Getting rid of cable/digital TV

foaly · #1 07/25/12, 01:33 PM

I've made the decision to get rid of cable TV. The Weather Channel just isn't what it used to be.

Here's my dilemma: I have a TV that isn't digital. So, I realize I'll need an antenna on the TV and a digital converter box. But in doing so, I run the risk of not being able to pick up the digital signals from the TV stations in the nearest big city 30 miles away. (FYI - There is no big antenna attached to the house).

Or plan B would be to buy a small digital TV so I can get the local channels but perhaps still not be able to get signals.

Suggestions? Advice?

Nevada · #2 07/25/12, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foaly

I've made the decision to get rid of cable TV. The Weather Channel just isn't what it used to be.

Here's my dilemma: I have a TV that isn't digital. So, I realize I'll need an antenna on the TV and a digital converter box. But in doing so, I run the risk of not being able to pick up the digital signals from the TV stations in the nearest big city 30 miles away. (FYI - There is no big antenna attached to the house).

Or plan B would be to buy a small digital TV so I can get the local channels but perhaps still not be able to get signals.

Suggestions? Advice?

Get the digital converter box. It's a lot less than a new digital TV. I got mine for $40.

The other question boils down to the size of antenna. I have one on my house and I'm only after local channels. The antenna itself was $60, but I already had the mast, coax, and roof mount. If you need those things plan on it costing more like $100, because they add up.

I suppose you could try rabbit ears for awhile and see how it goes. It's up to you whether the stations from the next town are worth the extra expense for a roof-mount antenna.

HermitJohn · #3 07/25/12, 02:36 PM

Might look for a used digital tuner card for your computer.

Sawmill Jim · #4 07/25/12, 02:40 PM

They make small digital antennas that work fair ours is hanging in the upstairs window on the curtain rod .I'm cheap

Danaus29 · #5 07/25/12, 02:45 PM

I can pick up Dayton channels when the leaves are off the trees (80 miles away) and Columbus comes in very well (15 to 20 miles as the crow flies). I've got one of those big antennas. I think the cost was something like $150 for the base and rotor and antenna.

If all you are after is local channels you can start with a smaller antenna and work your way up. If you don't get the local channels take the unit back and get a bigger one. A lot of the newer ones are more compact and work nearly as well as a huge mounted unit.

sammyd · #6 07/25/12, 03:11 PM

We use a converter box and our old set of rabbit ears on one TV. Have a newer antenna for the TV in the living room, just a flat panel thing that sits on top of a bookcase.
We get pretty good reception of a channel from a town over 60 miles away.

**Cabin Fever** · #7 07/25/12, 03:26 PM

Go to this website ==> http://www.antennaweb.org/Address.aspx

Enter your address and it will tell you stations you might expect to receive with different antennas.

Jim-mi · #8 07/25/12, 03:26 PM

I see your in Kansas . . so hopefully there is no hills and valleys from you to the transmitters . . .So a reasonably small antenna and converter should do.
Get the ant up as high as possible.

bluesky · #9 07/25/12, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Go to this website ==> AntennaWeb - Address

Enter your address and it will tell you stations you might expect to receive with different antennas.

This is not very accurate for us - maybe because we're so far out in the country? The wind destroyed our 30 foot antenna tower a few weeks ago and we're trying to decide what to buy as a replacement. I checked this site and it said we will only get one channel with an antenna at 30 feet (we actually got 6+) - but right now, with the antenna lying on the ground, we get one channel and it's a different one than the site indicated.

AngieM2 · #10 07/25/12, 04:24 PM

Just a thought - the digital tv's are really coming down in price, and the reception and picture is really much better than an analog tv. With cable or with antenna. I have both and have used them both ways - if I were to stay with just antenna - the main tv would go from and analog to a digital (LCD is the cheaper version and very nice in video quality).

**Cabin Fever** · #11 07/25/12, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesky

This is not very accurate for us - maybe because we're so far out in the country? The wind destroyed our 30 foot antenna tower a few weeks ago and we're trying to decide what to buy as a replacement. I checked this site and it said we will only get one channel with an antenna at 30 feet (we actually got 6+) - but right now, with the antenna lying on the ground, we get one channel and it's a different one than the site indicated.

We found just the opposite. The website indicates we need a small tower antenna to pick up two of the closest stations to us (~30 miles). We can pick them up with amplified rabbit ears.

MO_cows · #12 07/25/12, 06:27 PM

Murphy's Law says soon as you buy the antenna and converter box your old tv will decide to give up the ghost. So maybe get a reasonably priced, not too big digital tv at Wal Mart and if you aren't satisfied with the reception you can take it right back for a refund and try plan B. We picked up about a dozen channels with no antenna at all just some antenna wire hooked up to the tv.