What kind of antenna do I need to get basic channels?

UHF/VHF rated antennas should be used to receive the most important channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc.)

What antenna do you need for digital TV?

To receive DTV signals from all stations in the area, your antenna needs to be able to receive both VHF channels (channels 2-13) and UHF channels (channels 14-36). Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both.

What kind of antenna do I need for a non smart TV?

Older or non-Smart TVs made by Vizio, LG, Sony or Samsung work with a digital TV antenna. There is one easy way to check. Take a peek behind your television, and look for the port to plug in a TV antenna. It's the same port used to connect a cable box to your TV.

Do I need an antenna for each TV to get local channels?

We get this question all the time: Do I need a separate HDTV antenna for each TV? The answer is No. Of-cause you can buy multiple antennas for each TV but most of the time channel availability will vary from one TV to another due to location in your home.

Can you still watch TV with just an antenna?

Over-the-air TV has been around for years, and it's built right into your TV — all you need is an antenna. Local channels broadcast in your area provide sports, news and TV shows from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS and more with excellent HD image quality.

What is the difference between a digital antenna and a regular antenna?

There are huge differences between digital antennas and analog antennas. Analog antennas were specially designed to only pick up analog signals. On the other hand, digital antennas can receive and interpret digital signals. Analog antennas have lower frequencies while digital antennas have higher frequencies.

Do Smart TVs have a built in antenna?

While smart TVs typically come with built-in antennas, they are used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity — not for picking up free-to-air channels. You can always try using a less sophisticated analog antenna, but there's a good chance you'll experience signal problems.

Why won't my TV work with an antenna?

Reconnect all cables at the back of the TV or box, making sure that the cables are all properly connected (you want to avoid loose cables that could cause signal loss) and if you have a signal booster connected, try removing that and plug the antenna cable straight into your receiver, recorder or TV.

Is there an indoor antenna that actually works?

Of the best TV antennas we've tried, the Clearstream Eclipse is a consistent top performer. In our testing, we found the Eclipse was able to capture a good number of channels, but where it really stands out is in its TV reception. It's clearer and more consistent than other antennas on our list.

What can I use instead of a TV antenna?

The Paper Clip Antenna If you live in an area with great over-the-air TV reception, a paper clip may be the first option you want to try. All you need to do is straighten out the paper clip and put it into the cable/antenna plug on your TV (that round connector you used to connect the cable outlet from your TV).

Do indoor antennas work for local channels?

Indoor antennas are typically fine for all the strong local channels, but if you want channels that are weaker or further away, you might need to go larger and put an antenna in your attic space or on your roof.

Can I use 1 antenna for 2 TVs?

DOWNSIDES – You will lose signal strength when you have more than one television connected to your antenna or if the cable is longer than 100 feet. Reception on channels at the edge of what's called the ‘digital cliff' can be lost, especially if signal is ‘leaking' out of unused coaxial ports.

How can I get local channels on my smart TV without antenna?

If you don't want to use an antenna, there are several ways to stream your local network channels. The best options to stream local ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS are DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. They all offer a way to live stream major broadcast networks in nearly every market in the US.

Do I need a UHF or VHF antenna for digital TV?

As for HDTV Antennas, they perform best at receiving UHF signals but less so when obtaining VHF channels. When shopping for antennas, make sure you check if the unit provides good reception of both VHF and UHF. If you use a digital-to-analogue converter box, an antenna is a must to receive DTV signals.

Do you need a special aerial for digital TV?

To access digital terrestrial television you need an aerial. It can be built-in, indoor or external and vary with platform. This guide gives a simple overview of the different aerials available. There are three main factors to consider when discussing television aerials – polarity, group and location.

Do you need antenna cable for digital TV?

Yes, you do. Smart TVs do not have built-in antennas, so to be able to view free over-the-air channels, an antenna is required. You would need to connect the antenna to the TV and then use the following easy steps to get local channels: Install the Antenna.

Are digital TV channels UHF or VHF?

The majority of digital TV stations currently broadcast in the UHF band, both because VHF was already filled largely with analog TV when the digital facilities were built and because of severe issues with impulse noise on digital low-VHF channels.

Can I use antenna instead of cable?

If you're watching broadcast TV through a cable or satellite connection, you can do better. A TV antenna will give you a signal that's superior and, best of all, it's free. It all comes down to the way digital programming is sent to your TV.

Can a smart TV work without an antenna?

Smart TVs do not have built-in antennas, so to be able to view free over-the-air channels, an antenna is required.

Is it worth getting a digital antenna?

Should You Get a Digital TV Antenna? TV antennas let you pick up extra channels in your area. They're especially great if you want to (or already have) cut the cord. These live, over-the-air channels may include ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS affiliates and independent stations.

Do I need to upgrade my antenna for digital TV?

The main reason to update your digital TV antenna One of the main reasons why you might need to change your antenna or TV aerial is that it doesn't receive the right channel frequency. For example, analog signal is usually sent in the VHF band range, while digital signal is sent in the UHF band range.

What is the simplest antenna?

The simplest and most widely used antenna is a dipole antenna. A dipole is simply made of two wires, which are equal in length and connected to a receiver or a transmitter at one end.

How many channels can you get from a good TV antenna?

With a TV antenna, you can potentially get the big four broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. There are a variety of other local networks available for free on over-the-air channels such as local PBS affiliates and The CW Network.

How do I get local channels with my antenna?

Connecting a TV antenna to a television is pretty simple, especially if you're using an indoor TV antenna. Just plug one into the coax port on the back of your TV. Under settings, you will need to look for an “Air TV” or “Over-the-air” option and scan for channels. Using a TV antenna isn't that complex.

How do you get local TV channels without cable?

Your best bet for consistent access to local channels without a cable subscription is to sign up for a live TV streaming service like Hulu Plus Live TV or YouTube TV.

Why does my TV say no signal when everything is plugged in?

A “No Signal”, “No Source”, or “No Input” message will appear on your TV screen if the TV is not receiving a signal from your TV box. This is often a result of either the TV box being powered off, not being properly connected to the TV, or the TV being set to the wrong input.