OTA digital TV?

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Anyone in the Davis Square area successfully pulling in TV signals with a TV antenna?

For a variety of reasons I'm looking to retire our cable, but I want some feedback before I buy a large antenna.

Comments

Yup

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

No problem for me. I pick up plenty of broadcast stations. They are less robust than the analog versions, though. At times, just walking around the room totally disrupts the signal.

Re: Yup

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

What are you using for an antenna and converter box, if I may ask? I'm interested in peoples' practical experiences as to what works.

One big problem with digital TV is the "cliff effect"...analog works better at the limits of reception. You get a degraded but still intelligible signal. Digital simply cuts off.

ETA: I should add that I'm looking for something that will work inside an apartment, since I have no roof access.

Re: Yup

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

I did not need a converter for my TV, since it is not that old. I just have a stupid rabbit ears antenna behind the TV (perhaps 2.5 feet long). Digital is way better than analog in terms of pic quality, but not in terms of robustness (as you say, probably because I pick up weak signals, reception is easily disrupted and you get those "frozen screens" while it waits for new, usable signal).

Re: Yup

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I have an ancient television...over 15 years old and still works.

Re: Yup

[ron_newman]

How does it work? I didn't think any TV had a digital tuner 15 years ago.

Re: Yup

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

well, in the sense that it works when I hook a DVD player up to it. I think I last tuned in broadcast TV during the 2004 World Series.