did any of you opt for the 'over the air' TV signal?

I only have "over the air" programs. The living room set is old and works through a converter box I put on it when digital came in. That is hooked up to a very old antenna on my roof (must be 40 years old but still works).

I have new digital TVs in the kitchen and my bedroom. They are on "rabbit ear" antennas. When I bought them, however, I connected them to the roof antenna to scan for channels as I felt that was a stronger way to get all channels available than just scanning through the rabbit ears antennas. You do have to play with the inside antennas sometimes when the signal breaks up.

All the channels on the main Networks come in plus all the sub-channels that came with digital. Every now and then I run a scan to see if any new channels have been added.

I'm satisfied with what I have. Like the "Extended Program Guide" that is on the converter box which acts like a TV Guide and shows what's on now and programs coming on later (with descriptions of the shows). If the new TVs came with a EP Guide in them, I might buy a new TV for living room, but I would miss that feature.

Don't have cable and don't want it. When I discuss TV programs with my fellow dog walkers in the morning, I find they are watching the same programs that I do. The difference is that I am not paying the high monthly fees - my TV is free. I get about 30 channels - not all are entertaining, of course, but I get all the main ones - ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, PBS, etc.

My advice would be to get a rabbit ear antenna (they plug into the electricity). That would show you whether or not you can pull in over the air broadcast stations in your area. If you can get some channels clearly on that, then you might think of installing a roof antenna. I imagine the roof antennas have been much improved now to bring in the digital channels. Try it, you can always return the inside antenna if it doesn't work for you.

Sorry I rattle on, but I just can't see paying for the same programs others are watching. Cable just keeps going up and up.

I imagine it would depend on how far your home is from the TV station broadcasting the signal. Before cable and satellite, I was only able to pick up 2 stations with my antenna so when cable finally made it's way out here in the boondocks, I jumped all over it. But now that cable has tripled in price since I was first able to get it and I need to pay extra to get it's full benefit, I'm considering the over the air option. The antennas are not all that expensive, what I'd save by cancelling cable would pay for the antenna in just one month. The station that is broadcasting over the air is the one I received the best signal from before going with cable and it's also the one whose programming I favor. (CBS) I've had enough of the news blabber from 24/7 cable news stations to last me the rest of my life so I think I'll try it. I'm sure I'll need an antenna so I'll just get one and string it up to the old pole I still have. I was going to make a flag pole of it but never quite got to it.

Your signal may not be strong enough if you don't have an outside antenna. I have strictly over the air television signals and I get much better reception than I used to have before digital signals and get many more stations, however, I have a strong antenna. It would probably be cheaper for you to spring for the extra satellite hook-up than to mount an antenna, though, unless you're thinking long-term.

In re: the converter box, when they first came out, I got two, and they both worked fine. Since then, I've replaced the old sets with digital ready sets.

Many have answered the question of the pixels. I do have a newer TV but I don't watch it. I interfaced it to my computer, and with wireless keyboard, I have a super big monitor and portability.

I never bought cable or satellite. I can get 10 channels off of my antennae. I can only watch 2 at a time with the picture in picture option, but most likely if I would want to watch something I would fall to sleep.

I don't have satellites and never gotten a box, We have cable and are happy with it. BUT not the price! We do have a cable box though.

What you can do is get a longer wire/cord and add this to a connector (I think that is what it is called) and either drill a little hole in the wall down at the bottom and transfer this wire into your bedroom or along the top of the ceiling into your bedroom or the floor whichever you want. and you should be able to watch your shows..

The only reason WHY we don't have a satellite is because of the weather..it goes out every time the weather changes;

We are the government it is not some person standing behind a curtain. The government has helped many people & didn't need to do that so count your blessings.

We got rid of Directtv & it was horrible but in the end it was our own ignorance that caused the problem

The modulator did not work for us. I think you have to try different things to find what works for you.

We ended up trying a $10 rabbit ears antanea & it works better then big antennae on the root.

Also we found the 800 of the manufacturer of the tv & called them. They talked us through step by step & it was really easy & we ended up with about 20 channels.

We spent 3 years with only 3 channels. I was so depressed & this brought happy back.

If you have a problem let me know & I will get my husband to help you if I can't.

If you do not have the book/manuel to your tv take the name of the company on the tv. Such as Sansong or Sansui & do a web search with their name & phone number.

If you e-mail me remind of the first 3 words of your question so I can remind myself of what it was about. Please let us know how this turns. out.

In my little town, there is virtually NO TV broadcast signal available. A few VERY weak Mexican stations come in once in a while, but there is NO over the air TV here. You have to get cable, if you are in town, or pay the satellite providers.

I do. I get 3 PBS channels and 2 religious ones. One is in Spanish. It very much depends on the location even in the same room. I think the cheapest antennas are the best There is no such thing as a digital antenna. I called an antenna guy who was advertising on tv.

The difference is the signal is now digital. If your TV is older, you might need a digital to analog converter box.

I wanted my DirecTV with DVR in my bedroom also, so a bought a "digital modulator" from Channel Plus. It allows the bedroom TV to view and control exactly what is on the main TV. You'll also need a gizmo to operated the remote.

E-mail me if you need for info.

-MM

You need an indoor antenna as well as a converter box if you are not using cable or satellite.