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HDTV Over The Air?

I am thinking about getting a HDTV tuner to go with my Sony "HD Ready" CRT TV. Does anyone have experience they would like to share regarding tuner brands, antenna problems, etc?

Thanks,

Dave
consttraveler
sonically_challenged
7 posts
 
I have had excellent performance from the Samsung SIR-T451. While the earlier models had reliability issues, this one has been flawless for over a year. It also works with standard rabbit ears as far as 25 miles - have not tried at further distances. The only issue I have noted is that the video output is really for a 16:9 screen. If your Sony is a 4:3, it displays gray bars top and bottom, which can be annoying.
joshk
6 posts
 
I got my LG HDTV tuner with PVR off of ebay. Seems the easiest place to find them for reasonable $$ atm. I live near NYC and actually quite a lot of the main programs at simultaneously broadcasted in HDTV.

I don't pay for cable and don't miss it either.
shiva
181 posts
 
If you are into satelite tv. the latest boxes from Direct and Dish network have built in HD tuners with some of their units. That way, the one unit does both which obviously saves having an extra box. I use a HD reciever from Samsung. SIR-t151 I believe. They have made several models and they work quite well. I purchased an antenna from Radio shack for about $25.00
plus the hardware and put it on my roof. I get every channel thats out there in So. Cal. which is about 30 channels with fantastic clarity on my 90" diagonal front projector screen. I have also seen great reception from an antenna placed in the attic if you want nothing showing on the outside. It is definately worth it. I tried the indoor antennas and they didn't work for me in my location. As was said earlier, you need to have unobstructed views in the direction of the broadcasting towers.
Enjoy
Post removed 
consttraveler OP
250 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses, this was exactly what I was looking for.

Right now I get decent reception from towers that are clustered about 6 miles away in Kenai Alaska. With your responses I now have a warm fuzzy that HDTV reception should not be a problem through my Radio Shack VHF/UHF antenna that is 10 feet above my roof.

I am not sure what the aspect ratio of my TV is. I'll have to dig out the paperwork and check that.

Again, thank you all.

Dave
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