i didn't really find helpful info in other threads. my dish vip622 got in a continuous loop of resetting itself last night then kicked the bucket. dish said it'll be 3-5 before my replacement gets here. thursday night is the main night i watch tv, all regular broadcast channels.

i have a GIANT free antenna from wral. i'm not sure of exact dimensions, but it's close or exactly like this one http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/DB8_HD_Antenna.html. i hooked it up last night w/ just straight coax & setting it next to a window, kinda pointing WSW (random direction), but only picked up several bullshit christian channels. i just want fox & nbc, although all 4 would be really nice.

do i need a pre-amp or something? is this thing going to work inside the house? i really don't know what i'm doing.

other option, if it exists but i can't find anywhere, streaming those channels online. i know you can watch the shows for free on the network's site or on hulu several days/weeks later, but i'd like to watch it tonight or tomorrow night.

i'm in rocky mount btw, so as far as electronics stores i'm limited to best buy & radio shack. we have target & walmart too but i figure they probably don't have much.

help me

1/20/2011 8:31:21 AM

You probably need a digital converter. Only brand new HD TVs (like, last one or two years new) have one built in...my girlfriend's 2005ish HDTV didn't have one. When I got a new antenna, all I got was 3 out of tune Jesus channels. Hooked up a digital converter and I picked up all the main networks with a very strong signal despite living 20+ miles from broadcast towers.

The converter will be about $40-60 though.

[Edited on January 20, 2011 at 8:46 AM. Reason : lkj]

1/20/2011 8:46:05 AM

hmm...i thought my tv had one. i'll try to find the model number. brb

---

panasonic TH42PZ85U (2008)

it has a digital tuner according to the FAQ. is that the same?
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Televisions/VIERA-Plasma-HDTVs/FAQs/model.TH-42PZ85U.F


[Edited on January 20, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Reason : ]

1/20/2011 8:55:07 AM

what's the difference in an amp & pre-amp?

1/20/2011 10:37:30 AM

Amps are the same thing, and depending on your install, you may not need one. They're generally beneficial if there's a long run between the antenna and the TV or you have splitters in the connection, less important if it's a short, direct run. The antenna you have is designed to be mounted high and outdoors, so if there are other houses or structures nearby, they may likely be obstructing the signal. I have a huge directional, and it's mounted in my attic.

As for your tuner, you should be able to get HD over-the-air programming by just hooking the antenna to the TV. You don't need a box for your model. Aiming is important - try rotating it and then doing the channel scan again to see if you get anything new.

All you should really need is to have the antenna connected to the TV, but I think your problem may lie in placement and aiming. When you do the channel scan, does it even show a detectable signal level on the channels you want to see?

1/20/2011 10:52:19 AM

i didn't know i had to rescan when i repositioned it, so i'm going to try that. i think i might just run the coax out the window & put it outside since this is only for a couple of days, hopefully. the cable i have it on right now is 25' long.

when i scanned for channels, it only showed a yes or no if it picked it up, nothing that would imply that it was just picking up a faint signal or anything.

1/20/2011 11:51:02 AM

okey dokey we are in business! i stood it up on a laundry basket at the window & rescanned. now i have 30 channels! yayyyyy!!!

although i feel pretty stupid now

1/20/2011 12:33:29 PM