April 24, 2008

DTV2009: Do I Need To Buy A New Set Of Rabbit Ears For My Analog TV? Even If I Have A Converter Box?

So you've decided to stick with your plain old analog set with rabbit ears and spring for a converter box, paid for in part by your $40 converter box coupon. Now you're feeling all set for the February 17, 2009 digital TV transition. But all of a sudden those rabbit ears, so successful at pulling in premium analog reception aren't working so well anymore, despite the digital converter box. Why? Because digital signals behave differently than analog signals. Digital signals are prone to physical interference such as big hills, skyscrapers, and miles of bush.

What's the solution? Most likely you'll have to purchase a new antennae. How do you know which antennae you should buy? Head over to antennaweb.org where you can type in some details about your location and will be recommended an ideal model. You may be lucky and be able to purchase something usable indoors, on your set-top, or may be faced with the task of installing a giant set of rabbit ears, motorized and all on your roof.

51ZKFX26GXL._SL500_AA280_.jpg Still having problems? You may need to buy a digital signal amplifier to strengthen up any flailing digital signals. Sorry, there's no $40 coupon for either new rabbit ears or a signal amplifier.