Are HDTV signals in the air yet?

Question

I have analog TV and just put up an antenna to get a few local stations. I thought the antenna was just for analog but when I looked again, I noticed it said it was also good for HDTV when they broadcast it. So, my actual question is, If I get the converter box will I receive anything? My local stations are from Yuma, Arizona.

Answer 1

Yes, digital transmissions have been in your area since February 17, 2008.

Getting a digital converter box will allow you to receive digital channels and display them on your existing analog TV.

Digital channels available in the 85364 zip code area are:

CBS - 13.1

TFA - 50.1 (36.1 after Feb. 17, 2009)

FOX - 9.1

NBC - 41.1 (11.1 after Feb. 17, 2009)

UNI - 7.1

Use the site http://www.antennaweb.org and the "Choose an Antenna" selection to learn more. Input your address and this site will tell you what channels you should be able to receive at your site and the antenna that is required. Hopefully your antenna will match that recommended by this site and you will have great reception. Good luck and happy HD.

Answer 2

All dvb signals are transmitted with the maximum definition available.

They are downgraded to the converter box specs, so you will receive all your channels plus some extra ones.

FCC only licenses frequency ranges, not video streams and you can fit several in a range, so you get more video streams on 1 channel....it would appear to you as more channels.....sort of a FCC loophole...

The converter box will upconvert or downconvert as needed for the signal output used.

Answer 3

Most stations are broadcasting in digital now as well as analog.

There is really no such thing as an HDTV antenna - your analog antenna will work fine as long as it gets VHF and UHF channels. Exactly the same frequencies will be used in digital as for analog, with the exception that the channel range will be clipped at both ends.

Analog used channels 2-69. After the Feb 2009 transition, digital will use channels 7-51. The low channels were dropped because of poor performance. The high channels were sold off to Verizon and AT&T for wireless services.

Answer 4

yes they have been for awhile now

Answer 5

If  you get a converter box, you will receive the digital stations, but you will not get HDTV.  For genuine HDTV you need a new TV.