Digital TV Converter

Per the US Government, all terrestrial broadcasting in the United States switched over from analog signals to a superior counterpart: DTV, or digital television. This new signal offers better sound and picture, as well as possibilities for free new features and other options. This decision has been heralded as the most significant improvement to television since the induction of color TV!

With this transition, of course, came growing pains. All non-HDTVs that relied on analog signals needed a digital TV converter in order to receive the new digital broadcast - or face the consequences of no longer having a signal. The trade off, however, is a better signal with less quirks!

A Digital TV converter is a simple box that acts like a "middleman" between your antenna and TV set. Since it's only needed on television sets that don't have a cable connection, you'll have to plug your antenna into the digital TV converter, and the supplied cable form the digital TV converter into your television. It's that simple.

With the usage of a DTV converter box, even non-HDTVs will seem more clear and crisp. You'll no longer see color lines, waves, static or other elements of "poor reception", as those days will be gone with the end of analog transmissions. However, signals can definitely break up and sometimes freeze the screen until the antenna is played with. Most digital TV converter boxes have "signal strength" indicators that let you find the optimal place to position your antenna.

If you don't have a cable or satellite connection to a particular TV in your house, or if your television set isn't an HDTV, you'll have to use a new digital TV converter in order to pick up a signal. Most HDTVs already accept digital signals, as the functionality is built in.

A digital TV converter does need an antenna to pick up the DTV signal, much like your standard analog signal antenna. Modern design has done away with rabbit ears, and embraced more advantageous designs that reduce noise and signal corruption.

As previously explained, a digital TV converter antenna connects directly to your converter. There's no special kind of antenna needed for certain brands or types of televisions - any will do. Some antennas have a greater range or more perceptive strength to receive a signal. It very much so is a case of "you get what you pay for" with a DTV antenna. The good news is that they are incredibly low-cost items.

What Happens If I Don't Have An Antenna?

In short, the answer is that you absolutely must have an antenna of some sort or your TV will display a blue or black screen that says "NO SIGNAL!"

With the move to the digital television signal, it will never be possible for non-HDTV televisions to be plugged into the wall for immediate usage. You'll have to find a standard or DTV antenna to hook up to your digital TV converter box, which is hooked up to your television.

The only way this will ever change is if you subscribe to cable or satellite TV. Additionally, by replacing your television with an HDTV, you'll no longer need that digital TV converter box.

These two kinds of DTV antennas determine what channels you'll be receiving. In general, Amplified antennas are better: they are capable of receiving channels better, as well as receiving more of them (in many cases). Passive antennas will pick up your standard UHF and VHF stations, as well as whatever DTV channels are in range.

Amplified antennas are generally more expensive than passive, sometimes double the price or more. If you simply want to keep watching your standard network TV stations and want to save money, stick with a Passive antenna. Otherwise, you might be interested to see what other free channels are available to you if a Passive antenna isn't picking up stations in your area.