If you recall in my first article about switching from analog to digital, TV stations will begin broadcasting in digital formats on or before June 12, 2009. For those of you with analog antennas (aka “bunny ears”) this means that you will either have to buy a digital TV antenna or subscribe to cable or satellite services.
So, recently I purchased a digital TV antenna to test reception of Over-The-Air (OTA) television network broadcasts. These are quite different from the analog TV antennas that we have all seen on roof-tops or on top of televisions for many years. I purchased a “Terrestrial Digital DB2 Multi-Directional HDTV Antenna” for $39.99. Then I plugged in the antenna directly to my digital TV. If you don’t have a digital TV you will need to a Digital-to-Analog converter box as a go between.
Then in order to tune the direction of the digital antenna, I went to a website called Antennaweb.org, where you can input your home address and it provides you with the channels you are likely to receive along with directional information.
After that I hung the antenna on the wall (it’s recommended that you mount it on your roof) just to test it. I was impressed to that I was still able to receive High Definition 
TV (HDTV). Here is a list of the channels I could receive in digital format:
- OPB
- KMTR
- KEZI
- KLSR
- KEVU
I also noticed that these stations are broadcasting in 480i, 720p and 1080i display resolutions. For example, I am getting some of these stations on multiple channels in different resolutions and I am quite happy with the clarity of the channels in 720p and 1080i, both of which considered (HDTV).
In all, I am pleased with the channels I am receiving and would be interested in hearing from some of you to compare results. Has anyone installed a digital TV antenna and if so what results did you get?
Photo credit: Gary Scott
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s been my experience that you can receive some higher-powered HD signals with old-fashioned rabbit ears. You can also make your own coat hanger HD antenna by following this YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw). Radio Shack will allow to return any antenna they sell if it doesn’t work. Don’t listen to what the salespeople recommend, though. The chances of them knowing what will and won’t work in your neighborhood are slim to none. I bought the $50 powered antenna they told me didn’t work (It’s white, and about the size of a hardback book) and installed it on my roof. I get OPB, KLSR, KEZI, KMTR and KVAL, although, a curious thing has been happening since the DTV switchover started. At times I simply won’t get an HD signal. Anyone else have a similar experience? Does the signal strength fluctuate?
Thanks for the great comment and youtube video suggestion!
I have not noticed a loss of HD signal yet, but I am new to this. Question for you. Do you have the ability to point your antenna in the direction recommended by http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx and do you have line of site, or any structures that could block the channel(s) in question?
A small correction. My family uses a newer, LCD TV that has a digital tuner. We do not subscribe to any service (cable, satellite, etc.) and only receieve tradition “over-the-air” broadcasts.
Now that most stations have added digital broadcasts to their offerings, we are able to receive them with the old “rabbit ears” that previously received old, analoge broadcasts.
Suddenly, some antennas are labeled “digital” or “high def”–and in some cases they may help capture difficult or distant stations–but they are not required to receive over-the-air digital signals.
I even tried a powered, digital antenna in my home and it offered no improvement over the ancient rabbit ears that have moved with us from 20 plus years!
Matt, thanks for that feedback. That’s good to know. I wish I had some rabbit ears to test my reception with them in my area.
I live in South Eugene on w 39th, i have an indoor outdoor
antenna, antennas direct clearstream. the antenna is mounted
on the side of the house, i rarely can get cbs. and in stormy weather the reception on all the cahnnels is bad. just set up the antenna and had good reception at the start during good weather except cbs. Any suggestions?