bcircus
Indiana
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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I have a 2006 Montana. I want to install a new HD flatscreen TV. Right now we have to use a converter box on our old TV. Do I have to buy a special antenna for those times we are not on cable?
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dodgebob08
Mississippi
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Joined: 07/30/2009
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we did the same thing and are using the old batwing antenna with no problems. HD works fine, more channels and better picture when on non HD channels. i see the special digital antennas for sale but haven't seen the use.
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garym114
Texas
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A special antenna is not required to receive HD over the air. A good UHF/VHF antennsa is all you need. Getting an antenna that is advertised for HD will not improve your reception. To get HD on the TV you will neeed to bypass the converter and take the coax directly to the TV or use the bypass on the converter if it has one.
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bcircus
Indiana
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Thanks for the info. I will just do away with the converter box, it will not be needed since the new TV is already digital. Glad I don't have to replace the antenna. I don't really care if it is HD but the big question was whether I could rec. the digital. thanks again
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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There is no such thing as an HD antenna. Any antenna that is tuned for the frequency will receive signal, HD or analog, The TV converts the signal to a picture and sound.
The HD is mostly on the higher frequencies which do not transmit as far and the antenna is much more directional. One thing that will help your current batwing is to add the Wingman to it.
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Greentow
Dover, DE 19904
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That "attachment" to your current batwing MIGHT help draw in a picture if you were in a weak signal area, like 40/50 miles from the transmitter antenna. Again, MIGHT.
Lee
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Greentow wrote:That "attachment" to your current batwing MIGHT help draw in a picture if you were in a weak signal area, like 40/50 miles from the transmitter antenna. Again, MIGHT.
Lee It MIGHT help where you are but it absolutely WILL make a difference in the performance of the antenna.
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thecampingman
Wilmington, OH, USA
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My Wineguard "batwing" gets better reception than my "HD" antenna at my home.
Using the same TV! For the home TV I went to Walmart and bought every antenna they had. Tried them all and returned the rest. The best one was the little square 7"x9" box.
I did find out with HDTV you want a power booster. You can boost a HD signal without boosting interference like happened with the old analog signal.
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Zomar
TEXAS
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SCVJeff wrote:Greentow wrote:That "attachment" to your current batwing MIGHT help draw in a picture if you were in a weak signal area, like 40/50 miles from the transmitter antenna. Again, MIGHT.
Lee It MIGHT help where you are but it absolutely WILL make a difference in the performance of the antenna.
It REALLY does make a difference!! best $29 tv bucks i've ever spent.
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Mile High
Lone Tree, CO
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As I understand today which seems consistent with above is: The tuner is the only thing that helps you recieve over the air digital. If the tuner can't do it, you need the converter. With that, only an HD tuner will receive HD digital signals and display them in HD. The technology of the antenna doesn't dictate whether you get digital or even HD, rather the technology is geared toward improved reception and clarity just like it has been for decades. The "HD" buzzword just seems to sell more antennas like the Winegard claim below:
When combined with digital off-air tuner and HD television, Sensar III head is capable of receiving local channels in razor sharp High Definition.
The Wingman attachment just improves UHF reception, just the same as that type of attachment did on standard antennas for decades as well.
The wind broke our factory batwing antenna last year, and I went to Camping World for a replacement. I left with a Sensar III (all that was available), and a head full of confusion and false claims by the staff. Fortunately we don't even use it, I just didn't want a broken one up there.
* This post was
edited 11/27/09 01:50pm by Mile High *
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