How to use a converter box & antenna to get DTV

Digital TV offers potentially better picture quality and more channels than analog over-the-air broadcasts, but getting digital signals might not be as easy as plugging a converter box between your antenna and TV. Here's why.

Most analog stations are in the VHF band, channels 2-13, while digital signals are transmitted mainly over the UHF band, 14 and higher. (However, digital stations in some areas may move to the VHF band next February, when analog channels vacate their station frequencies.) The UHF band is more directional than VHF and more sensitive to obstacles (such as trees, tall buildings, and mountains) that lie between your antenna and the broadcast tower. So getting good UHF reception can be more difficult than pulling in VHF, affecting your ability to get digital broadcasts.

The all-or-nothing nature of digital broadcasts also comes into play. With analog stations, a weak signal can still yield a watchable picture—it might be snowy or have ghosts, but you'll get a continuous picture and uninterrupted sound.

If you're getting marginal reception of digital signals, both the picture and sound might freeze or break up to the point that it's not watchable. If you're really on the fringes—either too far from a tower or with too many obstacles in the way—you'll see a black screen that says "Weak or no signal."

You don't have to wait until next year to get an idea right now as to what kind of reception you can expect after the transition. Here's what you can do right now:

• If you have an analog TV but no converter box yet, you can test UHF reception for analog channels 14 and higher, provided any are broadcast in your area. That will give you some indication of the reception you can expect with digital signals. If they're fairly clear, odds are you might be OK. But if they're snowy, you might have trouble.


• When you get a converter box, try it as soon as possible. Most areas currently have access to at least a few digital stations, so see how well you can pull in digital signals. Reception is likely to vary by channel, depending on the location and broadcast power level of a given station.


• Even if you have a digital TV that's connected to cable or satellite, you might want to try it with an antenna to see whether you could get over-the-air broadcasts in the event of an emergency that shuts down other services.

With any of these scenarios, you should first try a basic indoor set-top antenna designed to pick up both VHF and UHF. If you're close to a broadcast station and there are minimal obstacles between your antenna and the tower, you should see a clear, continuous picture that might be better than what you get with analog. (Sound quality will be about the same, though.) Basic indoor antennas start at about $10, though some cost much more.

If reception isn't great, move the antenna around the room or close to a window. Most converter boxes indicate the signal strength you're getting as you adjust the antenna position. If you can't get a strong signal from any position, try a set-top antenna that has a built-in signal amplifier. No luck? Try an antenna mounted on your roof or in your attic. The most effective type of antenna is a rooftop model equipped with a rotor, which can point the antenna in different directions to pull in broadcasts from various towers. Basic outdoor models start at about $50.

You'll find information on antennas and more at www.antennaweb.org, www.hdtvantennalabs.com, and www.antennasdirect.com.

Unfortunately, there's a chance no antenna will work for you. Recent reports indicate that some households are in fringe areas with poor reception, and for them, off-air digital TV might not be a good option.

In any case, start soon. If you encounter problems, there will be plenty of time to resolve them before next February so you're not left out in the cold.

For more helpful advice and links to other DTV resources on the Web, check out our Digital TV Transition information center on ConsumerReports.org.

—Eileen McCooey

Comments

[Bryce Nesbitt]

I can *see* the main DTV broadcast tower from my parent's roof (it is Sutro tower in San Francisco, confirmed by the excellent antenna mapping from http://www.antennaweb.org/). But I can't pull a reliable signal in one floor below the roof. The picture is great for a while, but then tears or cuts in and out, kinda fading in and out randomly.

Reception sensitivity is *the* issue for me in choice of box. I know that reception will depend on season and foliage, so unless I leave this with rock solid coverage now, I know I'll be called back to fix it later.

I'm not convinced that the assertions that all boxes are equally good at reception. "Picture quality" don't matter until I get the reception issues worked out.

[everett whitney]

TO: Emily - 16 Sept - "Rabbit Ears - no signal - ???"

Except for Chicago / NYC + a very few other markets, No Converter works with our old, analog-only "V" rabbit ear or set top antennas ... one of the best kept secrets of the popular Infomercials !
Instead, you will need to "experiment" since you have no attic or roof top available.

Here's what we did .... Bought a DB-4 antenna & a short piece of Coax RG-6 Cable .... Located it beneath draperies/curtain of one window which faced the direction of our TV Towers! Very bizarre ... but - it works! TV set stays wherever you want it to be .... just buy sufficient length of Coax to go between that antenna & your converter box.

Can be viewed at www.solidsignal.com

[Emily]

I have been using simple bunny ears for my tv for years and get about 5 channels, which is fine. I just hooked up the converter box and have the "weak signal" message. I live on the 6th floor of our apartment building in the DC area. How do I fix this? Does the tv have to be put in a different spot?

Thanks for the help,
Emily

[everett whitney]

TO: Denny - 15 Sept - "Only have manual VHF/UHF Knob.."

Set the TV to "VHF #3" - disregard UHF knob.

The output from the Converter should go to the TV VHF "IN" .... should be (2) separate screw terminals for which you'll also need a new Adapter which connects the cable from the Converter.

Volume control will be awkward, since that is a manual knob as well. May "work" - BUT - also necessary will be an all-new antenna system for UHF band --- channels above #13. One appropriate would be a DB-4 + new Coax Cable Length --- viewed at
www.solidsignal.com

Hide it beneath draperies/curtain in front of a window facing the TV Towers or try attic location if available & not very far away.

Might well be time to seriously consider shopping for a new, fixed display, standard digital { not HD } TV set ? Obviously, Converter not needed then .... sell to someone.

[Denny]

I recently purchased a convertor box. I have on older analog TV with the VHF and UHF control knobs with a seperate anntenna for each signal. Which termial in the back of the TV should the signal out from the new converter box be connected to? Also there is no remote with this TV, manual only, the TV has to be set to 3 or 4 on the VHF knob. So I'm wondering if I'll even be able to get digital on this TV.
Thanks

[everett whitney]

&EmmGee-Ohio - 09 Sept - " What to do about Special Alerts?"

Your situation + the other fellow in same city w/ problems may "see" a marked improvement as soon as all analog broadcasting has ceased in Feb & the subsequent digital broadcasting power has, in fact, been increased.

Sometimes, digital signals that are completely near enough to be received are Not, due to having been deflected away -ie - perhaps that facing 3 story buiding or the hospital, even though outside the beam width?

Also, IF any possibility, have you tried the CM 4228 in front of a window rather than the wall? Construction materials and / or the building structural steel framework, etc., can really raise havoc with low-power digital reception. We're all in a "learning state" right now.

Here, we have "given up" with regard to emergency alerts / notifications on TV & instead have purchased new "NOA" emergency band radios which are programmed by ZIP, etc., automatically "sound off" whenever there's a new tornado or severe thunderstorm warning coming close. Maybe there's the possibility of those being available for Detroit as well ?

"IF" all else fails, there are all-new analog cable offerings coming out in most metropolitan areas - ours started this Summer - for picture tube sets with (24) channels, guar thru early 2012, @ $11.75/month ... not perfect but an alternative.

[EmmGee-Ohio]

I'm using a DRC 8335 from RCA, that's actually a VCR/DVD recorder and ATSC and NTSC tuner, all in one.

As some of you may note from viewing TV week's DTV stories and Searching DTV issues" on YouTube, you'll clearly see that I do not constantly get 100% of the LOCAL DTV signal.

I have tried various antennas, from omni-directional, to homemade coathanger antenna (made both models on youtube), to terk 55, RCA DTV rabbit ears with 35 db gain, 7.00 pair of rabbit ears was my first thing after omni-directinal) and now,. I'm using channel master's 4228. With the various antennas, I got the same exact result, for the most part.

I have huge feeling that there are a few mor obsticles, but when I spoke to 6 TV station engineers, those shouldn't exist. Here's what I think is partly my problem:

1) I face N-NW, on a 3rd story apartment. The Towers are all N-NE, with exception to WLMB (Toledo's "lamb of god" station), which is W-NW... but too weak to get.

2) In the same direction as the towers, I have traffic which can interrupt the signal, as it comes to me. I live at a curve, where if that curve was not there, straight-lined traffic would enter 2 apartments below me.

3) I'm using the antenna inside, on the North wall, pointing N-NE as far as I can point it, without goihg through other apartments.

4) The signal borders my apartment, with the beam width of the cm4228

5) Physical obstivles are a hospital to my east, just out of the beam width, several 3 story buildings across the street from me (North and NW). A Park with trees is 200 feet North of me, behind those apartments.

6) I'm only 13 miles away from 95% of those towers. 59 miles from Detoit's DTV stations

Now here's the kicker......

I am not able to pick up constant 8-vsb modulation signals from WTOL-DT, WTVG-DT, WNWO-DT (Possibly too low powered...59 KW only on channel 49), WUPW-DT, and WGTE-DT. All are from 9-13 miles away, same exact direction, within the 23 degrees of beamwidth.

However, I clearly get WDIV-DT, WMYD-DT, WWJ-DT, WJBK-DT, and lower powered WKBD-DT. If the obsticles are a porblem, it would have shown in Detroit's DTV signals. It does not. Those aren't local, but more stable than my own market!

Any clues as to why this is going on?

I fear for disaster coverage... meaning weather, terror alerts, natural disasters, etc. This has potential to become a deadly thing, if the problem doesn't get fixed. I know that I'm not the only one in my market that has this problem. I am hearing of another person opposing end of town, with a similar, if not same problem.

[everett whitney]

TO: Eric - 08 Sept - "Aren't major cities already sending?"

Yes, but, NYC, Chicago + a few more use those Ch02-13 on VHF for their new digital broadcasts.

Took a "?" about your ZIP @ www.antennaweb.org ...
Here're those VHF (digital) channels now on air -CBS/2, NBC/4, FOX/5, ABC/7, MNT/9, CW/11, PBS/13(+8?) ... but, even with that Pass-thru, I believe you'll need to change that TV from 3 & let it self-program or scan for those channels between 02 & #13 --- that .. 901 Converter.. will do those from #14 up, with the TV on channel 3 again --- back & forth. Confusing.

[eric]

Everett
Thanks for the help, but my converter is the Zenith DTT901 which is supposed to have analog pass through. Aren't the major networks already transmitting digital signals? My mother has the same converter in the boroughs (about 15-20 miles east of Manhattan) and she receives multiple stations from each of the major networks which I assume are digital.

[everett whitney]

TO Eric - 07 Sept - " Converter is fine for UHF but no VHF?"

Hi - The best "solution" will not be welcomed, sadly!

Your Converter should have been one that offered "pass thru" - i.e. - recognizes the lower band yet .. passes those signals onto the TV without stopping the signals.

Some alternatives now rather than buying a new Converter ... one would be to use a "A - B Switch" before that Converter .. run a coax from "A" to the converter input for the channels above #13 ... another short length from "B" to the "RF" terminal of the TV ( if not already used, of course) ... that's assuming you are using a "S" connection, etc., for the Converter now.

These are on the market either manually - about $10 - or electronically-switched same as a remote from your chair at about $35.

[eric]

Everett, please help! I live 25 miles west of NYC and have a large rooftop antenna with many elements. My house is on top of a hill with no obstruction. I receive GREAT analog reception. The antenna is connected to a 75-300 amplifier. When I connect my DTV converter, I receive more than 10 new stations (all from 40 to 63 and mostly in foreign languages - what is probably old UHF stations) but I cant receive ANY of the former VHF stations. That is, I cant get any major networks or PBS. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Milt Snitzer]

Sean:

Connect your converter box to an antenna (rabbit ears, etc.) and not to cable connection on your wall.

[everett whitney]

TO: Sean - 01 Sept - " Hooked to a Cable but ...?"

NO Federal Coupon Converter is supposed to be connected to either a Cable or Satellite service !

Local cable analog is guaranteed thru 2012 without ANY Converter at all ... disconnect it / sell to someone that ONLY uses an antenna service.

[Sean]

I just bought DTV Converter Box, ran the wizard set up several times but no channel was detected and 'weak signal' sign keeps appearing.
I live in Manhattan, NY...the converter box connects to a cable off wall. Can anyone help?

[everett whitney]

To: Nikki -21 Aug- " Must keep adjusting set top Antenna"

Everyone will "see" better results with a major digital antenna either outside or, at the very least, within the attic, IF sufficient close to the TV Towers, etc..

The era of successful, consistent reception with only set top antennas such as our 40 -50 years with those 2 long "V" wires or rabbit ears of analog are Gone!

This will cost much more than the Converters, of course, and there's no associated "antenna coupon" available.

[Nikki]

Okay so I cant complain that much because my picture quality is much beeter and I am getting more channels, BUT and it's a big BUT, I cant stand the fact that I have to get up so darn offten and mess wtih the antenna becuase the box isn't getting a signal. I really hope that Im not doing more messing with antenna's then watching my shows that will piss me off!

[everett whitney]

TO: Rex - two of 18 Aug - " None & now some ? ..."

Your two most recent posts are somewhat mixed .. perhaps that "preview" contributed.

Old Rabbit Ears or the long "V" slender wires might still work in Chicago & NYC, where their digital transmissions ARE still over the VHF Band .. other locales will also do so, after Feb., when they leave their temporary channel assignments.

Too bad about that R.S. Special @ $70 ... take it back / they have to refund it w/ receipt within (30) days.

Most of these are quite unsatisfactory, unless the broadcasting TV towers are unusually close.

Far better to have bought a Channel Master 4228 & simply put it in the back of a closet, etc., facing those Towers .. it would have gotten more than the R.S. Special !

No amount of complaints, etc, will now change Feb - it is a "done deal!"

[Rex Ganymede]

(i had clicked the "Preview" button; but what apparently happened, instead, was the comments i had thus far writ were published.

:-).

that's not good.)

alright.

it appears i was a *bit* premature in my judgments, there; never-the-less, i'm still not getting _all_ of the standard channels; it might not matter which, so i won't mention what the AWOL ones are, at the moment.

:-).

i thought we were done with the days of Rabbit Ears; my conjecture was wrong, i see.

lord help us; i feel lucky enough that i can get what i can get, without spending more than 70-dollars (so far)..
..but i still don't like all the hoops-and-hurtles i had been compelled to negotiate (and will have to continue negotiating), with this whole antenna & converter situation.

this is also one of the few times any of you would find me saying "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it".

all this seemingly-needless hassle..
..for what?

can you answer me that much, mr. everett?

[Rex Ganymede]

just for the record, i went and bought a regular antenna, a couple of days ago:

a Radio Shack "`HDTV Ready!´ VHF/UHF/HD/FM IndoorTV Antenna (22dB amplifier with gain control)".

miraculously, my converter is still telling me that it's not picking up even a *hint* of a signal.

:-).

this is making me feel rather incompetent.

i will also be rather [angry] if i find that, by February, broadcast stations still aren't emitting waves strong enough to be picked up by my current set-up; i'm sure that Contractors & Technicians would be happy to see Roof Antennæ dotted all over the "united" states landscape but, bluntly, that isn't practical.

That ain't happening.

(so will this be one of the straws that breaks the camel's back?)

and, surely, we don't have to actually tell our government that The Working Poor isn't happy with this forced conversion — as if no agent or representative hadn't been able to detect at least some of our rumblings, these past several months.

[chima kalu]

I had sometime last year while on a trip in taiwan, R.O.C purchased a 21" lcd tv (which served also as a computer screen) and as at the time it worked well, recieving and showing all taiwan tv channels. Never the less, because of my love for this tv, I decided to take it with me to nigeria and while in nigeria it couldn't show any of the local channels(UHF,VHF am not so sure) as i reckoned the lcd tv is digital. I think you should know that i was able to watch digital satellite channels via a digital receiver box, thus i would like to know if i can find a converter good enough to enable watch local nigerian channels on the lcd tv as i will be taking another trip back to nigeria.
Thank you

[everett whitney]

To Percy - 13 Aug - "After R.S. Amplifier .. No NBC.."

www.antennaweb.org shows 11778 as essentially too far for most digital stations as well spread all over the compass directions! it's a wonder you now get what you do w/o a Rotor Unit.

Amplifiers do well But these also amplify "all", not just that digital TV signal alone.

Particularly, #28 & #35 @ 51.8 miles / 58.9 miles, 'NBC' IS out of reach- beyond the "line-of-sight" limitation. Even after Feb transition, there's no 'NBC' channel suggested as close enough.

Your 90 feet of Coax plus multiple connectors should be replaced and shortened IF possible ... 100 feet ( and, No splices) is beyond the usual or recommended.

A quality Quad Coax RG6 - uninterrupted - directly from that 75 / 300 antenna transformer to your digital tuner should greatly improve things, particularly during a storm, rain, etc..

www.solidsignal.com
or
www.antennasdirect.com are (2) sources - there are many more.

[Percy Zahl]

I have a problem I do not simply understand:

Big roof top antenna (ZIP 11778) connected via baloon/transformer to 75 Ohm Coax to a digital (ATSC only) tuner/receiver (elgato) via Firewire to my computer. Works fine with a few stations, even HD using no amplifier at the antenna. I have a about 90ft Coax cable and a few F-type connectors inbetween. I get FOX and a few other stations with about 60.,.75% signal level, working fine. I get NBC (from Hartfort I be leave) OK at times, but it is at the limit of about 50..60% signal and video gets interrupted at times, also depending on weather.

Now the issue puzzling me, I installed an antenna amplifier (RadioShak) just after the coax feed from the transformer/baloon at the antenna.
Works great, as I now get a total of 17 Stations trouble free with about 70-80% signal, including (most) of the stations I got before, like FOX, which was strong. BUT: Strangely I am not able to get NBC 30 (Ch 35) any longer, the signal is there, but worse 40..50%, not giving any image.

How can that be? Any interference with (now) stronger signal? I do not get any around CH 35. What can I do? Thx for any hints.

[everett whitney]

To: Edward - 09 Aug - "Cost of Antenna System Prohibitive"

Certainly, this "Analog / Digital" change will be too costly for some. Same as not all can afford (1) automobile let alone a second car, etc..

Not available to Vertis, but for others, there are two entirely different analog services available specifically for those on fixed budgets, still good thru early 2012.

One is a limited cable service with only the 4 or 5 major networks plus PBS ... usually about $15/monthly & provides consistently clear displays on all TVs.

The other is the normal analog cable, with a decreasing number of available channels, again until early 2012.

Broadcasting power for all OTA-SD signals will be greatly different after next Feb ... those now having troubles on digital converters will "see" these improvements by early Spring.

Some stations are returning to the lower - VHF / channels 02 thru #13 - band. This , too, will increase the range of acceptable transmission.

[Edward Virtually]

I find everett whitney's response to vertis kemp reflective of the coming disaster for the poor that the roll-out of dtv will be. to quote vertis, many many seniors "can't afford food, gas and pills now" and are not going to be able to afford (1) an external antenna or (2) the labor required to install one. I'm sure a lot of them will be injured or killed trying to do it themselves because they can't afford to hire someone. everett's reply of "[ . . . ] order / install a new outside antenna [ . . . ] a 10 foot section of 1 1/4" rigid Electrical Conduit [ . . . ] from Lowe's, H.D., etc., fastened securely plus properly grounded for lightning protection [ . . . ] buy & install a Channel Master # 4228 antenna", while technically competent, shows a lack of comprehension about what vertis wrote: "i can't afford food, gas and pills now". THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT. the Channel Master #4228 itself costs $60. to say nothing of the 10 feet of conduit or the labor required to install it. as donna so elegantly put it: "If your poor you are screwed." sadly, given the corrupted state of our government (which pre-sold the existing spectrum to the telecommunications industry years ago [and is really why we're being forced to migrate to dtv {and why they don't give a flying $&#* what it does to the poor, seniors, etc.}]), if you "call the fcc and senetors congress men all [you] get is you will have to get satellite". I think the government may run into some rather intensely angry citizens who want a better answer than, effectively, "let them eat cake". Unhappy about being ripped off in the DTV migration process? Not looking forward to spending hundreds of dollars to recover service you now get free? Not looking forward to manually readjusting your antenna every time you change the channel? Pass the word about the truth about the DTV migration. Maybe enough of "them" will unite to stop it before February. Good luck, you'll need it. Sorry, vertis. Wish I could help more than just rant in this blog.

[Jack G.]

I live in the Baltimore, MD - Washington, DC area. In my attic, connected to a Radio Shack Rota-tenna, is a 30 yo Radio Shack antenna which can receive both UHF and VHF signals. The antenna is connected via coax cable to 2 20-yo Sony TV sets -- one is on the second floor and one on the first floor -- and to a 20-yo RCA TV set in the basement. The 2 Sonys are connected into 2 20-yo VCRs.

Recently, I bought two Zenith DTT901 converters (with $40 coupons) and am VERY satisfied with them. The pictures are certainly sharper with these converters. The best reception is certainly dependent on the proper antenna orientation. I also receive more programs compared to analog reception. The operating guide provides a reference to web site, www.antennaweb.org, which will provide antenna orientation information for all TV stations in an owner’s area. Owners input the location of their residence via address or latitude/ longitude, and the site will provide lots of info, both graphically and tabular. The info can be easily copied down to a spreadsheet, edited and printed --- reference to it facilitates orienting the antenna for a specific set of channels. This is easier than "playing" with the rota-tenna and the converter’s signal bar display on the TV to obtain proper alignment of the antenna.

Another somewhat convenient function on the converter is a sleep option which is handy for taping broadcasts, but it limits the user to shutting the converter off after 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours after turning on the converter; there’s also an “OFF” setting for bypassing the sleep function. It would be most convenient if the sleep function allowed both ON and OFF settings of actual time for coordinating VCR tapings. With the present design, one needs to leave the converter on till taping begins, but the broadcast needs to end within four hours of turning on the converter in order to obtain a proper taping.

Connecting the TVs, VCRs and the converters was relatively easy. I needed to buy only “Y” jacks for the audio connections since there are no stereo inputs on the two VCRs.