OTA reception with analog vs. HD

[Jake34]

I admit I am a newbie with some of my questions, but it is really important for me to understand a few things in making a decision toward going to HD.
I currently use Directv but I get my local stations with a rooftop aerial. I live about 30-35 miles from the stations. Several come in perfectly now and some stations are a little weaker and are even a little snowy.
One salesman I talked to said that a HD signal will actually travel better ( and I guess farther) than regular signals. Is this true?? It would be great if that were true but something tells me that nothing works out that easily. I have this feeling that with HD I will get no signal at all with some of the weaker stations.
I just would like to understand. Does anyone have any first hand experience with knowing what I really can expect??

[LeeS]

For my situation it is entirely different. The local network stations I receive OTA are all fuzzy (VHF), the original reason I went to Cable years ago. I'm on DISH sat now. When I got my HD OTA receiver I just hooked it up to the old antenna. Never moved the antenna because it was already aimed at the hill with the transmitting towers. I get six HD stations at 100%. I'm twenty-five miles from the hill and the antenna is in the attic. The antenna is an old UHF/VHF Channel Master. Don't know the model but its directional and about 6 feet long. the ones I've seen in stores that look like it cost about $35-40. One thing about HD signals, it will good or bad, none of this fuzzy business.

Go to this site antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) . Click on 'Choose an Antenna' then enter your zip code ( for a more accurate direction enter your address). It will give you pointing info on the HD (and non-HD) stations in your area. It will also give you antenna recommendations. The HD is transmitted on UHF frequencies so all you really need is a good UHF antenna. If the one on your roof is UHF/VHF it will probably do fine.

I'm no expert either but it works for me :) check out the web site.
Lee

[Jake34]

Lee,
Thanks for this info. From your experience and the web site, it appears that HD signal is easier to pick up. I noticed at the web site that you need less of an aerial to get same station when transmitting HD vs. analog. That is assuming I am reading all this right.
It is encouraging if that is true when you live out in the country like we do.
If anybody else can reinforce or dispute this, I would not mind hearing it.

[LeeS]

it appears that HD signal is easier to pick up
I'm not so sure its easier to pick up. Its 'digital' and its either I have it or I don't. A weak signal can look as good as a strong one. Analog can be anything from I have it great to nothing with infinite steps of varying 'fuzzy' in the middle. How's that for a technical description :)

Maybe do a 'search' on the forum for 'ota* reception' or 'antenna'. The search engine won't accept three letter words so add a wildcard (*).

One thing in your favor is you're on DirectTV. Lots of choices for STB's. If you are not in a hurry for a STB you might wait a bit. There are new models coming out. I bought an old generation STB real cheap to see how OTA was. It is really lacking in the area of features and I don't think it is a very good receiver, technically speaking, but it does the job and answered my questions concerning HD OTA. Read through the threads on STB's in the forum, might save you some headaches down the road.

Good Luck,
Lee

[Skyboss]

Typically, if you get a rolling picture of a channel, you are getting enough of the signal that HDTV will come in at 70% or better. With HDTV, it;s liek a cell phone. It's either locked in or crap. When you do the install, I woudl suggest putting up a new antenna if it's over 5 years old. Go to www.antennaweb.org for a recommendation. They will also give you a list of channels and where they are.