subject: Finding And Choosing The Right Hdtv Antenna For Your Hd Television [print this page] High definition (HD) television sets are becoming increasingly popular nowadays as the prices of these sets are dropping with each passing month. And when you have these HD televisions in place, you would need a HD antenna for your TV set to complement it and so that you are able to watch HD television broadcasts on your television set. If you have a HDTV, you would be able to watch HD discs even if you do not have an antenna, nevertheless you would only be able to watch HD broadcasts when you have the right HD antenna installed.
If not, you might have a HDTV at home, but you would only be able to watch standard definition programs on your television. A lot of new televisions come with high definition receivers or tuners, but most of the older sets do not. Thus if your television does not come with HD capabilities or do not possess the receiver as required, regardless if you purchase and install a HD antenna, you would still not be able to watch HD broadcasts as your television does not support it! You do have the option of installing a receiver though to aid high definition receiving, and this box is called the set-top box (you could purchase it at reasonable prices at audio/video stores).
Finding the right HDTV antenna is not too difficult as most of them out there are acceptable, but the tips below would help you pick and select the right set of antenna to help you watch HD programs with your HDTV. First and foremost, you need to be sure of where you are going to place your antenna. Two options are available to you, either indoor or outdoor units. If you opt for the indoor version, you would usually be doing so due to convenience. For example those that live in high-rise apartments usually opt for the indoor variant. It is easier to install, nevertheless you need to be careful with your installation angle and amplification as the range of indoor antennas is pretty much limited.
If you are able to amplify the receiving ability of your indoor unit, you should probably be able to obtain good quality pictures for your favorite shows. If you can install an outdoor unit on the other hand, your reception would be a lot better. These outdoor units are defined by their directivity as well as size. Omni-directional antennas usually obtain good signals from all directions, and work best when close to a broadcasting station. A directional unit on the other hand should be able to receive signals from a greater range, but do suffer from weak HD signal problems when the broadcasting station is far away.
Usually before you choose the right HD antenna, you would need to determine where the broadcasting station is located in order for you to be able to decide on the right unit for your television. Outdoor antennas are preferable as they can receive signals better and would produce better quality picture and sound, but if you do not have a choice, opt for the amplified version of the indoor unit. And always scout around for the best deal by doing some research before buying to ensure that you do not pay more than what you are supposed to. All the best!
