Anyone have suggestion on how to get an HD tv signal? (Howe: homes, to move)

[texas7]

Okay, I have cable but I also had a small tv in the kitchen and a couple of other rooms that were non cable. Bought a small HDTV (15") and (7") with an antenna and neither will pick up an HD signal. The 7" gets channel 2 KPRC and that is it (other than the Spanish speaking stations which come in great). And, when I do get KPRC some days its great and other days it just pops, spits and skips through the entire broadcast. This is ridiculous.

Any suggestions from anyone to getting a signal on these small portables w/o cable? The TV is HD so I should not need a converter box but even with a nice antenna - zip other than KPRC.

[City Love]

I think you do need a converter box, unless it has one built in.

We have 2 HD tvs at home, and need a converter box if we want to see an over the air HD signal.

[RVD26]

It sounds like you'll either have to move the TVs so you can get a better signal or you'll have to get a better antenna.
What kind of antenna do you have?
Is it the plain ol' rabbit ears antenna?
Those will usually work, but sometimes you might need a more powerful (and expensive) indoor antenna or get an outdoor antenna.
I know Terk makes good indoor antennas.

[RVD26]

Originally Posted by City Love

I think you do need a converter box, unless it has one built in.

We have 2 HD tvs at home, and need a converter box if we want to see an over the air HD signal.

If his HDTV has an ATSC tuner (which unless he has one of the first HDTVs to ever come out years ago, he should have) then he will not need a converter box.

[ssgmun5000]

How about trying one of them HD antennas?

[Poltracker]

You may need an antenna with a booster.

[Zhang Fei]

The most comprehensive solution is to mount a roof antenna. Failing that, get a signal amplifier:



The Magnavox M61111 pictured above is pretty cheap and has adjustable gain. Better still, to avoid additional wires, junk your existing antennas and look up the phrase "amplified antenna" on Amazon, look for the best reviewed item, and check out your local electronics retailer for the item in question.

[mpgerma]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

The most comprehensive solution is to mount a roof antenna. Failing that, get a signal amplifier:



The Magnavox M61111 pictured above is pretty cheap and has adjustable gain. Better still, to avoid additional wires, junk your existing antennas and look up the phrase "amplified antenna" on Amazon, look for the best reviewed item, and check out your local electronics retailer for the item in question.

Thanks, Zhang Fei. I was having similar problems....old tv with convertor box and old old set of rabbit ears. could hardly get anything besides channel 2 and some spanish channels. I will look into a good amplified antennae.

[texas7]

This is a new HDTV 15" for a countertop so I don't plan to install an outdoor antenna for a kitchen TV. I have cable elsewhere in the home. I don't think I need the converter box because it isn't an old TV. I think it is a shame that the government forced HDTV on citizens when the signals are not strong enough to reach yet. I'm using an HD antenna that I bought for alongside the TV - still no signal on the major channels. I feel badly for those who cannot afford cable and can't get a signal in their homes w/o going to excessive means. I will look into the signal amplifier and see if that helps though before returning the TV.

[Zhang Fei]

Originally Posted by texas7

This is a new HDTV 15" for a countertop so I don't plan to install an outdoor antenna for a kitchen TV. I have cable elsewhere in the home. I don't think I need the converter box because it isn't an old TV. I think it is a shame that the government forced HDTV on citizens when the signals are not strong enough to reach yet. I'm using an HD antenna that I bought for alongside the TV - still no signal on the major channels. I feel badly for those who cannot afford cable and can't get a signal in their homes w/o going to excessive means. I will look into the signal amplifier and see if that helps though before returning the TV.

A roof antenna will obviously give the best reception when installed on the roof. However, even an attic installation will usually provide much better reception than just about any small indoor antenna. Of course, the trade-off with an attic installation is that you lose a fair amount of space in the attic. C'est la vie. Improving TV reception, like life, is full of trade-offs.