One of life's greatest annoyances is poor reception during your favorite TV show. Getting up repeatedly from your comfy couch to adjust the antenna is a pain. And it always seems like the picture is perfect while you're standing there with a hand on the antenna, but when you sit down, the wavy lines or pixilation come right back! Sound familiar? It's time to upgrade your audio and video experience with a new antenna. This TV antenna buying guide will help you know what will work best for your situation, so you can go about buying TV antennas confidently.
When it comes to the antenna-reception relationship, there are five principles you should know:
Of course, few people can have the biggest TV antenna on the market installed outside their apartment on the top floor of a 10-story building right next to the broadcast tower. For that reason, electronics producers make antennas in a wide variety of configurations, materials and sizes.
It's already been stated that outdoor antennas are typically better than their indoor siblings. However, both indoor and outdoor antennas do have their advantages and disadvantages.
Indoor antennas:
Outdoor antennas:
Directional antennas are TV antennas that you have to point towards the origination of the signal. If all the channels you want come from the same area, these antennas are the best. They help keep out interference since they can only receive the signals to which they are pointed.
Multi-directional antennas are designed to receive signals from all directions simultaneously. Most indoor TV antennas are all multi-directional, along with many rooftop antennas. If you live in an area with several fairly strong signals coming from different directions, you should get one of these.
VHF antennas are designed to receive channels 2 through 13, which are the lower spectrum of frequencies that TV broadcasters use. These can be either directional or multi-directional.
UHF antennas receive channels 14 through 83, the upper spectrum. They can also be either multi-directional or directional.
Digital and high-definition antennas are, in reality, not much different from other regular VHF and UHF antennas. Some antennas labeled as "digital" or "HD" may have signal amplifiers and may look a little different, but any antenna that receives analog signals can also receive digital and HD broadcasts.
Amplified antennas can boost the signal electronically. These are ideal for areas with weak signals. They are also good if you have a long cable connecting the antenna to the TV or if you have a splitter on the cable, which can weaken signal strength. Usually, power antennas have controls that allow you to adjust amplification strength.
Will I need to get a new antenna when switching over to digital TV?
Any regular UHF/VHF antenna will receive digital broadcasts, so most people won't need to purchase a new antenna. Currently, however, most digital signals are sent over UHF channels; only a few are sent over VHF. So if your TV antenna is only VHF or only UHF, you may want to invest in a set that accepts both ranges.
All TV stations will quit broadcasting analog signals in February of 2009, so make sure your TV is digital or that you have a converter box. Digital signals are already being broadcast for most stations, so you can plug any antenna into that TV or box and it should work just fine, if not better than it was before.
Why should I get an antenna if I already have cable or satellite?
Often, some local TV stations aren't carried by your cable or satellite provider. Also, if your service goes out, you have a tried-and-true backup. A TV antenna in addition to cable or satellite may also save you money in the fact that you won't need to pay extra for some stations.
How am I supposed to know the strength and direction of broadcast signals in my area?
Visit Antenna Web. The site, which is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters, has a tool that helps you know the location and strength of the signals in your area. It also gives suggestions as to the type of antenna you will need (directional, amplified, etc.) to receive certain local channels.
How can I improve reception with my indoor antenna?
Forget the tinfoil and wire hanger. First of all, you need to find the best location in your home--one that is relatively free of obstacles that might limit your reception. These obstacles may include walls or doors that are in the way of the signal. Of course, it's difficult to find the perfect, clear location inside a home or apartment, so if that doesn't exist, just find the next best option. It may be wise to upgrade to an amplified antenna, if you don't have one already.
The fact of the matter is that with an indoor TV antenna you'll probably always have at least one or two channels that don't come in too clearly, so be prepared to still get up and adjust it every once in a while. And if you can make sure those finicky channels aren't the ones you regularly watch, you'll be in good shape.
A new antenna needs a new TV
You'll find the best deals online in the electronics store at Overstock.com. With a wide assortment of LCD TVs, plasma TVs and projectors at such great prices, it's easy to find something that will look great in your entertainment room. Skip the converter boxes and save money on a TV that is already set up to receive digital and high definition signals!
Plug it in--all of it
Most people have more than just a TV and VCR to plug in to the electrical outlet these days. If you have an amplified antenna and are running out of plug space, pick up a new power strip or surge protector. You'll have room for your gaming systems, home theater, TV and more.
Hook it up--all of it
Make your entertainment center work together. Look for all the cables and splitters you need at Overstock.com. You'll save bundles on A/V cables and other accessories that will keep your TV picture sharp.
For TV antennas and more, Overstock.com is your online electronics outlet. Just point, click and save!
