Rescanning
After hooking up a converter box to your TV set, or installing a new digital television, you will need to scan (also known as "auto-tune") for new channels to ensure you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area. While some boxes do this automatically, you may need to select scan manually.
Since some digital stations are still coming on air, you may want to consider rescanning on a periodic basis to get all of the digital programming availale. Because some digital stations that are already on air are moving to different channel numbers at the end of DTV transition, you may need to rescan again after June 12, 2009 to ensure that you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area.
An example of rescan descriptions in the menu might be:
Press MENU on your remote control. From the Menu options, select the ‘Tuning Menu’
Select ‘Auto Setup’ or ‘Update’ to rescan your digital TV . It could also be referred to as ‘Update’, ‘Retune’, ‘Replace’ or ‘Store Channels’
If a specific station doesn't come in, reorient the antenna and run another channel scan, or enter the channel number (if the box allows that). Adjust the antenna in various directions or move it closer to a window, which might require a long cable. Use the signal-strength meter (many DTV boxes have one) to adjust the antenna to the optimal position. You might have to tweak the antenna each time you tune in a station with marginal signal strength.
Still no luck? Try an amplified antenna or a signal booster. Last resort: a rooftop antenna. In our tests, we use a standard residential rooftop antenna we've had for years, not a special "digital" or "HD" model. In general, AntennaWeb.org notes, bigger is better, higher is better, and closer (facing the transmitter) is better. The site recommends the type of antenna you'll need, based on distance from the transmitter and details you provide on obstructions and dwelling type.
Digital dead zones
You might be unable to get some stations—or any at all—no matter what you do. In many areas, the "contour," or footprint, of digital coverage differs from the analog version, so digital broadcasts might not reach all the areas that got the analog signals. If your neighbors get a station you can't, it's probably your setup. But if nobody can get it, call the local station to find out why.
During the nation's first DTV trial, in Wilmington, N.C., last fall, many consumers couldn't get digital versions of analog stations they'd gotten for years, even though the converters and antennas were set up correctly. One-third of calls to public-service agencies concerned the "disappearance" of a local NBC affiliate, which is still unavailable. Wilmington isn't alone.
There are two types of frequency bands: VHF and UHF. VHF stands for Very High Frequency and includes channels 2-13. UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency and includes channels 14-51.
If you currently use an indoor or rooftop antenna to receive over-the-air analog broadcast television signals and you already get good or excellent reception quality, you should be able to get reception of digital television broadcast signals with the same antenna. For more information about using an antenna to receive local television broadcast channels, visit http://www.antennaweb.org/.
After hooking up a converter box to your TV set, or installing a new digital TV set, you will need to scan (also known as “auto-tune”) for new channels to make sure you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area. While some boxes do this automatically, you may need to select scan manually.
Because some digital stations that are already on air are moving to different channel numbers after the DTV transition, you may need to rescan again after June 12, 2009, to ensure that you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area.
You should rescan your converter box or TV set for channels when installing equipment for the first time, after repositioning or moving an antenna around and once again after June 12, 2009. Since some digital stations are still coming on air, you may want to consider rescanning on a periodic basis to get all of the digital programming available.
Adjust Your Antenna
- Small adjustments to your antenna can make a big difference in the number of digital channels you can receive. If you have an indoor antenna, try elevating it and moving it closer to an exterior wall of your home. After adjusting your antenna, perform another channel scan to see if your reception is improved.
- While adjusting your antenna, it may be helpful to access the “signal strength meter” on your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television to determine whether your adjustments are improving the signals’ strength. The signal strength meter is usually accessed through the menu feature on your remote control. Refer to the owner’s manual of your device for detailed instructions on how to access its signal strength meter. Remember to do another channel scan after you have adjusted your antenna.
- 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.
If You are Still Having Difficulty:
- Until June 12, 2009, some stations will be 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 digital-to-analog converter box or digital television. 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. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture; however, if the signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you watch analog TV stations that have static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system.
- Simple indoor antennas provide minimal performance that 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. However, 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-to-analog converter box or digital television as short as possible for best reception.
- “Splitters” that are used to connect a single antenna to multiple digital-to-analog converter boxes or digital televisions reduce the amount of signal available to each device. If you are having problems, check 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 indoor or outdoor antenna, many types are available from electronics retail stores at a variety of prices. 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. If you need assistance with upgrading your antenna system, check with a local antenna retailer or antenna installer.
