Do Antennas Still Work?

Question

Okay, so it's taking my mom forever to get the cable working in my room. I'm not really missing any shows or anything (The only one I'm really into right now had it's season finale in December and I'm not sure when it's coming back.) but I kind of don't like it being so silent in my room, especially when I'm asleep. While we were moving stuff, I found this old TV antenna set and I was wondering if it would work if I hooked it up to my TV. Granted, this is doubtful because I have a brand new TV (Got it for Christmas.) and those probably can't work with an antenna set. Plus, I heard back in two-thousand eight or two-thousand nine that all the TV stations were switching to digital or something and would prevent antennas from working properly. I'd watch DVDs, but both of my DVD players are at my dad's house and I'm not seeing him again until next Friday. I also have a Wii, but my mom won't let me use Netflix on that because she thinks it's nine bucks a month for the membership and then additional fees for each movie you stream, even though I told her that's not the case.

So, would an antenna work on the TV or would I just be wasting my time?

Answer 1

You need a conversion box to use the older television set. The government was giving them away free during the conversion period, but think you'd have to buy one now. The newer set would be a better bet. I am sure you could plug in the same type of coax cable as the cable company signal uses, but connect it to an antenna instead. In fact, that is what I am using now, and now that the programming is digital, the picture quality is better than the satellite system I was paying for previously. My antenna is on the roof, the same antenna that came with the house but never used since I bought the house about 20 years ago. I live about 50 miles from any station, but if you live in town, I understand there are other types of antennas that can be used, that look like a laptop computer screen, and you point the screen in the direction of the station you are trying to reach. Understand they are highly directional, and think you need to be either close in, in town, or high on a hill, with a good view.



You are right about netflix. I only pay $8 per month. No other fees, although it does not have a lot of the movies I would like to watch. Unlike satellite and cable systems, there is no hook up to a phone, so no way to order additional, costly add ons through a t.v. menue. You could call directly to add on a service where you can order some movies on disk, that they do not provide by streaming, but that is an additional service, and you know what you are doing when you do it. Not a surprise at the end of the month like satellite or cable.



You do not need an antenna advertised as a digital antenna. This is a scam. You want an antenna that pulls in both the VHF bands ( channel 2-13), and UHF bands (14 on up). Some antenna's advertised as digital only give UHF, and do poorly in the upper portion of the VHF band (or not at all). UHF is thought to be more line of sight reception, and in my case, I believe that to be true. My brother is located on the top of a hill in Seattle, and gets reception all the way to Canada, line of sight. I'm located on the flats in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and barely get Portland stations, 54 miles away, as the bird flies. (but mostly the lower, 5-12 VHF channels, Channel 49 UHF comes on and off through the day, and depending on weather)

Answer 2

Why not give it a try? Just connect your TV to the antenna and do a channel scan. You may have to move the antenna around to different positions/locations in the room (like near a window) to receive some channels. Scan again each time you relocate the antenna.



You can check what TV channels you should be able to receive at your specific address. Depending on the distance from the TV transmitters and terrain, the indoor TV antenna could be all you need to get some or all of the channels you want.

Answer 3

Is your TV an HD TV? if so, all you need is an antenna and a coaxial cable. use this website http://www.antennapoint.com/ to find out where networks broadcast in your area. it helps you determine how strong an antenna you need and where to point it. once you have it. connect your antenna with the coaxial cable to the back of your tv where it says Antenna Out. then go to menu and scan for DIGITAL channels. You may need to do this a few times, repositioning the antenna each time to get the best results.

I personally get 60 watchable channels including ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS on a $30 antenna. But it really all depends where networks broadcast in your area.

Answer 4

It really depends upon signal strength in your area. Networks still broadcast over the air signals, which can be picked up by antennas. But the signal has to be strong enough for this to work. You also need a way to connect the antenna to the TV, which may not be possible, depending upon the model you have. But it won't hurt to try. It won't blow up the TV or anything.

Answer 5

You will need a digital antenna.

Netflix is 7.99 a month and there are no additional fees.

Answer 6

Yep though you would only get the local channels.