Craig Fiegener
InstantPride.com

During the next few weeks you’ll probably begin to see a lot of ads for various HD television antennas. On Friday television stations switched to high-definition transmitters.

Indoor high-definition antennas have received generally-poor reviews based on several websites. My personal experience here in the Inland Empire is that receiving a solid HD signal requires an oudoor antenna. I rarely make recommendations, but after trying three different brands I found success with a Channel Master (pictured) outdoor antenna.

It resembles a barbecue grill. When first installed, it might be a bit shocking. Trust me, after a week you won’t even notice it. And unless you need cable, the signal it delivers is crystal clear, and free. You can also purchase a DVR that will behave similarly to the devices sold by TIVO and the cable companies.

Along with my antenna test I’ve been using the Sony (pictured) HD DVR, DHG-HDD. The device accepts the signal from your HD antenna, and behaves just like any other DVR. Current models of this device will hold up to 250 hours of recorded programming. And the DVR provides an easy to read grid that allows you to see what’s on TV. If there’s a program you wish to record you simply highlight it with the record button. Unless you need cable, once again TV is free.

I had my antenna installed by a local business that has made this their specialty. I bought the Sony DVR on eBay. The antenna purchase and installation was $170. I paid less than $150 for the DVR. I cancelled cable that same day. When I need video news and information from sources like InstantPride.com or cnn.com, I log on and watch on the computer.

Movies I want to watch arrive in the mail on DVD. I’ve saved a lot of money.

In broadcasting, a revolution has been underway; in fact it has been brewing for a while, but it kicked into high gear on Friday.

It’s amazing when you consider that the first televisions weren’t widely seen until 1939, at The Worlds Fair. In 1945 there were just 9 television stations nationwide, according to the FCC. By 1948 there were 48 television stations across the country, that number grew to more than 500 television stations broadcasting analog signals in 1960.

By the middle 1960’s the FCC reports that 85% of people in the nation had a television in their home. In the early days of television people were receiving the signals via antennas. Television was free.

In the 1980’s many neighborhoods in Southern California were wired for cable television. Offerings such as M-TV and CNN became mainstream. Other consumers opted for large satellite dishes that delivered premium television programming from companies like HBO and On-TV.

Once again television can be free, after you purchase the antenna and converter box or HD ready television.

I like free.

Filed under Entertainment, Headline, Review

Saturday, June 13, 2009

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