The RCA ANT1500 DTV antenna could save you hundreds
of dollars a year in cable or satellite fees.
For many years TV viewers have adopted cable and satellite TV for two reasons: the number of available channels and the quality of the video. Let’s face it, even with a good antenna, image quality often left a lot to be desired.
But this month things are changing. As of midnight June 12th, most of those analog signals will vanish, replaced by digital broadcast TV.
With traditional analog TV, the quality of a TV signal varied enormously based on signal strength, with snow and noise being the annoying evidence of a weak signal. But with digital broad cast TV, it’s largely an all or nothing proposition. Once a signal is strong enough to receive a channel, the image and sound will be Excellent. How good? remember, it’s not just digital – it’s high definition digital, so it will look as good or better than anything you see on your cable or satellite set.
In urban areas, you might be surprised how many digital channels you get. Here in the San Jose area, I was able to use the RCA ANT1500 indoor antenna to pull in 29 digital channels just by setting it on a shelf behind a picture. Once my friend saw the results, she faced an interesting dilemma, as the only cable channel she actually watched was CNN. For that she was paying over $60/month on Comcast.
It didn’t take much calculation to realize that network news is good enough if it means saving $720 a year. CNN is good – but it’s not that good.
When we called to cancel, the cable company was kind enough to offer a local only package for a mere $15/month (plus tax of course). Or put another way, they were offering us the opportunity to pay over $180/year for something we were getting for free that was just as good (and probably more reliable).
Of course, giving up your favorite cable channels is not something to do lightly. Just be aware of how much they are really costing you. Also, you might check their web sites – many cable channels are now offering full episodes of popular shows online.
Indoor antennas are inexpensive and work surprisingly well in major metropolitan areas (depending on your location). I was very pleasantly surprised by the passive RCA ANT1500 antenna (passive meaning it requires no power and provides no additional amplification). You may also want to try the RCA ANT1450M amplified antenna to draw in weaker stations.
More on broadcast digital TV:
Your analog TV may be higher definition than you think
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Comments
Free TV!! What a NOVEL idea!! This is awsome. Thanks for giving me the final bit of advice I needed to dump cable, save a bundle and probably my brain too! I was supposed to not have any problems or need any extra equipment even though I have analog TVs because I'm a cable subscriber with analog equipment. Bull. Comcast says I need a box if I want to get all digital for all the channels I currently have -- extra $7 a month on top of $60. Not! I'm one of those CNN subscribers, sort of. I've been subsidizing cable. I also do a lot of DVR recording but not now unless I put TWO convertors on every TV/DVR connection. Just the sheer number of wires and boxes necessary for people with perfectly good analog equipment is insane. Thanks to your tip, I'm going back to a diet of free TV, what I can get on the net, and hey, maybe I'll pick up a PAPER for news!! Sometimes technology is TOO much.
This story is not heard enough the digital transition issue. RERUN IT!
I gotta do this pat our own backs thing: The story 'Digital TV Transition Cheat Sheet' here on Examiner.com (National Consumer News Examiner) was updated with a link to this story because it is an important issue slice that hasn't been well covered by the gadget media or media in general.
Dan A has done a great service by giving consumers this potentially major cost saving information that isn't otherwise readily available.
This kinda stuff really makes Examiner.com sing and sets it apart from other content aggregation Web sites.
We all want to make money? But often, an unselfish example of good old-school journalism, designed to enhance the learning experience of readers, is the best approach to both cash and personal satisfaction.
When you give, you get.
Pay it forward!
By the way, WHICH 29 channels?
Does this convert the digitial signal to analog for those with analog tvs or do you still need a convertor?
The antenna shown here is just the antenna. If you have a newer TV with a digital tuner, that's all you need, otherwise you need a converter box (see next article).
As to which 29 channels, I didn't look at the entire list - just the number that the converter found.
antennaweb.org is helpful
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