DTV Reception Help.

Now that the digital dust has settled a bit and all local TV stations have abandoned their analog channels for the new fangled digital replacement channels, there are still many people who are having problems receiving the transmissions over-the-air using an antenna. After reading and listening to all the expert opinions and recommendations, it is no wonder that many people are confused and, in some cases, frustrated. I thought I would add to the dialog and provide some information that may help you if you are having problems getting all the local channels using an antenna. Cable and satellite subscribers can stop reading right now.

While digital and analog over-the-air TV transmissions use essentially the same technology, digital signals are more prone to problems than the analog. Problems with analog TV reception appeared on your TV as “snow” or “ghosting.” Problems with digital signals are much more evident. They result in no picture or sound at all.

No matter if you have a new digital TV or are using a set top converter box, the key to good reception is the antenna. Depending on where you live, you may either be able to use a standard “rabbit ears” antenna or you will need something more sensitive. If you get good reception on all the channels, great. If you don’t, here are some tips.

Make sure that your antenna is designed to receive both UHF and VHF signals. While most digital broadcasting is done in the UHF band, in Cincinnati channels 9 and 12 use VHF. If your antenna has both a round loop and two telescoping rods, it is a UHF/VHF model for sure. But there are many new designs so read the box if you are buying a new one.

Try an amplified set top antenna. This often will do the trick for people living in our area, i.e., about 25 miles from most of the TV transmitters. Keep in mind, though, that amplified antennas and digital signals are strange bedfellows. This might seem counterintuitive, but if you are having problems and already are using an amplified antenna, turn it off. Strange as it is, too much signal is as bad as too little signal. The amplifier almost always helped analog signals but not so digital signals. Always start with no amplifier and then add it if you are not getting the channels.

A better antenna can also help. While there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna, there are many new designs for antennas that make them more sensitive and therefore better for digital broadcast applications. Some of them look nothing like the ones we used in our youth….you know, we attached aluminum foil to them in order to get “Bonanza” to come in clearly. Manufactures like Terk have a wide selection of both indoor and outdoor models.

Speaking of outdoor models... For sure, a good outdoor antenna pointed toward downtown Cincinnati will be your best option. You can get unbiased suggestions for the right antenna for your location at www.antennweb.org. Just type in your zip code and it will give you good advice.

Finally, there are some locations that no amount of amplification or antenna design or height will overcome. I hope you are not in one of these areas but, if you are, cable or satellite are your only options.

DTV Reception Help.

Now that the digital dust has settled a bit and all local TV stations have abandoned their analog channels for the new fangled digital replacement channels, there are still many people who are having problems receiving the transmissions over-the-air using an antenna. After reading and listening to all the expert opinions and recommendations, it is no wonder that many people are confused and, in some cases, frustrated. I thought I would add to the dialog and provide some information that may help you if you are having problems getting all the local channels using an antenna. Cable and satellite subscribers can stop reading right now.

While digital and analog over-the-air TV transmissions use essentially the same technology, digital signals are more prone to problems than the analog. Problems with analog TV reception appeared on your TV as “snow” or “ghosting.” Problems with digital signals are much more evident. They result in no picture or sound at all.

No matter if you have a new digital TV or are using a set top converter box, the key to good reception is the antenna. Depending on where you live, you may either be able to use a standard “rabbit ears” antenna or you will need something more sensitive. If you get good reception on all the channels, great. If you don’t, here are some tips.

Make sure that your antenna is designed to receive both UHF and VHF signals. While most digital broadcasting is done in the UHF band, in Cincinnati channels 9 and 12 use VHF. If your antenna has both a round loop and two telescoping rods, it is a UHF/VHF model for sure. But there are many new designs so read the box if you are buying a new one.

Try an amplified set top antenna. This often will do the trick for people living in our area, i.e., about 25 miles from most of the TV transmitters. Keep in mind, though, that amplified antennas and digital signals are strange bedfellows. This might seem counterintuitive, but if you are having problems and already are using an amplified antenna, turn it off. Strange as it is, too much signal is as bad as too little signal. The amplifier almost always helped analog signals but not so digital signals. Always start with no amplifier and then add it if you are not getting the channels.

A better antenna can also help. While there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna, there are many new designs for antennas that make them more sensitive and therefore better for digital broadcast applications. Some of them look nothing like the ones we used in our youth….you know, we attached aluminum foil to them in order to get “Bonanza” to come in clearly. Manufactures like Terk have a wide selection of both indoor and outdoor models.

Speaking of outdoor models... For sure, a good outdoor antenna pointed toward downtown Cincinnati will be your best option. You can get unbiased suggestions for the right antenna for your location at www.antennweb.org. Just type in your zip code and it will give you good advice.

Finally, there are some locations that no amount of amplification or antenna design or height will overcome. I hope you are not in one of these areas but, if you are, cable or satellite are your only options.

Answers To Some Common DTV Questions

I am going to answer a few questions which have been submitted by readers. They cover several different subjects.

The first question deals with finding a DTV converter that allows you to continue to watch local “low power” stations like Channels 25 and 38 after February 2009. The “low power” stations transmit programs using a fraction of the power required by the major stations like Channel 9 or CET. As a result, many households in our area are unable to receive them. So, you may not even know they exist. These two stations and other “low power” stations in the US will not be changing to digital next year. So, if you receive them now and you want to continue to watch them on your old analog TV set after February 2009, you will need a special DTV converter. Up until now these converters have been very hard to find, but you can now order them through many Radio Shack® stores for $59.99 retail. You can use the DTV coupons so the price is about 20 bucks. Ask for Zenith™ Model DTT901 Catalog # 15-193. If you don’t watch the low power channels, just go with a standard DTV converter.

I was sent me an email asking if even a very old TV, i.e. vintage 1960’s, will work with a DTV converter. (I told you, people never throw away TVs.) The answer is Yes! Of course the picture will not be very sharp and it will be in black and white, but it will display the digital channels. For older TVs you may need to purchase an adapter to connect the converter to the TV, since older TVs have two small screws on the back to which you connect the antenna or rabbit ears. The DTV converter uses what is called an “F” connector. You will need to get a “75 ohm to 300 ohm matching transformer” to adapt the “F” connector. They can be purchased at most electronic stores for about 5 bucks.

Another question came in regarding the need to get a new antenna and lead in wire if you were buying a new HDTV set and would not be using a cable or satellite service. My recommendation would be to wait until you get the new set and see how your current antenna works. In many situations the simple indoor set-top antenna may be all you need. In other cases the outdoor antenna that you already have installed and connected to your analog TV may work just fine with your new HDTV set. Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken!

I wrote about this a few months ago but it bears repeating. There is NO SUCH THING AS A DIGITAL or HDTV ANTENNA. There are antennas that are more efficient than others. Some have amplifiers. Some do not. The antenna itself and the lead in wire are exactly the same for analog reception and digital reception.

It is both amusing and irritating to walk through stores and see antennas for sale with the boxes labeled “HDTV Antenna” or “Specially designed for DTV use.” Many of these antennas will come with an inflated price tag because of the HDTV moniker.

Keep you questions coming. If I don’t know the answer, I have many colleagues much smarter than I am (thank heavens) who, for the price of a beer, will help me out.

Answers To Some Common DTV Questions

I am going to answer a few questions which have been submitted by readers. They cover several different subjects.

The first question deals with finding a DTV converter that allows you to continue to watch local “low power” stations like Channels 25 and 38 after February 2009. The “low power” stations transmit programs using a fraction of the power required by the major stations like Channel 9 or CET. As a result, many households in our area are unable to receive them. So, you may not even know they exist. These two stations and other “low power” stations in the US will not be changing to digital next year. So, if you receive them now and you want to continue to watch them on your old analog TV set after February 2009, you will need a special DTV converter. Up until now these converters have been very hard to find, but you can now order them through many Radio Shack® stores for $59.99 retail. You can use the DTV coupons so the price is about 20 bucks. Ask for Zenith™ Model DTT901 Catalog # 15-193. If you don’t watch the low power channels, just go with a standard DTV converter.

I was sent me an email asking if even a very old TV, i.e. vintage 1960’s, will work with a DTV converter. (I told you, people never throw away TVs.) The answer is Yes! Of course the picture will not be very sharp and it will be in black and white, but it will display the digital channels. For older TVs you may need to purchase an adapter to connect the converter to the TV, since older TVs have two small screws on the back to which you connect the antenna or rabbit ears. The DTV converter uses what is called an “F” connector. You will need to get a “75 ohm to 300 ohm matching transformer” to adapt the “F” connector. They can be purchased at most electronic stores for about 5 bucks.

Another question came in regarding the need to get a new antenna and lead in wire if you were buying a new HDTV set and would not be using a cable or satellite service. My recommendation would be to wait until you get the new set and see how your current antenna works. In many situations the simple indoor set-top antenna may be all you need. In other cases the outdoor antenna that you already have installed and connected to your analog TV may work just fine with your new HDTV set. Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken!

I wrote about this a few months ago but it bears repeating. There is NO SUCH THING AS A DIGITAL or HDTV ANTENNA. There are antennas that are more efficient than others. Some have amplifiers. Some do not. The antenna itself and the lead in wire are exactly the same for analog reception and digital reception.

It is both amusing and irritating to walk through stores and see antennas for sale with the boxes labeled “HDTV Antenna” or “Specially designed for DTV use.” Many of these antennas will come with an inflated price tag because of the HDTV moniker.

Keep you questions coming. If I don’t know the answer, I have many colleagues much smarter than I am (thank heavens) who, for the price of a beer, will help me out.