[mythtv-users] [OT, again] digital TV antennae (was Re: OT: Digital signal bands - Was: Horrible Audio Problems on Video Glitch)

[Bill Omer]

On Dec 20, 2007 1:53 PM, Michael T. Dean <mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> On 12/20/2007 01:34 PM, Michael T. Dean wrote:
> > On 12/20/2007 02:29 AM, Justin The Cynical wrote:
> >
> >> Mitch Gore wrote:
> >>
> >>> Thats the antenna that i started with as well.  I got terrible reception.
> >>> You want something with an amplifier.
> >>>
> >>> I have this one.  WOW has the price come down!
> >>> http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV3-Indoor-Powered-Antenna/dp/B000B58VNM/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_2
> >>>
> >>> With the old one i got 45% signal strength with the new one i get 95%.
> >>>
> >>> I mounted it in the corner of my hose on the ceiling in my closet.  works
> >>> great.  and you dont need the bunny ears spread.  that only for analog.
> >> Kind of off topic, but the part about the rabbit ears is not correct.
> >>
> >> As you might know, those are the VHF antennas.  I have one or two
> >> stations in my area (Portland Oregon area) that broadcast the digital
> >> signal on the high VHF band.
> > I think what he's trying to say is that nearly all digital channels are
> > broadcast in the UHF range, so they're only necessary if you desire one
> > of the few VHF digital channels.
>
> Sorry, this has been bouncing around in my mind since I posted the
> previous message, so I have to get it out of there...
>
> And, really, the reason that many people think that the "rabbit ears"
> are analog only is because the industry decided that since nearly all
> digital channels are broadcast in the UHF spectrum, they can make these
> new "special" antennae that are UHF-only and call them "digital TV
> antennae" to make the consumer think they're something special and
> different and that they're better (or even, in some consumers's minds,
> required) for digital TV.  Often--since they don't have the VHF
> antenna--these "digital TV antennae" are cheaper than equivalent "analog
> TV antennae," so the consumer thinks he is getting something better for
> less money, making it a great deal.  Whereas, in reality, an analog TV
> antenna would be a better deal and more capable--as it can attempt to
> pull in channels, whether analog or digital, from the VHF spectrum.
>
> My guess is the reason that the OP has a UHF-only antenna is because it
> said, "digital TV antenna."  I'd also guess that if Mitch wasn't just
> oversimplifying his statement, he too was confused by the industry's use
> of the term "digital TV antenna".  So, Bryan, if you ended up with a
> "digital" antenna (UHF only) because that's what the salesman said you
> needed, I'd take it back to the store and complain that it's
> mis-marked/broken/non-functional in your area because of WBBM's
> broadcasting their digital signal on frequency 3 in the VHF spectrum.
> There's no reason you should have to pay for that antenna if you were
> told it would work since it won't work for your needs.  Even if you made
> your decision based on the product markings on the box, I'd argue that
> it's mis-marked/makes invalid claims/...
>
> Good luck getting a new antenna without having to pay for the industry's
> deception.
>


Taken from the faq at antennaweb.org

Q: Are all digital stations on UHF channels, and do I need a UHF-only
antenna to receive them?  What are the VHF and UHF bands anyway, and
what do VHF and UHF stand for?

A:  The Very High Frequency (VHF) band is the segment of the
television broadcast band covering channels 2 through 13. The Ultra
High Frequency (UHF) band is the segment of the television broadcast
band covering channels 14 through 83.  Currently, the vast majority of
TV stations broadcasting in digital are using UHF (14 and up) channels
to do so.  This is not due to any technical requirement of digital
broadcasting, however. It is mostly because the UHF channels were more
likely to be available in most markets.  Eventually, after the digital
transition is complete and TV stations no longer need to broadcast in
analog, they may switch and use their current analog VHF channels for
digital instead.  Antennas that receive UHF stations only and ones
that receive both VHF and UHF are available.  If you are fairly
certain you won't want to get any lower channels in the VHF 2-13
range, you could purchase one that is UHF only.


-- 
Regards,
Bill Omer