Is my rooftop antenna useless?

PatrickC · 07-09-2009, 10:20 PM

Presently I have tv cable wired through my house feeding analog signal to 7 tv jacks, with 4 analog tv sets (no cable boxes) connected. This cable is fed by a manually operated tv signal switch, which in turn has two input sources: 1. a tv cable service(Comcast), and 2. a vhf tv antenna. During winter storms we sometimes lose tv cable service, so the antenna provides backup tv signal at those times.

It appears that after the digital transition that my vhf antenna will be useless. Are rooftop digital tv antennas available? If so, I realize I will need digital-to-analog tv signal converter(s) if I want to retain my antenna signal backup capability. Are there converters that have multi-channel output signals, so that I can independently tune my tvs to different channels concurrently, allowing me to use just one converter to provide signals throughout the house?

Wheezer · 07-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickC

Are there converters that have multi-channel output signals, so that I can independently tune my tvs to different channels concurrently, allowing me to use just one converter to provide signals throughout the house?

As consumer-grade equipment? I sorely doubt it. You're basically talking about building a small cable headend.

HTNut · 07-10-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickC

Presently I have tv cable wired through my house feeding analog signal to 7 tv jacks, with 4 analog tv sets (no cable boxes) connected. This cable is fed by a manually operated tv signal switch, which in turn has two input sources: 1. a tv cable service(Comcast), and 2. a vhf tv antenna. During winter storms we sometimes lose tv cable service, so the antenna provides backup tv signal at those times.

It appears that after the digital transition that my vhf antenna will be useless. Are rooftop digital tv antennas available? If so, I realize I will need digital-to-analog tv signal converter(s) if I want to retain my antenna signal backup capability. Are there converters that have multi-channel output signals, so that I can independently tune my tvs to different channels concurrently, allowing me to use just one converter to provide signals throughout the house?

Are you sure that your current antenna is VHF only? Do you have any information about who the manufacture is or a part number?

There are plenty of roof top dtv and hdtv antennas available, but truth of the matter is, they're better referred to as UHF/VHF antennas. We will not be able to recommend a good antenna without more information first. Go to TV Fool and enter your address information there, then post your results here.

Don_M · 07-10-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickC

Are there converters that have multi-channel output signals, so that I can independently tune my tvs to different channels concurrently, allowing me to use just one converter to provide signals throughout the house?

You'll need one converter box per TV. If you haven't already applied for your $40 government coupon(s) for one or two boxes, act quickly -- the program ends July 31. Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov.

Piggie · 07-10-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickC

It appears that after the digital transition that my vhf antenna will be useless. Are rooftop digital tv antennas available?

Dozens of good antennas. But a good antenna for one person is too much, too little or just plain wrong for the next person. There is a decent chance your old antenna will work fine or might need a second one with it to help. Like HTNut said, go to TVFool.com and put in your address and don't forget to also put in height as if you don't it assumes 30 ft which is higher than most of us even have our antennas. If you live in a rural area where street addresses are vague, go to Google Maps Latitude, Longitude Popup and find your house then use TVFool.com in coordinate mode. Post the link they provide toward the top of the page in bold that says use this link to share your info.


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