What if I were to say that you might already have everything you need to get free and cheap TV in your home, condo, or apartment? Why buy anything when you might have what you need? Take this inventory and find out!
Your Current TV
If you have a modern Hi-Def television, you can probably plug an antenna right into it and start getting free broadcast TV. Most modern TV’s can take either cable TV or broadcast TV input. They both plug into the same coax jack. No external box needed to try an antenna.
If you have a smart TV, it will be able to connect to the Internet and get low-cost video services like Hulu or Sling TV, eliminating the need for a Roku or Apple TV. Check your TV’s manual.
If you have an old tube type of TV, all is not lost, but you’ll have to buy a converter box to get free broadcast TV.
Your Old TV Antenna Is Still Good
Remember the old days before cable TV when we used an antenna to get analog TV? Well, digital broadcast TV will work with that same antenna. Check your basement, closet, or garage to see if you have an old “rabbit ear” antenna lying around. Or, even better, check your attic or roof to see if you have an antenna installed in your home or condo. That’s even better than an indoor antenna, and you can use it to get modern digital TV!
If you don’t have an antenna, and don’t want to spend $40 for one, you can improvise one. A length of wire or any metal object can serve as a temporary primitive antenna. While it might not bring in as many channels as a real antenna, it’s enough to test with.
Your Game Console
Do you have an Xbox 360, Wii, or Playstation 3? You can use any of these devices to watch Netflix and Hulu Plus on your TV. Check for other services that work with your particular gaming device. You might not need to buy a Roku or Apple TV if you have one of these gaming boxes.
Your Old Computer
Do you have an old unused computer lying around? Why not use it to watch Internet video on your TV? Most modern TVs have a monitor input. Simply connect your computer to it using a monitor cable and you’re ready to go! Unlike Apple TV, Roku, and other set-top boxes, a real computer will have access to completely free video on the Internet like Hulu (which is free, as opposed to Hulu Plus, which you have to pay for), the network websites, and more. So, recycle that old computer! Personally, I love doing this because the selection of free TV on the Internet is huge.
Your DVD/Blue Ray Player
In the age of instant video, it’s easy to forget about DVDs. Did you know that your public library probably stocks a wide range of DVDs that you can borrow for free? How about swapping DVDs with your friends and family?
Your Unused Dish Cabling
Although you can’t use a satellite dish to receive regular broadcast TV, you can use the cabling that goes from your roof to your TV. This would involve disconnecting the coax cable at the dish and instead connecting an outdoor digital TV antenna. This would save you the hassle of running new cable and could significantly improve reception over an indoor antenna.
Well, I hope this has given you a few ideas on how to get free and cheap TV using the equipment that you already own. You shouldn’t have to pay a lot to watch TV! Please share your questions or ideas below. – Brian
On a friend’s advice I put a rabbit ears antenna at my roofline about 9 feet up and got more than 60 channels. Granted, a lot of other languages besides English, yet still a lot of English too. Later my landlord was removing an old style roof top antenna from the house in front of mine. I asked for it and he and I put up a pole and mounted it next to the house. My channel count has jumped to well over a hundred. Hint: point antenna toward tv tower area where you live. In L.A., so I directed it toward Mt. Wilson.
Hi Scott,
Thanks for sharing and congrats! Your observations exactly match what I have found: https://www.disablemycable.com/antenna-tips/
Best,
Brian
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I used a r6 coaxial cable with a small metal piece that slides right onto the small wire in the cable, just stuff I found around the house and I have tvwithout paying for an antenna. I live way out in the sticks and was surprised I didnt have to work at trying to get reception. Just using a better cable worked for me.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing your story! That is great!
Brian
Hi. Just found your site and am loving all your research and info…thank you!!! I am stuck in comcast land in northern nj. If I get chromecast, will I b able to watch HBO go? I am shut out on Roku. I hate comcast but they are my only choice. Thanks
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and
sources back to your website? My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my
visitors would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this ok with you. Thank you!
Yes, if you mention my blog in each case and provide a link near the quoted material, it is fine.
Thanks,
Brian
I have a question..I have a few options since getting rid of my high priced cable and lower down to my 30.00 pkg which I see is not worth keeping really so that is going soon.
But…I was own a converter box, the bad thing about this box is example, I can get qubo in my bedrooom but not in the living room. I have since done research and found out where my towers are, for antennas and boosters by going to:
http://antennasearch.com/ and also http://www.tvfool.com/ this last one gave me a list of tv stations I can get, so what Im wanting to know is this:
Is there an option or is it best to use my converster, where I have to keep moving my rabbit ears…or do I install an outdoor antenna and point it in the direction of the towers? I hate that if I want a certain station, I have to get up and move the rabbit ears and turn the antenna to get that station. I just cant sit and flip stations on my remote control.
Any ideas?
Hi Dolores,
Yes, moving the antenna for different stations is a pain, I can imagine. An outdoor antenna might help, if the towers are all in the same direction from your home. It probably will help even if they are not in the same direction, but it’s impossible to to know if it will help enough without trying it. Sorry I can’t offer a more definitive answer..
One trick you can try is to use two indoor antennas with a splitter. Scroll to the bottom of this article:
https://www.disablemycable.com/broadcast.html
Good luck,
Brian