Things To Know Before You Buy a Digital TV Antenna

A digital TV antenna can save you money on cable subscriptions. You can watch local and even international channels for free. So you don’t have to be scared of cutting the cord. You can dismiss your expensive cable subscriptions and still enjoy your favorite Tv shows and movies.

But before buying a digital TV antenna, here are some things that you have to consider.

Ponder on these before buying a digital TV antenna

To buy or not to buy? These are some of the things that you should know before heading out to home depot. 

1. You can get local channels for free

Take note of this. All local channels transmit their signals free over the air. So virtually there is no need to get cable subs if you want to just watch local channels. Keep in mind that the subscribers are not the ones that pay for the local channels, it’s the advertisers.

So you will be able to gain access to local channels within your area. If it’s just local channels you need, you can be wasting money with a cable subscription.

2. You can gain access to new local channels

Even with a cable subscription, you might not have full access to all the local channels in your area. It might still depend on the type of subscription. And the more channels you include in your subs, the more expensive it gets.

But with a digital antenna, you can unearth local channels that you might not have seen before with your old cable subscription. Sounds crazy? Yes, it is.

3. You can get crisp signals compared to cable subscriptions

Having a hefty fee doesn’t mean that you‘ll get clearer transmission and signals. Keep this in mind, broadcast channels are superior over cables and satellites. They don’t have signal compression. Thus, you will be able to get clear signals and crisp sounds.

4. You can still get weak signals if there are interferences

Though broadcast transmission is superior over cables and satellites, you can still experience blurry signals if there are interferences. Hills, trees, and roofs are just some of the things that can block the line of sight to the broadcast towers. 

Thus, the higher you place your antenna, the better the reception is since there will be no blockages anymore. 

5. There are different types of antennas

There are three different types of antennas. Though an outdoor antenna can provide the best reception, it might not be suitable for your circumstances.

• Indoor TV antenna

An indoor antenna can still give you clear reception if you are living in a metropolis or anywhere near broadcast towers. It is a single antenna that can be hooked up to a single TV. and attaching it to close to the window or higher up on the ceiling can make you get clearer receptions,

Take note that if you have metal roofs, there are specific types of antennas that you should buy. Since metal will cause interference, you cannot just buy a regular antenna. Check out this website for the most suitable ones.

• Attic TV antenna

Attic antennas are attached to a molded metal pole in your, well, attics. This is usually a DIY thing but you still have to be careful when mounting it. And you should also consider that interference can give you blurry signals. It can be anything from metal roofing material to fluorescent lights.

• Outdoor TV antenna

An outdoor TV antenna or a whole house antenna is the best type if you live in rural areas that are far from broadcast towers. 

But albeit being the most efficient, it can be the hardest to install. You have to install it on top of your roof. So if you are not too confident about getting the roof to install an antenna, you should commission an expert.

6. What is the most suitable type of antenna for me?

Now that you know the three basic types of antenna, you have to choose which one will work best for your situation. Also, you have to consider what band will be the most suitable for your home.

To make things easier for you, you can hover through the website, AntennaWEB and put it in your location. There you’ll see recommendations from consumer technology association vendors. 

Another simpler way to ask your neighbors. If their antenna works for them, it will likely work for you too.  

7. How much should you shell out?

Since you are going to cut your cable subs, you might be concerned with the cost too. Of course, you don’t want anything too expensive.

So how much does a digital tv antenna cost? It depends on the type. Single or indoor antennas range from 10 to 40 dollars. While the stronger outdoor antennas can cut you off from 60 to 150 dollars.

8. Know the location of the broadcast tower first

Knowing the location of the broadcast tower will help you choose the best type of antenna for your home. 

9. You can still encounter issues

Remember that there is no magic antenna that you can just prop anywhere and it will give your clear signals outright. It depends on some factors. And purchasing the right type of antenna is the first step.

Additionally, here are some tips to make the most out of your digital TV antenna

• Direct connections will give the best signal. The more junctions there are, it can lead to signal loss.
• If you use a splitter, the signal can get weak. Thus, using an amplifier can help. And opt to buy a low noise amplifier. Know where the location of the transmission tower is. To get the best reception, the antenna has to be in the line of sight of the broadcast tower.
• You can always move or relocate the antenna if you’re not getting the best signal.

Final thought

Remember that just like a weight loss diet, no one antenna is perfect for everybody. It depends on some actors and your location has a lot to do with it.