It's the worst thing that has ever happened to TV.

 

I agree totally ...

 

reasoning?

 

Because I used to be able to watch a program out on the fringe of the broadcast area with a little static, no problem. Now, it's freezing, loosing the signal, and doing this Max Headroom thing any time the wind blows and moves the antenna a little, plus all the channels are doubled due to a signal reflection off my metal roof (and yes, I do have a digital HD antenna).

 

Ahh yes, OTA digital tv is quite the failure.

 

I hear ya on watching a signal out in a fringe area! At least a snowy picture is better than blocks or nothing.

I would have to have an antenna half way to the moon to get a decent digital signal here where I live. Thank goodness for DirecTv.

 

I agree completely. I spent NYE in a friend's cabin in the mountains and the signal quality was really bad. In years past it just got snowy but with digital TV it makes it unwatchable.

 

Me too. I am in a fringe area, right near some mountains. I used to be able to get snowy and some OK stations with my analog TV, maybe 4-6 channels on a good day, but always Superbowl. I did have to use my travel trailer amplified directional antenna to feed the house TV.

I bought one of the digital converters, and now all I get is ONE religious children's cartoon channel. Must be a sign from God.

NO SUperbowl this year, a punishment from God?

I am told I must buy an expensive amplified antenna set if I want any chance to get channels, I already have an amplified rabbit ears type. Some people about 5 miles away but further out from the mountains get plenty of channels with just a normal antenna set.

What I would really like to do is get a beeg directional antenna with rotator like we had in Oregon. But neighborhood rules forbid outdoor antennas.

Don't want cable or satellite. Been there, done that, had 500 channels and nothing to watch. If I could pay just for local channels, I would be happy, but it's all part of a package.

Oh well, at leat we have Netflix and intenet videos,

Jim Henderson

 

Jim, you have an HOA that still tries to enforce that? Copy this ruling from the FCC, wave it in their face and install your antenna. The law has been in place since 1996.

FCC Fact Sheet on Placement of Antennas

 

I've had cable TV for over 25 years now, and since "Digital" has become all the 'rage', I've had to re-wire my entire house with RG-6 "Quad Shield", to handle the signal.

Unfortunately, the cable company won't re-wire unless I want to accept their methods. I won't.
(I don't want wire ran on the outside of the house. I have it inside the walls. You see nothing but outlet boxes and plates.)


So, I've spent several days in the attic; the basement; moving furniture and buying new cable and connectors, before that!

 

When I bought the home in 2005, it was in the CC&Rs, covenants, c?, and Rules? There is no real HOA. but I notice there are no outdoor antennas except dishes mounted low and inconspicuously. My parents live in an HOA Stalag and they are required to keep the dishes mounted inconspicuously, usually near chimney.

I being a "good" neighbor am trying to keep a low profile. I read a few months back that the Digital TV signals are now UHF, not the mix of VHF(2-13) and UHF(14-80?). This might be good. Supposedly they say that you can use a UHF antenna and amplifier to get a good digital signal. Most stores sell amplified settop antennas, doesn't work for me.

If that is the case, the old Style UHF only antennas were relatively small. The VHF ones could be as big as a pickup truck. The UHF might fit flat on a patio roof. Does any one have any experience using a outside UHF antenna to pickup digital? If that works I may be able to have a flat antenna sitting close to the patio roof and not visible from most angles.

I would love to get digital TV for the local channesl, but don't want to experiment with the inhouse digital antennas, since I already tried the amplified rabbit ears the store recommended and even my old amplified settop amplified antenna and like I said, the amplified antenna on my trailer.

Might have to bite the bullet and pay $30+ per month just to watch free TV.

Jim Henderson

 

I picked up a radio shack powered DTV antenna with a built in amp for when we go camping and was surprised at how many channels it picked up. 20 or more. Albiet, I was in the central valley CA at the time where TV signals are a plenty. Might be worth a look-see.

 

That's nonsense. The FCC rules take precedence over any HOA, CC&R, or anything else that busybody HOA people take the time to write up.

I understand wanting to play nice, but if it comes down to playing nice vs. watching the superbowl in HD, my neighbors lose.

I went through this a few years ago with a nasty HOA president. I fought them tooth and nail and they finally relented because of that link.

 

Sounds like you're really roughing it
I have a Radio Shack amplified HD antenna, there's just a long distance to many of the stations here. Most of the "local" stuff is out of Pocatello (75miles), there's a couple good sized hills down there with a good shot up the upper Snake River basin, and there are a few stations in Idaho Falls.
The other thing I've noticed about DTV is that when there is full screen motion, it's halty and pixelated, like there isn't enough processing power in the converter box or not enough bandwidth for the signal.

 

Yes, unless you are in a urban well covered area............DTV sucks!