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12-06-2010, 04:04 PM
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#1
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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Antenna for free TV?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/bu...abbitears.html
Am I reading this correctly? I can purchase an antenna and watch TV without paying for cable? Is this even legal? I watch TV infrequently, and would love to lower my cable bill to only the price of internet. Can someone shine some light on this for me?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-06-2010, 04:18 PM
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#2
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,083
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its basically like the old style analog air broadcasted signals. but since the switch to digital tvs must be either new enough to use the digital signals or with older tvs you need a converter box. But yes, You can get some channels over-the-air for free still.
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12-06-2010, 04:20 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston/North
Posts: 9,214
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you need a digital converter box and an antenna. my friend has it at her apt and we had it when I worked at BJs.
you get the minimal channels. 2-11, pbs, and some other crap you'd never watch. jake, have you never heard of people using antennas for tv? the govt was giving out the cable boxes free for months
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
dumbass.
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12-06-2010, 05:37 PM
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#4
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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Yeah, well, I thought that couldn't be done anymore. I was unaware you could get digital TV over the airways.
I am going to have to do some research on this. There is never anything on basic TV channels though.
Thanks guys!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-06-2010, 07:04 PM
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#5
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,170
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Welcome to 1976
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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12-06-2010, 08:16 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 540
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I have a digital antenna I bought before I got cable. My tv has a built in tuner and I get about 30 channels, half of them are in HD.
There are also a few web pages that tell you which direction to point your antenna to pick up different channels.
Location is a big issue. If your near a city you'll be fine. If your out in the country don't expect to pick up many channels.
Last edited by Stevoone; 12-06-2010 at 08:18 PM.
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12-06-2010, 08:53 PM
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#7
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevoone
I have a digital antenna I bought before I got cable. My tv has a built in tuner and I get about 30 channels, half of them are in HD.
There are also a few web pages that tell you which direction to point your antenna to pick up different channels.
Location is a big issue. If your near a city you'll be fine. If your out in the country don't expect to pick up many channels.
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I live in Queens, about 4 miles from Manhattan. Signal should be fine. The TV I have is old, got it for free, so I doubt I have a tuner. I'll likely only get a few channels then, huh?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
Welcome to 1976
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Kiss my butt! I thought this was done away with when they made that big stink about going digital!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-06-2010, 09:38 PM
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#8
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Co-Founder / Site Admin
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ewing, NJ
Posts: 22,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
I live in Queens, about 4 miles from Manhattan. Signal should be fine. The TV I have is old, got it for free, so I doubt I have a tuner. I'll likely only get a few channels then, huh?
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IIRC, you can buy the digital converters for roughly $40, and that should get you all the digital broadcast channels that are available.
- Justin
__________________
1999 Camry - Beigemobile DD
2002 Suburban - Wife's DD
2004 Grand Cherokee - Not running / Project / Selling?
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12-06-2010, 10:10 PM
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#9
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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I think I'm going to do it. Gonna cancel the Time Warner service after I get it set up and it works. I'll order the box and antenna on Amazon and return if it doesn't work. Should set me back no more than $60.
Gonna miss the DVR though.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-06-2010, 10:17 PM
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#10
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Co-Founder / Site Admin
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ewing, NJ
Posts: 22,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
Gonna miss the DVR though.
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You can do that with an old computer, big hard drive(s), and free software.
- Justin
__________________
1999 Camry - Beigemobile DD
2002 Suburban - Wife's DD
2004 Grand Cherokee - Not running / Project / Selling?
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12-06-2010, 10:30 PM
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#11
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy
You can do that with an old computer, big hard drive(s), and free software.
- Justin
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I through out my old desktop 
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-06-2010, 10:34 PM
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#12
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Co-Founder / Site Admin
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ewing, NJ
Posts: 22,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
I through out my old desktop |
craigslist!
- Justin
__________________
1999 Camry - Beigemobile DD
2002 Suburban - Wife's DD
2004 Grand Cherokee - Not running / Project / Selling?
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12-06-2010, 10:57 PM
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#13
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy
craigslist!
- Justin
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Eh, not that serious.  I'm really just excited to lower my cable bill!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-07-2010, 07:07 PM
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#14
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Hulu.com FTW!
Also you do not need a "special" antenna for digital broadcast Television. Any old antenna will work.
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12-07-2010, 09:08 PM
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#15
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston/North
Posts: 9,214
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PolarBear
Hulu.com FTW!
Also you do not need a "special" antenna for digital broadcast Television. Any old antenna will work.
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as long as you have a TV that's digital compatible. Otherwise you need a "special" antenna or a converter box.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
dumbass.
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12-07-2010, 09:42 PM
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#16
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The Mayor / 2009 Member of the Year / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northwest
Posts: 8,869
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We have it at the shorehouse. We get 1.5 stations on a good day.
__________________
1995 Z28 Convertible A4 13.78 @ 100 (CAI, high flow cat, catback, 160 thermo, hypertech, Strano springs, Koni yellows, sway bars, 3 pt. UMI SFC)
2018 Sea Doo GTX - 3 cylinders and das boooooost
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
Is English your 2nd language? Did you graduate high school? Your posts make my head hurt.
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 Team FARM 
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12-07-2010, 11:19 PM
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#17
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,695
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After much thought, I decided to just do this: http://www.amazon.com/LG-BD550-Netwo...pr_product_top
My DVD/VHS combo went out on my a few months ago, and this seems like a better option than trying to get cable through the airwaves. I figure there is more likely to be something of use to watch on Netflix or DVD than if I were to search basic television. And most importantly, it will have some use after I move from this apartment. Problem solved
Edit: just realized it doesn't have WiFi. The search continues....
Edit Again: I may just get a Roku and forgo the dvd/blu-ray for now. Gonna call Time Warner in the morning and see what my rates are for just internet.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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Last edited by qwikz28; 12-07-2010 at 11:38 PM.
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12-08-2010, 05:22 PM
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#18
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knipps
as long as you have a TV that's digital compatible. Otherwise you need a "special" antenna or a converter box.
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No, thats not quite right. You only need the box for an older TV, i.e. non hd. The antenna is universal, I know because my grandparents just hooked their old amplified antenna to the converter boxes and they are good to go now. Even with the digital TV you can use an old style antenna
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12-08-2010, 06:02 PM
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#19
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston/North
Posts: 9,214
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Isn't that what I just said? I think you missed the word "or" in there
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
dumbass.
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12-09-2010, 10:21 AM
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#20
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knipps
Isn't that what I just said? I think you missed the word "or" in there
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There is no "special" antenna 
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12-09-2010, 10:35 AM
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#21
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Sliderule / Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Catawissa PA
Posts: 2,294
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At my apartment I have a digi box W/rabbit ears in the window ( something outside would probably be better. I get NBC, CBS, 17, 29, 57 and the rest is a TON OF JUNK CHANNELS!
I say it's better nothing, and that's about as good as it gets!
I have to repostion the antenna for certain channels, if its raining I loose 1/2 the channels, or the picture gets "choppy".
__________________
93Z M6 Black: The 385 Lives! Supercharged, 3-core front mount intercooler, GTP heads, 3:73's, Street twin clutch, Jethot Longtubes, Mufflex 4" catback/spintech, S+W cage, Spohn Suspenion, Yada Yada Yada
1) Build it
2) Race it
3) Break it
4) Repeat!!!
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12-10-2010, 07:52 AM
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#22
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King of Free
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,750
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/bu...abbitears.html
Am I reading this correctly? I can purchase an antenna and watch TV without paying for cable? Is this even legal? I watch TV infrequently, and would love to lower my cable bill to only the price of internet. Can someone shine some light on this for me?
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You've been able to do this since the 1930's. Shine light on what??? You've never heard of anyone using an antenna for TV in your life?
Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
After much thought, I decided to just do this: http://www.amazon.com/LG-BD550-Netwo...pr_product_top
My DVD/VHS combo went out on my a few months ago, and this seems like a better option than trying to get cable through the airwaves. I figure there is more likely to be something of use to watch on Netflix or DVD than if I were to search basic television. And most importantly, it will have some use after I move from this apartment. Problem solved
Edit: just realized it doesn't have WiFi. The search continues....
Edit Again: I may just get a Roku and forgo the dvd/blu-ray for now. Gonna call Time Warner in the morning and see what my rates are for just internet. |
It's not "cable through the airwaves".... it's your normal broadcast television through the airwaves, just like your parents used to watch. Also please note that digital != HD. Most stations will look the same, especially on your old TV.
__________________
2001 Trans Am M6 WS6 Black on Black...on Black
PaceSetter LT's, TSP catted Y,Borla catback, SLP lid
!CAGS, Eibach pro-kit, Bilstein shocks, 5% tint all around
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12-10-2010, 08:02 AM
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#23
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boston/North
Posts: 9,214
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PolarBear
There is no "special" antenna |
A special antenna would be an antenna with the digital converter built in. Hence a converter box (w/ basic antenna aka paperclip [it works!]) OR special antenna.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
dumbass.
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12-10-2010, 10:32 AM
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#24
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knipps
A special antenna would be an antenna with the digital converter built in. Hence a converter box (w/ basic antenna aka paperclip [it works!]) OR special antenna.
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OK, what ever makes you feel like you are the one correct here 
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