Digital TV Signal - Quality, How Many Channels?

[Jagosaurus]

I don't watch much TV. I feel like I'm wasting $ on cable.

My HD TV is from 2008 & doesn't have the ability to pick up the new "over the air" digital signals. If I buy a digital to analog converter with an antenna, how many channels can I expect? I live near Houston which I imagine would help. Hows the picture quality typically? Mine will not be HD after running through the converter I assume (need to research converters more lol, guessing it's RF or composite out), correct?

At first I was worried about another one of my hobbies, college football.During the fall I can catch the football on the main networks & hit a bar if one is on ESPN. Time to cut the cable bill.

Thanks guys.

[Duane Dibbley]

If you already have an HDTV, you want to find an HDTV tuner, not a digital to analog converter. Something like this, I think: http://amzn.com/B00276LM7U

Your reception quality mainly depends on how close you live to the transmitters, and how large and how high your antenna is.

[samsonlonghair]

It looks like you can expect about nineteen TV channels in the Houston market. About thirteen are broadcast in English, and about six are broadcast in Spanish (if that matters to you).
Here's the rundown:
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Houston

[Duane Dibbley]

Are you sure your TV doesn't have a built-in tuner? Seems like by 2008 they were all required to have tuners.

[samsonlonghair]

I think the DTV switchover was in 2009. In 2008, some stores were still carrying old stock with analog TV sets. They were required to post a warning about the DTV switchover in 2008.

The government setup websites, and notices, and warnings and FAQs about the DTV transition. Thank God our government works so hard to protect our right to watch TV.

[Jagosaurus]

@Sam thanks man. After some hunting I found one that was HDMI & component out also.

@Dibbly great call. I was getting my previous 2006 Vizio & my current 2008 Sony mixed up. After calling Sony support, my TV does have a digital tuner (both QAW & ATSC). It also has a firmware update they are mailing me on a USB for free. One of the issues it patches is digital channels.

In the meantime, I'm buying an antenna to see if that help pickup. He said around major cities, some ppl pick up 50 channels. That's nuts.

[Jagosaurus]

It looks like you can expect about nineteen TV channels in the Houston market. About thirteen are broadcast in English, and about six are broadcast in Spanish (if that matters to you).
Here's the rundown:
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Houston

Thanks. Great link. It's not 50 but I rarely watch it anyway

Yeah, I remember researching in 2008 & that's where I recalled incorrectly, my vizio then didn't have the tuner.

Appreciate all the feedback.

[Duane Dibbley]

You can use this website to find out where the stations broadcast from relative to you, and what kind of antenna you might need: http://www.antennaweb.org/. I think it's run by antenna manufacturers, so take it with a grain of salt. The info seems to be fairly accurate though. Also, keep in mind that the higher your antenna is, the better your reception will be.

[fastbilly1]

Just know that in most areas you will need to mount an antenna to get these channels. You may be able to do an attic one, but I am going to have to mount one outside for it to work.

[Jagosaurus]

OK, I ended up buying the Mohu Leaf indoor HDTV Antenna. I get 16 channels broadcast in English, the majority in HD, a few even in 1080i. I'm very impressed with the clarity. $40 new on Amazon.

This antenna, my laptop with HDMI out, & my new blu ray player with Hulu, YouTube, & Netflix apps... canceling cable & saving $50+ a month!

I also get 10+ channels in Spanish lol... Texas.