Thinking about buying a new Smart TV, but not sure if it’s compatible with your old antenna receiver? Do you know how to connect to digital television?
There is a lot of confusion and misinformation on the antennas. Even the antenna manufacturers have made a number of mistakes when marketing their products, which has led to all kinds of problems.
In 2012, in a process known as digitisation, all analogue terrestrial television in the UK switched to digital broadcasting. In the past, everyone used analogue antennas to receive television channels. The analogue technology was quite good, but the quality was degraded over the distance and interference from external factors such as the weather and other frequencies can interfere with reception.
Today, since the rejection of analog signals, most televisions no longer support analog signals, everything has switched to digital, which is of much better quality than they are. But what happens if you have a new television with an old antenna and vice versa?
Do I need a digital antenna for my Smart TV?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. In order to watch Freeview and digital television in the best quality, you need a digital antenna with at least one broadband receiver. A broadband receiver allows you to receive all channels within range without limiting yourself to a particular selection.
The good news is that the old TV antenna, which was connected to analogue channels, can also receive digital signals. You may not need to change your antenna. However, if your TV reception is disturbed and causing problems, installing a new antenna may solve the problem (see below).
What you need to know is that all antennas can receive digital signals. The problem is not so much whether the system is digital or analogue, but rather how the quality and functionality should be built up.
For example, the new antennas will be equipped with filters that block external signals from transmission interference, which is not the case with analog antennas.
Digital antenna types
There are many types of digital antennas, in all shapes and sizes. For simplicity, the two most common types of antennas are listed here:
Broadband
Digital broadband antennas are recommended because they are designed to receive all channels within range. These antennas are often referred to as type T or type W, and they are both identical. If you want to upgrade your antenna, I strongly advise you to look for a broadband connection. Moreover, they are generally slightly larger than the other options and are usually installed on roofs.
Grouped together:
Grouped antennas are intended for a specific range of programmes normally advertised by certain television companies. These targets have a certain bandwidth and nothing more, and are generally slightly smaller than broadband antennas.
Indoor and portable
These are the smallest antennas, which look like microphones or even sheets of paper. They are designed to be used in the home to improve the reception of digital television such as Freeview and others. Internal antennas are the smallest and cheapest, but other electronic devices in your home can interfere with signals such as WiFi networks, smartphones, etc.
In summary, here is a short list of things to pay attention to with digital antennas:
- Broadband (Type T, Type W)
- Easy installation
- Prices
- 4G filter
And the others
In general, most antennas pick up the signal from the TV station better than the built-in tuners, and there are many interesting options.
Improved digital air navigation
Looking for product suggestions? This is the one that meets the requirements.
Laboratory LAB450T
Labgear LAB450T is a reliable outdoor digital broadband antenna that receives all digital channels within range. The LAB450T is light and portable, it is very easy to install and you can use it almost anywhere, some people put it on their pens.
The antenna also has a 4G filter to protect against interference from the mobile network, so you can always expect a clear and distinct signal. It works great for Freeview, too. After the prize it is difficult to win, and you can install it yourself without any problems, the steps are relatively simple.
It also has a rotation, so you can easily adjust it for a stronger shot. Before buying a new antenna, make sure you are in the Freeview area. Digital TV only works when you are within easy reach.
Can I watch TV on a smart TV without an antenna?
You can watch Smart TV without an antenna via applications such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub without an antenna, but you do not have access to Freeview or Live TV. You may also consider buying a cheap portable antenna to unlock free channels. Freeview Play is a new service that gives you access to Freeview via streaming, but also here you cannot watch live TV.
Should the aviation centre be upgraded?
Although the old antenna can receive Digital Radio Broadcasting, other problems with your installation, such as faulty or weakened cables due to wear and tear, may result in reception problems. In this case, switching to a new digital antenna can significantly improve the quality of TV reception. Most people who called their old antennas found only a handful of channels, and after the modernization they suddenly had a choice of more than 100 channels.
To update the antenna, do it yourself or hire a professional installer. If you have your own house and access to the roof is easy, it may be an option to install it on your own. But if you don’t feel confident, I suggest you hire a professional.
Bottom row
In summary, buying a dish is a good choice if you are within reach of a TV station like Freeview. It’s a cheap way to avoid cable TV subscription fees and in most cases you don’t need a top box or other equipment. Moreover, the installation of an antenna is usually simple.
Don’t forget that from 2012 all television broadcasts in the UK will use a digital signal, so almost all antennas produced over the last decade will work. The same goes for modern television. You won’t have any compatibility problems, that’s for sure. So if your TV reception is discovered and you plan to buy a new HDTV, I also recommend upgrading the antenna.
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