HD for the first time last night!

[chupacabra]

I finally broke down and got a Samsung SIR T151 OTA tuner and a silver sensor over the weekend, hooked it up to my Hitachy 51".

I really didn't start watching HDTV until last night. The tuner itself is very basic not sure if I will keep it yet because it has no DVI input.

I began with CBS and watched a show called ' two and half men'? I wasn't too overwhelmed, despite the clarity and vividness, I noticed some sort of grain especially visible in still shots against light colored objects/walls, etc.

Then I watched CSI - still some grain but I expect that from film sourced show - still good.

Then I took my TV out of 3:2 pull down mode and lowered the sharpness a bit - AND THEN Jay Leno came on - HOLY GUACAMOLE!!! 8O

It looked as though Jay was standing in my living room inside a box! I couldn't get over how well it looked!

I get about 9 channels with the silver sensor in 1 position which include the ones broadcasting in HD so I am happy right now.

Is there any advantage in getting an attic or rooftop antenna at this point? It won't make the picture any better will it? What would be the advantage?

Thanks!

[bdraw]

Video to me is unbelievable.
Film grows on you more and more after you watch and then look back at the same show in SD.

Their won't be any picture quality difference between a Indoor vs Outdoor antenna, but you might have less drop outs, and not need to reposition the SS for that one channel.

[LonghornXP]

Well if you get a strong signal with the zenith antenna than no there is no need to get an attic or outdoor antenna. The quality is pretty much all or nothing unlike analog where you could get snow. You either get no signal or the best picture possible. Also where do you live because I was thinking about getting the Zenith Silver Senser to replace my Jensen TV910 antenna but was weary because it didn't support VHF and I did hear some tidbits about both NBC and FOX since they were high enough and closer to the UHF that the Zenith antenna was able to pick up those stations. Mainly I need to ask these questions below.

Again where do you live.
Also can you pick up these stations below and with what kinda signal strength.

NBC
FOX
PBS
CBS
ABC
UPN
WB38
PAX66

Mainly I wanted to know how well it does with NBC, FOX and WB.

[chupacabra]

LonghornXP,
I live in New Tampa, Meadow Pointe III subdivision, near county line road and SR56.

I only looked at the signal meter only on NBC, CBS it's at about 35 - 40% signal strength by my guess (the Samsung only shows a scale from weak to strong, no numbers) - but I got no drop outs with the SS on CBS and NBC last night, just some occasional pixelization. When I use the RCA ANT1250 VHF/UHF it is horrible lots of drops.

I get PBS(all 3), NBC, CBS, ABC, WB38, UPN without messing with the antenna. If I want to watch PAX, WMOR, CTN, WFTT - I have to move the antenna.

Try the SS, if it doesn't work, you can always return it as I will do with the RCA.

BTW, I see WUSF 16 listed as a Tampa Channel here, but I cannot get that one at all, is that just me or is it everyone?

Thanks.

[passedpawn]

LonghornXP,
BTW, I see WUSF 16 listed as a Tampa Channel here, but I cannot get that one at all, is that just me or is it everyone?

They're not on the air yet. Sometime next month. Isn't that another PBS station? I assume they will have the same programming as ch. 3?

[chupacabra]

Thanks for the info on channel WUSF16.

It rained last night in my area an it was drop out city! I guess it's time for the rooftop antenna bummer, but it won't be difficult to install.

Can anyone recommend a good rooftop antenna for the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area?

Thanks!

[passedpawn]

Thanks for the info on channel WUSF16.

It rained last night in my area an it was drop out city! I guess it's time for the rooftop antenna bummer, but it won't be difficult to install.

Can anyone recommend a good rooftop antenna for the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area?

Thanks!
Note that we have both VHF (2) and UHF (9) digital stations being broadcast right now. Therefore, I would get a combined VHF/UHF antenna. I believe the Radio Shack antennas are as good as any other, so check this RS antenna guide (http://www.radioshack.com/images/refguide/c04-p012.pdf) out.

Simple rule: bigger and higher are better.

[passedpawn]

Another comment on antennas with the VHF "wings". These big VHF wings form a kind of arrow. DO NOT POINT THE ARROW AT THE INTENDED BROADCAST TOWER! Easy mistake to make (at least is was for me). The "arrow" points AWAY from the broadcast tower.

If you go to AntennaWeb (www.antennaweb.org) and enter your address, you can get the compass orientation of each broadcast tower. Using that info, put the antenna up on your roof (or try your attic) and point the antenna in the listed compass angle. All but one of the stations are coming from the same antenna farm, so the choice of direction will not be a hard one.

[chupacabra]

passedpawn,

Thanks for the advice. I am checking out the RS antenna guide now.

BTW, what is the address for the antenna farms? I am trying to figure out distance in miles so I can get the right kind of antenna.

Thanks.

[passedpawn]

passedpawn,

Thanks for the advice. I am checking out the RS antenna guide now.

BTW, what is the address for the antenna farms? I am trying to figure out distance in miles so I can get the right kind of antenna.

Thanks.
TitanTV has an antenna selector that used to show this info. I just tried it and the popup window with the antenna map wasn't working.

If you want to try it yourself, go for it: TitanTV Antenna Selector (http://www.titantv.com/ttv/AntennaSelector/start.aspx?broadcastType=digital). Once it pops up the picture of the AC-9 (is that the only antenna available?), click the Distribution link next to the picture. Good Luck. I think it used to show distance to the broadcast antenna.