To Choose the best antenna for your TV depends on several factors, like the location, the required range, the brands available, the appearance of the antenna, requirements for amplification, and most importantly, your budget. There are many retailers like the Home Depot that offer their customized analysis of the antenna requirements, and help you get your perfect antenna.
How To Choose A TV Antenna?
TV Antennas: Types And Variations
Outdoor antennas are larger and have larger ranges. They are generally directional, and it is ideally suited for rural areas with less population and unidirectional telecast. Indoor antennas are often smaller and more aesthetically pleasing. They can be mounted on the wall, and are usually omnidirectional. Directional antennas only pick up signals if they are pointed in the direction of the signal you want to get. Omnidirectional antennas can pick up broadcasts from all directions.
How To Decide The Required Range Of The Antenna?
Find your nearest OTA stations online, use the DTV Reception Maps produced by The FCC, or use private applications like AntennaWeb and TVFool, where you put in your address or zip code, to find out the locations of the nearest OTA stations. The best range to choose is the one that provides the most number of channels from the maximum number of OTA stations located nearby.
Other Factors To Look For While Choosing The Best Antenna
Trusted brands like Antennas Direct, Mohu, ChannelMaster, NoCable, etc. are much more reliable than off-brand varieties. If you are looking for antennas to boost up your decors, then the indoor antennas are an obvious choice, as most of them are flat and wall-mounted with black, white, or multicolor options to spruce up the indoors. The location of the antenna placed determines the strength and quality of the broadcast, so make sure to get one that works as well as it looks.
How To Set Up An Antenna
The placement of the antenna is the most crucial part of the installation process. The best placement for both indoor and outdoor antennas is somewhere high up, where it can get the best reception. The next step is to properly scan for channels. The TV tuner of any TV can scan for all the available channels being broadcasted in the area, but it requires time and patience. After you have scanned the area once, make sure to readjust the antenna’s position and scan again to get the maximum available channels!
Best Choices For Antennas Currently In The Market.
The reception of a TV antenna is affected by many factors and environmental conditions. If you are looking for a TV antenna, make sure to find out all the available information about OTA stations near you, and the optimal range and type of antennas required to maximize the broadcasted channels. HDTV antennas can provide options for all the television networks not available in a streaming service. You can enjoy hundreds of free channels at your disposal with the right kind of antenna.
Is using a TV antenna legal?
Yes, it is perfectly legal and available in all 50 states.
What can I do if my local towers are not in the line of sight?
You can still receive channels if the towers are not in the line of sight, provided you make sure that the antenna is pointed in the direction of the least obstructions.
What is better between a signal amplifier and a rotator?
For receiving distant TV stations with low signal levels or without picture breakup a signal amplifier is the best choice, with models like the CM-7777 Titan 2, which can be mounted onto the antenna mast, drawing power from the coaxial cables. For receiving weaker stations from multiple different locations, the rotator is the optimal choice. the Channel Master CM-9521HD is a popular model which provides excellent broadcast from all major OTA stations located within its range regardless of signal strength.
