Why Pay Hdtv Is Free!!!

csurfer · 11-11-2004, 07:37 PM

HD TV is FREE. Why does everyone want to Pay. Since I have my HD OTA system, I don't even need cable.

Picture is better than Cable, better than Satelite. Drive to Buffalo or your nearest boarder state and P/U an OTA receiver. Get a decent Antenna, ( mine was 129 at the RAT SHACK ) I installed it in the atic and Bob'ss you uncle.

Great Picture, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, Toronto1, CITY and more to come.

Best part. LEGAL AND FREE No more cable bills.

Downside limit to networks.

Everyone that has seen our system, can't beleive this reception and picture is FREE. Toshiba 65 inch running 1080i

pcheenan · 11-14-2004, 07:12 PM

If I was to pick up an over the air receiver, what brand type or brand should I look for? Any idea on how much a receiver costs in Canadian dollars? Does reception depend on how far one lives from a major city? I live 3 hours north west of Toronto on Lake Huron. Is there any reason why I can't by an OTA reciever locally in Canada?

csurfer · 11-15-2004, 06:41 AM

I paid, 124.00 US on Ebay. I was fortunate and was able to pick mine up from Hamilton.

Your location however may be a problem. You will need to get an antenna / tower cable of receiving major networks. If you have previously received networks OTA in analog. Then you should have no trouble receiving HD/DTV signal. I am in Oakville and although the Buffalo towers are over 60 miles away as the crow flys. I am receiving 95% signal strength with a six foot antenna installed in the attick.

You will need to do a little research for your area. If you give me your postal code, I'll have a look and see what you may be able to receive.

pcheenan · 11-15-2004, 05:37 PM

Do you have any links for researching OTA reception for Canadians? If so please post them for all.

With being close to the lake, I would expect that I could pick up signals from Flint area.

csurfer · 11-15-2004, 08:22 PM

If you have a zip code in Flint, you can go to www.antennaweb.org and it will give you a list of HDTV programing. You can then calculate the distance to your location as the crow flies and match a suitible antenna.

Happy Hunting.

tross74 · 11-19-2004, 03:33 PM

Thanks for the info but can you help me out here. I have a Panasonic Tau HDTV ready 36" TV. I live in Etobicoke and all I have is regular Rogers cable. What do I need and how can I get HDTV at the best price or in your case free?

Cheers!

csurfer · 11-19-2004, 05:56 PM

You need to purchase a SetTop Box and an Antenna. Thats it.

tross74 · 11-22-2004, 09:18 AM

What is a Set Top Box (what brand name should I be looking for) and what type of antenna (brand name, model#)

Thanks again!!!

robbo · 01-09-2005, 07:43 PM

How far (as the crow flies) do you think you can be from a US cities broadcast towers and still pick up their HDTV signals? I live in Vaughan just north of Toronto and wonder what HDTV I can pick up free from Buffalo (probably farther away then you are in Oakville)?

Rezadue · 01-10-2005, 01:23 PM

csurfer, I am located in Ottawa, K2M 2R4. Can you tell me what I can receive and how you would match a proper antenna based on how far I am from a broadcast point? Are there mathematical formulas linking distance to broadcast point vs. antenna height and size?

Thanks

intrac · 01-10-2005, 06:47 PM

You need an STB if your HDTV doesn't have a built-in ATSC tuner. Most sets sold in Canada don't have the ATSC tuner. With the tuner (or STB) it's like the old days -- use an antenna. With Digital TV, there are no snowy signals -- it's either there or not. Most of the sets in Canada have the standard NTSC (analog) tuner.

All the DTV channels (in Buffalo, for example) are up and running -- ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN and WB. Two Toronto HD channels (City and Toronto1) are currently running, and CBC, CTV and Global will be up this year.

In some cases, an indoor antenna will work, but for reliability, you'll need an outside antenna with good gain and directivity to pick up Buffalo. Virtually all of S. Ont. can pick up some US and some local HD channels.

intrac · 01-10-2005, 06:56 PM

There are many forums and sites to find out what channels are available in a particular area. The limitation is distance from the transmitter, transmitter power, transmitter height, receiving antenna type and height.

Typically, you won't be able to get anything beyond 150 miles.

Do a search for Channel Master or Winegard antennas. Look for a multi-bay type or yagi type. Try to avoid large yagis and rotators (a pain in the neck).

I know that reception is good in Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Hamilton, Cayuga, etc.

Liquidd · 01-12-2005, 04:21 PM

What about me? I'm just north of Winnipeg. Would I be able to get anything out here, or is it just S. Ont and the Buffalo area?

intrac · 01-12-2005, 05:02 PM

Liquidd,

Your probably too far for US channels. How far are you from WPG and N. Dakota?

Liquidd · 01-13-2005, 12:48 PM

10 min north of Wpg.
approx. 70 miles from the border.

11-11-2004, 07:37 PM	#1
csurfer My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Why Pay Hdtv Is Free!!! HD TV is FREE. Why does everyone want to Pay. Since I have my HD OTA system, I don't even need cable. Picture is better than Cable, better than Satelite. Drive to Buffalo or your nearest boarder state and P/U an OTA receiver. Get a decent Antenna, ( mine was 129 at the RAT SHACK ) I installed it in the atic and Bob'ss you uncle. Great Picture, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, Toronto1, CITY and more to come. Best part. LEGAL AND FREE No more cable bills. Downside limit to networks. Everyone that has seen our system, can't beleive this reception and picture is FREE. Toshiba 65 inch running 1080i

01-10-2005, 01:23 PM	#10
Rezadue What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	OTA in Ottawa? csurfer, I am located in Ottawa, K2M 2R4. Can you tell me what I can receive and how you would match a proper antenna based on how far I am from a broadcast point? Are there mathematical formulas linking distance to broadcast point vs. antenna height and size? Thanks

11-14-2004, 07:12 PM	#2
pcheenan My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 9	If I was to pick up an over the air receiver, what brand type or brand should I look for? Any idea on how much a receiver costs in Canadian dollars? Does reception depend on how far one lives from a major city? I live 3 hours north west of Toronto on Lake Huron. Is there any reason why I can't by an OTA reciever locally in Canada?

11-15-2004, 06:41 AM	#3
csurfer My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	I paid, 124.00 US on Ebay. I was fortunate and was able to pick mine up from Hamilton. Your location however may be a problem. You will need to get an antenna / tower cable of receiving major networks. If you have previously received networks OTA in analog. Then you should have no trouble receiving HD/DTV signal. I am in Oakville and although the Buffalo towers are over 60 miles away as the crow flys. I am receiving 95% signal strength with a six foot antenna installed in the attick. You will need to do a little research for your area. If you give me your postal code, I'll have a look and see what you may be able to receive.

11-15-2004, 05:37 PM	#4
pcheenan My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 9	Do you have any links for researching OTA reception for Canadians? If so please post them for all. With being close to the lake, I would expect that I could pick up signals from Flint area.

11-15-2004, 08:22 PM	#5
csurfer My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	If you have a zip code in Flint, you can go to www.antennaweb.org and it will give you a list of HDTV programing. You can then calculate the distance to your location as the crow flies and match a suitible antenna. Happy Hunting.

11-19-2004, 03:33 PM	#6
tross74 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	Thanks for the info but can you help me out here. I have a Panasonic Tau HDTV ready 36" TV. I live in Etobicoke and all I have is regular Rogers cable. What do I need and how can I get HDTV at the best price or in your case free? Cheers!

11-19-2004, 05:56 PM	#7
csurfer My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	You need to purchase a SetTop Box and an Antenna. Thats it.

11-22-2004, 09:18 AM	#8
tross74 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	What is a Set Top Box (what brand name should I be looking for) and what type of antenna (brand name, model#) Thanks again!!!

01-09-2005, 07:43 PM	#9
robbo Robbo Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8	How far (as the crow flies) do you think you can be from a US cities broadcast towers and still pick up their HDTV signals? I live in Vaughan just north of Toronto and wonder what HDTV I can pick up free from Buffalo (probably farther away then you are in Oakville)?

01-10-2005, 06:47 PM	#11
intrac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	You need an STB if your HDTV doesn't have a built-in ATSC tuner. Most sets sold in Canada don't have the ATSC tuner. With the tuner (or STB) it's like the old days -- use an antenna. With Digital TV, there are no snowy signals -- it's either there or not. Most of the sets in Canada have the standard NTSC (analog) tuner. All the DTV channels (in Buffalo, for example) are up and running -- ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN and WB. Two Toronto HD channels (City and Toronto1) are currently running, and CBC, CTV and Global will be up this year. In some cases, an indoor antenna will work, but for reliability, you'll need an outside antenna with good gain and directivity to pick up Buffalo. Virtually all of S. Ont. can pick up some US and some local HD channels.

01-10-2005, 06:56 PM	#12
intrac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	There are many forums and sites to find out what channels are available in a particular area. The limitation is distance from the transmitter, transmitter power, transmitter height, receiving antenna type and height. Typically, you won't be able to get anything beyond 150 miles. Do a search for Channel Master or Winegard antennas. Look for a multi-bay type or yagi type. Try to avoid large yagis and rotators (a pain in the neck). I know that reception is good in Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Hamilton, Cayuga, etc.

01-12-2005, 04:21 PM	#13
Liquidd What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	What about me? I'm just north of Winnipeg. Would I be able to get anything out here, or is it just S. Ont and the Buffalo area?

01-12-2005, 05:02 PM	#14
intrac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Liquidd, Your probably too far for US channels. How far are you from WPG and N. Dakota?

01-13-2005, 12:48 PM	#15
Liquidd What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3	10 min north of Wpg. approx. 70 miles from the border.