It is getting close to the closure of analog broadcast TV and the total adoption of Terrestrial Digital broadcasting, HD-TV.

If you go to www.antennaweb.org you can punch in your exact address and get a map of what stations are in range, what type or class of antenna you will need and which direction it will need to point.

I would strongly suggest a full range antenna that is capable of channel 2 on up UHF/VHF/HD/FM. These will be larger about 80" long and will work on condos, homes and some apartments.

If you live in a multi-story dwelling a smaller channel 7 up, no FM antenna, may be all you can fit on a balcony. These are the size of a small dish and you can always combine the two antennas or cable on the same line into the house.

The larger antenna will allow the very best HD video, FM and FM-HD reception. Unless you have cable over an optical connection there is no comparison picture wise to HD over the air to satellite or wire cable. This is like watching each show in Blu Ray resolution. If you are using a non HD video device the Channel Master converter box is receiving the best reviews and will cost about $28.00 with the HD rebate coupon.

HD FM is gaining traction. The station and music choices are growing so this is something you will want to take advantage of with the same antenna.

For those of you that live in communities that restrict outdoor antennas you will need to print out the guide for your location. Federal law trumps all and the FCC has mandated your right to mount an antenna and use the free airways. You can not be legally denied and the law is very specific.

Thanks,
Ron-C

You lucky Lads and Lassies...in Belgium, DVB-T is limited to National Public Service Broadcasting.
The two local commercial cable/IPTV providers have some kind of (political) deal that prohibits the use of DVB-T for commercial broadcasts...it is to be expected that they want to protect their investments...the only alternative is satellite, because a lot of local communities do not allow you to mount big antenna's...heck, most communities do not allow you to freely mount a satellite dish, or charge some kind of insane tax...so count your blessings with "your right to mount an antenna and use the free airways"

As confirmed by an independent Consumer Interest organisation, the whole digital TV experience is one big disappointment here in our neck of the woods...the sad part is that the aforementioned cable/IPTV providers have no interest or incentive to make it a better experience :sigh:

Good Stuff, Thanks Ron!

or you could just subscribe to cable tv and not worry about it.

I agree the HD OTA is awesome, maybe even better than cable. Our local cable company didn't show NBC for about a month (NBC wanted to be paid per subscriber for basically a free rebroadcast signal...eventually they came to an agreement) so I went out and bought an HD antenna and was shocked at how nice it looked and sounded, actually had fewer digital hiccups than during the olympics (terrible sound during olympics too, with a lot of the programming coming out of right speaker only). If it weren't for the DVR capability I would probably watch everything from the OTA signal.

I do disagree with HD radio, I have this in my car (always goes out when going under an overpass or in an area with varied topography) and I bought the Sangaen tuner. If the signal was stronger the car probably wouldn't have a problem, but on my system at home it sounds like a low quality mp3. The HD also interferes with analog FM too. Anyway, I do listen to HD radio a lot now because the only jazz station in town is HD only.

The HD picture from OTA antenna is generally much better then cable or satellite because it is not a compressed signal (for most programming). I can see a clear difference when I switch back and forth so I watch OTA whenever I can.

HD-TV is about 40% clearer than cable and +30% than satellite. Depends on the program and these are best case numbers. As far as HD FM the tuner you mentioned is OK but there are better ones with a lot more coming.
You can add an HDTV OTA antenna and keep your cable too. It will make you hate the picture on cable though.

Have a Merry!
Ron-C

Yep, I have a smallish 10 year old Rad Shack VHF/UHF/FM antenna on roof and it pulls in an excellent HD picture - better than the same channel on digi cable. RG6 from the antenna into the house. If you don't have one connected to your HD tee vee, you're missing out on some good stuff. Great analog FM too.

Murray

I hear Verizon Fios is tough to beat as far as cable/satellite goes.

Fios has the bandwidth on optical cable to be very good. The best of the cable companies as far as PQ. To bad is is not available in every location.

thanks,
Ron-C

HD-TV is about 40% clearer than cable and +30% than satellite. Depends on the program and these are best case numbers. As far as HD FM the tuner you mentioned is OK but there are better ones with a lot more coming.
You can add an HDTV OTA antenna and keep your cable too. It will make you hate the picture on cable though.

Have a Merry!
Ron-C

DirectTV tried to change my DVR for one that would not connect both to the dish and the OTA antenna, so I cancelled them and went to Dish. Nether provides KQED in HD, so I need the OTA antenna for that.

I may end up getting TIVO because it will let me DVR cable and OTA (I rarely watch anything in real time...college football is probably it).

Ron-c, what are some of the better HD FM tuners? This was the only one I saw that was a full sized piece of gear that didn't have built-in speakers. The analog section can't hold a candle to my MR-78. I did listen to the classical station on it and it sounded pretty good, but I don't listen to much classical so I have no frame of reference.

Wow, from Pescadero I will get 1 digital channel. :(

Nothing there but states and Puerto Rico? :scratch2:

See the Sony HD1 tuner thread in the tuner forum if you want to horse around with a good HD tuner. They are cheap but a bit hard to find right now. KQED sounds superb on HD and the second channel plays better music in my opinion.
Another bay area HD find is KLLC, 97.3 FM-2. they call it chill out or something but very nice to listen to if you like Delirium, dead Can Dance type stuff.

Ex- these are US only broadcast formats for now.

thanks,
Ron-C

See the Sony HD1 tuner thread in the tuner forum if you want to horse around with a good HD tuner. They are cheap but a bit hard to find right now. KQED sounds superb on HD and the second channel plays better music in my opinion.
Another bay area HD find is KLLC, 97.3 FM-2. they call it chill out or something but very nice to listen to if you like Delirium, dead Can Dance type stuff.

Ex- these are US only broadcast formats for now.

thanks,
Ron-C

I have not been that impressed with HD radio so far. The sonic claims don't measure up right now. Maybe that will change sometime in the future.:scratch2:

Greg,

Seems like everyone likes HD once they have a decent tuner on a proper antenna. I do not know what the station content is like in your area though. In the N. Ca. Bay Area where I live we have a very rich radio environment.

Thanks,
Ron-C

Greg,

Seems like everyone likes HD once they have a decent tuner on a proper antenna. I do not know what the station content is like in your area though. In the N. Ca. Bay Area where I live we have a very rich radio environment.

Thanks,
Ron-C

Ron,
I've yet to find that decent tuner. I'm hoping that MAC will produce one with tubes and features AM/FM/HD..... hint hint :D

We are always working toward superior tuner performance. I don't feel tubes belong in source components but should remain in preamps and amps for tube lovers. You can always pick up a used MR71 or 67 though.

Thanks,
Ron-C

We are always working toward superior tuner performance. I don't feel tubes belong in source components but should remain in preamps and amps for tube lovers. You can always pick up a used MR71 or 67 though.

Thanks,
Ron-C

That's cool. What about a new MAC SS tuner with AM/FM/HD? I guess the other option could something from Accuphase if MAC doesn't come through with one.

I was not aware that they addressed HD or Satellite?

Thanks,
Ron-C

I was not aware that they addressed HD or Satellite?

Thanks,
Ron-C

They supposedly have a new top-of-the-line FM tuner with HD radio as a feature-cost:around $6k. I'm going shopping soon.....:D

Ron,
I've yet to find that decent tuner. I'm hoping that MAC will produce one with tubes and features AM/FM/HD..... hint hint :D

The T2 HD tuner in my MA6600 works great. It is providing me an overall higher level of performance than my previous MR73 and MR85.

The T2 HD tuner in my MA6600 works great. It is providing me an overall higher level of performance than my previous MR73 and MR85.

My MR85 can't be fitted with the new HD module so I'll need a one box solution.

...I'll need a one box solution.

Did I hear someone say MA6600? :D

Did I hear someone say MA6600? :D

Yes, I'm quite happy with mine.

Did I hear someone say MA6600? :D

The MA6600 is a fine integrated amp,but I have the MA6500 already and matches perfectly with my Castle Warwick 3 speakers. The MA6600 has too much power for my little bookshelf speakers and may damage them as a result.
So, the solution for me would be a stand alone tuner- hopefully a MAC but I guess that I can struggle with a Accuphase if nothing else. :yes:
I'm not a big fan of receivers anymore. I did enjoy the MAC4100 for many years though.

Sony HD1? I find nothing by that name. Are you sure you aren't confusing it with the Sangaen HD1?

Sony HD1? I find nothing by that name. Are you sure you aren't confusing it with the Sangaen HD1?

Sony XDRF1HD. Search Tuner Forum herein.