Is a special antenna required for digital TV?

Answer 1

No. In fact, there really is no such thing as a "digital" antenna. Companies that make TV antennas put things like "HD ready" or "Digital TV ready" as a marketing scheme to get consumers to upgrade or replace their existing TV antennas. The truth is this: There is no difference between antennas used for analog TV and antennas used for digital TV. Digital TV channels operate on the same frequencies as analog TV channels. Digital TV just uses less bandwidth due to the ability to compress the signal. You may find that you do need a better antenna, however, if you watch any stations with a weak signal. This is because a poor digital signal causes the picture and sound to break up. It is much more frustrating to watch TV with "broken up" digital video and audio than an analog signal with "snowy" video and audio.

Answer 2

The short answer is maybe. An antenna captures signals which are at a frequency the antenna was tuned for. New Digital signals are being broadcast in the same channel spaces as were previously assigned to television stations but because many were broadcasting both old and new, their digital signals may have started transmission at the upper channels of the UHF band. Many older antennas were tuned out by channel 64 and the newer range runs up to 158 near 1000 Mhz. The older televison broadcast was on what used to be Very High Frequency bands. Channel 6 for example is just below the range of the FM radio band with the video signal around 83 megahertz and the audio at 87. This is why you can here what sounds like TV on some FM radios. By Channel 14 you have moved to the Ultra High Frequency range. This is where many police, fire, and ems radios operate in metropolitan areas around 470 Mhz. The lower the frequency the longer the antenna is needed. Cellphones operate mostly around 2000 Mhz or 2 "Gigahertz". You see what length antenna they need! I don't sell antennas so this isn't a pitch. The new disc antennas "may" provide you a better signal because they are designed to be compatible with current HD technology. In addition, the new disc antennas are low profile and have better wind and weather resistance. Some stations have been careful to make sure the viewers in their area are able to continue using the same equipment with the addition of a converter box to get their channel by keeping their new signal close in the same channel bandwidth as the old analog signal. This will allow the older antennas to pickup the hd signal unimpeded. The remaining issue of course is the converter box which decodes the digital signal into an analog television. This is a must have in order to get the new signal on an older TV. I would keep my eye out around New Years to see if retailers are pairing Converters with better antennas at a bundled price. And don't forget to log on to https://www.dtv2009.gov for savings coupons on digital converters. Keep your eyes open for bargains. An Amateur Radio Operator

Answer 3

All TV sets need a signal input of some type. If you are using Cable TV than you have no need for an antenna in addition. If you don't use Cable, then you'll need an antenna of some time, either a Satellite TV antenna, or to pick up broadcast TV stations, roof top antenna or rabbit ears might be all you need.

Answer 4

No you don't, if you have a good reception with your analogue antenna you can connect it to your Digital TV and it will allow you to see digital channels including HDTV.

There is a trend by manufacturers to add 'digital' in front of devices in order to sell them.

There is nothing 'digital' about an aerial, there are no embedded electronics.

Having said that, there is a recommended type of aerial design, which suits the digital broadcast better.

You need a 'wide band' aerial for best results. This is because the multiplexed, digital channels, in any given area, cover the whole spectrum of the UHF band, from channel 21 to 69.

Your aerial needs to be sensitive across this wide band.

Previously, with analogue, each region grouped the 4 or 5 channels together in one small part of the band (to stop interference from other regions).

The antenna could be made cheaper and smaller if it was restricted to one small part of the band. UHF aerials have colour coded plugs in the end of the reflector support, to show the part o fthe band covered. Wide band aerials are black.

If you are missing whole blocks of digital channels, it could be that your aerial isn't wide band.

If you get all stations with no freezing or pixellating, job done, don't fix it.

Answer 5

Broadcast TV stations in the U.S. have switched from analog to digital transmissions. This Fact Sheet provides information on TV antennas and tips for obtaining good quality reception of digital broadcasts.

Answer 6

Yes, you will need an antenna to pick up the digital signal through the air.

Answer 7

All tv sets need an antenna if your not connected to cable or satellite.