What kind of antenna for HDTV?

[techs]

I am asking for a friend who lives in NY City which has a number of over the air HD channels and a relatively high signal strength.
Most of the antennas I see advertised are 100 dollars or more.
Is that really necessary? Is there a decent low cost antenna or even a regular tv antenna that will do the job?
thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: techs
Is there a decent low cost antenna or even a regular tv antenna that will do the job?
thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006FXR9/

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1926852

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1954918

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1947996

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1959032

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

I'm sure some other people can give you a better answer... But yes and no I am currently picking up HDTV OTA. And I have tried many antenna's trying to pick up all the channels. I tried the el cheapo antenna's and they picked up dirt (maybe 1 channel out of 10 or so digital channels) I even tried the $100 and it picked up alot better but I finally settled with a Zenith HDTV1 Antenna for around $40-$50 and it (for me in Salem, VA) picks up better than the $100 one

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: techs
Is there a decent low cost antenna or even a regular tv antenna that will do the job?
thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006FXR9/

That is a good one, I have basically the same model with vhf and uhf

 

[woowoo]

Go outdoor if you can


www.antennaweb.org for pointing info

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Go outdoor if you can


www.antennaweb.org for pointing info

In NYC? If you're within 15 miles of where it's being broadcasted from you have no need for an outdoor antenna. Technically, any antenna will do, just avoid amplified ones as that gets you into a very different mess.

 

[Fritzo]

I made a telescope antenna with a F type connector on the end. Works fine for OTA.