Will I need a diferent type of antenna when digital transition hits.?

Question

Is there anything I can do when the states change over next year to recieve of air channels.

Will signal strenght be affected after transition.

Answer 1

Nope, so long as you have an HD tuner or converter box.  The antenna you were using for analog should still work fine if I understand what's going on properly.

The broadcast range of an HD signal seems to be a lot less, so whether you can still get the channels you want will depend on where you live -- city should be fine, rural is iffy.  I've heard in my area that 30mi is about as far as the signal will go sometimes, although I don't have any HD sets/boxes yet to test this myself.

Answer 2

First if your TV does not already have digital reception get a converter box.  To apply for one or two $40 government coupons visit:

http://www.dtv2009.gov

To know what stations are in your area visit this web site and enter your address or just your zip code and search the map for your address:

http://www.antennaweb.org

If their data is up to date for your area it should tell you what channels will be in your area before and after the transition.  Note the distance and assigned channels for digital stations.  Distance is important when buying the antenna.  Assigned channels 2 through 13 are VHF so note the VHF distance (range) of the antenna.  Assigned channels 14 through 69 are UHF so note the UHF distance (range) of the antenna.

I have yet to find an antenna with the color codes on the box.  Maybe the outdoor ones have them but none of the indoor ones I have bought seem to have such color codes.  So I just use the channel assignments and distance as well as the orientation on the compass to aim the antenna and get one that works in a particular location.

Some stations will be able to increase their power after the transition as analog stations on the same channel go off air.

Answer 3

No. You just need a converter box.

Go here and read;

http://www.dtv.gov/

Answer 4

If you don't have a newer (2007+) TV with a digital TV tuner (ATSC tuner) then you merely need to purchase a small converter box to put in between your antenna and the TV.  All major electronics stores should have them and the goverment was even handing out $40 coupons to go towards the purchase of one.   If you need to buy a new antenna or not depends on the quality of the antenna you have.  Alot of the newer antennas they've been selling for awhile have been HD/digital capable.

Unless you already know you have an antiquated antenna, I'd say buy the box when you need to... then try it out. If then it still doesn't work or work well, look into a new antenna.

Answer 5

if you have a HDTV with a tuner then you can buy a HD antenna and you can get digital signals just like you would the old way with rabbit ears. and if not then you will need a converter box.