HD Question

[Cystate22]

I was wondering if there was something I could buy to allow me to get my local HD channels? I would need something that fits in my apartment. I have a 27in JVC HD TV. It has a built in tuner and is 1080i. I live in Reinbeck, Iowa. It is between Cedar Falls/Waterloo and Tama. I am about 20 miles south of Cedar Falls.

Is the signal strength good for you local channels there? I don't know much about this, but I have heard that people can get there local HD channels. My local Reinbeck cable company does not offer HD channels, so I was hoping to at least get my locals somehow. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[psycln11]

Flip off the cable and get HD rabbit ears for the local channels.

 

[ISUFan22]

Go here...

Antennaweb.org

All you have to enter is your zip code. You can enter your street address for a more exact location. A map will display allowing you to select your exact location if you do not use the street address.

After that, you'll get a list of HD locals available to you and the type of antenna you'll need.

 

[Cystate22]

Thank you very much for the info!

 

[ISUFan22]

It looks like you'll need a medium multi-directional antenna.

I'll admit, I'm not the best expert here when it comes to this stuff. A few members here have some really good knowledge that I've learned from.

I've heard this is a good one.

Zenith ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor HDTV Indoor UHF Antenna (ZHDTV1) | ZHDTV1 [Zenith] | rabbit ears

 

[nj829]

The best indoor bunny ear set I have seen and used is from Radio Shack, model RS-15 880. Cost is around $50, but if they don't work you can return them pretty much hassle free. Good luck! They work for me and my area is considered a medium multi area also. Since you are in an apartment, that may be your best option unless you can rig something outside and not get in trouble with the landlord!

 

[psycln11]

Go here...

Antennaweb.org

All you have to enter is your zip code. You can enter your street address for a more exact location. A map will display allowing you to select your exact location if you do not use the street address.

After that, you'll get a list of HD locals available to you and the type of antenna you'll need.

antennaweb will tell you the angle to aim your antenna. I live in ankeny so the angles are very close for the major channels as the signals are coming from Alleman.

Anyways, I do notice a difference with 5 vs. 8 & 13 when I rotate my antenna slightly to match what antannaweb recomends.

 

[clones26]

if you have directTV, arent the local stations already in HD?

 

[Cystate22]

I saw this on Bestbuy's website:
Do you think this is a good one?

Terk-Indoor Amplified HDTV Antenna for $69.99

Product Features

• Compact indoor antenna receives both UHF and VHF local HD reception of channels 2-69 for enjoying high-definition television programming without cable or satellite HDTV service; high back-to-front ratio rejects unwanted signals
• Amplification improves signal quality and high gain picks up further stations; 11-12dB typical amplifier gain
• Clean, aesthetically-pleasing design complements today's high-tech HDTV sets and tuners
• Small footprint base takes up less space; UHF antenna can be mounted vertically or horizontally for improved reception
• Connects easily to your set-top box or high-definition television; cable can be routed front or back for more flexible cable management
• Impedance: 75 ohms

 

[thunderdave]

if you have directTV, arent the local stations already in HD?

No, not yet.
At least not in central Iowa.

 

[ISUFan22]

You can get that same model for a lot less elsewhere. I'm pretty sure it's the same one I had before. I had issues with it, would sometimes get pixelation, etc. That can be a problem with the indoor antennas, especially if you walk in the line from the antenna to the HD tower.

Provide a link for it though, so I can tell if it's the same one I had.

 

[TxCycloneFan]

Flip off the cable and get HD rabbit ears for the local channels.

I'm about 30 miles from Austin and i can't get regular reception. I use a pair of powered rabbit ears I got at Wal-Mart and I get really good HD reception.

 

[bos]

You can get that same model for a lot less elsewhere. I'm pretty sure it's the same one I had before. I had issues with it, would sometimes get pixelation, etc. That can be a problem with the indoor antennas, especially if you walk in the line from the antenna to the HD tower.

Provide a link for it though, so I can tell if it's the same one I had.

I get pixelation from cable so thats no problem there. Cableone sucks.

 

[Cystate22]

Terk - Indoor Amplified HDTV Antenna - HDTVA

I have to have an indoor one as I live in an apartment, and an outdoor one is really not going to work for me. If you have any other suggestions of ones to buy for indoors I would be happy to listen. :smile: Thanks!

 

[Cystate22]

Should I just forget it since I just have regular cable? I see some people above say if you just have cable that is is bad? I guess I just want to see if I am wasting my time.

 

[superdorf]

Please... DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

Buy a cheap rabbit ear antenna first and try it... Then, if that doesn't work, buy a directional UHF antenna and mount it outside your house. I tried many powered antennas of varying price, and settled on a $25 antenna from Radio Shack.

 

[brianhos]

antennaweb will tell you the angle to aim your antenna. I live in ankeny so the angles are very close for the major channels as the signals are coming from Alleman.

Anyways, I do notice a difference with 5 vs. 8 & 13 when I rotate my antenna slightly to match what antannaweb recomends.

In ankeny, you should not have to do anything. I have a db2 sitting outside and never touch it, I get all the channels perfectly. I actually had everything coming in pretty well with just a paper clip in the antenna jack.

 

[brianhos]

Please... DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

Buy a cheap rabbit ear antenna first and try it... Then, if that doesn't work, buy a directional UHF antenna and mount it outside your house. I tried many powered antennas of varying price, and settled on a $25 antenna from Radio Shack.

Powered antennas are the problem they just do not work. Get a good quality zinwell or wineguard from solidsignal, it will last you forever and is really pretty cheap. Stay away from anything powered unless you are powering one of the HUGE antennas.

 

[Wesley]

Just try them out is what I gathered from various people. Keep going till you are happy. I have heard good and bad about the terk antennas. Seems to be only about 4 major distributors of indoor antennas. Definitely try indoors first before you go outside with all the hassle.

 

[brianhos]

Outdoor is going to be soooo much better, I cannot stress enough how much better it is going to be. It is worth the work if you are not really close to the towers.