Choosing an HDTV antenna can be a ... ... However, if you prefer to receive HDTV through an antenna, rather than a ... or cable ... there are a couple of things that will
Choosing an HDTV antenna can be a frustrating business. However, if you prefer to receive HDTV through an antenna, rather than a satellite or cable subscription, there are a couple of things that will make life easier.
First of all, if you can, you should opt a roof or attic mounted HDTV antenna. This will give you the best chance of picking up a good signal and is a must if you a re in an area where signal strength is poor such where you live some distance away from the nearest transmitter or where your signal is affected by hills or other environmental factors.
If an external HDTV antenna is not an option, perhaps because you live in an apartment or in a building of historic interest, then you'll have to go for an internal, set-top antenna.
Unfortunately, every HDTV antenna is not alike and the quality of your picture can vary greatly depending on which antenna you choose. So how do you know which one to go for? Perhaps the best way is to find out from people who already has an internal HDTV antenna, how it works for them. The best way is to talk to people you know - particularly those in the same apartment block. Failing that, user reviews on the Web are a good source.
Amazon sells a number of antennae for HDTV and user opinion on them varies greatly. For example, this Terk HDTVi Indoor VHF/UHF HDTV Antenna gets slated by users, while this Gemini ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna, which is actually cheaper than the Terk, gets great reviews.
As with any item of electronics, the key is to do your research. Find out as much as you can about the HDTV signal in your area, and if possible speak to people locally who are receiving HDTV via an antenna, before you buy.
How Hollywood is trying to control your HDTV
The Federal Communications Commission’s Broadcast Flag mandate is set to come in to force on 1st July, if legal challenges fail to stop it. The Broadcast Flag will place severe restrictions on consumers’ ability to view HDTV content in the way that suits them and it will stop you from recording some HDTV programs altogether.Blu-ray: A Primer
Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to rival HD-DVD in the race to be the de-facto standard storage medium for HDTV. The HD-DVD vs Blu-ray battle resembles that between Betamax and VHS and DVD+RW and DVD-RW.High Definition DVD: An Introduction
Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to rival HD-DVD in the race to be the de-facto standard storage medium for HDTV. The HD-DVD vs Blu-ray battle resembles that between Betamax and VHS and DVD+RW and DVD-RW.