Does anyone out there still use rabbit ears for TV reception?

Question

Do you think this new digital box will work for you to pick up more TV stations? I looked the price of one of these things and was shocked by the price. The government in Pa. is giving you a $40.00 rebate to buy one. I live too close to the city and everyone has to pay for cable. I think its because they scramble the waves so we can't watch even local stations. I would buy this system if I thought it would work. Does anyone know if this box is that good, or would this area be scrambled, so that it wouldn't work here. Pgh. Pa.

Answer 1

yeap ....usually only get two channels , but on some good days I can get a few more channels

there was a time back in the eightys that I could get all thirteen channels to come in ... but them days are goneeee :(

Answer 2

Local broadcast channels are NEVER scrambled. It's a requirement of their FCC license that they be freely available to anyone in their area. So you certainly DON'T have to pay for cable - no one does.

Check the websites below for info on antennas, digital TV and converter boxes.

Answer 3

We do at my work we have to get that box. it seems like it will work just fine. Plus we have no choice we need to get one or we wont have anything to watch on tv

Answer 4

>Does anyone out there still use rabbit ears for TV reception?

Every day. One's connected to a converter box, the other is still analog only. The converter (Zenith/Insignia) worked with every antenna I tried with it, even a 7" piece of wire.

Most people get more digital programing. It's not that there are more channel. With digital broadcasts each station can send out several programs at the same time. These are called "sub-channels".

The US government is handing out $40 off coupons, that mean you can buy the first two converters for $10-$20 each. Why do you think this is "shocking" ?

None of the over the air broadcasts are scrambled. Where did you get that idea?

The coupon type converters have nothing to do with cable service. You said that everyone has to pay for cable where you are, so I assume you can't get over the air broadcasts with an antenna. If that's the case, why are you worried at all. The analog shutdown in Feb 2009 is only for over the air broadcasts and has nothing to do with cable TV service.

Answer 5

Only poor people don't have cable/satilite

Answer 6

I definitely still use rabbit ears and modifications of rabbit ears as indoor antenna.  I have three of the new digital boxes and they work well, however you may need an amplified indoor antenna to receive your signal.   The government of Pennsylvania is not giving you anything.  The $40.00 rebate is a FEDERAL government coupon that anyone in the United States can use for up to two coupons per household.     I don't think anyone scrambles your local waves.   If you live in an urban area with a number of tall metal buildings , they can cause multipath interference.   That will disappear with your digital TV receiver.  With DTV you either get a near perfect signal or you get absolutely nothing.   At fade out, a digital signal locks and gives a bunch of ugly fixed pixels before dissappearing.  However, I suspect  that new digital box can work well for you.   All ordinary powered local stations will come in clearly.  However if you watch any low powered TV stations, they are not being affected by the change to DTV.  Those stations, for now, will remain on the air after 2/17/2009 .  Most of the low powered stations are junk, however, shopping channels or religious channels.  

       Most cable companies provide far more offerings than you will get with the box, for example Court TV, Animal Planet, CNN.  If you need these, you need to stay with cable or satellite. However, if you just watch local stations, the TV converter box is the way to go, and the reception is free, just like ordinary analogue TV on channels 2 to 69