Can you buy smart antennas for televisions?

Question

I recently bought a digital converter box and hooked it up to my antenna and tv. The antenna only got a few channels, so I bought a new amplification antenna. It still doesn't get all the channels. The booklet for the converter box said a smart antenna is recommended. I've called all the local electronics stores, but no one carries or knows what a smart antenna is. Does anyone know if you can buy smart antennas for televisions? If so, where? I also welcome any tips for getting my amplification antenna to work better. Thanks!

Answer 1

To avoid the problems with amplified antennas the best amp is a mast head amp .

PS Never heard of "Smart Antennas " only smart salesmen !

Cheers Pete

Answer 2

Wow George really has the spam thing down.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Stations.as...

This website will give you a basic requirement for an antenna for what you want. Just give it your Zip Code and follow the instructions. When you get to the page with all the stations available print that out and take it to Radio Shack or Lowes or the like (yes Lowes has antennae). The color codes are what you will need to match up.

Your amplified antenna is probably a set top antenna. Most arent worth anything unless you are pretty close to the transmitter (as you have found out). You probably wont need to get one with an amp if you are able to get a decent roof top one.

~~~~    EDIT    ~~~~

Once you go through the antenna.web site and get to the color codes, click the "view street level map" button just above all the stations. This will give you that map again only this time it will show you the directions that you need to point the antenna in to get certain transmissions.

If all you need is a red coded antenna and you have a red coded antenna then you should just have to point it in the right direction.

HTH

Answer 3

The new adaptive VHF/UHF antennas that utilize CEA-909 “Smart” Antenna Control Interface technology can be very beneficial wherever difficult signal conditions exist. It’s important to keep in mind that CEA-909 “Smart” Antennas are typically limited to a distance of roughly 30 miles or so between a TV transmitter and a TV receiver. Nevertheless it is a worthwhile feature IF you live within reasonable proximity to several of your favorite stations’ local TV transmitters.



As you may have already discovered searching online for the new VHF/UHF TV “smart antennas” (and related information) can be problematic. This largely results from the fact that “smart antenna” technology is quite common in wireless networking. To minimize confusion or difficulty when researching or searching for adaptive CEA-909 “smart” antennas I recommend that you try using specific terms such as “CEA-909” or “CEA-909 Antenna Control Interface,” etc.



Though your problems may (still) be related to your antenna it’s also possible that you may have a substandard converter box. Owner feedback and reviews are beginning to increase in number on the ’net and it’s clear that some coupon eligible converter boxes (or CECBs) simply perform poorly. It must be said that those consumers who wait until late summer to early fall for additional CECBs to be released will be rewarded for their patience not only with a greater selection but possibly some better performing models.



If replacing your CECB failed to improve matters then it would be highly likely that you need to replace your antenna with a much better unit (amplified or passive - with or without CEA-909 “Smart” antenna technology.) You should also be aware that indoor antennas can never match the level of performance that is available from a good outdoor VHF/UHF antenna; the size of an antenna is a significant factor when it comes to performance. Furthermore, it’s possible that you may never be able to receive certain TV stations no matter how much time and money you spend in an attempt find that elusive, optimal indoor antenna/converter box combination. It may simply be the result of the limitations inherent in using an indoor antenna when only an outdoor antenna (with or without a pre/amplifier) would provide the necessary minimum level of performance relative to the signal conditions at your location.



With so many digital-to-analog converter boxes and VHF/UHF TV antennas from which to choose I recommend that you thoroughly search through the WTFDA Website and forum as well as the AVScience forum before purchasing any new antennas (or CECBs.) If that fails to help try posting detailed inquiries in the appropriate forums on both Websites. Also, the National Translator Association’s convention papers contain some good information on antennas and antenna technology as well as information related to DTV reception.



Reception of digital over-the-air TV signals can be a bit more difficult than analog, in part due to the nature of digital terrestrial broadcasting as well as the fact that digital TV signals are broadcast at much lower effective radiated power (ERP) levels. Those who live in fringe reception areas will invariably experience greater constraints when attempting to receive DTV signals.



When it comes to over-the-air service and maximizing your TV signal reception it is always beneficial to know the distance and direction between you and all of the local TV transmitters serving your area. For this purpose I highly recommend using the TV Fool and AntennaWeb Websites to which I’ve provided links below.



The CEA/AntennaWeb antenna color codes are intended to simplify antenna selection for consumers when using the AntennaWeb.org local TV transmitter mapping program. Consumers are recommended to choose the antenna color code that best matches the corresponding AntennaWeb color code(s) for their favorite stations’ local TV transmitters.



If you are interested in additional information please try the resources below including even more resources listed in my answers to the Y!A questions listed below.



######## RESOURCES ########



Wiki: CEA-909

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEA-909



CEA-909-A Antenna Control Interface

http://www.ce.org/standards/StandardDeta...



Smart Antennas

http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt...



WTFDA DX Equipment Reviews

http://www.wtfda.org

WTFDA Forums

http://www.wtfda.info



The National Translator Association - 2007 Convention Papers

http://www.tvfmtranslators.com/nta1_005....



HDTVexpert¹ — Digital TV Reception

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/receptio...

HDTVexpert¹ — Indoor HDTV/DTV (8VSB) Reception

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/8vsbpf.h...

HDTVexpert¹ — DTV Reception Out On The Fringe

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/Recept...



¹(I also highly recommend reading Peter Putman’s indoor and outdoor DTV antenna tests.)



Question about digital converter boxes?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Is there such a thing as a digital television signal amplifier?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...



ATSC Converter Box comparisons

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthrea...



Wiki: Comparison of CECB units

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_...



TV Fool

http://www.tvfool.com



AntennaWeb

http://www.antennaweb.org

AntennaWeb - Types of Antennas

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/info.aspx?p...

AntennaWeb - Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/info.aspx?p...

AntennaWeb - “Maximize Your Antenna Reception”

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp...



Class A (CA), Low-Power (LP), and Translator TV Stations

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/LPTVma...