View Full Version : Would my rabbit ears be fine?
Shriram Narayanan
05-01-2006, 05:23 PM
Hi
Going to check out if I should buy a used mitsu rptv, the owner only has basic cable so want to check out hd with an antenna.
The manual says I need a digital antenna, my question is would my old rabbit ears Optoma antenna which has 2 leads hooked up to a 75ohm socket to get to the lead into my TV work?
Or do I need one which comes only with 1 lead?/digital antenna
Shriram
Have a look at the two HDTV FAQs on OTA and Antenna Stuff. It really depends on your location, application, types of channels that you're trying to receive (VHF, UHF). There are no "analogue" or "digital" antennae.
Phixion
05-01-2006, 07:20 PM
Just a side question to this, why are some antennae marketed as "HDTV compatible" if really any antenna will work as long as a clear signal is present? Some rabbit ears I see mention HDTV while others I soo do not...
mac_bridger
05-03-2006, 03:24 PM
HDTV signals are on the UHF band. So a VHF antenna won't bring the signal in as well as a UHF antenna would. Aside from that, the packingis just as 57U said. "Marketing"
Ratman
05-03-2006, 03:55 PM
mac...
Not all "digital" signals are on the UHF band. Some very well could be VHF. It's area dependant. Check www.antennaweb.org to see what's available for your specific area.
Phixion
05-03-2006, 05:05 PM
Correct, I have a few VHF HD channels apparently broadcasting in my area...
mjones73
05-03-2006, 10:33 PM
It's predicted that a number of stations when they stop broadcasting analog in 2009, that they will move their digital stations to their old analog broadcast frequencies, expect to see many more digital VHF stations popping up then.
mac_bridger
05-05-2006, 11:11 AM
Ratman, with all due respect, the federal government is clearing the VHF band. There may be digital stations in the VHF range now, but they will have to be cleared from VHF space by 2009. By 2009 all digital station will be UHF.
That's the whole point of moving to digital OTA. To clear that VHF spectrum.
Ratman
05-05-2006, 12:41 PM
Not correct...
UHF 52-69 will be reclaimed. Channels 2-6 may be reclaimed. This could change in three years.
Local stations are now submitting requests for permanent digital allocations for the 2009 cutoff.
Many are confused about the transition. Some say all VHF, some say all UHF. My statements hold true...
www.fcc.gov
