How To Convert Your Old TV to Digital TV Using a DTV Converter BoxTuneAround!How to convert your old TV to receive digital TV over theair.Now that you want to convert your old tv to digital, thereare a few things you need to know. This article will help explain youroptions and help you decide whether or not to take that old favoritetv that is just collecting dust and convert it to receive the newdigital tv signals that you may get for 'free' by using an 'off the air'antenna. We will also make recommendations taken from well known reviewssuch as Consumer Reports.Introduction.The Reason for DTV.Why is televisiongoing from the old analog television broadcast technology todigital?
Cable provides QAM modulated digital signals and digital OTA broadcasts use 8VSB modulated signal. They are incompatible with each other. AFAIK the Hughes HTL-HD box is a satellite receiver and satellite digital does not use either 8VSB or QAM modulation. I dumped digital cable for the included basic cable provided by my condominium. My plasma TV does not appear to have a built in tuner, so I cannot run the cable directly from the wall to the TV. The local goodwill has a couple DirecTV boxes that have 3 analog inputs on the back (satellite, cable, air). Can I use this box to get basic table without actually having DirecTV service?
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005requires broadcasters to switch from analog (old technology), toall-digital broadcasting after February 17, 2009. Digital televisionprovides a clearer picture and more programming but also does it moreefficiently, using less of the airwaves.
Digital TV antennas have come a long ways since your grandma’s rabbit ears antennas you grew up with. Here is our list of the 10 things you need to know about modern day digital TV antennas. Broadcast signals are superior to cable and satellite.There are no paid subscription fees to receive over-the-air (OTA) television, and the picture and sound quality is far superior. In addition, OTA broadcasts are free from the signal compressions used by cable and satellite giving you unadulterated high definition television.
Unlock new local channels.Cable and Satellite providers do not carry all the channels that may be available in your area. In fact, most broadcast stations offer additional regional programming, absolutely free. These channels include local news, sports, cooking shows, kids programming along with classic TV shows and movies. All the major networks transmit signals free over-the-air.You don’t have to pay for some of the content you receive on cable or satellite. The broadcast networks are paid for by advertisers, not subscribers. All your local news, weather, sitcoms, cooking shows, kid’s shows, sports and thousands of movies are available free with an antenna. ‘HD’ or ‘HDTV’ antennas are some of the more common names used for digital TV antennas.All digital antennas receive the same picture and sound quality; we just give them a familiar name.
Some broadcasts will be in full HD while others are broadcast in standard definition. The real difference is the uncompressed signal received with an antenna.
There are channels, and then there are sub-channels.Each broadcast station sends out a signal on a frequency (channel). This frequency will provide many ‘sub-channels’ containing your programming.
For example, a channel broadcast on channel 8, would appear on your TV as sub-channel group 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 etc. Each channel, aside from its main service can be broadcasting additional programming on 1 to 4 sub-channels simultaneously. Antennas are a great compliment to any cable or satellite subscription.Complimenting your television setup with a digital antenna will come in handy the next time your cable or satellite blacks out. During emergencies or bad weather, receiving OTA signals to your TV with an antenna will keep you informed. Much like a radio, the frequency is more reliable and less subject to interruption. Find the broadcast towers before you choose an antenna.When choosing an antenna, remember that every set up is unique to the location in which you live. Click to learn more about antenna selection. Hills, trees, and buildings bend, deflect, and weaken signals.The digital TV signal is a ‘line of sight’ signal.
Typically, the higher you have your antenna, the better the reception. While signals pass through walls and other surfaces, the more obstructions the signal encounters, the weaker the signal and this causes signal disruption.
The clearest, most unobstructed view to the broadcast towers will allow the antenna to perform at the highest level. 3 things you need to receive over-the-air digital broadcast TV. A television with a digital tuner (found in any TV manufactured after March 2007). The right antenna for your specific location. See here at.
The knowledge of broadcast tower locations in your area. Point your antenna toward them and bask in the glory of OTA, free television.10. There is no magic antenna.Antennas come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific situation. Some are narrow focused (directional) antennas; while others are multidirectional both with various range capacities. Well-designed antennas, such as our patented Tapered Loop, are tuned for specific frequency ranges and geographical challenges, which will increase your chances for success.There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution in an antenna.
To help you choose the right antenna, view our or Live Chat with an expert now.HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SUCCESS:. Outdoor installation is best, but Antennas Direct antennas can also be installed indoors or in attics. (50% strength/range is lost indoors).
Simple, direct connections and installations are best. The more junctions in the installation, the higher the signal loss. Each time the signal is split (to go to another TV) signal strength is reduced, so a low-noise amplifier may be needed to help compensate for the signal reduction. Install the antenna where signal is “present”.
Move the antenna to different locations until signals are found. Many times one end of the roof or room has better signal characteristics than the others.Read Next. TV antenna (internet-free). Talk about completely cutting the cable! I know, I know. It sounds retro, and you’re probably kicking yourself for not keeping your antenna from the 80s, but antennas are now digital so you’d need a new one. In some areas you can get as many as 40-60 local channels, which provide a lot of popular shows, you’d just have to watch the shows as they are on (no pause or recording, GASP!) like we used to back in the day.
If you have internet, TV Guide will keep you current on what shows are playing at what times or you could really go old school and read your Sunday paper. Antenna quality is as good as HDTV, plays live events like the Superbowl and Oscars, and is more reliable in bad wheather than cable or satellite, without the monthly bill.