Well, the kiddo is turning 16 soon and will have her driver's license. Called insurance to get a quote, and even with the discounts she's eligible for, we're still facing our premiums more than doubling!
The wife and I have knocked around the idea of canceling cable, going with an HD arial, and using streaming services for all else. Based on a cursory search, we could subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus, AND Amazon Prime video for less than half the cost of our current TV bundle.
I'd like some practical advice from those that have done this. I guess my main concern is, what's the best HD arial that won't break the bank, how to record shows, and what to do about wifi signal strength in the basement where the family room is located. It's sketchy as it stands now.
Thanks!
Depending on where you live you may not need much for an antenna.
I live in a town with 6 local stations (market #76 - NYC is #1 L.A. is #2) and can pick them all up just fine with about a one foot long piece of wire stuck into the antenna socket. Try that first and see what you get. I'm on flat Earth and the stations all have tall towers. If you are some place where you have a mountain, the TV stations transmitters should all be up there and around the same place. That's good for two reasons, more consistent signal and everyone's in the same general direction if you need a directional antenna.
Don't get sucked into something just because it says "HD" or "Digital."
Antennas are, and always have been sold in the snake-oil isle at your electronics store.
If you are rural, you may need to go to a basic directional rooftop/attic TV antenna.
If you have to put something on the roof, don't skimp on the cable you use to connect to the TV.
Cheap cable = lots of signal loss and more interference.
The best stuff you can commonly get for TV installs will be what's called RG-6, and get the stuff with foil and braided (dual) shield.
If you do have to go with an outdoor roof/or attic antenna, and you don't know much about this stuff, get hold of someone who knows this stuff and can do a proper installation. It might cost you a couple or three cable bills, but after that you're no longer sucking the pipe and drinking the cool-aid.
Pretty much everything is UHF these days which is great because the antennas are much smaller.
The only thing good/bad about digital TV is that you either get a perfect picture or you get nothing at all.
Used to be you could get a snowy analog picture and aim for best reception.
Doesn't work that way anymore, so more opportunity for slickster to tell you you need a "digital" "HD" antenna. Horse Hockey!
And don't let some sales geek talk you into a new TV.
A lot of the TV band is getting jumbled up over the next three or four years.
Stations you watch now may need to change channels.
New modulation schemes coming along down the road that your "old TV" may not pick up.
The TV's you have now and are being sold in stores may not work for OTA after it all shakes out.
If you have other reasons to buy a new set now, that's fine. Just hold off if you can.
Remember the "government cheese" TV converters that were around when the Fed killed off analog TV?
Ain't gonna be none of that give-a-way this time. All OTA watchers will be on their own.
