How would you like to be able to watch Digital channels on your new HDTV without having to pay for Cable or Satellite? Well if you have one of your old UHF/VHF antenna’s still attached to the outside of your home or inside your garage, you might want to pull it out and plug it into your new TV. Digital TV over the airwaves, for free? YES! Some background on this…as TV stations prepare for the switch from Analog to Digital next year February, they are already starting to broadcast your local channels in HD and digital over the airwaves. You don’t need a special HD antenna, you just need a TV that can receive a digital signal.
I have my Digital TV plugged into my antenna, now what? Visit AntennaWeb.org and follow the instructions that will help you orient your antenna based on your location so that you can receive the best reception and as many channels as possible. Below I listed some of the resources on this website so that you can easily find what your looking for and a couple of screenshots so that you can see how it works. Enjoy your free Digital TV channels. If you have any questions/comments, please feel free to contact me.
In order to view your reception options you have to fill out this form with your address so that you can determine the following;
- Where to point your antenna
- What channels are available in your area
- What antenna you need
- Here’s the link to the form
Some of the Media Networks broadcasting digital over the air;
- ABC
- NBC
- FOX
- CW
- CBS, and more!
Here you can some screenshots showing you the map you select your location with and an example of the Digital listings available in my area.
Map where you chose your location
DIGITAL TV Listings Available
A little more background regarding the move from Analog to Digital broadcasting on February of next year.
"At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders."
For those of you who do not have a TV set capable of receiving digital signals, the US government is providing you with a voucher to buy a converter that will allow your analog TV to receive those digital signals. More info here.
List of manufacturer’s approved by the CEA
