Basically, antennas help receive over-the-air broadcast signals from a TV station or broadcasting tower to your television set at home. As you might already know, they come in two types, these being the indoor antenna, which is located inside the house, and outdoor antenna, which is mounted outside the house preferably at high points above the ground such as the roof of the house. They’re often an ideal alternative for people who want to cancel cable TV or simply have a backup whenever cable TV signals go down due to factors such as poor weather conditions.
Sometimes TV antennas can be a bit challenging to install and may require you to hire a professional for the job. For the best experience, the antenna needs to be strategically placed and positioned for easy reception of broadcast signals while minimizing damage to this clever piece of equipment. Apart from this, here are a few things you should know about TV antennas.
Not All TV Antennas Are Equal
Whether indoor or outdoor, TV antennas come in different sizes, shapes, features, range capacities, and performance levels. Also, different antennas have different definitions. They all receive the same sound and picture quality but there’s a difference is the uncompressed signal each antenna receives. Some will be in HD while others will be in a standard definition. John Temple from SerifTV asserts that for the best TV experience, it’s best to do more research on the topic and also seek professional recommendations on the best antenna for your TV. In this line, reading professional TV antenna reviews online can be a huge savior of time and effort, especially when it comes to outdoor antennas.
Physical Features Weaken Signals
The higher you place your antenna, the better the reception and clarity. Hills, trees, walls, and buildings tend to weaken and bend signals, causing disruptions. When your TV aerial is high and free from obstruction, performance is at its best. TV signals travel in a “line of sight”, meaning that if the line encounters an obstruction during transmission, reception of frequency on your television will be interrupted. This is something you should have in mind not only when installing an outdoor antenna, but also when buying one.
Broadcast Signals Are More Superior
It almost goes without saying; that cable and satellite signals give a high-definition output. But in comparison, broadcast signals are more superior because you won’t have to pay for over-the-air (OTA) channels, plus you’ll get a great picture and sound quality. These signals are also free from compressions, which are common in cable and satellite TV. This provides you with an HD viewing experience on a budget, and the benefits don’t stop there!
Know Your Television
Before approaching the market for an outdoor antenna, it is important to note that different TV sets may have different signal needs. This means that the best antenna for you will also depend on the kind of TV you own. If you have more than one TV set in your home, you will also want to look for an antenna that can support signal splitting without affecting picture and sound quality as well as your viewing experience. In some cases, you may also invest in accessories like signal boosters and low-noise amplifiers, which help compensate for the lost signal strength in splitting.
They Bring New Local Channels to You
More often than not, satellite and cable TV subscriptions limit your viewing experience to their packages. Most of them don’t provide all the channels available in your location. This is especially the case if you live near a broadcast station that offers additional regional programming free of charge. Talk of local news broadcasts, kids’ shows, sports, and classic movies… you might be missing a lot if you’re tied to cable TV. With an outdoor antenna installed, you can unlock additional local TV channels without spending an extra dime on it.
Antennas Are a Compliment to Any Subscription
As earlier mentioned, cable and satellite TV are known to jam and stop working from time to time, especially due to unfavorable weather. If you have a digital TV antenna, you can simply pick up from where you left in minutes, especially when it comes to OTA broadcasts. Having an outdoor TV antenna can be a great backup solution in case things go south with your cable or satellite subscription service.
As you can see, both indoor and outdoor TV antennas provide many benefits. From reducing your monthly home entertainment budget to providing you with more HD broadcast content, superior quality, and acting as a backup solution when cable/satellite signals go down, all-digital TV antennas do is improve your viewing experience. All the same, don’t forget to choose the right antenna and have it professionally installed for the best signal reception… you won’t regret the experience!
Thanks for pointing out that television antennas can complement any subscription I may have in the future. I think that it would benefit me to have a TV at home after years of only consuming entertainment through the internet. Having a TV will help in making me have a wider range of sources when consuming the news.