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The digital television (DTV) transition
refers to the requirement that all full-power television
broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and
broadcast only in digital format by June 12, 2009. Your local
broadcasters may make the transition before then, and some
already have. So be ready. Apply for the $40 converter box
coupon today. Get your converter box, and enjoy the benefits of
digital television now.
If you are having difficulty receiving
digital broadcast stations in your area, this troubleshooting
guide provides a connections checklist and tips on reception of
digital signals.
Use an Antenna that Provides Good
Reception of All Channels
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Most existing antennas used by consumers
will provide good reception of DTV signals. (Before making any
changes, try your existing antenna first to see of it allows you
to receive all the stations you normally watch.)
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For watching DTV signals, you will need an
antenna that provides good reception of both VHF signals
(channels 2-13) and UHF signals (channels 14-51) to reliably
receive all of the digital signals broadcast in your area.
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Many antennas are designed only for
reception of either VHF or UHF signals (but not both). For
example, the commonly used “rabbit ears” indoor antenna is only
suitable for receiving VHF signals. To receive UHF signals, an
indoor antenna should also include a wire loop or other feature
for reception in that band.
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The reception capabilities of TV antennas
also vary considerably, so be sure to talk to retail consultants
and look at information on the packaging and/or the Internet to
make sure that any new antenna you may choose provides good
reception of both VHF and UHF channels. In addition, if you use
an indoor antenna and receive signals on VHF channels, you may
need to use an antenna with amplification.
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Many antennas currently being sold as “HDTV
Antennas,” perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these
models state that they provide reception of signals on channels
7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels. If
you obtain one of these antennas, be sure it provides good
reception of all the VHF channels as well as the UHF channels.
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To check for the DTV signals that are
available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available
at
www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.
Check Your Connections
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Check that your digital-to-analog
converter box or digital television is connected properly.
Make sure your antenna is connected to the antenna input of
your digital-to-analog converter box or digital
television. If using a digital-to-analog converter box,
also ensure that the antenna output of your converter box is
connected to the antenna input of your analog TV. Refer to
the owner’s manuals of your components if you are unsure of
the proper connections.
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Ensure that your components are plugged
in and have their power turned on.
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If you have a digital-to-analog
converter box, tune your analog TV to channel 3. You should
see a set-up menu or picture displayed on your TV screen. If
you do not see a set-up menu or picture, tune your TV to
channel 4. If you still do not see a set-up menu or picture,
recheck your connections.
Perform a Channel Scan
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Digital-to-analog converter boxes and
digital televisions have a button, usually on the remote
control, that is labeled “set-up” or “menu” or some similar
term. Press that button to access the set-up menu. Using the
directional arrow buttons on your remote, scroll to the
option that allows you to perform a “channel scan.” The
channel scan will automatically search for digital broadcast channels that
are available in your area. Consult the owner’s manual of
your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television
for detailed instructions on how to perform a channel scan
for your device.
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Once the channel scan is complete, you
will be able to tune to the digital channels received by
your antenna. You should perform a channel scan
periodically to check whether additional digital channels
have become available.
Adjust Your Antenna
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Small adjustments to your antenna can
make a big difference in the number of digital channels you
can receive. If you have an indoor antenna, try elevating it
and moving it closer to an exterior wall of your home. After
adjusting your antenna, perform another channel scan to see
if your reception is improved.
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While adjusting your antenna, it may be
helpful to access the “signal strength meter” on your
digital-to-analog converter box or digital television to
determine whether your adjustments are improving the
signals’ strength. The signal strength meter is usually
accessed through the menu feature on your remote control.
Refer to the owner’s manual of your device for detailed
instructions on how to access its signal strength meter.
Remember to do another channel scan after you have adjusted
your antenna.
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Television stations broadcasting in
digital use both the VHF band (channels 2-13) and UHF band
(channels 14-51). Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for
the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF
band. Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both
the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly.
If You are Still Having Difficulty:
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Until June 12, 2009, some stations
will be operating at reduced power levels. If you are not
receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not
necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or
digital-to-analog converter box or digital television.
Check with the TV station to find out whether they are
planning changes that will improve reception.
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When an analog TV signal is weak or
receives interference, static, snow, and distortion will
often appear on the screen. Digital broadcasting will
provide a clear picture; however, if the signal falls below
a certain minimum strength, the picture can disappear. This
“cliff effect” means that if you watch analog TV stations
that have static and distortion, you may have to adjust or
upgrade your antenna system.
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Simple indoor antennas provide minimal
performance that may not be suitable for your location. If
you are unable to obtain satisfactory DTV reception with your
current indoor antenna, you may wish to obtain an indoor
antenna that includes features for better reception of UHF
signals, as well as VHF, and/or an amplifier to boost the received signal
(often referred to as an active indoor antenna).
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Generally, an outdoor antenna will get
better reception than an indoor antenna. However, the
performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to
exposure to the weather. If you are having problems, check
for loose or corroded wiring, broken antenna elements and
that the antenna is pointed in the right direction.
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Try to keep the length of wire between
your antenna and digital-to-analog converter box or digital
television as short as possible for best reception.
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“Splitters” that are used to connect a
single antenna to multiple digital-to-analog converter boxes
or digital televisions reduce the amount of signal
available to each device. If you are having problems, check
whether reception is improved without the splitter. In some
cases an “active” splitter that includes an amplifier can
solve the problem.
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If you are near a station’s broadcast
tower, reception of that station, as well as other stations,
can be impeded by strong signal “overload.” Consider using an
“attenuator” or removing amplifiers to improve your
reception.
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If you decide to replace or upgrade
your indoor or outdoor antenna, many types are available
from electronics retail stores at a variety of prices.
Websites such as
www.antennaweb.org provide information on the locations
of broadcast towers and the types of outdoor antennas
appropriate for the stations you wish to receive. If you
need assistance with upgrading your antenna system, check
with a local antenna retailer or antenna installer.
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To check for the DTV signals that are
available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps
available at
www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.
For more information about the DTV
transition, go to www.dtv.gov
or contact the FCC by e-mailing
dtvinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
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