Just starting out.

[ckrantzman]

My zipcode is 85234. I am canceling my subscription to cable and need advise.

Do I need a converter box?
What antenna should I get?
Apparently I need to mount it on the outside, but what direction would benefit me?
Do I need more than one.

Lots of questions, I am quite green with the antenna thing, soooo... Any help would be appreciated.

[tigerbangs]

if your TV set does not have a digital tuner in it, then you will need either a converter box, or if it "HD ready", but does not have a tuner, get an HDTV tuner, which will allow you to see over-the-air HDTV broadcasts. Newer TV sets that have a digital tuner in them do not need either a convertor box or a tuner: they can tune digital TV signals by themselves. If you have any doubt about what you have, post the make and model number of the TV set, and I can research it for you.

You didn't mention how many TV sets you have in the house, but if you only have one, then you simply need a good outdoor VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna like a Winegard HD-7694p aimed at South Mountain, which is 252 degrees from your house as measured by a compass. All odf the Phoenix stations should come in without a problem using that antenna.

[ckrantzman]

The antenna would just be going to 1 tv. It is a Panasonic Cinemavision PT-47X54J.

Thanks alot for the other info. It is really helpful. It is surprising how much you have to consider when switching over (but still well worth it).

[tigerbangs]

I did a little research, and that particular TV set IS HDTV capable, but does NOT have a digital HDTV tuner of it's own. You will need a digital HDTV tuner, not one of the cheap converters, if you want to see HD television over-the-air from that TV set. What you will need to do is to find an HDTV tuner (eBay has a lot of them) and connect it to the componetn video connections on the back of your TV set. These component inputs are red, blue, and green in color, and will aslo require stereo AUDIO cables (RED and WHITE) to completethe installation, for a total of FIVE cables from the set-top box to the TV set.

You will connect the antenna lead to antenna connector on the set-top box, NOT the TV set. If you also have a surround sound system, the set-top box will have a digital audio connector that will feed that signal to the receiver, either an optical (fiber-optic) or a coaxial (using regular RCA audio connectors between the set-top box and the receiver)

Once the antenna is connected to the set-top box and the TV set, go into the MENU of the set-top box, and have the tuner SEARCH for channels. You should be able to see the process unfold on the TV screen if you have selected the right inputson your TV set. Once the tuner has finished scanning, your digital TV channels should be available for viewing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGIWAVE-ATSC-HD-TU ... 2566wt_963

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-DTB-H260F-H ... _500wt_978
(my choice for a tuner!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/LG-LST-4600A-HDTV-T ... 2969wt_963
(another excellent tuner)

[ckrantzman]

Well, I bought the antenna. Now I am purchasing the tuner. I'll in a few days to tell you how the set up works, but it looks like I'm in business. Thanks for your help, my friend.

[tigerbangs]

I'd love to hear how you make out: I have installed a lot of antennas all over Phoenix, and the sheer number of TV stations available is just amazing. As long as you are in the Valley, you should expect perfect reception.