HD Set Top Box with USB PVR + Antenna Bundle $99 (Save $50) @ DSE

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• 

  Russ on 06/04/2013 - 10:30

  +2

  Sounds like DSE is trying to cash in on the "digital is different, you'll need a new antenna" myth that has been widely spread by antenna installation companies.

  Here's the truth: the antenna doesn't care whether the transmissions are digital, analog, or martian. It's just a radio-frequency signal.

  However, there is ONE situation when you may need a new antenna to receive digital: if your antenna is really old and can't receive UHF stations. Some, not all, TV stations are transmitting the digital signals on UHF frequencies. AFAIK, SBS is transmitted on UHF everywhere in Australia, so if you can receive SBS your antenna is almost certainly fine for digital TV.

  And if you DO discover that you need a new antenna, most people in cities will be fine with a rabbit-ears antenna, which costs about $10 from discount stores. Digital is much less fussy than the analog system which is being phased out, you often don't even have to align the antenna.

  • 

    tonka on 06/04/2013 - 10:34

    +1

    Thanks for the info, any ideas why I can get every channel perfect but One and Nine digital are terrible?

    • 

      Russ on 06/04/2013 - 10:42

      +2

      The antennas of the type like DSE are selling, are very directional. They receive signals well when they are pointing to the TV station's transmission tower. It is possible that the TV stations are using a different transmission tower to transmit the digital stations you are having trouble with, one that your antenna isn't pointing towards.

      Is your set-top box reporting low signal level, low signal quality, or both?

      • 

        tonka on 06/04/2013 - 13:02

        No set-top just straight in the back of the Plasma. I will try pointing some rabbit ears around :-).

      • 

        Russ on 06/04/2013 - 13:48

        +2

        You could try replacing the antenna cable between the TV and the wall socket first, these cables are frequently the cause of bad reception. The center wire in almost all antenna cables is a solid wire, and flexing such cables more than a couple of times will make the center wire break.

        Even with a broken center wire, enough of the signal often gets through for the stronger stations to still be received okay.

        If you have more than one TV, swap the antenna cables, and see if the problem moves with the antenna cable.

  • 

    deal88 on 06/04/2013 - 19:50

    The antenna info does say… " Horizontal ⁄ Vertical model is ideal for ACT, Bundaberg, Sheparton and Taree"

    These areas may not work so good with rabbit ears.

  • 

    jjj123 on 07/04/2013 - 01:10

    my problem is difficult.

    When i use my roof antenna i can see 7,9,11,1 VHF channels very clearly-signal is strong but not able to see all abcs and sbss UHF channels.

    While i use the in house rabbit ears antenna, all abcs and sbcs work great with good signal but can not see those 7 9 11 1 VHF channels.

    Very strange…

• 

  lousy on 06/04/2013 - 12:41

  I feel like jims antennas conned me into replacing my old antenna now :(

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 06/04/2013 - 13:03

    +1

    @lousy
    You are right
    Technically, No such thing as a "Digital" antenna. An antenna is simply a transducer that converts electromagnetic waves (TV signals) to electrical signals.
    Many older antennas can receive digital TV channels.

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  DH on 06/04/2013 - 13:59

  Many older antennas at most will need maybe an amp, we had a 25 year old antenna all it needed was an amp worth $50 by memory