Your experience with HDTV? Especially over the air hdtv.

[herbgeek]

I admit it, I like my TV. When its on, its usually either Food Network or Home and Garden TV. And maybe some local news. Our cable bill is about 60/month. The only lower priced package is just local news, and doesn't include any cable channels. We already have Netflix and a Roku box for movies and old TV shows on demand.

If I had the Create channel (a PBS channel), I could easily get rid of cable TV. Create is available in my area on channel 44.3.

I have an HDTV TV. I guess I just need to get a special antenna?

What's your experience? Are some brands better than others? Is there anything else I need to know or any other equipment I might need? The last time I used over the air TV (close to 25 years ago), we were in an area with spotty reception as we are an hour plus away from the broadcast area. I'm assuming lots of technologies in that area have improved since then. :laff:

My plan is to try out the over the air tv assuming the equipment is cheap enough, and then once I'm convinced of the quality to pull the plug on cable, just keeping my internet access.

[razz]

We use a small round dish that looks like a small (24 inch) spaceship for reception. We get local channels from both Canada and the US plus two public networks. It is more than enough for us. The little antenna cost about $200 installed. We can change directions with it but find that one position gives us more than enough to meet our needs.

[Aqua Blue]

I have an antenna similar to razz. My brother installed it for free, and it just took him maybe 1/2 hour. It cost under $100. It is installed in my furnace closet. I get excellent reception with it. Between the 11 channels I get it is more than enough to watch. I enjoy PBS and MyTV which is old shows from the 50-70's.

[jania]

I just use my "rabbit ears" and get all the major channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS 1,2,3 and 4). When a plane flies overhead reception can be disrupted and I need to change the angle of the antenna for a few of the stations. I'm fine with it. The digital picture is the sharpest/clearest I've ever gotten.

[Rogar]

I have a fancy rabbit ears version, too. It cost around $60. It gets all the local stations just fine. Sometimes I get very brief interruptions when the wind blows. Never have really figured that one out since the rabbit ears are inside.

[redfox]

We have some sort of receiver, and get PBS, which is all we need. And we stream Netlfix, Hulu, & some Amazon content. As well as DVD's from the library, of course!