Digital TV Reception
As more and more cities move into establishing digital television as the standard frequency for televised services, analog (analogue) services are phasing out. So that means if you have an old television you have to start thinking about whether to invest in a new digital HD television or a set top box for your existing television.
The best way to determine when digital television will replace analog television services in your area is to connect with a professional Digital TV service who can help you establish whether you need anything extra and if so when this needs to be in place by.
If you have a digital TV already and are having trouble getting a reception try the following trouble shooting tips.
Digital TV Reception Issues
There is nothing more frustrating than purchasing a new Digital TV, which is supposed to deliver crystal clear picture and sound, and having only fuzzy pictures on each channel. In the vast majority of cases it is not the TV at fault but your digital TV reception.
This can either mean something is happening with your tuning, your connections or your antenna.
- Tuning: Your TV will need to be tuned to receive the digital channels
- Connections: All connections must be in place and free from external interference.
- Antenna: Digital TV still needs to access an antenna to deliver great pictures. So if your antenna is not configured properly to your new television you may experience a number of specific issues.
Digital TV Reception Solutions: The Basics
Firstly, let’s clear up any misconceptions about digital TV.
In order to access digital channels you need a television with an inbuilt digital tuner or an external digital set top box. New digital televisions may either have an internal tuner or may require an external box. Older, analog televisions require an external set top box to receive digital channels but may not be able to display all the features and the high quality of newer digital televisions.
Once your TV and digital tuner has been installed, you need to rescan your TV to pick up the channels again. Consult the manual that came with your TV to do this properly. In most cases it can be done semi-automatically by the television. The digital TV will automatically scan and pick up channels for you.
If you are unable to clearly define each digital channel then check the interference around your television viewing area. Impulse noise interference from electrical appliances like fridges, microwaves and also light switches can cause intermittent pixilation of digital signals.
This is where the picture breaks up into small squares, much like the image displayed by a scratched DVD. If you experience this issue, first check that all the cables are in good condition and fully insulated against these emissions.
If this still does not work you may need to purchase a new antenna. Some older antennae are not powerful enough to pick up the digital frequency which emits at a different frequency that analog.
If you are unsure as to how to install an antenna look for a digital TV service in your area that can professionally install the digital antenna for you and help with other areas of digital TV reception. You can also check out our troubleshooting guide to Digital TV Problems.