OTA Television Channels

In 2009 you had to be living under a rock if you didn't hear about the change from analog to digital television.

Most local television channels broadcast in analog until June 2009 when they switched their broadcast signals to digital.

So, what is this about and how do I get digital local channels ?

When channels were broadcast in analog the standard television used NTSC to convert the analog signal into the image and sound you received on your television. To use your NTSC television you will need to purchase a digital converter box. This will allow you to convert the digital signal to an analog signal.

If you are lucky enough to have a newer television with an ATSC tuner you do not need a converter box. This is because an ATSC tuner converts or decodes a digital signal into the images you would see on a newer television.

Having local digital television stations has advantages over the old analog format. Due to how the spectrum works with digital compared to analog, television stations can now also broadcast what are known as substations. These substations may carry weather, news, affiliate broadcast, movies, or anything that can be broadcast.

Many local tv stations now have anywhere from 1 to 3 substations broadcasting over the air.

If you are interested in knowing what digital channels you can receive for free over the air, check out Antennaweb. org . You can enter your address or zip code and retrieve a list of local channels. Be aware that the list is very conservative. I know this due to the fact that my location came backing showing no channels. However, this was not true and I am currently picking up 9 channels from just one direction and I can receive another 5 channels from moving the rotor.

I am satisfied with the 9 channels I currently get which actually ends up being 23 channels with the substations.