NAB is jumping in to support the Consumer Electronics Association’s AntennaWeb.org, an online antenna mapping program designed to help consumers and electronics retailers determine the proper outdoor antenna to use in order to receive free local broadcast channels.
The Web site allows users to enter their addresses and zoom in to nearly their exact locations on a map; the site then computes what digital and analog stations the viewers should be able to receive with different types of over-the-air antennas.
“Cable or satellite subscriptions are not required for consumers to enjoy the benefits of digital television,” said NAB President and CEO David Rehr. “With the proper antenna, consumers can receive free, over-the-air digital broadcasts with higher picture and sound quality and access to multiple channels of free programming. Broadcast viewers can also access interactive video and data services that are not possible with traditional analog technology, including enhanced closed-captioning.”
The program’s database accounts for obstructions such as hills, trees and buildings between the transmitter and the receiving antenna that can interfere with a broadcast signal and affect picture quality, NAB and CEA said.
The CEA/NAB partnership includes infrastructure and site capacity upgrades, site design improvements, and database upgrades that will further improve the user experience.
“Since its inception, AntennaWeb.org has been CEA’s most popular consumer Web resource,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro.
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