Ballarat Electricians
TV Antenna installations in Ballarat
Providing all general electrical services - wiring, installations and repair
How to get the best TV reception? Top 3 Tips
With TV quality improving over the last few decades, no longer is it possible to capture good reception with the old frequencies. That is because with a higher quality image, TV signals are sending extra information over the airways. It is similar to AM and FM radio, although AM signals can be sent further distances and reach deep valleys and high mountains, the quality of AM is lower. FM radio has the capability to send more data and the quality of audio is higher, but the signal is more susceptible to interference. The same with digital TV vs analog, while they are both using radio frequencies, with more information and data such as digital TV, those frequencies are shorter and are prone to interference compared to the old frequency ranges.
So without getting too technical, basically digital TV signals are more sensitive so it doesn’t take much to go from having a great signal to zero reception. Obviously the most important aspect is ensuring a professional TV Antenna Installation.
Here we hope to help you reduce the risk of losing reception. We have compiled the top 3 tips you can apply to get better TV Antenna reception. Read on to see if you can learn anything and ensure the highest quality TV for your home.1. TV Antenna Placement
This is obviously the most crucial part of all. Ensuring that the placement of the antenna is in the most optimal position available. It isn’t a guessing game for an expert electrician, there are signal measuring devices that can pinpoint the best place for a TV Antenna Installation. Not always is the highest point of a roof the best spot, often the strongest signal is coming from one side. Positioning the antenna at the highest point on a roof can increase the risk of interference of other frequencies. If the signal is strongest on one side of the roof, then there is no reason to position the antenna elsewhere. Using a fully licensed professional will save you the hassle of guessing.
2. TV Antenna Interference
Think about TV reception the same as mobile, radio or WiFi reception. When there is a clear pathway for the signal then it is strongest. But, not only do mountains, trees or walls cause subtle interference, other signals can also clash. A sudden cause for interference can be a new WiFi router. If the router is positioned directly under the TV antenna, these signals can clash and cause interference for both TV reception and Internet signal. Try moving the router or turning it off to test if this improves your TV signal.
Another thing to consider are your neighbors. Do they have any tall trees that are shadowing your TV Antenna? Is their home a double story or are they planning on building a second story? Any physical materials such as trees or buildings will block TV signals and reduce the available reception. You may need a taller TV Antenna Installation in this case.3. TV Antenna Signal Boost with Amplifier
Firstly, what exactly is a TV antenna amplifier?
A TV Antenna Amplifier is a small device that is plugged in between your TV and the TV point on the wall. It also requires power from a powerpoint and boosts the signal coming from the Antenna to your TV.
All high quality TV antennas come with their own built-in amplifier. However, you still may be having a less than satisfactory signal strength. It is not advisable to add an additional amplifier into the chain, this is because boosting signal strength via an amplifier increases the sensitivity and distorts the signal. So an amplifier is a roll of the dice but can potentially solve the problem. So don’t be buying an amplifier thinking it will fix the issue, because it may make the issue worse. You will find that with an amplifier, your TV signal can become an issue on windy days. With increased sensitivity there is an increased chance of interference along all the pathways a TV signal takes.So with these 3 tips, advice and information, you now have a better understanding of what your issue could be. It may be just as simple as moving your WiFi router. Or you may have a more complex problem with your neighbors building a second story. In which case, you may need a new TV Antenna Installation to increase the height of your Antenna and signal strength. Happy watching!
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