Thursday, February 17, 2011

Choosing Between An Outside Or Inside HDTV Antenna

By George Binder


It is not necessary to purchase cable or satellite service to view high definition television (HDTV). With an HDTV antenna there is no need to spend money on these expensive services. The way you watch television has been revolutionized. Congress enacted a law, the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, which changed everything. This law made the Federal Communication Commission force full-power television stations to no longer use analog television broadcasting by February 17, 2009. Later this date was pushed back to June 12, 2009.

People who own older analog models of television have to use a digital-to-analog converter box to be able to use the older technology. So congress also directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to develop and manufacture these converter boxes. Congress also provided coupons that consumers could use to pay for the converter boxes.

Some people do not want to pay for cable or satellite television, which can be rather expensive these days. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can use a regular television antenna to watch high definition television. There is nothing different from these than a regular one although there is some marketing spin used with it.

You must decide if you are going to use the antenna inside or outside. Usually you will want to put it outside, probably on your roof. It is easier to pick up the signal outside. In rural areas where the signals are not very strong you will have no choice but to put it outside. In urban areas where there is a high saturation of strong signals, it is probably OK to put it inside. Inside types are not exposed to the elements so they tend to last longer.

The federal law prohibits condo associations, local ordinances or other covenants that do not allow residents to install them outside. If your condo or apartment does not permit you to install on your roof, you can to point out the federal regulations to them. They can not legally stop you from doing it, although you may not make very many friends this way.

There are two bands of high definition television broadcasting. There is UHF and VHF. The majority of high definition TV broadcasters use the UHF band. Only about 10% are on the VHF band. The ones for VHF are a lot bigger, cost more money and are more difficult to install. There are combination VHF/UHF but the problems with these is they take away bandwidth from both bands.

A directional antenna will pick up signals from all directions. You will need a directional type if you live in an rural area where the signal is weak. An Omnidirectional type only receives a signal from one direction. You can use an omnidirectional if you live in a city where the signal is stronger.

An HDTV antenna is a great way to take advantage of the brilliant clear picture of high definition television. Why waste money with expensive cable or satellite service. These can cost more than $100 a month. You can see great shows and movies in high definition without these expensive services.




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