Best cheap HD antenna?

[lokiju]

I'm poor, have little to no money to spend on an antenna but would love to get some HD channels over the air.

I've tried hooking up a amplified antenna booster but it didn't "lock" in any HD channels in my first floor apartment, I can't run anything up to the roof since I am in an apartment either.

I have DirecTV, would it help my over the air signal if I split off my cable from that and attached to my HD turner in my TV? Not like I'd expect to tune in from that or anything, just mean to use it as an outdoor antenna since it's there anyways.

Any ideas for how to do this cheaply? I'm handy so I should be able to build something if nothing else also.

:beer:

 

[yllus]

I :heart: the Channel Master 4221.

 

[acemcmac]

First step is to find out what channels the digital versions of the stations you want are broadcasting off of... work from there. It was tricky for me because mine were all upper end UHF

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1928312

I ended up going with a 50" radio shack antenna, but if you're in an apartment, you'll have less choice than me...

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
First step is to find out what channels the digital versions of the stations you want are broadcasting off of... work from there. It was tricky for me because mine were all upper end UHF

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1928312

I ended up going with a 50" radio shack antenna, but if you're in an apartment, you'll have less choice than me...

Is there a site that list this info that you're aware of?

 

[woowoo]

www.antennaweb.org

 

[WT]

OK, I start off admitting I am a total n00b to HDTV, but this seems like as good a place as any to get my virtual feet wet. I have the following Panasonic plasma TV:
Panasonic 32LX50
It does not include an HD tuner, so what are my cheapest choices at this point ? Also, do I even need a tuner ?? I asume this does the job of finding those HD channels via antenna that are available, but can you get a signal if the broadcast is close to you ?

I'm piecing together an HTPC which will include a Hauppauge WinTV150 PVR, but I had given thought to adding the Dvico Fusion Gold Plus unit found here
Those two cards should cover any signal I receive, analog and HD, but with CableCard rumored to be 'just around the corner', would it be better to hold off on HD ?