The Types of HD TV Antenna
Ron Espy

Defined Tag: Hd Tv Antenna.

An HDTV Antenna is one of the major items to consider when purchasing a high-definition television set. If you don't have cable or satellite HD service or you opt out of either a HD TV antenna will be required to receive local high definition signal transmissions. Following is a description of different types of HDTV antennas. The choices are rather simple either indoor or outdoor (usually rooftop).

Small Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION The smallest of HDTV antennas, they receive equally well from all directions.
APPEARANCE Good looking designs including novel shaped disk and patch antennas, and antennas that attach to satellite systems.
USE: where signal strength is highest and away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Medium Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION Somewhat larger and slightly more powerful
APPEARANCE These antennas include novel stick, wing shaped or disk antennas with long elements.
USE: An amplified antenna is recommended...anytime a long (20 feet or more) cable run from the antenna is required, or when more than one device (HDTV or VCR) is to be used with an antenna. They work best away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Large Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION Bigger in size, these antennas receive more signal power. Better for greater distances from signal source and areas with low signal strength.
APPEARANCE Styles include element antennas. These antennas can be used to reject simple ghost situations.
USE When mounted at rooftop heights (30 feet or higher) outdoors, amplified antennas can be used in...areas away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Small Directional
DESCRIPTION Antennas that act like large multidirectional on channels 2-6 but on higher channels these antennas start to have useful ghost reducing effects. Picture quality is excellent when no signal reflecting structures are around.
APPEARANCE Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used in these areas if the area is free of signal reflecting structures and is not in a low area.

Medium Directional
DESCRIPTION Most popular rooftop antenna because of its modest size and ghost reducing characteristics.
APPEARANCE Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE If there are ghost producing reflective structures near TV receiver antenna location. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used with the blue color code.

Large Directional
DESCRIPTION Large antennas used in weak signal areas for maximum possible HDTV reception.
APPEARANCE Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE Can be used in any ...area, but requires an amplifier and roof mounting.

CEA-certified Antenna Mark for Outdoor Antennas

Antenna color codes are broken into seven different zones. These zones identify the different types of antennas that are required for a consumer to receive optimal reception. Typically, the closer consumers live to the signal tower, the better reception they will receive. They may also be able to use an indoor antenna versus an outdoor. The farther away a consumer lives, the opposite is true. However, there are many variables that impact exactly which antenna a consumer will need. - Types of HDTV Antennas
go here Antennaweb.org to get more detailed information on HDTV antennas.