Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Digital Converter Reception Problems

The conversion to digital television (DTV) promised improved picture quality; however, the installation of new digital-to-analog converters has created reception problems for some. Fortunately, the causes for these problems are limited to the antenna, converter and the connecting cables.


Antennas


Many antennas, such as "rabbit ears," are directional, only receiving strong signals from one direction at a time. Adjusting the antenna for the strongest possible signal should improve reception. If your antenna cannot receive a strong enough signal, you may need to purchase a larger antenna or an amplified antenna.


Cables and Connections


Improperly or partially connected cables or wires from the antenna to the converter can cause significant signal loss. Additionally, dirty or corroded connectors can degrade the signal sent from the antenna to the converter box. Ensure your cables are in good order and properly connected to your equipment.


Channel Scanning


Many converter boxes replace the list of available channels each time they perform a channel scan. If a scan is performed, the antenna is adjusted to receive additional channels; when a new scan is performed, the stations in the previous scan may be lost. If this is the case, add the channels to your converter's channel list manually per the manufacturer's instructions.







Tags: antenna converter, from antenna, from antenna converter, scan performed