Just installed OTA antenna

sdavito · 09-13-2009, 04:24 PM

I just installed an OTA antenna, and it seems to be picking up most of the local stations in my area.

I'm brand new to HD broadcasting, so I have a few questions.

I watched the FOX broadcast of a NFL game today. The picture was great. The info on my TV said that I was watching 720P. If the picture looks good, can I assume that I'm receiving the best signal that is being sent OTA?

With HD - OTA, is it all or nothing, for the most part? I have one station that shows some pixels. When the pixels aren't there, can I assume that the picture is the best possible? Or does the HD broadcast revert to a lesser quality?

Thanks,

David

IDRick · 09-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Stations broadcast in one or more formats (including 480i, 720p, and 1080i). If you receive a 720p or 1080i signal, you are receiving their HD broadcast. So if you are receiving a good picture, that is as good as it will get. Picture quality will remain high until the signal drops to the digital cliff where the picture will start breaking up (pixelating, macroblocking, freezing). Good job! Enjoy your digital OTA tv!

Rick

NonMcTubber · 09-13-2009, 07:21 PM

The other thing to mention, is that if you are receiving a 720P picture, I assume you have only a 720P capable television.

But if you are pizelating on one or more channels, there are some things that can be done, including adding an amp, correcting antenna aim, or installing a taller mast.

But give it quite a few days, because atmospheric condition for television reception can get better or worse depending on weather,
and it can take awhile to determine which channels will be rock solid reliable and which are not as reliable.

But welcome to this forum and we stand ready to help you better understand how to take best advantage of OTA free television.

tigerbangs · 09-13-2009, 08:46 PM

[quote=NonMcTubber;936663]The other thing to mention, is that if you are receiving a 720P picture, I assume you have only a 720P capable television. [quote]

WRONG! FOX broadcasts ONLY in 720p, that is the only resolution that ANYONE would see when watching FOX or ABC!

sdavito · 09-13-2009, 08:52 PM

I should have mentioned that the TV is 1080P. I'm able to get 1080i on NBC

Loves2Watch · 09-13-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerbangs

WRONG! FOX broadcasts ONLY in 720p, that is the only resolution that ANYONE would see when watching FOX or ABC!

As does ESPN, just FYI.

jim5506 · 09-14-2009, 07:00 PM

No Over The Air broadcasting is done in 1080p, onlt 480p, 720p and 1080i.

1080p is only usable from applicances such as Blu-Ray players, or certain Dish Network and DirevTV satellite boxes and the like.

1080p is for salesmen, extra money and a slightly better picture IF you have the capability.

Sam Spastic · 09-14-2009, 07:25 PM

Some DVD players also output 1080p which will eliminate the 3-2 pull down for film. Not quite Blu-Ray but better than 480p.

BrianO · 09-15-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Spastic

Some DVD players also output 1080p which will eliminate the 3-2 pull down for film. Not quite Blu-Ray but better than 480p.

1080p has nothing whatsoever to do with 3-2 pulldown. 3-2 pulldown is used to compensate for the difference in frame rates between those used for film-based content and those used in TV broadcasting and video displays.

BrianO · 09-15-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim5506

No Over The Air broadcasting is done in 1080p, onlt 480p, 720p and 1080i.

I believe that 480i is far more common than 480p. In my area (Plattsburgh NY-Burlington VT) not a single station broadcasts in 480p, but they all broadcast 1 or more 480i sub-channels.

jim5506 · 09-15-2009, 04:00 PM

480i is analog, my understanding is that most OTA SD digital is 480p.

IDRick · 09-15-2009, 04:15 PM

SD is 480i. See this link and check out your local stations: http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php All of my SD locals were 480i.

jim5506 · 09-15-2009, 07:24 PM

Hmm... mine, too. Well, we live and we learn.

IDRick · 09-15-2009, 07:43 PM

No problem. I enjoy your contributions to the forum Jim!

Best,

Rick

Loves2Watch · 09-15-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim5506

Hmm... mine, too. Well, we live and we learn.

FYI, i(nterlaced) or p(rogressive) really has nothing to do with analog or digital.

09-13-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
sdavito A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 10	Just installed OTA antenna I just installed an OTA antenna, and it seems to be picking up most of the local stations in my area. I'm brand new to HD broadcasting, so I have a few questions. I watched the FOX broadcast of a NFL game today. The picture was great. The info on my TV said that I was watching 720P. If the picture looks good, can I assume that I'm receiving the best signal that is being sent OTA? With HD - OTA, is it all or nothing, for the most part? I have one station that shows some pixels. When the pixels aren't there, can I assume that the picture is the best possible? Or does the HD broadcast revert to a lesser quality? Thanks, David

09-13-2009, 07:21 PM	#3
NonMcTubber High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,292	The other thing to mention, is that if you are receiving a 720P picture, I assume you have only a 720P capable television. But if you are pizelating on one or more channels, there are some things that can be done, including adding an amp, correcting antenna aim, or installing a taller mast. But give it quite a few days, because atmospheric condition for television reception can get better or worse depending on weather, and it can take awhile to determine which channels will be rock solid reliable and which are not as reliable. But welcome to this forum and we stand ready to help you better understand how to take best advantage of OTA free television. __________________ High definition is not the definition of my life. But knowledge is power and HD does have some potential to increase content variety and choices.

09-13-2009, 08:46 PM	#4
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 57 Posts: 2,197	[quote=NonMcTubber;936663]The other thing to mention, is that if you are receiving a 720P picture, I assume you have only a 720P capable television. [quote] WRONG! FOX broadcasts ONLY in 720p, that is the only resolution that ANYONE would see when watching FOX or ABC! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

09-14-2009, 07:00 PM	#7
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,161	No Over The Air broadcasting is done in 1080p, onlt 480p, 720p and 1080i. 1080p is only usable from applicances such as Blu-Ray players, or certain Dish Network and DirevTV satellite boxes and the like. 1080p is for salesmen, extra money and a slightly better picture IF you have the capability. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

09-15-2009, 04:00 PM	#11
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,161	480i is analog, my understanding is that most OTA SD digital is 480p. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD Last edited by jim5506; 09-15-2009 at 04:19 PM.

09-13-2009, 04:37 PM	#2
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,233	Welcome to the forums! Stations broadcast in one or more formats (including 480i, 720p, and 1080i). If you receive a 720p or 1080i signal, you are receiving their HD broadcast. So if you are receiving a good picture, that is as good as it will get. Picture quality will remain high until the signal drops to the digital cliff where the picture will start breaking up (pixelating, macroblocking, freezing). Good job! Enjoy your digital OTA tv! Rick

09-13-2009, 08:52 PM	#5
sdavito A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 10	I should have mentioned that the TV is 1080P. I'm able to get 1080i on NBC

09-14-2009, 07:25 PM	#8
Sam Spastic High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Just south of Normal Posts: 193	Some DVD players also output 1080p which will eliminate the 3-2 pull down for film. Not quite Blu-Ray but better than 480p.

09-15-2009, 04:15 PM	#12
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,233	SD is 480i. See this link and check out your local stations: http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php All of my SD locals were 480i.

09-15-2009, 07:24 PM	#13
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,161	Hmm... mine, too. Well, we live and we learn. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

09-15-2009, 07:43 PM	#14
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,233	No problem. I enjoy your contributions to the forum Jim! Best, Rick

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