Digital TV Converters

Lots of you reading here still have questions about the big switch to digital television.  You may also be experiencing digital TV reception problems of need help aiming your digital TV antennas.  We can help.

You should all know by now that the existing system of analog TV transmissions will end on February 17, 2009. Starting at midnight that day – unless you already watch your local channels via cable or satellite subscription – you will need to receive digital TV off the air.  In other words, your TV will no longer display anything except black.

This can be accomplished by purchasing a new digital TV set (check first to see if yours isn’t already digital-capable; most sets purchased in the last couple of years are), or you can adapt your analog TV to digital reception by using a simple DTV converter box to “translate” the digital signal into something your analog set can digest.

These converter boxes are available now at most electronics retailers starting at $50, and you can get up to two coupons to cover $40 of that price tag (more on this at the end of the article).

Because lots of channels in our area are already sending out their signals in the digital format, there’s no need to wait. But some viewers are frustrated after making the digital connection.

“We purchased a digital converter box earlier this year and hooked it up, but we were unable to get KLRT on the television set,” one reader writes. “The man at Radio Shack said the signal for KLRT was weak in our area.”

“I’ve just installed my new digital to analog converter box and can no longer receive KARK’s signal,” says another reader. “It was my strongest analog signal, but now my DTV converter registers no signal at all from KARK.”

After more than 50 years of analog television, we’ve all grown accustomed to the variety in reception patterns. There can be ghosts and snow, and sometimes you just get used to it.  It seems like for all it’s shortcomings it will be hard to let go.

Digital TV is just different.

Even if you have gotten an acceptable analog picture at your location, unless your digital signal level is above a certain level, you may either see no picture at all – or it will be “blocky” and could be unwatchable.

There is another factor compounding this reception problem: many local stations are broadcasting their digital signal on a different channel than the analog signal so even though your reception may be fine, you may be watching the wrong channel.

If you’re currently using a “rabbit ear” antenna and you’re having digital reception problems, try extending the cable that connects it to your TV (or your DTV converter box) and move the antenna to a higher location in the room. Several readers have noted that even something as simple as moving the antenna to a shelf near their TV noticebly imporved their reception.

You may need an extra length of cable to get the needed positional flexibility. Use a simple coaxial “barrel” connector (available at electronics and big box stores) to link the two cables, but be careful.  You shouldn’t use an extension that’s longer than necessary; every foot of cable diminishes the signal strength.

You can also try placing the antenna in or near a window that has the best “view” in the direction in which your local transmitters are located.  Antennaweb.org can help with this information.

Also be sure to extend the rods of an indoor antenna fully for the best chance of getting all the signals.

For some viewers, an outdoor antenna is the best bet for top-quality digital reception. It offers the best possible incoming signal strength.

But there is a middle ground: using an outdoor antenna in an attic.

I’ve set up sort of an antenna “lab” in my attic in which is about 30 miles from the channel 42 transmitter. Mounted to the rafters are currently two different antennas: a smaller UHF-only model (Channel Master CM3022, $21.95) and a larger VHF-UHF model (AntennaCraft 5885, $41.95).

The CM3022 is a great size for an attic, just 43 inches long. Unfortunately, it’s not designed to receive VHF signals (channels 2, 4, and 11), and after the digital switch next February, three local stations will be transmitting their digital signals on VHF.

In a test using a Sansonic converter box, the 5885 is powerful enough to pull in Channel 42’s digital signal at my location, but I get a much better signal strength with the VU-90. Its larger physical size (90 inches long) is tailored to get the full spectrum of digital channels.

But even with a larger antenna, it’s still possible to find missing digital channels. There can be several culprits.

AIM: Directional antennas (like the models specified above) must be pointed in the proper direction for maximum signal strength. Most digital TVs and digital converter boxes provide an on-screen display to indicate signal strength. A few even have the ability to emit an audio tone that changes according to signal strength. That can help when trying to find the best spot for an indoor antenna. For an attic or an outdoor antenna, enlist a friend of family member to watch the screen and relay signal information via cell phone or walkie-talkie as you nudge the antenna back and forth along it’s axis.

SPLITTERS: Many existing attic or outdoor antenna setups use a splitter to distribute the TV signal to multiple rooms. Problem is, a splitter degrades signal strength; not unlike what happens if everyone in your home tries to shower at the same time. To determine if this is the culprit, simply take the splitter out of the equation. Unscrew the antenna cable from the splitter and connect it directly to the cable that goes to your digital TV set using a barrel connector (see above). Your reception should improve. If it does, then all you need it an RF amplifier (sometimes caled an antenna booster) installed between the antenna and the splitter. The closer the booster is to the antenna, the better your results should be. You should be able to find an antenna booser for under $50.

Hopefully, this article resolves some of your antenna questions about digital television; if not, check some of our other links for more DTV answers.

I want to personally make sure that you can start enjoying digital television before it’s too late.  Order your digital TV converter box today!

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