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TV

According to recent estimates, as much as eighty percent of the US population now gets their TV signal through a cable connection. After all, in many parts of the country, the cable connection was the only way to get a clear and watchable picture. However, the key word is “was”.

Many people think the only way to get a perfect picture or the benefits of the new High Definition pictures is through the cable company. Cable companies are more than happy to let people believe that for obvious reasons. However, the truth is, they are missing the quiet technological evolution that has taken place in the last few years.

What happened in the last few years? Well, TV stations around the country have been slowly but steadily upgrading their broadcast signal to digital format. Many of these signals are used to broadcast their station in HD to any one who can get the reception. Best of all, the broadcast signal, like the broadcast signals of the old days, is free. These signals also differ from the old analog signals in one important way. Because the signal is digital, you either pick up the signal along with crystal clear picture or you don’t get the signal or picture at all. There are no fuzzy lines or the snowing effects associated with the old analog signal. So you if can get the signal, you will have a crystal clear HD picture on your TV for FREE!

So what do you need to pick up the signal? Well, you will need a super-duper electronic oscillating dish powered by plutonium. Just kidding, the only thing you need to pick up the signal is a HD TV equipped with a digital Tuner (ATSC) and an antenna. Any antenna will do, even the old rabbit ears that’s been gathering dust in your attic somewhere. However, if you have an outdoor antenna on your roof, you will pick up more signals from far away stations. If you haven’t taken the plunge to HD TVs, now is the perfect time for several reasons. One, the price of HD TVs, both plasma and LCD, has been dropped dramatically over the last year. Two, most TV stations have already transitioned to the digital signal and some are broadcasting multiple channels using the digital spectrum. So you will have many stations to watch when you finally get that TV. Three, starting in February 2009, your old analog TV signal will be permanently deactivated by the government to make room for other services. So unless you have a converter box or the new TV equipped with ATSC tuner, you won’t be watching any TV period. So you’re thinking of upgrading the TV anyway, don’t buy a TV that will be useless in less than four month, make sure to buy a HD set with the ATSC tuner.

Once you purchased the new TV with the ATSC tuners, hook up your antenna. You will be watching crystal clear HD TV for free in no time. In fact, the signal will be clearer than some HD signal from cable companies due to the less constrained compressions schemes used. The only downside to this move will be the lack of the cable only channels such as VH1, MTV, Comedy Central, or HBO. However, cutting off your cable connection and saving a couple of hundreds of dollar a year will be a nice consolation.

Use the website below to find out the free broadcast signals you will be able to receive in your home.

http://antennaweb.org