensor combo - is a suitable antenna for your location and distance from the broadcast towers. Also, some information on whether you live in a house or apartment, are surrounded by tall trees, live at low elevation or up on a hill would also be helpful.

Btw, the only major digital stations in Houston transmitting via VHF are PBS (on channel 9) and Ion (on channel 5). Channel 2.1 (KPRC) is broadcast digitally in the UHF spectrum.

Btw, the only major digital stations in Houston transmitting via VHF are PBS (on channel 9) and Ion (on channel 5). Channel 2.1 (KPRC) is broadcast digitally in the UHF spectrum.
A quick check of the FCC post analog shutdown digital channel assignments shows three stations will be broadcasting on upper VHF: 8, 11, 13. If KPXB-DT is the Ion/Pax station, it looks as if it may be switching to UHF 32 in 2009, which would eliminate any need to worry about getting low VHF stations (depending on how much value one puts on getting Ion/Pax programming).

Too many variables to answer your second question with any specifics. The station is sending out a digital signal on a different channel and different power level. It is tricky to project from the analog picture quality to whether you will get a solid digital signal.


Thanks, that's what I was wondering.

My sister lives in Pearland. I set her Dish 622 with a set of cheap rabbit ears and she gets every digital channel available in Houston including PBS.

The only way to know is to try it. Get a DTV tuner (from a source that has a good return policy) & use the existing antenna.