Analog/Digital T. V.?

Question

Which is the stronger signal analog or digital.

Answer 1

Boy, that's a loaded question.  Typically neither is more powerful.  One just works better than the other in most cases.

In terms of signal strength, the FCC went to great lengths to make a station's Digital signal coverage "replicate" it's analog coverage.  So, if an engineer goes out in the field and takes signal strength measurements, in many cases the signals coincide nicely.

However, at the heart of the matter is the way the signals are received in the TV set.  An analog signal shows everything, noise, ghosts (multipath distortion), everything.  And a viewer can watch the picture until it gets so bad they give up.

Digital, on the other hand, is computer style data.  If the set can make out the data, it can assemble a perfect picture every time.  If it can't make out the data then it gives up and acts like nothing is there.  All the noise and multipath is still there, just like in analog, the viewer just doesn't see it.

So, the viewer perception is an improved picture.  Many viewers equate this to a "better" or "more powerful" signal when in actuality it's just better at ignoring noise and other nasties.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Well theres no easy answer....

Digital is the best picture quailty but you may need a digital aerial and a set top box to receive it.

Annalogue can be picked up better on an old aerial and does not need an set top box.

So I guess it depends on your situation as to which will be stronger!

Answer 3

Its Digital