My picture on my TV is worse with the converter box. Any suggestions to make it better?

Question

I hooked up my digital to analog converter box and my reception is worse. The channels which were clear are now fuzzy and channels that were fuzzy are no longer there to view. I get channels from the Greenville, SC (21 Fox and 4 NBC)/ Asheville, NC (13 ABC)/ Toccoa, GA (32 CBS) areas plus Channels 33, 34, and 62 which are independent or PBS. Now I get fuzzy pictures on 13, 21, and 32. I have an outside antenna. The TV is a Daewoo and the coverter box is an Access HD (got from Radio Shack). I don't know if the problem is with the TV (works fine on analog), the converter, or the antenna which worked fine until I hooked the box up. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Some converters provide a capability to pass-thru analog channels. Since the analog signals are still being broadcasted until Feb, 2009, I suspect that you are using the tuner in your TV to view these analog stations. I would not expect the analog stations to look as good as they did when your antenna was directly attached to your TV. Instead, tune your TV to channel 3 (you usually set in the converter's menu to use channel 3 or 4) & use the remote that came with the converter box to select the digital channels. Digital channels should all appear with a subchannel number such as: 13-1, 21-1, 32-1, 32-2, etc. when you initially tune to these channels. I'm certain the digital version of your local broadcasted channels will be much better than the analog versions.

If you still are having problems receiving all your local channels, you may want to go to http://www.antennaweb.com and determine if your antenna system needs upgrading. This site will provide you with useful information on the proper antenna needed (& possible need for an RF amplifier) in your specific area. Just use the "Choose an Antenna" selection. Good luck and welcome to the digital age!

Answer 2

If you check

https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

they have a list of converter boxes. The ones starred with an asterisk have analog pass-through. It doesn't look like the Access HD has it, but check your model number on the list.

In my experience, if you got good reception in analog,you'll get excellent reception in digital.

I hate to ask you this, but just for thoroughness, are you using the tuner in the converter box? You must use that one, not the TV's tuner. If you hooked up with coax, set the TV to channel 3 and use the converters remote control to change channels. If you hooked up with composite cables (yellow/red/white), then set the TV to AV or Line and again, use the converter remote control.

You must also run a channel scan using the menu on the converter box to set all the channel information into the box.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

I believe Well Lit is correct.  Listen to him.