If you’re excited about the transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting, you’re like millions of others who love HDTV. It’s the only way to get the ultimate in crystal-clear picture and sound. But did you know that you can actually use an off-air HDTV antenna to receive local signals, in Hi-Def? With the coming of the digital revolution, antennas aren’t going the way of the dinosaur – more TV lovers are using them to receive HDTV without having to pay monthly subscription fees to a cable or satellite company.
But using an antenna to receive digital signals is more than just cost-effective. Not everyone realizes that HDTV signals sent over the air are the best you can get. The recent crossover from analog to digital signals has made snow and ghosting, the worst culprits of picture distortion, remnants of the past. In the digital world, for both standard and high definition, it’s cut and dry: you either get a crisp picture or nothing at all. Although most local programming is not high-definition, at night when stations switch over to primetime shows the signal comes in as full widescreen HDTV.
There are many more reasons why using an HDTV antenna to receive HDTV signals is a good idea. The first good reason is that local digital TV broadcasts are ubiquitous. It’s true that you can find the best selection of channels in big cities and urban centers, but over 99% of American TV households can gain access to at least 1 digital station, and 89% have the capability to get 5 or more. And it’s very easy to find out what’s broadcasting in your area – just check out the web for a list of available channels.
Secondly, over-the-air digital reception offers the highest quality pictures. Why is this the case? Because cable and satellite providers let you choose from a large number of channels, they are forced to compress the data, which compromises picture quality. Lower picture quality may include a “soft” image, and video distortions that can be quite distracting. Using an antenna means you can watch HDTV in full resolution.
And an off-air antenna gives you access to every local channel. Sometimes with cable and satellite companies, you may receive a wide selection of channels, but due to bandwidth restrictions, every local channel may not necessarily be included in the package. If they do offer these channels, it’s most likely not available in high-definition, which is disappointing once you get used to HDTV. Even worse, sometimes contract disagreements between local cable companies and broadcasters make it so that certain major networks may not be accessible via digital cable TV.
Another bonus: off-air HDTV antennas may even let some people access non-local channels. If you set up the proper equipment and take advantage of the right reception conditions, you can pick up out-of-town channels, some even carrying sports programs that are normally blocked out locally.
Probably the most important benefit of using an antenna is that you can get HDTV for free! Over-the-air signals are free once you purchase and set up an antenna, so there’s really no reason not to try it out for yourself.
Don’t forget the tuner…
If you don’t already have a tuner integrated into your HDTV, you’ll need to purchase a HDTV tuner in addition to the HDTV antenna so you can receive digital signals on your HDTV-ready TV. For people currently subscribed to a HDTV package from DIRECTV® or DISH®, you’re in luck because the HD satellite receiver you already own might also have over-the-air HD tuner capabilities.
When first attempting to pick up signals with an antenna, you’re going to have to do some work. Because TV signal transmission is “line of sight” it can be difficult to get decent DTV reception over 70 miles away (beyond the curvature of the earth). It can also be a challenge to receive signals if mountains or tall buildings are located between the transmission tower and your home. The first thing you have to do is find your local stations’ transmitters.
The Consumer Electronics Association has a great website, called Antennaweb, which is helpful in finding the information you need. Here you’ll find a list of analog and digital TV stations. They even provide recommended antennas for each station to plan for ideal reception.
What’s Next
To locate TV stations near your home (or for those in rural areas, TV stations in nearby cities), it’s easier than you’d think. But remember: if you really want to make the most of your HDTV experience, it’s important to properly install a high-quality antenna, as this means you might be able to pick up signals from stations over 50 miles away.
Using the online tools available on Antennaweb, all you have to do is enter your address and it automatically calculates your exact latitude and longitude. Write this information down along with the direction noted on the screen. Then visit the National Geophysical Data Center at http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/geomag/jsp/struts/calcDeclination and enter in your information to discover your magnetic declination. Next, point your browser to the Broadcast Television Station Search at http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp. Enter in all the information you’ve accumulated thus far in addition to a distance range and you’ll get the appropriate results.
At this point, once you’ve purchased and installed an antenna, it should be smooth sailing. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and take in some HDTV.
By: Katerina Mitrou
Monday, December 15, 2008
10 Tips on How to Buy a Hdtv Makes it Easier to Decide on the Best HDTV to Buy
Since a HDTV is not as expensive as a while back, more and more consumers spend their money towards the latest wide screen craze - a high definition (HD) flat screen television. More and more people are becoming aware of the terms LCD, HDTV and Plasma and for especially the younger working generation the main question is not if they will spend hard earned cash towards a HDTV of choice but when they will spend it.
1. Realize that your HDTV purchase will give you a product that should under normal circumstances last up to 20 - 30 years. Rather buy a HDTV tv of higher quality so that it will not be outdated within 10 years.
2. Realize that technology products are becoming cheaper than ever to manufacture and that the market response drives the prices down at a phenomenal rate. Buying the more expensive model may not be the best HDTV to buy.
3. Realize that you may suffer severely from self-inflicted injuries kicking yourself afterwards if you have not taken the time (about 2 minutes) to learn what makes one HDTV better than the next one.
4. Know the difference between the main types of tv screens: CTR, LCD and Plasma and each of their advantages and disadvantages.
5. Know that the higher the resolution of a television screen the most likely the quality of the display may be better than a HDTV with a lower screen resolution.
6. Know that the television screen is made up of tiny particles that display color. These particles are calls pixels. The more pixels fitted into a screen, the higher the resolution.
7. Know that there were major technological advances made towards the way that the tv screen manages the pixel colors to create better flowing movements. Choosing an older type may make your "new" tv age faster and you may have to replace it earlier than you might have expected to.
8. Know the latest display type, called a progressive scan type as well as that "interlaced" refers to earlier technology. Of these a number of 1080i would refer to the term “interlaced” and 1080p would refer to a "progressive scan" television.
9. Know that a bigger screen size not always refer to a better television. Other than knowing the effect of screen resolution on your budget, you will become aware of the fact that bigger costs more but does not necessarily means better picture detail. Just a quick warning - do not put a very large screen in a small room. The larger the screen the further you have to sit from it.
10. A higher Color-depth constitutes a wider assortment of colors that can be displayed. The more the merrier. A 2-million pixel resolution is a minimum I would recommend.
Considering both the fact of the risk you are taking if you buy the first HDTV that you see (because you may fall in love with it), and the fact that the prices are coming down the longer you wait, then ultimately you are safer waiting but then if you never make the decision you may loose out on the experience of HDTV.
By: Gert Hough
1. Realize that your HDTV purchase will give you a product that should under normal circumstances last up to 20 - 30 years. Rather buy a HDTV tv of higher quality so that it will not be outdated within 10 years.
2. Realize that technology products are becoming cheaper than ever to manufacture and that the market response drives the prices down at a phenomenal rate. Buying the more expensive model may not be the best HDTV to buy.
3. Realize that you may suffer severely from self-inflicted injuries kicking yourself afterwards if you have not taken the time (about 2 minutes) to learn what makes one HDTV better than the next one.
4. Know the difference between the main types of tv screens: CTR, LCD and Plasma and each of their advantages and disadvantages.
5. Know that the higher the resolution of a television screen the most likely the quality of the display may be better than a HDTV with a lower screen resolution.
6. Know that the television screen is made up of tiny particles that display color. These particles are calls pixels. The more pixels fitted into a screen, the higher the resolution.
7. Know that there were major technological advances made towards the way that the tv screen manages the pixel colors to create better flowing movements. Choosing an older type may make your "new" tv age faster and you may have to replace it earlier than you might have expected to.
8. Know the latest display type, called a progressive scan type as well as that "interlaced" refers to earlier technology. Of these a number of 1080i would refer to the term “interlaced” and 1080p would refer to a "progressive scan" television.
9. Know that a bigger screen size not always refer to a better television. Other than knowing the effect of screen resolution on your budget, you will become aware of the fact that bigger costs more but does not necessarily means better picture detail. Just a quick warning - do not put a very large screen in a small room. The larger the screen the further you have to sit from it.
10. A higher Color-depth constitutes a wider assortment of colors that can be displayed. The more the merrier. A 2-million pixel resolution is a minimum I would recommend.
Considering both the fact of the risk you are taking if you buy the first HDTV that you see (because you may fall in love with it), and the fact that the prices are coming down the longer you wait, then ultimately you are safer waiting but then if you never make the decision you may loose out on the experience of HDTV.
By: Gert Hough
Home Audio Speakers: Improving Your Home Theater With Proper Speakers
Having the right speakers for your home theater room – correct size, proper sound output, and fitting aesthetics – brings the entire room together in one cohesive piece. When looking at new home speakers, consider the size of the room, the appropriate speaker size, the number of speakers that you are going to be using, and what is within your price range for sound equipment. You may also want to consider more aesthetic items like speaker placement and the overall look of your home theater design with speakers.
When it comes to finding home speakers, the first thing to do is analyze the size of the room. You want to take a good look at how much space you have, and then do some calculations about your speaker placement and number of speakers. For instance, if the room is very large, you are going to want to place your speakers much higher. If it is small, speakers on the floor will cut down on echoes and make it easier to align your entire sound system. In-wall speakers are another option that will allow you to have quality sound from all parts of the room without dealing with the potential clutter of floor standing speakers.
The next thing to consider is the size of the speakers themselves. Each speaker type (front, side, subwoofer) come in different sizes depending on how they will be mounted, the quality of the sound and the type of application they will be used for. Larger speakers may be able to give you richer, deeper sound but that sort of sound may not be necessary for the size and layout of your particular home theater room. Additionally, quality speaker manufacturers are improving on the sound quality of smaller speakers every year. Large room sound may soon not require the use of large floorstanding or cabinet speakers. Consider the size of the in-wall speakers you prefer as well. The size of the speaker will equate to the portion of your wall that will need to be removed in order to place the speakers. A custom home theater installer can help with defining the parameters for the home theater speaker size best for your home.
The number of speakers your room needs is another item to consider. Several of the speaker brands offer different lines of speakers that include three, five or seven speaker configurations. Consult with a home audio technician or custom installer about what is the best proportion for your home if you are unsure of what you will need.
Speakers for any home theater are no longer outside of many people’s reach. Home theater equipment is available in a wide range of pricing suitable for any budget. Quality speakers by top-brands are available within the range of average home owners and top of the line speakers are also available for audio junkies who have a fine ear for sound and a fascination with the technology. Don’t let pricing stop you from getting the right type of speakers for your home. Talk to a custom installer about your price range and what is most important to you when it comes to the sound quality in your home theater.
By: Ben Anton
When it comes to finding home speakers, the first thing to do is analyze the size of the room. You want to take a good look at how much space you have, and then do some calculations about your speaker placement and number of speakers. For instance, if the room is very large, you are going to want to place your speakers much higher. If it is small, speakers on the floor will cut down on echoes and make it easier to align your entire sound system. In-wall speakers are another option that will allow you to have quality sound from all parts of the room without dealing with the potential clutter of floor standing speakers.
The next thing to consider is the size of the speakers themselves. Each speaker type (front, side, subwoofer) come in different sizes depending on how they will be mounted, the quality of the sound and the type of application they will be used for. Larger speakers may be able to give you richer, deeper sound but that sort of sound may not be necessary for the size and layout of your particular home theater room. Additionally, quality speaker manufacturers are improving on the sound quality of smaller speakers every year. Large room sound may soon not require the use of large floorstanding or cabinet speakers. Consider the size of the in-wall speakers you prefer as well. The size of the speaker will equate to the portion of your wall that will need to be removed in order to place the speakers. A custom home theater installer can help with defining the parameters for the home theater speaker size best for your home.
The number of speakers your room needs is another item to consider. Several of the speaker brands offer different lines of speakers that include three, five or seven speaker configurations. Consult with a home audio technician or custom installer about what is the best proportion for your home if you are unsure of what you will need.
Speakers for any home theater are no longer outside of many people’s reach. Home theater equipment is available in a wide range of pricing suitable for any budget. Quality speakers by top-brands are available within the range of average home owners and top of the line speakers are also available for audio junkies who have a fine ear for sound and a fascination with the technology. Don’t let pricing stop you from getting the right type of speakers for your home. Talk to a custom installer about your price range and what is most important to you when it comes to the sound quality in your home theater.
By: Ben Anton
Bring Home The Home Theater Audio System!
Home theater audio system is gaining popularity all over. The interpretation of music has changed nowadays. People just don't want to hear the songs; they want to hear it clearly and too with special added effects. Everything changed with the introduction of the Dolby sound system in the 70's and ever since the way music was heard, changed. Now everyone wants to have their own home theater audio system. People want their audio systems to be trendy and in sync with the latest sound system. The home theaters have further added to its popularity. The popularity of these home theater audio systems is growing day by day and it's bound to grow even more in the coming future. This is one thing which the music lovers just can't miss.
Choose the best quality
A product is defined by its quality. So you must make sure that you get the best quality, never compromise on that. However you also need to keep a check on your budget. The general perception is that more the price, the better the product. This is actually true because quality products are usually priced high. However this is not always true. A highly priced product may not be of good quality. It thus becomes important to check the product's quality before buying it. For this you can request the working staff to give you a demo of the product. You can hear the sound of the audio system in listening rooms. This is important to make sure that you are buying what you actually wanted. You may end up with something bad if you don't listen to the audio system before buying it.
The size of the room determines the number of speakers
How does one decide as to which home theater audio system is best for them? One must buy the audio system according to the size of the room. The system must not be too big or too small for the room. It should just be perfect. If the room is big, six speakers are enough. In addition to the center speaker, there will be two front and rear side speakers. Addition of a subwoofer will make the total count six. The sound of the audio system can be further enhanced by making the subwoofer face the wall. This way, the whole wall will function as a subwoofer and the sound quality will be greatly increased. To get the maximum out of your home theater audio system, cover it up with a woven basket. This will increase its sound. For more info see http://www.1hometheaterreviews.com/Home_Theater_Speaker_System on Home Theater Speaker System.
In case of a small room, three speakers are sufficient. In addition to a subwoofer there should be two rear speakers. A small room doesn't need too many speakers for it will take unnecessary space and will not serve any purpose. So be very careful while buying your audio system. It must fit your room perfectly.
Many home theater audio systems are available in the market. Bose home theater is one such popular system though there are many others. You should choose the one which suits you the best. Go for the best available option which is within your budget. You should choose it carefully so that you can enjoy this experience forever.
By: David Faulkner
Choose the best quality
A product is defined by its quality. So you must make sure that you get the best quality, never compromise on that. However you also need to keep a check on your budget. The general perception is that more the price, the better the product. This is actually true because quality products are usually priced high. However this is not always true. A highly priced product may not be of good quality. It thus becomes important to check the product's quality before buying it. For this you can request the working staff to give you a demo of the product. You can hear the sound of the audio system in listening rooms. This is important to make sure that you are buying what you actually wanted. You may end up with something bad if you don't listen to the audio system before buying it.
The size of the room determines the number of speakers
How does one decide as to which home theater audio system is best for them? One must buy the audio system according to the size of the room. The system must not be too big or too small for the room. It should just be perfect. If the room is big, six speakers are enough. In addition to the center speaker, there will be two front and rear side speakers. Addition of a subwoofer will make the total count six. The sound of the audio system can be further enhanced by making the subwoofer face the wall. This way, the whole wall will function as a subwoofer and the sound quality will be greatly increased. To get the maximum out of your home theater audio system, cover it up with a woven basket. This will increase its sound. For more info see http://www.1hometheaterreviews.com/Home_Theater_Speaker_System on Home Theater Speaker System.
In case of a small room, three speakers are sufficient. In addition to a subwoofer there should be two rear speakers. A small room doesn't need too many speakers for it will take unnecessary space and will not serve any purpose. So be very careful while buying your audio system. It must fit your room perfectly.
Many home theater audio systems are available in the market. Bose home theater is one such popular system though there are many others. You should choose the one which suits you the best. Go for the best available option which is within your budget. You should choose it carefully so that you can enjoy this experience forever.
By: David Faulkner
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