In the second half of 2013, Melbourne switched off their analog TV signals and switch to digital only TV.
There is no better way to relax at the end of the day than coming home and being able to watch your favorite TV shows with a crystal clear picture but what do you do if your signal isn’t great or you’re not even picking up a signal at all? If you are having any of the below issues, then give us a call – our advice over the phone costs you nothing!
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Is my TV digital ready?
Digital TV is currently available in all areas of Australia. For best viewing results it’s important to have a TV that has HDTV (high definition TV) or alternatively, you can install a digital set top box – click here for more information.
Do I need to replace my antenna?
If you have a TV which supports High Definition resolutions (HDTV or HD Ready) and your antenna is analogue, then you may have to upgrade your existing antenna to a digital ready antenna. As the networks upgrade from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment to receive the digital signal, including a digital antenna. If your antenna is older than a few years, it might not be capable of effectively receiving a digital television signal and you will need to upgrade. Of course, you should have checked that you have a digital TV or a digital set top box first. If you need a new antenna installed, give us a call! We can usually provide same day installation.
Book your installation today!
Call now on 0417 582 116
Antenna cable not compatible?
Signal is lost in the coaxial cable distribution.
One of the most common problems with TV reception is the deterioration of the antenna cable, either inside or outside the home. The outside jacket of the cable can actually wear away, allowing water and other contaminants in which actually degrades the quality of your signal. If you notice that your reception is worse during rainy periods, then the cable could definitely be the issue.
Check for corrosion, bad cable fittings, or a cable compromised by rodents or weather. Also, splitters will cut a great deal of signal strength, disconnect them and run the cable directly into the digital receiver. If the reception improves, a distribution amplifier is likely to be the solution. Leftover parts from a satellite installation may not be compatible, removing or bypassing these items would allow the signal to transmit to the digital tuner.
Another common issue with antennas concerns the actual outlet inside the home. Over time, the connector inside the outlet can become loose, causing an issue with reception. There may also be a problem with how the actual antenna outlet was connected to the cable that runs to the external antenna. In some cases, the insulation is not removed from the cable fully, so it doesn’t connect properly to the outlet.
Book your installation today!
Call now on 0417 582 116
Issues with the Antenna Outlet?
Broken Fly Leads
One common problem, and also one of the easiest to fix, is a broken fly lead. A fly lead is simply the lead that you use to connect your TV to the antenna, plugging one end into the TV and the other into the antenna outlet on the wall. If you suspect that there is a problem with your fly lead, you can try another one that you know works well. Fly leads often develop issues near the plug fitting as they get bumped, bent and broken.
The Antenna Faces in the Wrong Direction
This is the most common issue we see each day where the antenna has come loose and is facing the wrong direction and this will have a very big impact on the picture quality in your home. In some cases, you may not be able to get on your roof to rectify the problem so this is where you should call a professional to fix the problem for you.
The TV is not receiving any signals
There are many causes for a TV not receiving any signal but one possible cause is there is not a clear line of sight to the broadcast towers.
If hills or other geographic features are in between the broadcast towers and the antenna, you would not be receiving enough signals. Elevating the antenna higher, either by placing it in a higher location or using a taller mast, would increase the signal reception. Other buildings, trees, or even shrubs will block signal from reaching the antenna. Try to get the clearest most unobstructed view to the broadcast tower possible.
Faulty Digital Tuner
It doesn’t happen often, but a digital tuner can be faulty. Since the ATSC tuner is separate from HDMI or other inputs, the tuner would not affect any other portion of the television. It is possible for a tuner to be faulty on a new TV right out of the box. As a second step in troubleshooting, try installing the antenna and cable to a secondary TV
I'm receiving every channel except for one
One of the possible causes is that the channel is broadcasting at a reduced power. Low power TV stations are common. Repeater or translator stations usually have low power outputs as do TV stations with Class A LPTV entitled to greater interference protection. Other stations will run lower power due to economic reasons.
The station is broadcasting on a different frequency. While the majority of TV stations transmit on the UHF frequency, there are some using VHF. While some UHF antennas pick up VHF signals, it is necessary to use an antenna optimized for UHF or UHF/VHF frequencies.
The channels broadcast antenna is located at a lower elevation on the tower or even behind other broadcast towers. Lower elevation or obstruction by other towers can cause line of sight problems. Change the location or elevation of the antenna to troubleshoot this problem.
The picture isn't clear or I see snow (fuzz)
A common problem is that the TV does not have a built in ATSC digital tuner.Digital signals do NOT have snow! If you are receiving snow or fuzz, you are watching an analog broadcast. Typically, people with this problem either don’t have an ATSC tuner built into their TV. Consult the TV’s owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer directly to find out if the TV has a built in ATSC digital tuner. If it does not have one, an external ATSC tuner can be purchased, so you can use your existing TV.
Another thing to consider is the auto program or channel scan procedure was not performed correctly. If the TV does have an internal ATSC tuner, make sure the televisions input or source is set to “TV”. In the auto or channel program section of the TV’s setup, make sure the “AIR” not “CABLE” is selected to scan the channels. There are many different manufacturers and models of televisions, the procedures to perform a channel scan can vary between different models. If you are not receiving High Definition programming consult the TV’s manual or contact the manufacturer to make sure these steps are followed correctly
What sort of set top box should I buy?
If you have an older TV which is in good condition then you may decide that you want to keep it and add a Digital Set Top box. There are many different types of Digital Set Top boxes all ranging in price and quality. If you buy a Standard Definition Set-top box (SDTV) then you will not be able to get any of the new FREEVIEW channels which are broadcast in digital. If you buy a High Definition Set-top box (HDTV) then you will get all of the FREEVIEW digital channels. Click here for more information.
Why do I have poor digital TV reception?
There are a number of reasons why you may have poor digital television reception. Here are some of the common problems:
- An incorrectly set up antenna. You need to ensure that your antenna is:
- the right one for the television services being broadcast in your area
- pointing towards the transmitter that provides you with the strongest signal
- correctly ‘polarised’ (either vertically or horizontally).
- Poorly maintained television reception equipment. You need to ensure that:
- your antenna is in good condition
- there are no loose or badly fitting connections or plugs
- your cabling is of good quality.
- A weak television signal.
If you live some distance from the transmitter serving your area, the signal may be weak by the time it reaches you. If this is the case, you may need to install a high gain antenna to strengthen the signal. In areas where the signal is very weak, viewers may also need to install a masthead amplifier or booster to receive an adequate signal.
