HDTV Antenna Buying Guide : Do I Need An HDTV Antenna ?

Last month we showed you Forbes’ list of 15 questions you must ask before buying an HDTV. And then we also shared to you what HDGuru recommended for best HDTV. We hope those articles help you choose HDTV that suit for you.

Now we want to share you a simple question that people ask after purchase HDTV.
The question is Do I need An HDTV Antenna ?

Try Using Your Existing Antenna First
First, it is important to know that if your television currently receives good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with a broadcast antenna, it should be able to receive digital television (DTV) signals, including high definition television (HDTV) signals, with the same broadcast antenna. You do not need to purchase a “DTV antenna” or an “HDTV antenna” to receive DTV or HDTV signals.

However, consumers should be aware that if they use a digital-to-analog converter box, they will still need to use an antenna to receive DTV signals.

Prior to making any changes to your current antenna or antenna system, you should check to see if it will receive the digital signals being broadcast in your area. Connect your existing antenna to either a digital television or a digital-to-analog converter box connected to an analog TV. Make sure your TV is set up to receive over-the-air broadcasts (as opposed to being connected to a paid provider such as a cable or satellite TV company). It may also be helpful to perform a “channel scan,” in which your TV will automatically check to see which stations it can receive. In many cases, this is all you will need to do to watch digital television broadcast

For Help With Reception Problems

If you experience reception problems, the following information and tips may help to improve your reception for digital broadcasts.

During the transition to digital TV, many stations are temporarily operating at reduced power levels. If you are not receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or receiver. Check with the TV station to find out whether they are planning changes that will improve reception.

When an analog TV signal is weak or receives interference, static, snow, and distortion will often appear on the screen, but you can watch the picture through the noise. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture even with a weak signal and in the presence of interference. However, if the digital signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can suddenly disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you typically watch analog TV stations that have a lot of static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system to get a reliably good signal for digital broadcasts.

TV reception can be affected by factors such as terrain, trees, buildings, the weather (rain, wind, humidity), and damaged/deteriorated equipment. Often digital reception can be improved just by changing the location of your current antenna. Moving it away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher can often improve reception.

Many antennas need to be oriented or aimed to get the best signal from the desired station. For indoor antennas, you may need to do this manually by trial and error. For outdoor antennas, a rotor that re-orients the antenna can improve performance, particularly when trying to receive stations that transmit from different locations.

Television stations broadcasting in digital use both the VHF band (channels 2-13) and UHF band (channels 14-51). Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band. Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly.

Simple indoor antennas, such as rabbit ears, provide minimal performance that may or may not be suitable for your location. If you are unable to obtain satisfactory reception with your current indoor antenna, you may wish to obtain an indoor antenna that includes features for better reception of UHF signals and/or an amplifier to boost the received signal (often referred to as an active indoor antenna).

Generally, an outdoor antenna will get better reception than an indoor antenna. If you already have an outdoor antenna and are getting good quality reception from VHF and UHF channels, your antenna should work fine for digital television.

The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. If you are having problems, check for loose or corroded wiring, broken antenna elements and that the antenna is pointed in the right direction.
Try to keep the length of wire between your antenna and digital receiver as short as possible for best reception.

You can use a single antenna to provide digital broadcasts to multiple TVs in your home. Remember, however, that each analog TV connected to your antenna will need its own digital-to-analog converter box to view digital broadcast programming.

“Splitters” that are used to connect a single antenna to multiple receivers reduce the amount of signal available to each receiver. If you are having problems, check to see whether reception is improved without the splitter. In some cases an “active” splitter that includes an amplifier can solve the problem.

If you are near a station’s broadcast tower, reception of that station, as well as other stations, can be impeded by signal “overload”. Consider using an “attenuator” or removing amplifiers to improve your reception.

If you decide to replace or upgrade your outdoor antenna, websites such as www.antennaweb.org provide information on the locations of broadcast towers and the types of outdoor antennas appropriate for the stations you wish to receive.

More Information on Types of Antennas and Guide to Purchase Antennas

Many people buy an HDTV and do not spend the extra time or money for HD programming. Both cable and satellite companies offer high definition programming, but they require additional equipment and a high monthly fee. One excellent solution is to buy an HDTV antenna and enjoy high definition television for free!

The first thing you need to do before buying a new antenna is to determine how many channels are available in your local area. AntennaWeb offers a free service to determine the number of HDTV broadcasting signals for a specific location. They also define the signal strength associated with each broadcasting channel to help you choose the right antenna and compass orientation (direction to point the antenna).

Types of Antennas
Following is a description of different types of TV antennas, both indoor and outdoor. Information provided includes the type of antenna, a general description of how the category of antenna performs, a general description of the physical appearance of the antennas, and where they may optimally perform in relation to the color code of the station you want to receive.

Indoor Antennas

Due to multiple variables in determining good reception in a specific location with indoor antennas, these antennas are not included in this mapping system. This mark, however, assures that an indoor antenna meets or exceeds CEA performance specifications for indoor antennas in households that can use indoor antennas.

Outdoor Antennas
Look for this mark on outdoor antennas, based on the colors of the stations you want to receive:

Small Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION : The smallest of TV antennas, they receive equally well from all directions.
APPEARANCE : Good looking designs including novel shaped disk and patch antennas, and antennas that attach to satellite systems.
USE : In yellow color code areas where signal strength is highest and away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Medium Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION : Somewhat larger and slightly more powerful
APPEARANCE : These antennas include novel stick, wing shaped or disk antennas with long elements.
USE : Green color code areas. An amplified antenna is recommended in the green area anytime a long (20 feet or more) cable run from the antenna is required, or when more than one device (TV or VCR) is to be used with an antenna. They work best away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Large Multi-directional
DESCRIPTION : Bigger in size, these antennas receive more signal power. Better for greater distances from signal source and areas with low signal strength.
APPEARANCE : Styles include element antennas. These antennas can be used to reject simple ghost situations.
USE : When mounted at rooftop heights (30 feet or higher) outdoors, amplified antennas can be used in light green color code areas away from reflecting structures or low areas.

Small Directional
DESCRIPTION : Antennas that act like large multidirectional on channels 2-6 but on higher channels these antennas start to have useful ghost reducing effects. Picture quality is excellent when no signal reflecting structures are around.
APPEARANCE : Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE : Suitable for far edge of light green color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used in these areas if the area is free of signal reflecting structures and is not in a low area.

Medium Directional
DESCRIPTION : Most popular rooftop antenna because of its modest size and ghost reducing characteristics.
APPEARANCE : Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE : If there are ghost producing reflective structures near TV receiver antenna location, this kind of antenna is best for yellow, green, light green and red color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used with the blue color code.

Large Directional
DESCRIPTION : Large antennas used in weak signal areas for maximum possible TV reception
APPEARANCE : Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE : Can be used in any color code area, but requires an amplifier and roof mounting for blue and violet color codes. Amplifiers are not recommended for yellow color codes.

Guide to Antenna Box Labeling
When purchasing an antenna, look for the CEA-certified antenna mark for outdoor antennas (which corresponds to the colors on your stations list). There is also a CEA-certified indoor antenna mark, which does not apply to this mapping system, but certifies that your indoor antenna will work in geographic areas that are appropriate for indoor antennas.

CEA-certified Antenna Mark for Outdoor Antennas
Antenna color codes are broken into six different zones. These zones identify the different types of antennas that are required for a consumer to receive optimal reception. Typically, the closer consumers live to the signal tower, the better reception they will receive. They may also be able to use an indoor antenna versus an outdoor. The farther away a consumer lives, the opposite is true. However, there are many variables that impact exactly which antenna a consumer will need.