Dear AT: Home Tech,
I've gone without cable for years, but our old tv is slowly disintegrating and the rabbit ears aren't working as well as they used to. I'm thinking about upgrading to a flat screen, but I feel overwhelmed by the options. I just want something relatively small and cheap. We've gone without picture quality for so long that it doesn't seem like an issue.
And then there is the digital antenna question. What is that? Is it better than an old school antenna? Do you recommend one in particular? Can I use one with my old tv?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mary
Good Questions: Help Me Modernize My TV
Hi Mary,
When discussing cable television last week, we glossed over digital and HD tuners without much description. In your case, you should be able to purchase a digital converter box that essentially translates the digital signal from your antenna for your television. After February 2009, all television signal will be digital, and you'll have to buy a digital converter box in order for your old TV to work. The DTV Transition Coalition can provide you with all the details, including more about a $40 rebate to offset the cost of a new tuner.
But, if you're in the market for a new television (which admitedly may be the best option in the long run), the majority of new TVs are equipped with digital converters. We'll admit it, the TV options these days confound us too, with HD to LCD. We had a lot of jargon to catch up on when our parents recently asked us for a crash course in buying a new TV. Here are some invaluable cheat sheets for helping you navigate your way into uncharted territory.
• CEA's TV Buying Guide
• CNet's Types of TVs Crib Sheet
• CNet's TV Buying Guide
• Crutchfield's TV Tips
Anyone else have some tips for Mary?
Thanks for the photo, wester!
Comments (4)
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A "digital antenna" is exactly the same as the old "analog antenna" you've been using for decades. It's marketing speak to try to get you to replace a perfectly good antenna by making you think your old antenna won't work.
The only reason you might need to upgrade your antenna is that receiving digital broadcasts requires a clearer signal than analog. There's no "snow" with digital; either the picture is there, or it's not. If your current antenna doesn't provide you with the reception you need, you may want to reposition it. If that doesn't work, you may need an antenna with higher gain.
Antenna Web is a good resource for checking what kind of antenna you'll need to receive the stations you want to get and for telling what stations will be available from your location. I would check that before doing anything regarding your antenna.
view ralph's profile
so this antenna stuff - you don't have to pay anything other than what the item itself costs? i mean, what kind of channels do you get? i just turned off my cable because i can't ever get anything done, but i'd love to be able to watch some tv every once in a while - but i'm tired of shelling out big bux for the 2 or 3 channels i watch often.
view elizabeth in AL's profile
I made the mistake of buying an LCD set for the bedroom that was cheaper than well known brand names. (Amazon sells it among others). One part failed after a couple of months and I had to wait for the part to be shipped by the mfr - at least I was under warranty. 2 years later something else went wrong. I was out of warranty and the mfr wanted me to ship it back and charge me $250 for repair. I found out that the parts are not available except from the mfr.
It's gone and I bought a Sharp AQUOS. I have one in the kitchen and it's never given me a problem.
Lesson: if you buy a cheaper brand make sure parts are available to a repair person.
view Andrea's profile
Make sure to have a look at the regular, Standard Definition (SD) channels on the LCD you want. Generally, SD channels do not look as good on LCDs as they do on CRTs (old tube TVs). If you will be watching a lot of SD channels, the quality may become a issue for you.
view Gursk's profile