Free HDTV with an outdoor antenna tutorial from Cnet
Cnet has a great straightforward tutorial complete with short videos: How to watch free HDTV with an outdoor antenna - CNET Weekend Project. They walk you through finding the right antenna, installing it, and optimizing it for your HDTV.
Of course, it's filmed in Manhattan, where it's pretty easy to find multiple over-the-air HDTV channels. I suspect people in most parts of the country would have a tougher time throwing one up and getting more than a handful to come in clearly.
I'd say most people would have pretty good luck in picking up at least the big four networks. Maybe even UPN and the WB in a lot of areas. Anyone within 40 miles or so of a major metropolitan area (with the exception of Denver) shouldn't have any trouble with these directions.
Posted by: Chris | July 31, 2005 at 06:59 PM
Really? I'm 35 miles outside of Portland, Oregon and I might be able to pick up a single channel (PAX, ugh) from a 30 mile away transmitter, and antenna.org now says a purple, long-range antenna might get a PBS station that is 40 miles away.
Posted by: Matt Haughey | July 31, 2005 at 07:15 PM
Are things really that bad in the US? Here in Australia all the channels in the main cities are now broadcasting in HD Digital and with a settop box or TV with built in decoder anyone can get it without any major problems.
Posted by: Duncan Riley | July 31, 2005 at 10:31 PM
I'm right smack dab in the middle of Seattle and my reception is really sketchy for just about all channels except Fox (13). But make no doubt about it, when it comes in, over-the-air HD is much clearer than what's being passed off as HD by Comcast these days.
Posted by: Mike D. | August 01, 2005 at 01:26 AM
Are you guys with reception trouble using outdoor antennas like the article suggests or are you using the indoor variety?
Posted by: Chris | August 01, 2005 at 10:19 AM
In the Trenton NJ area, I receive about 20 digital channels with crystal clear reception on a Standard Definition digital TV. The picture is awesome and the sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 and sounds superb.
All completey free of cable or sattellite fees.
KS
Posted by: Kurt | March 14, 2007 at 12:34 PM
i tink that hdtv should be for free the satlite is for the nation to
Posted by: cecil | March 18, 2008 at 07:30 PM