Antenna Question

[NewHDTVuser]

I recently purchased a new Sony 51" (KP-51HW40) HDTV ready set.

I have it currently setup with a regular DirecTV receiver and a Sony TIVO recorder.

Questions I have are:

- for me to get local HDTV channels, do i need to purchase a separate hdtv reciever if i purchase an indoor digital antenna? In other words, will i be able to receive a digital high-definition signal without the receiver and just the antenna?

- assuming i do - will TIVO be able to record those that hdtv signal just like it currently does with a regular directv signal?

Thanks much in advance!

[Ratman]

Originally posted by NewHDTVuser

Questions I have are:

- for me to get local HDTV channels, do i need to purchase a separate hdtv reciever
If your existing receiver is not HD capable, you need to purchase a new receiver that has HD. Most DirecTV HD receivers can also receive HD off the air (OTA).


if i purchase an indoor digital antenna? There no such thing as a digital antenna or an HDTV antenna. Any TV antenna could work, If you're real indoor (rabbit ears), or an antenna mounted in the attic or outdoors (the best)
In other words, will i be able to receive a digital high-definition signal without the receiver and just the antenna?
No.. you need an HD receiver and an antenna.

- assuming i do - will TIVO be able to record those that hdtv signal just like it currently does with a regular directv signal?
Nope... you can not record an HD signal on Tivo, only NTSC.

[NewHDTVuser]

Thanks for the reply! very helpful!

one more question - since tivo cannot receive digital signals to record, i'm assuming i have to get a component to composite adapter so that i can plug in my tivo to the hdtv receiver. having said that, is there a serious decrease in quality if i watch an hdtv signal converted and recorded by tivo? i.e. is it even worth hooking up the tivo to the hdtv receiver?

thanks again!

[Ratman]

Component out from the reciver to the TV.
S-Video out from the receiver to the Tivo.

The picture will not be HD, so obviously, the picture be be degraded. S-video should suffice for your needs.

[Tyler Durden]

Ratman, you wrote in response to NewHDTVUser:

- for me to get local HDTV channels, do i need to purchase a separate hdtv reciever
If your existing receiver is not HD capable, you need to purchase a new receiver that has HD. Most DirecTV HD receivers can also receive HD off the air (OTA).

I am buying in the coming months, have DirecTv and always assumed I would need both the HD receiver/oval dish w/ 3LNB to get HDNet, HBO and Showtime HD AND an OTA antenna to get local channels. Are you saying there are receivers that capture HD signals for both the DirecTV offerings and local channels w/o the help of an antenna, and if so can you pass along the models and any other circumstances I need to be aware of?

Thanks much
TD

[Ratman]

Uh-h-h, no.
OTA (Off The Air) requires an antenna.

The original poster stated that they had a "regular" DirecTV receiver. So...

If it ain't cable, you need an antenna, whether it's satellite or OTA.

[hdinsane]

I recently jumped onboard the DTV bandwagon and purchased a Mitsubishi 65909 w/built in decoder. I purchased a VU 190 XR antenna to try and pickup local channels but have had no luck. I setup the antenna in my backyard attached to a 10 foot pole (i want to make sure i can recieve signal before i try mounting it in my attic or roof). When i do a DTV channel scan i get nothing, i thought at first i may have some bad coax cable so i went out and bought some new RG6, I still got nothing. I decided to plug the coax into the analog antenna input and see what happend, I was able to pickup local channels with a pretty clear picture. I live about 60- 65 miles from the transmitters located on MT wilson in CA. Is this just hopeless or am i just insane!!!!!! I feel the need to keep trying but don't no what to do. I called Mitsubishi to see if they ran across this before and i was surprised at how little they new. All they said was call the retailer and have them get you another set. I called Winegard Antenna Manufacturing and got an engineer who basically told me nothing new. This antenna is supposed to pickup UHF signal at around 60 miles out (Heck it's the biggest antenna they sell) Shouldn't i at least get some sort of digital fuzz on the set, maybe the tuner is bad. Anyone have any suggestions..........

BK

[Ratman]

Perform some 'searches' here and other forums (AVS or Home Theater Spot) using your home town or other towns close to you. There will be tons of tips and info.
Rules for OTA...
The higher the better, use good cable, good connectors, point antenna in the right direction, try for a clear line of sight, make sure the receiver is set properly, etc.etc

[zarlor]

Oh, and I would add that you definitely won't get any "digital fuzz". It's digital, so you either get the picture or you don't, just like a satellite dish. No ghosting or snow involved. However, many tuners should have a signal meter on them. If yours does you can try to tune to a digital channel that you know is being broadcast on and if the signal meter stays low or shows nothing you can try to move the antenna around a little bit and see if you can get anything at some point.

Depending on the station, the power they are broadcasting at and the terrain between you and the towers, 65 miles just might put you outside of the are where you can pick up a signal. But, as mentioned, the higher the better. A 10' pole might be a bit short.