Why Your Digital TV Antenna Reception Sucks
03/08/09 00:41 Filed in: TV Antennas
Whether you're using a PC/Mac computer TV tuner, a DTV Converter Box, or new HD Digital TV set: If you're not getting the ATSC channels, signal strength or reception you expect , ponder these basic points about your antenna:
• Congresses DTV 'Extension' from Feb 17th to June 12th has muddied the clear cut-off date
• Most US stations already made the switch on Feb 17th regardless
• DTV transmitters may not be operating at Full-Power yet
• Poor selection, placement, or direction of antenna
• Unrealistic expectations from set-top indoor antennae
• Local geography, terrain, building materials causing interference
• Not knowing the direction of your local transmission towers
• Insufficient or no signal amplification
• A Signal amplifier not connected *at the antenna end*
• Low-quality wiring or damaged coax cabling
• Corroded or loose connector fittings
• Improper configuration-overuse of signal splitters to multiple TVs
Over-the-air ATSC Digital TV has very little middle-ground: Either you get a razor sharp picture, you experience intermittent visual breakup and audio glitches because of marginal reception strength, or you simply get the dreaded "NO SIGNAL". Unlike Analog TV reception, there's no 'Ghosts' 'Snow' 'Fuzziness' or 'Audio Hiss' you can sorta put up with. With Digital signals, antenna futzing can be hard to assess in real-time. There's often a several second delay with Digital that makes fine-tuning antenna position very, very difficult.
VHF-ONLY or UHF-ONLY antenna's that may have served you well for years ight not be suitable anymore. Channel Reassignments are part of this transition: Some stations that may have broadcast Analog on VHF are now Digital on UHF -- and vice-versa. A combo UHF/VHF antenna covers all your bases from Ch 2-13 (VHF) and 14-69 (UHF). Some 'outdoor' antenna designs are now actually small and compact enough to be used indoors -- and may work far, far better than any smaller set-top Loop and Rabbit Ears.
Consider adding a quality adjustable gain TV amplifier (especially if you are using a splitter to multiple TV's) to get marginal stations in clearer - or pull in an extra station or two you were missing. Rural and distant Urban-Fringe TV reception demands more: Accept the fact that you may need to upgrade or invest in an OUTDOOR antenna, a high mast, a signal amplifier, even a rotator to position the antenna best when your transmission towers are not centralized.
Remember, your Digital Television experience will only be as good as it's source...
• Congresses DTV 'Extension' from Feb 17th to June 12th has muddied the clear cut-off date
• Most US stations already made the switch on Feb 17th regardless
• DTV transmitters may not be operating at Full-Power yet
• Poor selection, placement, or direction of antenna
• Unrealistic expectations from set-top indoor antennae
• Local geography, terrain, building materials causing interference
• Not knowing the direction of your local transmission towers
• Insufficient or no signal amplification
• A Signal amplifier not connected *at the antenna end*
• Low-quality wiring or damaged coax cabling
• Corroded or loose connector fittings
• Improper configuration-overuse of signal splitters to multiple TVs
Over-the-air ATSC Digital TV has very little middle-ground: Either you get a razor sharp picture, you experience intermittent visual breakup and audio glitches because of marginal reception strength, or you simply get the dreaded "NO SIGNAL". Unlike Analog TV reception, there's no 'Ghosts' 'Snow' 'Fuzziness' or 'Audio Hiss' you can sorta put up with. With Digital signals, antenna futzing can be hard to assess in real-time. There's often a several second delay with Digital that makes fine-tuning antenna position very, very difficult.
VHF-ONLY or UHF-ONLY antenna's that may have served you well for years ight not be suitable anymore. Channel Reassignments are part of this transition: Some stations that may have broadcast Analog on VHF are now Digital on UHF -- and vice-versa. A combo UHF/VHF antenna covers all your bases from Ch 2-13 (VHF) and 14-69 (UHF). Some 'outdoor' antenna designs are now actually small and compact enough to be used indoors -- and may work far, far better than any smaller set-top Loop and Rabbit Ears.
Consider adding a quality adjustable gain TV amplifier (especially if you are using a splitter to multiple TV's) to get marginal stations in clearer - or pull in an extra station or two you were missing. Rural and distant Urban-Fringe TV reception demands more: Accept the fact that you may need to upgrade or invest in an OUTDOOR antenna, a high mast, a signal amplifier, even a rotator to position the antenna best when your transmission towers are not centralized.
Remember, your Digital Television experience will only be as good as it's source...
