Getting an antenna installed at my apartment?
 

So I'm starting to consider buying an HDTV, and along the same lines I'm starting to look into where I would get my HD content from.

I don't even have basic cable now, and I not really into paying for that, along with having to pay for their HD content. But I think I'd be happy with a good OTA signal.

I live in an apartment, and I've used an antenna with the HDTV card I have in my computer, and I get inconsistent results... sometimes it's good, sometimes not, certain channels require the antenna to be in one place/orientation, while other channels require something different. My unit doesn't face the direction of the towers, either... I'm close enough to a major city (San Francisco) that I'm fairly certain if I had an outdoor antenna on the roof of the building, I would get fantastic reception.

I mentioned the idea to my landlord about it, and he wasn't too excited about. He just didn't want to do the work. But I want to pester him some more about it. First off, is he *obligated* (by law) as a landlord to provide an antenna signal to my unit? That might be a longshot, but I figure there's a chance of that. Secondly, how difficult would it be to get one installed? Can I call an electrician (or some other service dude) to get an estimate? I'd do it myself if it weren't an apartment building, but since it is I guess I'd get a professional to do it.

Just hook in to the regular antenna. It'll work fine. HDTV antennas are a joke.

But if you really want to install an antenna, as long as you do it in an exclusive use area they have to let you do it.

What that means is you can install an antenna in any area that's for your exclusive use. If you have a private balcony, you can put an antenna on it and your landlord's not allowed to stop you.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

That'll give you the crash course on what you can and can't do.

I don't have HD, but from my friends that do, word is you have to reposition the antenna a lot as you flip channels. You're probably best with a tabletop "christmas tree" antenna, if you're not going to go with cable or satellite.

You most likely only need basic cable. You usually only have to pay extra if you want the premium HD content (ESPN HD, etc). Most cable companies don't advertise that they broadcast the local networks HD content (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc) for free. You just need an HDTV with a QAM tuner, or you can buy QAM tuner separately if your TV doesn't come with one.

Here's some more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner