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

[everett whitney]

P.S. - Jill --- " BAND SEPARATOR " ....

That's another very small "lump" which will provide the means to allow the VHF band { channels #13 and lower } to be 'separated' from the " UHF " - channels above #13.

These used to be available "all over" but have pretty much become obsolete / vanished ?

Printing on that casing, with .. "VHF" - "UHF" & sometimes "FM" on it, plus some screw terminals & short wiring sections protruding.

[everett whitney]

TO: Jill - 26 July - " 30 years old TV ..."

For the very inexpensive price required, it'd be well to have a ".. 300 ohm to 75 ohm transformer .." on hand, Just-in-case!

This would have been sold where you bought that antenna, etc., but also is at SuperCenters, Lowe's, Home Depot, Radio Shack (too pricey), etc.. Under $5.00.

Just keep the receipt & it may be returned / refunded w/o
any problem IF not needed.

This "blog" doesn't link ... no pictures ... imagine a small,
lump in the palm of your hand the size of a chap stick, with that round Coax coming from 1 end and a 3" long section of flat, brown, twin ribbon TV lead from the opposite !

Good luck.

[Jill]

I just purchased an Insignia converter box and and RCA UHF/VHF antenna for my VERY OLD (about 30 yrs. old) RCA TV. Currently, I'm connected to my condominium's outside antenna which is also old and not good. From what I've read here, I'm figuring I'll need the new antenna in order for the converter box to work. My question is what type of cables/adapters am I likely to need to hook these up to the TV? Both the antenna and the converter came with coaxial cables, but I have no idea if they will connect to my TV. The TV is so old and heavy I cannot move it myself to see what kinds of connections it has on the back, and I'd like to have whatever I might need on hand before I get someone to hook this up for me. (I've heard I might need a coax jumper, and the antenna box says some older TVs may need a "band separator"--whatever that is.)

Thanks for anyone's help. I've found lots of useful info here.

[everett whitney]

TO: JOEL K. -- " I use basic Cable .. do I need Converter?"

NOPE ... Never ! ... many are also 'confused' - including those selling these Converters!

ALL on local cable service are guaranteed analog until early 2012 !

Plus, IF wanted, you May now 'subscribe' @ a very nominal additional fee to have standard digital on ALL picture-tube sets ... will provide a much "clearer display" as well as more than double the # of channels.

{Satellite service has never been involve, either.}

[everett whitney]

TO: Vertis - " TV towers are 45 miles away ... nothing ???"

Be more patient ... (A) .. you do not have the correct antenna ! All Federal Coupon Converters must receive a strong digital signal.

(B) - after next Feb, all transmissions WILL be stronger !

For now, keep using that TV w/o any Federal Converter.

In the meanwhile, order / install a new outside antenna - as high as possible on the roof peak by 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.

On that , buy & install a Channel Master # 4228 antenna connected to the converter by good quality Quad Coax RG6 cabling in a single length.

ALL may be viewed or bought at many web sites - just one is .... www.solidsignal.com

All such Converters will not function properly w/o an antenna ... this complete, required antenna set up always costs far more than the converter.... well over $150, even IF one may do it by themselves!

[vertis kemp]

i live 45 miles from my closiest tv station . it's clear as day with out the box with the box nothing.theres going to be some piss off peaple come feb 17 i call the fcc and senetors congress men all i get is you will have to get satellite,i can't afford food, gas and pills now

[Thomas Pittman]

I very frustrated with the lack of support for this transition. I have two TV's and one VCR with SVHS and one VCR without SVHS connections. Their are no set top boxes with SVHS with good reviews. The one box that could be used for unmanned recording has bugs. Two very good tv's that rival DTV pictures I see. Two VCR's with total of four tuners. But no support for recording devices! In turn they get to sell the air waves for profit!

Besides this, the one box I tried could not pick up as many stations as my analog tuners do. I'm not counting all those sub channels that show the same programs in two aspect ratios. My analog stations were sharper and better picture than the Digitial box I tried.

The only good thing I can say is, the DTV stations come in better at one position of the antenna than the analog do.

Anyone care to go back to radio days?

[Jerome Sturgeleski]

I have an old non-remote tv. I hooked up the INSIGNIA converter box and I get channels 17,23,29,45 in our area. I do not get ch 2,4,5,9,11. On my newer remote tv, I get all channels. Why is that? Will non-remote tvs not work ?

[s phelps]

I live in a very rural area in Misssissippi with ALL the criteria for no reception. Zip is 38633. Distance, obstructions, lack of options all true here. In most cases, ONLY option is DirectTV since we have NO cable, no broadband and DISH cannot get a signal. To further complicate matters for those who CAN afford DirectTV (not all), we are about a mile into Union County, while the rest of 38633 is in Benton County. The FCC has designated that Union County receive Columbus and Tupelo stations as "local" channels. But this poses a danger to us as our current and emergency weather is broadcast from Memphis stations. DISH and Direct have told us we cannot have Memphis and so we are left with no emergency weather info. Through antenna, most of us here cannot even see Columbus and Tupelo or just barely. Our strong signals come from Memphis. That is also the direction from which come tornadoes. This spring, 5 touched down within 20 miles of us. Without our weather from Memphis, we are in the dark. Please help me know who to contact to allow/make DISH and Direct feed us the Memphis channels. Or better still, counsel us on how we can get a signal out here. We've tried the new TVs, the converter boxes, ATSC tuners in DVD recorders, etc. and get NO signal whatsoever. We are being cut off from the world even more than we already are. We need HELP for safety's sake. Forget entertainment. We live in a dangerous storm area and need to be connected to the broadcaster who covers our area wall to wall when danger is near.

[Rex Ganymede]

all hail everett.

:-).

basically i was saying that the proprietor of our household maintains a paid subscription with DirecTV; i choose to not have my television connected with it, at the moment — precisely on the principle that i don't want to share in the cost of something i'm not particularly interested in.

but i was wanting to have y'all focus more on the other points i had brought up: everything is hunky|dorie for you guys who won't have to spend any extra money to deal with The Inevitable Change|Over; people like me, however, are feeling rather disenfranchised.

if it truly is Absolutely Mandatory i need to acquire the antenna [with funs directly out-of-my-pocket], then i might just forsake TV altogether — ´find a hobby to take up, or somethin'.

there's probably going to be an Actors' Strike some time soon anyway: i could use that time to get myself mentally prepared for such a life|style change.

:-).

[Milt Snitzer]

Everett:

Thanks for the info. I am former editor of Popular Electronics and Electronis World and have been in electronics most of my life. Still travelling, reading and learning.

[everett whitney]

To: Milt Snitzer - '' Who am I ....?"

I was a senior mechanical mechanical engineer for my working years at a wide variety of companies, pretty much across the U.S.. Ended up during the last 23 at our now gone "Ma Bell." Had a wonderful set of learning experiences there, too.

Sight seeing & Traveling done now, I've been reading, watching & surfing at various "forums" much like these various ones @ C.R., where many others have been most gracious in sharing their knowledge & skills !

Thanks for asking!

Everett

[Milt Snitzer]

Everett:

You seem to be very knowledgeable about the topics on this forum. I wonder what your background is or where you've gotten your info.

[everett whitney]

TO: Becky Grillo - " Splitter or One Converter for each Tv"

Hello - thanks muchly - but - absolutely can't qualify !!
Only retired & enjoy trying to make things work & such.

You might use a proper Splitter from that one Converter , running one or two different sections to various TVs. All available @ Lowe's, Wal-Marts, etc..

BUT - a couple of points ....

* Signals from an antenna are much weaker than from a commercial cable company & as such, can not operate more than 2 or perhaps 3 sets before the signal becomes too "weak" to work properly. Of course, cable companies can & do operate 4-5 sets in a home very well.

* There are 'amplifiers' but these aren't necessarily all great!

* All sets so hooked up may only watch that same (one) channel of the single converter .... not always wanted.

* It would be better to have at least two (2) federal coupon converters for more flexibility.... same (1) antenna + now a coax splitter will be fine, with one piece connected to the "in" of each converter & then, a connection between the "out" of each converter to it's own nearby TV. I think this might be preferred.

Have a good one !

[Becky Grillo]

We have a roof antenna that gets about 7 channeks successfully. Can we use one converter box where the wire comes in the cellar, or will each television need its'own converter box?
p.s. - that everett guy is a genius!

[everett whitney]

A "P.S." to - SUE - "Near Boy Scouts in Tornado..."

Your "zip only" showed that you do reside in one of those regions wherein O.T.A. digital reception is going to be most difficult ! Some signals will be from Omaha, others from Sioux City & still more will be from Lincoln, all at the extreme limits in distance as well as all over the compass readings...i.e.- Not from one direction.

Within those (2) very costly antennas already tried, IF you'll please post their make / model number, one can make a comparison of what should be Vs whatever those are?

Also, you will need a Rotor set up - a powered gadget that will "aim" or turn any antenna toward the direction of whichever broadcast tower you'll want at that moment.

Lastly, very shortly after next Feb's "analog end", all digital broadcasts WILL be stronger plus at different assigned places (frequencies) specifically for your ZIP -- so, all may be improved for your TV Reception.

Please do list the info on whatever antennas attempted ?

Thank you.
Everett Whitney

[everett whitney]

TO: SUE - " Rural Area .... no signal ..."

My apologies - but - I can not 'correct' reply to your post !

It's in with "REX" of todays (07) date! Very Sorry!

eli

[everett whitney]

TO: REX - 06 July - " Antennas + Converters ..."

I obviously don't clearly understand your latest post ?

"... The household does have .. paid channels .. ?? "

IF that's the case, there's No Charge for additional TV sets within the same mechanical address / customer .... after that initial service fee, added sets are N/C, including the cabling connection and / or basic box, etc..

I do absolutely agree that too few proper explanations and / or emphasis are being provided about the mandatory need of an appropriate digital antenna with every Federal Coupon Converter !

Many commercials (public information spots) even depict the totally wrong, long wire, "V" shaped indoor set top variety which will Never function at all !

Instead of "trial & error" purchasing of multiple antennas, one may use that- www.antennaweb.org - BY inserting the ZIP & address, + {digital}, it quickly lists IF and which type of antenna will be appropriate.

No unit will satisfactorily receive digital signals 100 % if beyond the curvature of the earth limitations ... i.e. .... line-of-sight is customarily under well under 60 miles between the TV Tower & your antenna, without hills, dense trees & other obstructions.

By-all-means, a suitable battery-powered radio IS a necessity.... these are suggested in all recommendations for Severe Weather Kits, along with water, prepared foods, extra blankets, good flashlights, etc..

[sue]

July 6, 2008
I live in a rural area that isn't far from where the Boy Scouts were killed by a tornado. I have had a converter box on our main tv for two months and have purchased two new 100.00 outdoor antennas. We still get a no signal most of the time and the bad weather has stopped all signal from the converter box. We used an old tv with rabbit ears the night the storms came in. I think the coupons should be given for weather radios too because we are going to be in the dark after 2-19-09. There was Email address for executive officers on the National Broadcast web site a month ago, and now all web page address have been removed from a lot of government sights. I must be in an area that no antenna is going to work.

[Rex Ganymede]

(my household has ... something.

cable or satellite, the bottom line is, we have access to paid channels.

but i had elected not to be a part of that — and i had been fine for all these years without it.)

well, everett.. ..this is what i was getting at:

for all these months, i had been seeing and hearing commercials warning me about what will happen if, at the very least, i don't purchase one of these "digital signal converters"; during that span of time, i had heard nothing about also needing to acquire some sort of antanna in order to complete the package.

so.. ..basically, i had gotten my hopes up for nothing; i am feeling rather cheated, over here.

i was wanting to say "the government should have also issued coupons for these antannæ," but proclaiming such, by itself, would be ignoring the fact that all the money which was utilized for the Converter Coupons came from our very own taxes — even if Uncle Sam had let forth with coupons for that other component, that wouldn't be "free money" as might be erroneously perceived by some people.

on the other hand ... i'd rather our government employs our tax dollars for subsidizing these antannæ (if some of us absolutely must have them in order to continue watching our basic channels), instead of the "certain other things" on which it likes to spend the capital.

yes?

because, i really am not inclined to spend hundreds of dollars )out of pocket) for something which i had never asked: the optimal antanna, and the technician who would be less afraid than i to affix it to our roof|top, and then run the wiring through our house.

so, Uncle Sam *should* cough it up, and subsidize this, too: we can consider it that many-million dollars not available for it to blow on Pork...or unnecessary, and *insulting* Pay Raises: they get to have perpetual financial security at the tax|payers' continued expense and detriment?

[everett whitney]

Hi Manmohan - 04 July - "Flat wire lead in ..."

Sorry, forgot !

There'll also be needed (1) outside 75/300 transformer (self-powered, etc.) which converts the screw terminals of your antenna to that round RG6 coax female swivel ... also has a rubber boot to seal this junction from moisture
- also found at those very same peg board assortments where the RG6 coax is. Under $5.

Comes included w/new antennas - IF - you do buy a new one.

[everett whitney]

TO: Manmohan - 4th July - " Flat wire TV lead in to 1st.. "

No, although many places do advertise special "HD" antennas to justify wicked prices, do NOT buy! There are only VHF / UHF combos or either one separately.

Use www.antennaweb.org to input your Zip / address to find out which type / "gain" or strength you need ....your current model may be entirely appropriate.

BUT - You must change over from that flat or 'ribbon' lead to a proper, round quad coax cable & associated splitter! Far too much loss in signal.

R.S. is too costly! Return that 'amplified antenna' for refund.

Go to Lowe's, H.D., Wal-Mart's or on the web.

One web store of very many is www.solidsignal.com - locate a prepared length to suit your needs .... these do exist in 25', 50', 75', etc., with swivel or female terminals already applied to quad RG6 coax cable, NOT the old "59." Very inexpensive.

Also get the companion screw terminal splitter. Usually, two total TVs is a practical limitation for (1) outside antenna - more TVs mean various antenna amplifiers, etc.. - messy / bothersome.

[Manmohan]

I have one out door Antenna (8'long)in the attice of a 2 story home. The antenna is connected to a spliter box in the attice. One 70-300ohms (flat) antenna wire from the spliter box goes to TV in the 2nd floor and the other from the spliter box goes to the TV in the first floor. Both TVs are connected through seperate convertor boxes. I am getting excelent reception with almost all HDTV chanels on the 2nd floor but very weak reception and only couple of chanels ( UHS)on the first floor.The VHS signals without the convertor box are on the border line. Any suggestions to improve the signal for the first floor. Are there special TV antennas for the HDTV signal. Is the length of the antenna wire a problem. Any suggestion on outdoor antenna which is small in size and can be mounted outside like a dish. I tried Radio shack antenna which is a small box connected to the 110v outlet and this is supposed to convert the whole house wiring in to an antenna. Did not work.
Need help.

Thanks

[everett whitney]

P.S. to REX - 03 July - " 2000 vintage TV ....."

How do you NOW get TV reception?

Sounds like you have / use cable?

Then, you do NOT need converter - all cable companies will continue analog thru start of 2012. Some private & very small cable companies will never stop analog (until they go bankrupt.)

You need to do nothing. Return that converter.

[everett whitney]

TO: Rex - 03 July - " Must my 2000 Tv Also Have an Antenna?"

Yes, certainly - all Federal Coupon Converters work by seeking digital O.T.A. signals!

Also, even the very latest HDTV - w/o any Converter needed - must have an antenna for O.T.A. signals, too.

Depending upon your locale, either a "combo" antenna - one which picks up both VHF { 02-13 } & UHV {above 13} channels will be needed. In many cities, only a straight UHF antenna will suffice, IF transmissions from your TV stations won't change again next Feb. Some will.

Usually mounted at least within one's attic if sufficiently tall, all antennas function better IF mounted outside, as high as practical upon the roof & then connected to the Box via a quality "Quad Coax" cabling. This is because the roofing construction + actual outside material usually eliminates 40 % - 50 % of the signal. Metal roofing prohibits any attic location.

Some have great success with an indoor type of antenna - however, these are quite limited in "gain" or range plus these may well loose the signals during foul weather.

Some models of UHF only include the Channel Master #4228, which will also receive down to channel # 10; a DB-2, DB-4 & DB-8, each are successively stronger and Only for UHF -13 and up.

A proper "combo" unit is the Channel Master # 3016 - usually so large that it must be mounted outside in order to be rotated during "fine tuning.'

All may be purchased @ many web stores - one example is -
www.solidsignal.com

To start, one must know which antenna IS better for his exact location at -

www.antennaweb.org

input the ZIP or address to see what color code (strength) antenna is suggested. everettwhitney@sbcglobal.net