First Post

[birdac]

Ok I got a W2306C 23" LCD TV it is HD ready. Here are my hdtv specs for the location to the nearest towers.


WOSU-DT 34.1 PBS COLUMBUS OH 201° 28.9 38
* red - vhf WMFD-DT 68.1 IND MANSFIEL OH 37° 16.3 12
* blue - uhf WBNS-DT 10.1 CBS COLUMBUS OH 204° 42.9 21
* blue - uhf WCMH-DT 4.1 NBC COLUMBUS OH 204° 42.9 14
* blue - vhf WSYX-DT 6.1 ABC COLUMBUS OH 203° 45.0 13
* violet - uhf WTTE-DT 28.1 FOX COLUMBUS OH 203° 45.0 36
Note:

I have an older antenna in my attic for the analog channels and it picks up all of thse pretty clear. I was wondering what else I need for the basic OTA HDTV? What is the best tuner and antenna I can get for the price?


Thanks,Birdac

[Scott]

You can most likely use your mounted antenna to pick up ATSC. If you're just looking for a standard OTA setup, try posting a request in the buy/sell forum and you might pick up a used STB for $50-70.

[Timcredible]

yeah, your existing antenna will work (if you can get the analog channels, you can get the digital channels). as for a receiver, do you have cable or satellite?

[birdac]

I need cable or satellite to recieve ota hdtv? I guess I had not read to much into it? I heard from a bird that ASTV will be more direct broadcast source soon and and a decent antenna could pick upo channels for a 50 miles radius? Am I misinformed? I heard I didn't need cable or a satellite capable source?



Gonna get real confused soon again.

[Scott]

No, you do not need cable or satellite for OTA reception. You can purchase a stand-alone set-top receiver for OTA (if your HDTV does not have it built-in). I think Tim was wondering what your cable situation looked like because often times, you can use one of their HD receivers to get OTA reception without purchasing a separate receiver.

[bullwinkle]

I need cable or satellite to recieve ota hdtv? I guess I had not read to much into it?

Your Dell is not HD ready. It comes with an analog (NTSC) tuner for receiving analog broadcast or analog cable. It does not have an ATSC (digital) tuner that is required for receiving OTA digital TV.

I heard from a bird that ASTV will be more direct broadcast source soon and and a decent antenna could pick upo channels for a 50 miles radius? Am I misinformed? I heard I didn't need cable or a satellite capable source?

You are not misinformed. To use your Dell to receive OTA digital TV you will need to buy an external ATSC tuner.

Gonna get real confused soon again.

Be confused. Be very confused. The people selling consumer electronics want it that way.