The technologies of digital television, terrestrial television and antennas can seem a little complicated when it comes to setting up your home entertainment system. But with a little help from an expert and some research, you will be able to choose the perfect antenna for the perfect reception. Antenna installation can be quick and easy, so here is a quick guide on choosing the right antenna for the job.

When digital television was introduced a few years ago, many people were confused about what equipment they needed to receive the new channels. Whilst newer television sets could receive the digital signals, others were pointed in the direction of set top boxes being used with their existing equipment. These days, there is a whole swathe of options to choose from to get you the best picture, but the best place to start is by picking the right antenna for your setup.

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There are many different types of antenna out there on the market. From mini TV top aerials, multi-prong roof antennas as well as high gain antennas for those with poor reception. But what is the right antenna for you? Well, to start enjoying crystal clear digital terrestrial television you will need to know what services are available in your area.

When to Upgrade Your Antenna

Many new areas are being added all of the time, with digital antennas being able to cover a large percentage of the population. For many of these hot spot areas, your existing antenna will be able to pick up the signals, provided you already have a television or set top box capable of receiving the digital signals.

Once you are certain you live in an area that can receive a digital signal, choosing the appropriate antenna will be the next step. A rule of thumb is that the further away from an antenna you are, you will receive a weaker signal. With digital television, you either get a signal or you do not. There is no snowy picture, just digital artefacts, so choosing a high-gain antenna will allow you to lock onto weaker signals and improve the overall reception.

In many areas of the country, especially in larger cities you may find that two antennas interfere with the picture where you live. In these cases, the two transmitters may have overlapping signals, meaning sometimes a channel may disappear and new channels pop up every now and then. In these cases you will need a wide band antenna to allow for the reception of channels from both or all transmitters in your local area.

Hire a Professional for the Job

A professional antenna installation engineer will be able to walk you through the initial set up process, as well as offering you a choice of antennas that are appropriate to your locality. They will have access to specialist equipment that can meter the signal strength of your local transmitter and point you in the right direction, literally.

Many professional antenna installation engineers will also be able to fully route your home of cables and TV point outlets to allow you access to multiple televisions around your home, each with perfect reception. The latest antennas offer you the ability to garner a great signal from even the weakest transmitters, so don’t worry if you have always had bad TV reception, you just might be able to benefit from the latest digital high-definition pictures that terrestrial television now offers.