Ears On

TV Antennas Bring Free HDTV

Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 19, 2007

Like Poe's purloined letter, some stories lay in plain sight, unnoticed. On rooftops, no less. I'm talking about the return of the humble TV antenna in the age of HDTV. As Newsweek's Johnnie L. Roberts says so eloquently: "The irony is marvelous. Pushed into obsolescence by the technological advances of cable and satellite, antennas are re-emerging thanks to one of the most promising high-tech services of the digital age. High-def channels can be plucked out of thin air by antennas just like regular broadcast signals--no cable, no satellite dish, no monthly bill, no waiting for the cable man." OK, if you've got a Jon Stewart addiction, the dear old antenna will do nothing to help. But how many such addictions do you really have? If the answer is just one or two, try this exercise: Get your cable or satellite bill. Multiply what you're paying for television by 12. That's what you're spending every year for Jon Stewart. Still think it's worth it? Then multiply the figure by 10--that's the amount of cash you could have put in your retirement fund over a decade. And what with cable's constant rate hikes, the final figure will be considerably larger than this simple calculation. If free TV seems like a good idea after all, the Consumer Electronics Association maintains an antennaweb site expressly to help people like you save money every month. Consumer hints: All HDTV channels live in the UHF band, so make sure your antenna works well at those frequencies (like the Terk indoor model shown here). You'll need a TV, set-top box, or DVR with an ATSC (meaning digital) tuner. But the results are worth it. Broadcast HDTV operates at a higher data rate than cable or (especially) satellite. So over-the-air HD picture quality is more than competitive. Salut!

COMMENTS
Milo Giacomo Rambaldi's picture
Submitted by Milo Giacomo Ra... (not verified) on March 19, 2007 - 3:55pm

Actually, not all HDTV channels are UHF. Here in Atlanta, the NBC affiliate (WXIA) broadcasts HDTV on frequency 10. However, that is high-band VHF, and some UFH antennae (such as the CM 4228) can receive it well. I paid Comcr*p for years but recently put up the 4228 and am quite satisfied. True, I no longer receive CNN, but there's always Internet.

Siny's picture
Submitted by Siny (not verified) on July 19, 2008 - 1:40am

Welcome to http://www.retailnfl.com/.Here you will find the best deals on all sorts of authentic jerseys. All 32 teams, hundreds of players and styles. Order your new jerseys today and be ready for the big game. "Focus on retailnfl.com, Feel the fantastic jerseys world" Free shipping for All order!

sindy's picture
Submitted by sindy (not verified) on July 27, 2008 - 11:57pm

InTheGo,Inc.-UK Based run a liquidation sale on Brand ShoesYou have accessed in a fantastic Nike world! InTheGo. co.uk is of Professional Brand Shoes,saving great discount & free shipping order,large stocks from container order of Brand shoes,Such as Nike Shoes,Adidas Shoes,Gucci Shoes,Puma Shoes,Prada Shoes,ugg boots,Ato Matsumoto Cow Hide Boot,etc. Specials URL: http://www.inthego.co.uk- Free Shipping All Order!

sindy's picture
Submitted by sindy (not verified) on July 28, 2008 - 6:02pm

InTheGo,Inc.-UK Based run a liquidation sale on Brand ShoesYou have accessed in a fantastic Nike world! InTheGo. co.uk is of Professional Brand Shoes,saving great discount & free shipping order,large stocks from container order of Brand shoes,Such as Nike Shoes,Adidas Shoes,Gucci Shoes,Puma Shoes,Prada Shoes,ugg boots,Ato Matsumoto Cow Hide Boot,etc. Specials URL: http://www.inthego.co.uk- Free Shipping All Order!

siny's picture
Submitted by siny (not verified) on August 10, 2008 - 2:16am

fbiky.Inc Based run a liquidation sale on Brand ShoesYou have accessed in a fantastic Nike world! fbikey.Inc is of Professional Brand Shoes,saving great discount & free shipping order,large stocks from container order of Brand shoes,Such as Nike Shoes,jordan shoes,bape,Adidas Shoes,Ato Matsumoto Cow Hide Boot,ugg boot,etc.surprised disount,best service,exquisite gift,and Original quality from famous factory.Come on!welcomt to here. Specials URL: http://www.fbikey.com- Free Shipping! You will definitely have an special experience and enjoy the internet shopping on our website.

sindy's picture
Submitted by sindy (not verified) on August 18, 2008 - 11:43pm

kissjordan Based run a liquidation sale on Brand ShoesYou have accessed in a fantastic Nike world! kissjordan is of Professional Brand Shoes,saving great discount & free shipping order,large stocks from container order of Brand shoes,Such as Nike Shoes,jordan shoes,bape shoes,Adidas Shoes,Ato Matsumoto Cow Hide Boot,ugg boots,etc.surprised disount,best service,exquisite gift,and Original quality from famous factory.Come on! welcome to here. Specials URL: http://www.kissjordan.com- Free Shipping! You will definitely have an special experience and enjoy the internet shopping on our website.

annewilland 's picture
Submitted by annewilland (not verified) on May 14, 2009 - 7:06pm

Now enjoy high-quality, stable in-ear headphones - engineered and developed by the most respected name in sound. Bose in-ear headphones are the only in-ear headphones with the rich audio and comfortable design you've come to expect from Bose.http://www.e-superbuyer.com/ bose headphonesvery good!!!!!!!!!!!its very good!!!!!!!!!!!

X