Monday, May 20, 2013

What is the difference of HDTV antenna and a DTV antenna?

Q. Which is clearer HDTV antennas or DTV antennas? i have a 1080i flat screen. and want clear tv without cable.

Is there a difference, which is clearer, and which supports HD channels and normal channels both? do they output in 1080i, 720i, or 420p?

A. A TV antenna is designed to receive radio frequencies. They are designed to receive signals either in the VHF (Very High Frequency), UHF (Ultra High Frequency) range or both. A TV antenna does not know nor care if the signal has been modulated with an analog or digital signal. A TV antenna does not care if the signal resolution is 480 (SD) or 720/1080 (HD). It only matters to an antenna the frequency of the signals it is designed to receive.

This is why there is no such thing as a Digital Antenna, a HDTV antenna or a DTV antenna. There are UHF, VHF or UHF & VHF TV antennas. There are directional antennas and non-directional antennas. There are many tpes of antennas.

If you want the strongest signal strength for your HDTV, then use the web site http://www.antennaweb.org This web site will provide you with a list of channels you can reasonably expect to receive at your specific location, what type of antenna will work best at your location, what direction to point that antenna and if you need amplification on your antenna.


How do I choose the best outdoor antenna for use with my HTPC?
Q. The basic indoor HDTV antenna I bought doesn't quite do it. The picture will often just pause or become very pixelated.

A. The large quantity of indoor antennas for sale at all kinds of stores may lead you to believe they actually work well. They really don't unless you are quite close to the TV transmitting towers. It's very rare for any viewer to get all desired channels with an indoor antenna of any type. It's almost as rare for anyone to get more than a very few channels with regularity. 60 years ago good TV reception was achieved with an outside antenna mounted as high as possible, and nothing really has changed as far as good antenna design goes.

Your problem will be solved by a better antenna, probably mounted outside above the roofline, and on a rotor if your stations are in different directions. The first ref below is a good one if you're in the U.S. The second one is also good for those in the U.S. or Canada. Enter your local info for a readout of what channels you should be able to receive and what antenna is recommended. Don't expect an indoor antenna to be high on the recommended list.


How do i get better HDTV reception?
Q. I live in an apartment block so I can't change or move the external antenna. Is there some form of internal antenna designed purely for HDTV?

A. ANY TV antenna works with HDTV sets....you don't need a Digital Antenna or one specifically designed for digital signals....

In your case, purchase a good mid-priced antenna, then go to Radio Shack and purchase a "20 db RF amplifier"

20db provides MORE amplification than a 10 or 15db amp...go with a mid-priced unit over a low-priced one....

Now, IF they have an outdoor antenna feeding the entire apartment building, you MIGHT get the 20db amp first and see if it IMPROVES their antenna....if it doesn't, then buy the UHF tabletop antenna.....





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