How to Get the Right Antenna for Your HDTV Home Theater System
To get the most out of your high definition home theater system you'll need to get an HDTV antenna for receiving a high definition signal. You can subscribe to a cable or satellite company and receive high definition channels. Depending on your area, you may be able to receive free over-the-air high definition television by simply erecting an HD antenna. Here's how to get the right antenna for your HDTV home theater system.
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Instructions
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Make sure the remainder of your home theater system is HD compatible. Without an HD television, cables and receiver, an HD antenna will do you no good. You can purchase HDTV and HDTV-compatible equipment at Best Buy or American.
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Buy a directional antenna if you know where the HD signal is coming from. Then, set it up to point in that direction. Determine the direction of the HD broadcast station and mount the antenna so it is facing in that direction. Make sure there are no obstacles in the way of the antenna and the signal source.
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Buy an omni-directional antenna if you don't know where the signal is coming from. These have a shorter range but basically point in all directions at the same time. Mount the omni-directional antenna high on your roof and make sure it has a clear view of the sky in all directions.
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Buy an outdoor antenna if possible. Mount the antenna on a roof or porch. The signal will be better.
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Buy an antenna with a warranty, and buy it from a store with a good return policy, like Costco or Target, in case the antenna doesn't work well for your home theater system.
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Tips & Warnings
Opt for an outdoor antenna, as the signal will be stronger and you'll have fewer cutouts.
Get a partner to watch your television as you position your directional HD antenna. Swivel it until they say the picture is best.
Any procedures performed on a rooftop have an inherent risk. Wear proper footwear and anchor yourself to the roof if possible.
It's possible that a signal might be too good. If you're too close to the tower; try moving to an indoor antenna or attaching an attenuator to soften the signal.
