Do I have to have a special DTV antenna to get the broadcast DTV and HDTV in my area?

Question

Do I have to have a special DTV antenna to get the broadcast DTV and HDTV in my area?

Answer 1

No.  There is nothing about an antenna that makes it Analog, Digital or HD.  An antenna is made to work on a particular set of channels, beyond that it doesn't know what it's receiving.

The same old TV antennas that have been in use for 40 years will still work in the digital age.  Just make sure you are using a good quality, properly installed UHF/VHF antenna.  For assistance on choosing an antenna, where to aim it and what stations you could expect to receive, check http://www.antennaweb.org .

Answer 2

If you mean does it have to be digital or HD. . . no, one you had for analog TV would in theory still work.  The way in which signals are received isn't changing, just the way the information is sent and then decoded.

I say "in theory" because you may not have as strong of a signal to work with.  You might be able to get along fine without an amplified indoor antenna for analog signals, but I've yet to see anyone around here get a decent signal for the digital broadcasts without using an amplified indoor antenna.  

I have no idea about any amplification for outdoor antennas, as I've never lived anywhere that will let me put one up to know much about them.

Answer 3

No.

In North America analog and digital broadcasts use the same antennas. The idea that there are special "HD antennas" or "digital antennas" is just marketing hype.  

Some people will need better antennas but choosing the best ones involves looking at the same things that effect analog TV reception. The one thing that tells you nothing about the antenna is any label like "HD Antenna"