Off topic - digital antenna

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a "normal" UHF/VHF TV antenna and one that is digital ready? I'm looking at getting some extra TV points in the house and have been advised that I may need to upgrade to a "digital antenna". Whats the difference, looking at the Hills website the "digital" antenna looks exactly like the one I have already?

http://www.hillsantenna.com.au/cattl...ducts/A1108S45

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

There was a TV show on recently about big screen TVs LCD / Plasma ect and antennas, they said there was NO difference in the antenna.

[JamesC Member Find all posts View Profile Close JamesC]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

my old antenna seems to cope alright, if you've gota digital tv or set-top box,i'm sure you'll be right

[Big Fella Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big Fella]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

Mate our aerial is 14yrs old now and looking at the signal right now on digi TV looks faultless and crystal clear. Just got the new TV plugged her in and hit auto tune and it was all there.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

I'd say "suck it and see" - put the extra points in and see how you go.
However if you already have digital, and are receiving all digital channels Ok you shouldn't need to upgrade the antenna. You may however have to upgrade your distribution system and put a masthead amplifier or amplifier/splitter, rather than just a passive splitter, because every new point you stick in will attenuate the signal. This would be the same for both anlogue and digital.

This advice is from a publication put out from ACMA :

Many older antennas should be able to adequately receive the new digital transmission
channels. However, if after the digital receiver goes through its initial installation channel
scan, some broadcasters’ signals show signs of continual picture break-up or are not
found at all, then the antenna (and/or feeder cable) probably needs replacement. For
example, in most capital cities, digital transmissions on channels 6, 11, 12 and 33 - 36,
may not be adequately received on older antennas designed for 2, 7, 9, 10 and 28. In
capital cities for example, an antenna does not need the longer bars at the rear of the
antenna required for reception of analog Ch 2 (called VHF Band 1), but does need to be
able to receive across the full range of Channels 6 to 12 (called VHF Band III) and across
Channels 28 to 35 (called UHF Band IV). Similarly, in many regional areas, the new
digital broadcasts may be in a different frequency band to the old analog channels where
the older antenna reception capability may be lacking.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

I got a set box set up running through rabbit ears works fine

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

My parents 30 - something year old antenna couldn't pick up SBS and everytime a plane flew within a few kilometres overhead the picture would go all snowy. I bought them a digital TV to replace the AWA that they have had since 1975. They got a new digital antenna and now have all the channels, plus radio and no interference from the air traffic.

Not all antenae are the same.

[Russ WA Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Russ WA]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

Perth Channels
The difference is a extra element in front of the others. Channel 2 digital has moved to channel 12,a different frequency and analogue channel 2 will be shut down when they go full digital. Depending in which area you live in Perth is what type of antenna you require .People who live nearer to the transmitter will get away with a poorer quality antenna but if you live in a problem area or behind a hill or along way from transmiters you may need to upgrade.( transmiters are in Walliston/Bickley/Carmel)Others are outside the metro area.
Most people don't see the existing problems they have as analogue TV just goes a bit ghosty or grainy when it get poor signal but digital drops out when the signal gets to low. A good antenna is only about $100 plus install. ( do it yourself) How much time do you spend watching TV and how much did you spend on the TV.
Important to have a good quality quad shielded cable coming from the antenna to the tap or splitter in your roof. Gone are the old saddle and clamp type fittings as they are not efficient. F type connectors are far better because they do not lose as much signal and don't get as much interference.
Older antennas in some areas will work fine but its when they don't work you need to upgrade. A installer will always try to upgrade your antenna because he has to guarantee you a good signal when he leaves and the signal is only as good as the antenna receives.

Cheers Russ

[BIG BRUCE Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BIG BRUCE]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

Ozwapet2 sums it up well . Some of the new digital channels are allocated outside the optimum operational bands of old antennae . Some types of antenna have a significant roll-off out of band (30dB +) and they will need to be replaced (usually higer gain antennae) .
Splitters (2 way have a theoretical loss of 3dB) , which often need to be compensated for , it is good practice to do this by using a higher gain antenna with low loss transmission components rather than by active amplification (better sig/noise ratio , noise floor).
While I work professionally with complex digital RF systems (in Telephony) , I don't play much with TV stuff ,the theory's the same however . I believe the co-polar phased arrays commonally called "Bow Tie" antennae are the go .

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

Ozwapet2 sums it up well . Some of the new digital channels are allocated outside the optimum operational bands of old antennae . Some types of antenna have a significant roll-off out of band (30dB +) and they will need to be replaced (usually higer gain antennae) .
Splitters (2 way have a theoretical loss of 3dB) , which often need to be compensated for , it is good practice to do this by using a higher gain antenna with low loss transmission components rather than by active amplification (better sig/noise ratio , noise floor).
While I work professionally with complex digital RF systems (in Telephony) , I don't play much with TV stuff ,the theory's the same however . I believe the co-polar phased arrays commonally called "Bow Tie" antennae are the go .

You got tv in Tassie?

[markD4D Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close markD4D]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

The big difference between an old analgoue areial and the new digital aerial is the "balun" or the way the coax fits on to the antenna. These days installers use connectrors called F connectors. These are crimped on to the end of the cable and stop interference from near by electrical devices. To reduce interfence (picture break up, pixelation, picture frezing etc) the centre conductor of the coax is not exposed apart from the end where it is connected to the antenna and the other end into the TV or splitter network. The old days off having saddle and screw fittings are gone.

Digital TV reception is more likely to be affected by local electrical interferences. Such as turning on fridges, ovens etc.

You can see the difference between saddle and screwew and f connectors at this link
http://www.academytv.com.au/category7_1.htm

If you find your reception breaking up, pixelating etc. check your fiitings and joins (especially the one on the antenna) it normally rusts out.

Cheers
Mark

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

I live in a so called "fringe zone". I bought my house fifteen years ago, and the antenna collapsed when a flock of Cockies landed on it soon after we moved in.
I taped a stick from the gum tree to it, to hold up all of the sticky outy things, and it worked fine until a couple of years ago when the stick rotted away. I then replaced the stick, with a tomato stake, and it has been good as ever since. We pick up all of the digital channels without a problem.

P.S. I would have uploaded a pic.... but got the message... "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

I live in a so called "fringe zone". I bought my house fifteen years ago, and the antenna collapsed when a flock of Cockies landed on it soon after we moved in.
I taped a stick from the gum tree to it, to hold up all of the sticky outy things, and it worked fine until a couple of years ago when the stick rotted away. I then replaced the stick, with a tomato stake, and it has been good as ever since. We pick up all of the digital channels without a problem.

:lol: :lol: Love it, good old Aussie ingenuity and duct tape and you can fix most things :wink:

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

Here you go....

If you are having difficulty picking up digital signals, I can highly recommend the use of insulation tape and tomato stakes to boost the signal.

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Re: Off topic - digital antenna

I live in a so called "fringe zone". I bought my house fifteen years ago, and the antenna collapsed when a flock of Cockies landed on it soon after we moved in.
I taped a stick from the gum tree to it, to hold up all of the sticky outy things, and it worked fine until a couple of years ago when the stick rotted away. I then replaced the stick, with a tomato stake, and it has been good as ever since. We pick up all of the digital channels without a problem.

P.S. I would have uploaded a pic.... but got the message... "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."

At last - an explanation I can understand :lol: