just moved to usa, need advice

[brankulo]

hi, my family currently moved to usa. i am interested in receiving tv signal via antenna, as i was used to doing this in slovakia. the way it worked there was that each apartment building had its big antenna from which each household was receiving signal. not quite sure how it works here. i live in wheat ridge colorado, near denver. my zip is 8033. i need advice on what kind of equipment will i need besides actual antenna. we have samsung lcd tv model ln52b630. we have comcast internet service but paying another $60 for tv service seems too much for me. also are the programs received via antenna in high definition as offered by comcast? can i receive national geographic channel? also my wife is interested in hbo or some other movie channels. we are new here and we dont really know what programs like KOAA-TV, KCDO-TV, KDEN-TV, KWHD, KPXC-TV, KRMT, KTFD-DT, KWGN-TV, KDVR, KCNC-TV, KTVD, KBDI-TV, KUSA, KMGH-TV are, they names are not very helpful. i would appreciate any advice on this.
thanks

[brankulo]

ok so i did some research and here is what i came up with. this is the antenna i picked based on my research. http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=19&products_id=4593&affiliate_banner_id=1
by the list of channels i got after inputing my zip, 90% of trasmiter stations are within 10 mile radius couple within 15 mile radius and the furthest one is 25 miles away. 80% of them within 210-236 degree range. not sure if i could use just directional antenna for this range. also the list gave me 30 or so networks. does this mean that it is 30 overall tv channels or does each network has its own number of channels. i am quite confused by this.
is my antenna choice right?

[tigerbangs]

I suggest that you use a Winegard HD-7694P instead of the antenna that oyu have chosen, since the Sensar has poor reception on VHF stations, and Denver has 2 VHF digital stations

http://www.winegard.com
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf

[brankulo]

thanks, is it directional antenna? will it work for 210-236 degree span, or do i need rotator?

[tigerbangs]

While the HD-7694p is directional, it has a enough beamwidth to accomodate your needs: just aim it in the middle od the spread of the TV transmitters in your area.

[brankulo]

here is recommendation i got from winegard
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?p=HD-1080&d=Winegard-HD1080-2Bay-Bowtie-UHF-and-High-Band-VHF-TV-Antenna-(HD1080)&post=
what do you guys think of it?
thanks

[tigerbangs]

I stand by my recommendation of the Winegard HD-7694P...

[brankulo]

tiger, thanks, why would you pick antenna you suggest over one suggested by winegard. just curious

[tigerbangs]

Because of it's superior VHF and UHF performance: it's larger, but doesn't require an amplifier to work.