What about Antennas?

Updated 5:41 PM EDT, Wed, Nov 12, 2008

An analog tower before the switch to digital television.
Getty Images

Analog towers await the switch to digital. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

 

Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?

In general, dependable reception of over-the-air digital TV programming will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV programming. If you need a roof-top antenna to receive analog TV broadcasts, the same antenna generally will work to receive digital TV broadcasts. You should not have to purchase new antennas that are marketed as “digital ready” or “HD ready.”

You do, however, need the special digital converter box.


I have an old antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Will I be able to use a converter box with this antenna?

Yes, but you may need to get an antenna adapter (also called a “balun”) to which you will connect your antenna on one end, and then connect the balun to your converter box. You will then need a second adapter to connect to the converter box with a length of antenna wire to connect to your TV.

Comments (93)

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  • bon Today at 12:06 PM FLAG COMMENT I read someone else's comment that Channels 11 and 13 in Los Angeles were to be fixed by June 23rd/24th and I remained hopeful for a couple weeks. It's now July 4th and I still don't receive them. I have a digital TV hooked to an antenna. All the other channels are strong. Luckily I have other TVs that are hooked to cable.
  • Leonard Sytsma Wednesday, Jun 24 at 2:31 PM FLAG COMMENT I am in the same boat as some of the people above. I can't get channels 5,9,11 and 20 and above. Prior to June 12 I was able to get them all. I see comments above but no answers.
  • Scott Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:50 AM FLAG COMMENT Why can't I get channel 10??? I'm 25 miles north of Phila. Channels 6 and 12 are fine. ONce in awile a scan will get channel 3. Also can't get Fox 29..
  • anita sands Wednesday, Jun 24 at 6:49 AM FLAG COMMENT If I stand on a chair with aerial in hand, moving it around top of room, I can get one channel but not another. I put a few hooks on the ceiling, wrapped twine around small RADIO SHACK 2009 UHF/VHF aerial. Hang it. Then I can get another two channels. I move the antenna arms in out, back forth up down, all the time balancing on this spinning desk chair, one foot on computer desk. Mind you I am a 70 yr old woman. MAYBE I can ge ... MORE >
  • sherry Monday, Jun 22 at 11:06 PM FLAG COMMENT i live in modesto area and i get great spanish stations for what that is worth, not much to me though. i will not pay for tv stations so i just wont be watching tv anymore. it is a joke and i feel it is to put us in the position so we have to pay for television. i have a hdtv and antenna and no stations i dont get it

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