I have dish network, a new vizio 50 in smart hdtv with wifi....how do I watch digital over the air channels?

[NanaSue]

I have dish network, a new vizio 50 in smart hdtv with wifi....how do I watch digital over the air channels? My understanding is my new tv has a digital tuner in it already, but do I still need help! I tried scanning like it states to find digital programming in my area, but no joy....Do I simply need a digital antenna? And if so, does it have to be some giant behemoth up on the telephone pole (used to be for tv b4 dish, lol), or can it be in the house? I recently purchased that clear tv antenna as advertised on tv....will that suffice? Help!

 

[Solandri]

It depends how far the broadcast antennas are from your house, and in which direction. Go to this site and put in your address:

https/www.antennaweb.org/

It will tell you which stations you should be able to pick up. (I say "should" because often the site doesn't know about hills.) If it says you'll have a good chance to pick up over-the-air stations, you can usually get by with a leaf antenna. They offer the best performance for the money.

https/www.amazon.com/1byone-Amplified-Creative-Adjustable-Amplifier/dp/B00RFLXAMW

The antenna screws into the antenna/cable TV port in the back of the TV.

 

[thewoodhead]

Keep in mind that some of the new Vizio Smart TV's (The E series for example. I know because I have one) no longer have an internal tuner. To get antenna stations you will need to run the antenna through a tuner. I have yet to do this yet, so I can't swear to its efficacy.