By David Katzmaier
(July 20, 2005)

If you have an HDTV with a built-in digital tuner, you can get high-def programming without paying a dime in monthly subscription fees to the local cable or satellite megaconglomerate. You can also enjoy free over-the-air high-def broadcasts if you have an HDTV-ready television connected to an external high-def tuner, such as the Humax HFA100.

All you need, so the story goes, is to connect an antenna. Free high-def programming is explained in depth here, but in short, you can receive high-def broadcasts from the major networks--ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS--over the air in most areas of the country today.

Any inexpensive indoor antenna such as the Zenith ZHDTV1 (our current indoor favorite) might do the trick in areas where you're close to the broadcast tower and don't have too much nearby interference, such as tall buildings. In fact, before heading up to the roof, it's worth trying an indoor model to see if you get lucky.

If indoor doesn't work, hit the roof
In most cases, you'll need to install an outdoor antenna to receive all of your local over-the-air stations without dropouts. The best place to do this is the roof of your house or apartment building.

If your landlord or co-op board prohibits the installation of antennas in your building, you still have the right to install one in an "exclusive use" area--for details see the FCC's Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule. Because HDTV signals are line-of-sight, a higher placement will usually result in better reception and be less subject to interference. There are some differences between installing an HDTV antenna compared to a standard antenna, so we'll walk you through it.