HDTV Antenna Makers Enjoys Triple Digit Growth

[Smokey]

Even the head Engineer at our local ABC station here is the bay area confirms that rabbit ears are the best all around antenna's as long as you are not further than 20-30 miles from the broadcast tower.

Sir TT, look at this digital station's suggestion for recieving their [UHF] signal and what type of antenna to use:

"If using an indoor antenna be sure to use one that has a "loop" or "bow-tie" style. The V-type, typically called rabbit ears, are good for VHF (channels 2-13); however, for UHF channels (channels 14-69) the addition of a "loop" or "bowtie" style antenna will greatly increase your reception."

http://kjlr-tv.com/reception.htm

There are still about 15 million US households that rely only on OTA signals. Assuming that the average antenna costs ~$50, that $22 million in antenna sales equals 440,000 antennas sold -- or about 3% of existing OTA antenna users.

And even if those antennas are all sold to "cord cutters" that's still less than 0.5% of existing pay TV subscribers. Not very impressive either way.

What about those that already have cable/satellite?

Cable and satellite do not carry all of local channels, especially the sub channels. I get 24 local channels, and local Comcast only carrry less than half of channels and non of sub ones. Alot of people get antenna to pick up thoese local stations, and PQ will also be much better than local channels from Comcast or Satellite.

[Woochifer]

What about those that already have cable/satellite?

Cable and satellite do not carry all of local channels, especially the sub channels. I get 24 local channels, and local Comcast only carrry less than half of channels and non of sub ones. Alot of people get antenna to pick up thoese local stations, and PQ will also be much better than local channels from Comcast or Satellite.

That would vary by location. Comcast in my neighborhood does carry most of the digital subchannels if you connect the cable to the DTV tuner. At my parents' house, Cox does not provide any of the DTV feeds on their basic service. So, they use a UHF antenna to pick up the subchannels and the HD feeds.

The OTA channels do look better using an antenna (I can pick up most of the channels with just an old pair of rabbit ears), but if I watch the OTA feed, then I can no longer use the DVR or receive 5.1 audio (my TV will only output a two-channel audio signal, even with the digital audio link). So, I'm fine with sacrificing a little bit of picture quality to use the DVR functions and 5.1 audio.

[pixelthis]

That would vary by location. Comcast in my neighborhood does carry most of the digital subchannels if you connect the cable to the DTV tuner. At my parents' house, Cox does not provide any of the DTV feeds on their basic service. So, they use a UHF antenna to pick up the subchannels and the HD feeds.

The OTA channels do look better using an antenna (I can pick up most of the channels with just an old pair of rabbit ears), but if I watch the OTA feed, then I can no longer use the DVR or receive 5.1 audio (my TV will only output a two-channel audio signal, even with the digital audio link). So, I'm fine with sacrificing a little bit of picture quality to use the DVR functions and 5.1 audio.

I am fine with cable at the house for the same reasons, not to mention where I LIVE stations are fifty to seventy miles away.
But not true where I work, and even a moderate signal strenght
produces a picture that should make Comcast ashamed.
I know they carry a lot of content, but heck, OTA is very
good.