Another question about using a TV converter box.?

Question

I have a 5 year old JVC 30" TV. Formerly had channels 7 (Spanish), 9-Fox, 11-NBC, and 13-CBS. I bought a Zenith converter box for the upcoming transition and hoping to get more channels and improve my picture. Nope, hours of adjusting got me a really clear Spanish station, 9, and a not very good 13. I lost 11. Went and got a new antenna and a power booster coaxial cable. I maneuvered the antenna for an hour but the best I got was worse. I got 9.2 and another Spanish station 9.3 loud and clear, but now, on top of no 11, I also lost 13. I disconnected everything and went back to my not so clear analog. I can't yet afford an HD. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The tuner in the Zenith converter is about as good as they come. That means that buying even the most expensive HDTV will not get you any better digital reception.

All of the analog stations you mention (7, 9, 11, & 13) are in the "VHF- Hi" band (7-13). TV broadcasts in the VHF band have an inherently longer range than UHF (channels 14-69). Unlike analog TV channels, digital TV channels numbers are like names and do not tell you what frequency band they are actually transmitting on.

Until the analog shutdown on 2/17/09, many digital broadcasts are being made in the UHF band. After 2/17/09 some stations will switch their digital signals back to original analog frequency.

The tvfool.com web site can tell you the "real" or "analog equivalent" channel for the digital channels plus important information on the direction & distance to the transmitters.

If your problem is being caused by distance and obstructions   between you and the TV transmitters, the solution involves how big and how high you need to place your antenna. But if you are using indoor antennas, the construction of the building you are in can play havoc with reception. If they are indoor antennas, see what kind of results you get by temporarily moving your antennas around, particularly outside in the direction of the transmitters and/or as high as you can get it. You can get a length of RG-6 coax cable pretty cheap and experiment.

Flat metal objects act as mirrors to TV signals. This includes metal siding, foil backed insulation, metal screens, and the chicken wire used in stucco/fake adobe construction. Water/dirt/concrete will absorb/block TV signals.

If you ask a question about what antenna is best, be sure to include your zip code, distance to transmitters, and what antennas/locations you have tried and what results you got. TV antennas are sometimes mounted in attics  as a compromise between  indoor and rooftop antennas.