Yep don't get me wrong Stampeder - this forum is excellent at doing what it does (much thanks to you and to members). It's the R&D department for consumers of OTA in Canada for a start, and it's a great database.

So yes I am just bouncing ideas around here (though I don't have many myself!) I'm interested to hear why others think OTA should be more popular than it is... is it about choice and anti-monopoly? Is it about getting stuff for free? Is it about needing HD? What are OTA's biggest selling points in the view of members? (That's what this theoretical website would be all about!)

Actually you'd be best to read the Pros and Cons of Going OTA (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32200) thread for starters.

Just nipped into our local London Drugs store last week. One of the sales folk told me that since I had mentionned to him that HD digital was available OTA on both Global and CTV in Calgary with excellent results, not only has he and some others of his staff been recieving it, he also now responds to any TV related client enquiries that come to him of this fact. He now reports that there has been a steady increase in his antenna sales.

I also informed K&W Audio here in town of the same thing and at least one staff member had not been aware of any ATSC broadcasts in the City??? :confused:

So there is still a huge information problem here! What a shame! :(

I've been casually "testing" OTA DTV reception with TV sets on display at some big-box electronics stores. If I find a useful signal, I'll leave it tuned there so others can see what the TV is capable of.
Others seem to be doing it, too. On Sunday, for example, there were small clusters of people watching the NFL playoffs being shown on CTV on several sets where OTA DTV reception was possible. Someone else had set that up before I showed up.
(And better yet, there were no real antennas hooked up -- just the coax cable used to deliver the demo programs. That was pretty cool.)
Of course, with no one explaining where the programs come from, the un-initiated might assume it's coming from a cable box ...

Earlier Sunday, I was in a London Drug and noticed pamphlets from Terk explaining the pros and cons of OTA.

Of course, with no one explaining where the programs come from, the un-initiated might assume it's coming from a cable box ... That's why you should always carry big post-it notes and a Sharpie when doing that! :D

"What you are watching is available to you free over the air with an antenna!"

FWIW, I've noticed my dentist's office uses OTA on the HD set in the waiting room.

That's why you should always carry big post-it notes and a Sharpie when doing that! :D

"What you are watching is available to you free over the air with an antenna!"
Good idea!

I had some friends over last weekend, and showed them the fantastic reception I am getting OTA, on the HD channels. They were blown away! I think they were then second guessing the amount of money they were paying for satillite or cable TV.

Keep spreading the word...

In my office, we co-opted a 55" HDTV used for video-conferencing and set it up so staff can wander by and watch the CTV Olympic coverage. I hope they'll be astounded by the free HD programming available OTA, for FREE!

Yep, OTA is becoming more popular again in some parts of Canada due to this year's Super Bowl, just like in previous years. :) Here's the thread for this year's Super Bowl on TV:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=118427

I was in local Home Depot this weekend getting supplies for my upcoming antenna install. A very helpful worker showed me where everything was and asked me what the supplies were for. I told him I'm putting a big tv antenna on my roof. His facial expression was one of "why would you do that". I smiled and told him that I'm currently watching 6 gorgeous HD channels with an antenna in my attic and that I'm going to grab some more when its on the roof. He still didn't get it. He asked if the signal was encrypted? Was it legal? LOL I told him its the radio waves that have been broadcast over the air since the 1950's just now they are digital. He was completely unaware of what was out there. I take every opportunity to tell anyone who will listen about what is waiting out there for them if they spend a few hundred dollars and a Saturday afteroon on their roof.

It's amazing that even after all the hype during the U.S. digital transition, the BDU's still have all of these people brainwashed into believing that 'the pay way' is the 'only way' :o

I'm sitting here watching the men's Olympic hockey in OTA HD, and the picture quality is second to none!;)

Yep the Olympics looks spiffy in HD via OTA

I just set up a antenna this weekend, wow the picture looks nice, the wife loves the american idol in HD, lol, still got some tweeking to do, been reading a lot, great forum!!!, next up seems to be a home built pvr to merge the atsc and clear qam into one input.

Agreed its very important to keep out investors happy by showing them the benefits of OTA with shows like American Idol, and Grey's Anatomy:)

I had a Mountain Cable (now Shaw) rep come up to my door, first ask me about my antennas- what I was getting,... then went on to try to solicit me into cable TV with 3 months free.

Sorry, I get all the major Can/US networks in digital, plus HD channels, feeding 3 TVs, costing me a grand total of,... $0.00 month. I don't think he could beat that. ;)

Having neighbours and friends visit while watching the Olympic events on CTV produces surprised looks at the high quality HD pictures. My wife is also very impressed at the picture detail and quality. Some are wondering why their cable and Satelite services don't produce the same with the Dollars they spend on it! I had one female friend ask to do house sitting for us when we go away on holiday ;)

Yep, seeing is believing! :)

My son had a hockey game around the same time as the gold medal hockey game. What a sight it was to see everyone crowded around a little 8 inch black and white TV screen, inside a big honkin' box/unit, that had a silver telescopic pole as an antenna in the lobby of the arena; cheering on our boys via OTA channel 9 (CFTO) Toronto. Memories of 1972.

Oops, I noticed the title of this thread has HDTV in it, no way via the analog black and white relic box the game was on, but better than nothing (no cab/sat).

By the way, I don't know if anyone else saw it, but before the closing of the Olympics they showed who all had been watching the Olympic men's hockey final. In one shot, there was a fire truck with a big screen TV on it, antenna on top. Yup, they had made your M4 sans reflector. :)