HDTV/reception questions?

Question:

We recently bought our first high definition tv 3 weeks ago. It seems fine most of the time but I've had 2 issues.One is on the HD channels only we get a fuzzy, static-type thin line across the top of the picture. But when I switch it back to the standard tv channel showing the same program the line disappears. What is that and is it normal?

Also, and this is what really worries me, 3 times we've had ALL of our HDTV channels go out. Kind of like when we had cable & the cable would go out. But when we can't get the high def channels we can still see the regular, non HD channels. Do all local HDTV stations use the same signal to broadcast & could they all go out at once? It doesn't make sense since I can still see the regular channels. I don't know anyone w/ HDTV but w/o cable to ask. Please help.

Should I return the Westinghouse tv? Is the tuner bad? Also, we don't have cable but the standard tv antenna always works great. Why would regular channels come in & not HD?

Thank you

You need to upgrade to a omni-directional UHF antenna. Most HD channels are in the UHF range, but some are in the VHF range. Go to this website here and fill in your complete address on the antenna request form. It will find your area and tell you a complete list of all HDTV channels in the area.

http://www.antennaweb.org

And check out this website for detailed information and products for the type of antenna you should be using for HDTV reception:

http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/...

I don't know what city you are in, but in Chicago, the HD channels are on UHF. If your antenna is only VHF or if you have a very poor UHF antenna that might be the cause of your poor reception and outages.

Depending on how far you live from the broadcast antenna, you may need an outdoor UHF antenna. UHF is much more prone to interference from buildings and trees than VHF.

Radio Shack sells some great antennas for around $50.

Good luck!

HDTV/reception questions?

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