Help with indoor OTA antennas

[disilluzion]

I cannot get local HDs through DirecTV so I use rabbit ears to get an HD signal. Unfortunately, now that they are digital, instead of getting snow during a bad signal, the video and audio cut out making viewing sometimes impossible. Can anyone recommend an effective upgrade over my old school rabbit ears? Keep in mind a low price considering I have several TVs to add these to.

Thanks.

[Cochise]

I would suggest you first go to www.antennaweb.org

You can key in your address and it will show you what channels are broadcast in your area, how far away the broadcast towers are, and their compass direction. Most digital broadcasts now are in UHF, which is highly directional, so you need the antenna pointed at them. Also, do you have any obstructions between you and the towers, such as trees or buildings?

If you are truly using rabbit ears - 2 rods that point up - then yes, you should upgrade to something better. If all your local channels broadcast from the same place (like a mountaintop), then this Terk directional antenna is a good choice. If your channels broadcast from different directions, then this Winegard multi-directional antenna is a better choice.

If your TVs aren't that far apart, you can use a splitter to run several TVs off the same antenna. I live far enough out of town that I use an outdoor antenna mounted on a pole next to the house, and then use splitters to feed the signal to 3 TVs.

[disilluzion]

Thanks for the info. The map shows some towers are NW and some are SE, so I will give the multi-directional a shot and hopefully I won't have to keep adjusting my antennas when I switch channels.

[Blckman]

Hello disilluzion. Also try your local Wal-Mart. They have a plethora of different Phillips HDTV antennas. In fact, I've counted like six different ones at one time. That site he mentioned is excellent for over-the-air reception. I hope everything works out best for you.

[Simón Bolívar]

AND Wal-mart will take back those that don't work for you.

[vinnie97]

So will Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, Fry's, et al.

[disilluzion]

HDTV antennas were mentioned. Are they more expensive, or are they the same as "normal" antennas and some companies just brand them as HD since most OTA is HD? I am wondering the difference (if any) since I can get HD feeds OTA with 20 year old rabbit ears.

[Cochise]

Yeah, calling an antenna "HDTV Antenna" is pretty much a marketing gimmick. The only difference is most antenna marketed today a being for HDTV or Digital have a lot more surface reception area for getting a stronger signal lock as opposed to the 2 small poles on your 20 year old rabbit ears.

[Blacklac]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Winegard multi-directional antenna

I have this antenna and it is awesome. I have suggested it to 2 other family members also and they have been extremely happy with it's performance.