Buying Guide for TV Antennas
TV antenna is used to receive broadcast signals from relaying stations meant for television. The antenna is connected to TV set using cable usually of 75 Ohm. This type of antenna to receive TV signal is designed for VHF and UHF frequencies. The purpose of the antenna is to intercept radio waves from the desired television stations and convert them to tiny radio frequency alternating currents that are applied to the tuner of the television, that in-turn extracts the television signal.
There are two main categories of TV antenna, indoor and outdoor. Indoor antenna types are half wave dipole and loop antennas. They are small in size and easy to move. Outdoor antenna types are Yagi, log periodic, and phased array antennas. They are large in size and a bit cumbersome to install. You can find the best deals on Amazon for a wide variety of best premium tv antennas.
Benefits of TV Antennas
Better Visual Quality
Cable gives you the option of standard definition or paying more for high definition. While, with an antenna you will get uncompressed HD. That is going to give you a better visual clarity than you would receive with cable.
Reduces Glitches and Tape Delays
TV antennas improve the signal strength and quality of the signal received by the TV. This helps to reduce the number of missed or dropped frames, and also improves the overall picture quality.
Antennas Save Money
Antennas are, by default, money savers because their job is to receive free TV. If you use a cable or satellite service, you may pay a monthly local service fee to receive local channels. Installing a TV antenna means you can cancel that service fee and enjoy local programming for free that is how it was meant to be.
Receive Out of Market Channels
If you live near multiple TV markets, you may be able to receive signals from more than one area. If so, having a TV antenna will allow you to access free stations in multiple markets, along with more subchannels and a wider range of news and sports programming.
Factors to Consider Before Buying TV Antennas
Indoor or Outdoor Antenna
Internal antennas do not perform as well, the walls of the building reduce the signal and there are also reflections caused by objects on the building. Interference levels are also higher from fluorescent lights, electrical equipment and many other items. External antennas are able to pick up a much better signal, but they cost more to erect and the cables are longer. If you live in a high signal area then an internal antenna may work well for you, but if the signal is not too strong, then an external antenna will always be better.
Frequency Range
The frequency range for a TV antenna is the range of frequencies that the antenna can receive. The lower the frequency, the more channels you will be able to receive. If you are in a rural area, you will need an antenna with a lower frequency range. If you are in an urban area, you will need an antenna with a higher frequency range.
Gain and Directivity
Gain is the increase in what may be termed as the sensitivity of an antenna in a particular direction. The higher the gain, the greater its ability to pick up weak signals. When the gain is increased, the antenna also becomes more directive, meaning that it must be more accurately directed towards the TV transmitter, but also this has the effect of reducing the level of interference that might be received from other directions. The gain is specified in dB, or decibels. The higher the number of decibels the higher the gain. As decibels are only a ratio, it means that the ratio must compare the gain of the TV antenna to a standard.
Mechanical Robustness
With externally mounted television antennas needing to withstand the rigours of the weather, any antenna that might be chosen should be robust. It is sometimes interesting to walk around the locality and see which types of antennas remain intact, and which types start to fall apart. Some designs may be more prone to failure than others, so it is worth checking to see which ones seem to survive best.
Conclusion
TV antennas are a great way to get free HD channels without paying for cable. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one-size fits-all solution. The signal quality and the price are the two important benefits for TV antennas. The best antenna for you will depend on a number of factors, including your location, the type of TV you have, and your budget. If you want to learn more about your buying options, take a look at some of the best outdoor tv antennas and best channel master tv antennas.
