1. Poor Quality Antennas that have Hundreds of Positive Reviews

Typcial low quality, offshore made TV antenna. Notice the number of reviews and the average review rating. This antenna is marketed under many different names.

Most people simply search for a TV antenna, at well known shopping websites, such as Amazon and Walmart. People often make a purchase decision based on the number of good reviews a TV antenna may have. There are an overwhelming number of poor quality TV antennas containing hundreds or thousands of good reviews. As a result, many poor quality antennas are listed toward top of search results at well known websites. This is due to the fact the offshore companies, who make these poor quality antennas, incentivize people to leave good reviews in spite of their dissatisfaction with the antenna. This is no fault of the shopping websites because all of these reviews are placed by real people. To see how people are incentivized to leave good reviews watch this video.

2. Misleading Advertising and Misleading Advertising Keywords

There is no such thing as a specific "HD" TV antenna. There is no such thing as a specific "digital" TV antenna. There is no such thing as a "4K" TV antenna. There is no such thing as a specific "NEXTGEN TV" Antenna. In fact, the same TV antenna that was used, during the year 1940, can be used to receive over-the-air TV today. A paperclip, could be used as a TV antenna, if you are close to the broadcast tower. If you use a paperclip or if you use an old TV antenna, the video will always be digital. The video will also be high-definition (HD) as long as the TV station is broadcasting in HD. All of the major networks, such as ABC, NBC, and FOX, broadcast in HD. With that said, an antenna made during the year 1940 and a paperclip will receive today's digital TV broadcasts in high-definition. Avoid any TV antenna and avoid any advertisement that suggests you need a special "Nextgen TV", "digital", or a special "HD" TV antenna. This is all hype and these keywords are overly used amoung the cheap, low-quality, and offshore produced TV antennas.

It is important to mention the reputable TV antenna manufacturers use the above keywords within their advertisements. There are hundreds if not thousands of low-quality, offshore made TV antennas using the above keywords to promote their TV antennas. The reputable TV antenna manufacturers need to use these keywords in and effort to compete and appear within search results on Amazon and other shopping sites. If reputable TV antenna manufacturers do not use these keywords, then nothing but the low-quality offshore made TV antennas would appear within shopping website search results.

When choosing a TV antenna, the only things you need to consider is if your antenna needs to be a UHF, HIGH-VHF, or LOW-VHF antenna. Most people need a combination antenna that receives both UHF and HIGH-VHF with one antenna. To choose the correct antenna for your are read How to Select the Correct TV Antenna for Your Area. Be sure to read the rest of this page. At this time, there are no TV stations broadcasting 4K video. As a result, there are no TV antennas that will provide free 4K TV. Some televisions contain a 4K upscale feature. This feature attempts to create a 4K video picture by artificially modifying the original broadcast signal. This feature has nothing to do with the TV antenna. Avoid any TV antenna that attempts to make you think you will get 4K TV if you buy it.

Major networks, such as FOX, NBC, and ABC, also broadcast in surround sound. If your paperclip antenna can receive the TV broadcast from any of the major networks, you will be receiving HD video and surround sound audio.

Typical False Advertisment. The CNBC, A&E, Disney Channel, and CNN channels cannot be received by using any TV Antenna.

Most offshore antenna manufacturers use keywords, such as "Dolby Surround", "Dolby Surround 5.1", or "DTS" within their advertisements. There is no such thing as a specific "surround sound" TV antenna. As mentioned above, if a paperclip will receive the TV signal, you will get surround sound and HD video by using the paperclip alone. Avoid any TV antenna that suggests that it is a specific "Surround Sound" or "Dolby" antenna.

3. Misleading People Into Believing Some Pay Channels Will be Received for Free

Some antenna manufacturers will place well-known pay channel logos within their advertisements. This is done in an attempt to mislead the consumer into believing they will receive these pay channel(s) for free by using their TV antenna. For example, HBO, CNBC, and Disney Channel are all pay channels that are not available for free anywhere. These channels are only available by purchasing a cable TV subscription or by purchasing a paid TV streaming app subscription, such as YouTube TV or Hulu +Live TV. For a list of the most common live channels that are free, visit the Free Over-the-Air Live TV Channels List

4. Misleading and False Antenna Range Distance

It doesn't matter how large of a TV antenna you have. At a given height above ground, a TV antenna's range is limited. When a TV antenna is outside, most households place it no higher than 30 feet above ground. When a TV antenna is indoors, it is normally placed somewhere between 4 - 10 foot above ground. At the 30 foot height, the maximum range any TV antenna can have is approximately 70 to 90 miles.. If a TV antenna is placed at a height, lower than 30 feet, its maximum range will may be less. This is due to the curvature of the earth. Refer the image within this section. There are dozens of TV antennas, especially indoor antennas, that make false range claims. Many of these antennas are designed and made offshore. Any outdoor TV antenna that makes very large range claims should be avoided. Be sure the read the page titled The Most Recommended TV Antennas.

5. Indoor "Mudflap" and "Window" TV Antenna - WARNING

One of the most common and most advertised TV antennas is the indoor "window" antenna. These antennas are sometimes referred as "mudflap" antennas. The reason why these are the most common indoor TV Antenna is they are cheap. These antennas may not work, at your location, for the following reasons:.

1.) These indoor "mudflap" antennas need to be very close to the broadcast tower for them to be reliable.

2.) Most of these antennas receive only UHF channels only. There are only a few of these antennas that will receive VHF in addition to UHF signals. Most areas have at least one major network, such as FOX, ABC, or NBC, broadcasting on VHF.

3.) Many of these antennas come with a coax cable permanently attached. These cables are typically very thin and cheap. If you do purchase one of these antennas, be sure it does NOT include a coax cable permanently attached. Use a RG-6 Quad Shield coax cable to connect your antenna.

4.) It is very critical these "window" antennas are placed in the correct place within the home. Indoor antennas are very temperamental. Moving an indoor antenna as little as a few feet can make it work reliably, or, make it not work at all. Most advertisements suggest to simply place the antenna on any window or place the antenna on any wall. Before purchasing any TV antenna read through this page: How to Select the Correct TV Antenna for Your Area.