Do I need an antenna with a converter box?

Favorite Answer

If it's a "real" HDTV (widescreen) you don't need a converter box. Just an antenna.
If it's one of the older 4:3 models with the glass screen, you need a converter box and an antenna. Some were built with a digital tuner but, it would say so on the TV or remote (DTV) ....Show more

You need an antenna in any case. The type of antenna you need depends on your location. Start at http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 and http://www.antennaweb.org/Address.aspx to get info about your local TV transmitters. Things like distance and construction of the building you are in are important information.

A converter box box is just attached between the antenna and TV to convert the newer digital signals to the older analog type in case your TV doesn't have a digital tuner.

All TVs made for the US market after Feb 2007 have a digital ("ATSC") tuner built into them, so if your TV is only 3 years old you don't need a converter box or external HD ATSC tuner.

Some TVs made before Feb 2007 have digital tuners, but newer tuners generally work a lot better than the early models.

Check the specs on your HDTV to be sure it has an ATSC tuner, or perhaps there is a manufacturing date on the back of the HDTV.

The tvfool results will include a "wrapper" that looks like this for a random spot in zip 90210: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86d3fbc93839

So if you are in LA you need an antenna that covers both the UHF and VHF-Hi bands. But you need the results for your exact location to have a clue about how big of an antenna you need....Show more

You need an antenna....Show more