Need Antenna Advice

[gb103]

I just bought a Samsung HDTV and I have an old antenna that has probably been on the roof for over 20 years. I am looking for advice. I currently get a decent signal, all the channels come in fine, but it's not super clear HDTV like you see at the TV stores. Is there any reason to try and upgrade the antenna or the coax cable? Would that improve the quality of the image I am seeing on the HDTV? If I should be replacing the antenna, I live in zip 75056, my yard is heavily treed with tall trees. Also we get a lot of lightning, so maybe I should be using an attic antenna? Thanks for the advice.

[gb103]

By The way, I only plan to run one, possibly two TV's maximum, and the TV is definitely digital.

[tigerbangs]

When you say that it's not 'super-clear' do you mean that you see SNOW? or are you seeing an intermittant picture with dropouts? Digital reception that is consistant it all that you need to enjoy HDTV. If you are having reception issues, a better antenna may help: if you are dissatisfied with the quality of your TV picture in HD, then you have an adjustment issue, and should try a calibration DVD like the Digital Video Essentials disk from Joe Kane or AVIA.

[gb103]

No snow, just not the HD image you would expect. I am currently seeing dropouts in the picture on one channel but we are in the middle of a rainstorm, so that is not normal.

[tigerbangs]

If you are experiencing drop-outs, then a better antenna can help you. if you are unhappy with the picture QUALITY (color fidelity, resolution, sharpness, etc) then you must remember 2 things: first of all, most broadcasting is NOT in HD, and non-HD broadcasting can vary widely in quality, and will never look like what you see on an HD demo in a store. Secondly, many LCD TV sets do not render standard-definition programming as well as what you experienced on a CRT (picture tube) TV set: you may see excessive grain, loss of sharpness, motion artifacts, etc. LCD TV sets do not render less-than-perfect analog reception very well, either.

If your TV antenna is 20 years old, then you should consider replacing it with a new antenna and new RG-6u coaxial cable. Replacing the antenna with a Winegard HD-7696P is a good way to improve signal strength and eliminate drop-outs in a digital signal. Replacing an antenna will NOT improve digital picture quality (Color fidelity, sharpness, etc.) That calls for proper adjust ment of the TV set, up to, and including, a professional ISF calibration, which can radically improve the quality of a TV picture, albeit at a cost of $200-$300. If you still have return privileges on the TV set, consider looking at a comparable-sized high-quality plasma TV, which often render non-HD pictures that are easier to watch than many LCD TV sets

[gb103]

Should I put it in the attic so it doesn't get zapped by our frequent lightning or blown off the roof in the windstorms? Any problem with installing in an attic?

[tigerbangs]

I strongly suggest that you avoid mounting your antenna in the arric: attic mounting cuts yur signal at the antenna by 50% or more, and doesn't protect you from lightning: mount it outdoors as high as you can, and take the proper precautions to ground against static electricity.

[gb103]

Ok. Thanks very much for the advice.