By User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1277743881)
Until recently, I only associated TV antennas with old pictures of my parents' living rooms and the ''Back to the Future'' movies, considering them to be a thing of the past. I was rather surprised when I found out that I was wrong. Thankfully though, I wasn't entirely wrong, certain aspects of original TV antennas are, and forever will be, a thing of the past. With new TV antennas, you don't have to worry about snow or rain, noisy analog pictures or ghosts: all you get is an enhanced TV experience, and it's all through an antenna. You're probably wondering why you would give up your digital cable and satellite television programs and go back to an antenna. You actually don't have to. Keeping everything you have already, TV antennas can now provide you with access to amazing HDTV broadcasts, and it's all for free.
What Antennas Can Do For You
It's shockingly simple: if you buy a TV antenna, you will get free high definition and digital television programming. To be honest I couldn't really believe it at first, but according to multiple different websites like tv.about.com, CNET.com, once you have the right equipment, all you have to do is plug your antenna in. It's referred to as OTA (Over the Air Programming) and is accessible to everyone who has purchased a TV antenna and meets the following conditions.
* ''You have to live in an area capable of receiving OTA Broadcast signals''. The Majority of the US population most likely lives in one of these areas. The only exceptions would be people who live in very rural areas or individuals who have very large objects, like tall buildings or metal roofs, potentially blocking the signal.
* ''You have an HDTV with a built in digital tuner or a HD ready TV with an external HD receiver connected to it.'' You probably know the answer to this already but if you don't, check your TV owners manual to find out if you are capable of having an amazing antenna experience.
* ''Your local stations broadcast digitally.'' The US Government just switched over so that every full power TV station is broadcasting digitally, so you're in luck.
If you are capable of receiving free HDTV through a new TV antenna, make sure you choose one that is compatible with your TV.
Antenna Myths
If you've decided to buy a new antenna for your TV, make sure you are aware of some of the myths floating around out there before you buy one. Don't be an advertising victim.
'''Myth #1: A regular TV antenna and an HDTV antenna are different.''' This is simply not true. There is nothing specific about a TV antenna that is used to receive HD signals. As long as it picks up the correct bandwidth, a regular TV antenna will do just fine.
'''Myth #2: You need more powerful antenna in terms of directivity and amplification in order to receive digital television.''' Also not true. digital television is supposed to be error free so in theory you could use a less powerful antenna to receive digital TV than loud, messy analog TV.
'''Myth #3: You need to replace old TV antennas to receive over the air HDTV.''' In reality, most TV antennas will work just fine but a newer antenna may be slightly more durable than some of the older ones. They are also made in a wide variety of styles so you'll be sure to find one that looks sleek and fits well with your TV.
