A lot of people ask us, which antenna is best for receiving digital television. The truth is, if you get a good analog signal on your existing antenna, you should get a good digital signal as well. If you have trouble though, you may need to look into a new antenna. There are lots of models out there from antennas that look like picture frames, to rabbit ears and larger external models.
The newest antennas we've found are the Clearstream antennas from Antennas Direct. They can be mounted on the outside of your house, on a poll or even inside your attic. We're in the procss of testing these antennas for ourselves and we'll let you know how they work.
what kind of an antenna do i need im live in kershaw county
Posted by: william martin | November 10, 2008 at 07:19 PM
I've seen some confusion about VHF versus UHF antennas, because most digital TVs and tuners hide the actual digital channel number and show only the virtual channel number which matches the analog channel number. WIS for example shows up as 10.1 and 10.2 on digital tuners, which looks like VHF, even though the signal is actually on channel 41 (UHF) right now.
Also, some people are under the impression that VHF is going to go away when analog signals shut down in February, and all digital signals will be on UHF. This is definitely not the case in the Columbia area! WIS will move its digital signal to channel 10, and your colleagues at WOLO already use channel 8 for their digital signal.
People in the Columbia area need to be aware that they need an antenna that can receive both VHF and UHF, after the analog signals shut down.
If you're putting up a new outdoor antenna, you should investigate one of the newer models that start at channel 7 and omit the "low VHF" channels (2-6). These are a lot smaller and lighter than antennas that can receive the entire VHF range.
Posted by: Jon Bell | November 18, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Good info from Jon on comment above.
I'd also like to comment that there is really no such thing as a "HDTV" antenna or "DTV" antenna -- those are only marketing phrases you might see in advertisements.
In a way, we (those who use over-the-air to view TV) are going back to the future - in that the old technology of VHF/UHF signals are now bringing high quality digital and sometimes High Definition content (depending if the program is broadcast in HD to begin with).
Signals will be best captured with a high mounted, outdoor old-timey type UHF/VHF antenna, pointed in the correct position to gather all it can from the transmitting towers. Just like always, you have to position to optimize the gathering of signals.
Maybe check out the TV signal locater at tvfool.com to see what is around your area. Of course like Jon said, after the eventual DTV switch, broadcasters may change the frequency they are using in which case you will need to take another look at your configuration/direction/re-scan channels.
"Converter Boxes" are only needed for people who watch over the air (not cable, not satellite) and ALSO have older TV's which do not accept digital TV signal. Most likely any TV purchased in the last 5 years or so is already capable of digital reception. You will have to check for your model to see if it is digital compatible.
If you already have an antenna and think you might have a TV which might be digital compatible, try doing a "channel scan" on the TV configuration menu and see if you pick up the new DTV broadcasts.
Posted by: John | March 22, 2009 at 11:11 PM
This has been a big farce from the start. First, when they advertised switch, it led people to believe that the switch was TO digital. In fact, this was wrong. WIS is already digital and has been for sometime in order to broadcast via cable and satellite. I wrote a letter to the editor of The State on this and it never got printed, even though I was re-contacted for further information. Ironically, the next television add explained in reality that the big switch was an OFF switch for analog signals. This digital switch is not going to help those with HD, as the programming from the major networks is HD, but not being re-broadcast locally in HD. This seems to across the board for all the local stations. It is even a sadder day when people who own receivers and televisions capable of HD reception are being denied access to these signals by the local television stations. This is essentially the case with satellite systems. The major network feeds are there, in HD, but due to idiotic lobbying which resulted in ridiculous laws, the local broadcasting stations have been able to block those who "may" be able to receive their broadcasts from gaining access the HD primetime shows. There was a time when a waiver could be issued for satellite users to receive the network feeds. Those days are gone..and it is truly sad that South Carolina has limited our right to freedom of choice by forcing their local agenda on us. It is time to revolt. Get with your government representatives and state this argument. Get with the times South Carolina...
It will be a surprise if this is allowed to be blogged!
Posted by: Wes Tanner | June 03, 2009 at 11:44 AM