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We are witnessing a drastic transition from analog TV to digital TV (DTV), because it is far superior. DTV offers better visual and auditory quality, and more programming channels without fading or interruption. Therefore, it is not surprising that the majority of viewers have decided to go digital.
If you’re one of those considering cutting your cables and getting a free indoor antenna and over-the-air TV, you first need to make sure you’re getting decent reception. With DTV, a weak signal can cause reception problems. Sometimes, you can pull in a TV station or not – it’s the “all or nothing” nature of digital TV that you need to work on in exchange for quality and clarity.
When it comes to getting the best digital TV reception, several factors come into play. While some of these factors are beyond your control, there are certain things you can do to get better digital TV reception. Note, however, that these handy tips may not always work like magic for everyone, but you have nothing to lose if you try them.
It’s All about Location
Where you mount your antenna is one of the most important factors for good reception. So make sure the antenna is mounted high and clear of obstructions, as DTV signals can be bent, warped or weakened by obstructions such as trees, houses, buildings etc.
However, not everyone is allowed or able to install an outdoor antenna. If you are using an indoor antenna, try a higher room location. It’s all about finding the right place. It can be on your ceiling, by a window or even laying flat on the floor!
Correct Position Count
Now that you’ve found a good spot for your antenna, it’s time to point it directly at the broadcast tower. Most antennas are directional (or “unidirectional”), so they need to be positioned toward the signal source.
You can check an online station finder to see where the local broadcasting tower is, and point your antenna in that direction. However, you may need to reposition the antenna for a different station. This is where multidirectional antennas come in. It can receive signals from several directions, but it may not reach distant stations that can be received by a properly positioned directional antenna. You should do a channel scan on your TV to check which one suits you better.
Avoiding/Removing Distractions is a Must
As previously mentioned, physical distractions such as trees, houses, and buildings can potentially reduce your reception, so it’s best to avoid these when setting up and positioning your antenna. If a longer cable is needed to reach an area with better reception, do so. Otherwise, don’t waste money on unnecessarily long cables because, technically, cables longer than 25 feet can reduce antenna performance.
Another thing to eliminate is electronic interference, as nearby electrical tools or equipment may affect your reception. It would be advisable to do a simple test. If your TV is placed near some electronic devices, try turning them off and see if your reception improves or not. Then, if you want to determine which particular device is causing the interference, turn on the electrical devices one at a time and observe the interference.
Better Cable Recommended
When using a coaxial cable, you may encounter “RG59” and “RG6.” It is highly recommended to use RG6 (preferably four shielded cable with gold plated connectors), as it has a better insulator, thicker conductor and better shielding. Because of these construction specifications, it results in a better frequency range which is often guaranteed to work up to 3Ghz. Simply put, it’s more digital-friendly than the RG59.
Strengthening Is Not Always Better
If you are far away from broadcast towers, or if you want to split the signal from one antenna to two TVs, an amplifier will provide better performance. However, if you are near different stations, an amplifier is not needed. In fact, this can even lead to over-acceptance which will exacerbate the situation.
If you have an amplified antenna, try turning it off. If the reception is better, then it is best left alone. If not, try turning it on and check if you get better results or not.
There you have it – five handy tips for better digital TV reception. Again, there are factors affecting DTV reception that may be beyond your control. However, try to follow these tips for a better viewing experience.
Debbie is a tech geek and has written several articles about him as the main content curator for Australian antenna. He loves movies, computers and basically anything that helps improve our lives.
