If youre really hard-core, check outTVFool. This awesome site has beautiful maps (image at top and below) and takes into account mountains/line-of-sight from the transmission towers. If the basic maps of Antennaweb.org arent detailed enough for your area, TVFool should help out a lot. Its also nerdy-cool, and I know nerdy-cool. Heres a color-coded map of KNBCs coverage in Los Angeles. Sorry Burbank, no OTA Jay Leno for you.
From 1060 West Addison, most of the transmission towers are south, with some to the northwest. Reception is expected to be excellent, with the potential of catching a lot of channels.
If youre computer-savvy, you can build an HTPC that will act just like a DVR. I love my PC, but incorporating one into your living room isnt like plugging in a Blu-ray player. Many swear by it though, and Id love to hear from them in the comments on their best strategy.
How to get free HD with a QAM tuner
Recap: Diary of a cable TV cord cutter
Digital signals are rather finicky. I remember watching channel 56 in Boston growing up, and it would barely come in, with lots of snow and noise. How that infuriated my parents (youll ruin your eyes!). Digital signals arent like thatlightscribe blu ray blank discs. Check out my article onhow HDMI cables work(and how all perform the same), because over-the-air digital broadcasts have a similar perfect-or-unwatchable ilure. You either have all the signal, and its perfect, or you ll off the digital precipice, and youve got dropouts, visual articts, or just a blank screen.
The next step is getting a signal to it. Most of you reading this will remember the good old days of screwing on the thick coaxial cable to the back of the TV. Same thing here. If you still have an antenna in the attic, give it a try. It will probably work.
The problem with digital OTA signals is there are a nuHow to get free HDTV lightscribe blu ray blank discsmber of ctors that could lead to poor signal quality in your home. If youre in a big city, the buildings can cause a problem. If youre way out in the country, distance could be the ctor. Just because you had watchable channels in the old days, doesnt mean youll have watchable digital channels.
Check out my other CNET articles,including why all HDMI cables are the same, all about Blu-ray setup discs, if you should upgrade your HT gear, how every TV manucturer lies to you, and more.
Many TVs have different picture settings for different inputs. Unless you can convince your local broadcaster to transmit test signals (not totally beyond the realm of possibility), your best bet is to either try toset it by eyeor copy the settings from a calibrated input, or both.
Its also worth checking outDTV.govand its handyDTV Reception maps.
For the rest of us, theresTiVo. The latest DVRs from TiVo offer streaming like Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand and Hulu Plus, and are available for less than $100. So free HDTV over the air, plus the pay services for the shows you missed on cable. Not a bad way not to pay for cable. Though who knows if youllreally save money.
Lots more information:
Most stations will broadcast one HD signal, and one or more SD stations within their allotted bandwidth. So its possible to have many more channels available than the old broadcast days, even if the total number of broadcasters hasnt increased.
All TVs sold in the United States after 2007 are required to have an ATSC tuner. TVs larger than 36 inches have had ATSC tuners since 2005. So if you bought your TV after this, you probably have a tuner.
But, but, but, my DVR!
If youve become accustomed to the convenience of your DVR (and who hasnt?), the switch to over-the-air may seem jarring. After all, theres no DVR, right? Turns out, there are lots of options.
If you bought your TV within the past few years, and you live anywhere close to a city, chances are you can get better HDTV than youve ever seen, for free.
Unfortunately, even if you can get digital channels, its not a guarantee that theyre HD. Thats up to the individual broadcast stations. All have to be digital, but they dont have to be HD.
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HDTV?
How to get free HDTV lightscribe blu ray blank discs,The key, of course, is you need one little thing that you probably already have.
In most cases, you can get better signal quality by either turning your antenna, or getting a better antenna.
Over-the-air reception devices rule
Youll also get a listing of all the channels in your area. Once you figure out what antenna you need, Amazon sells them, as do places likeantennasdirect.
From 10236 Charing Cross Road, tucked as it is in its own grotto, reception isn&39;t as good. A big antenna might only be able to get a few channels.
The Online Coverage Map Browser from TVFool. The redder the better. Purple means very little signal.
Whether you want that fight with your neighbors is the bigger question.
One of the most common complaints I hear from people about getting OTA HD is that their homeowners association wont allow rooftop antennas. Legally, theyre not allowed to have this restriction.
Fee-free cable cutter-friendly TV gear
Better signal
Check out the FCCs page on the topichere. It goes for apartment dwellers too.
The CEA and NAB have an excellent Web site (antennaweb.org) to help ensure your antenna is cing the right way, and to give you pointers on what kind of antenna you need. Also check out theFCCs page on Antennas.
Geoffrey MorrisonGeoffrey Morrison was editor in chief ofHome Entertainmentmagazine and before that, technical editor ofHome Theatermagazine. Hecurrently contributes toSound+Visionmagazine, HDGuru, and several other Web and print publications. He is NIST and ISF trained,and has a degree in audio production from Ithaca College. His debut novel,Underseais available in
An antenna.
David Katzmaieralso liked theChannel Master CM-7000PALas a TiVo alternative that doesnt have a monthly fee.
The tuner in your TV is also a big ctor; some are better than others.
Cutting your cable can work, if youre a TV snob
