If you don't believe me, read the reviews online. I'll send you my new articles, no more than once a month. Do not use an unnecessarily long cable though, as that will reduce your signal level! digital high-definition channels and subchannels. I moved my Mohu Leaf to my skylight and got even more channels! I have a friend (and several readers) who get the best reception with the Leaf antenna taped to their ceiling! They can perform worse than non-powered antennas when strong signals are present. The reflector basically blocks all signals from the backside, so if your signals are coming from two different directions, removing the reflector might get you more channels! I personally test and/or research each product or service before endorsing it. area. As a test, unplug all nearby computers, VCRs, DVD players, set-top boxes, stereo equipment, Wi-Fi routers, and anything else electronic or electric. Of course, this requires you to buy another antenna, plus a coupler to combine the signals, plus some more coax cable. More to consider from our brands . Installations at least 30 feet above the ground level provides an optimum connection. Apparently, some Amazon Fire TV Sticks emit a lot of electromagnetic interference. 0 A. americanaudiophile Titan. An amazingly effective solution confirmed by many folks online is to wrap the stick in tinfoil! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "disablemycable-20"; This is my first antenna, so I have nothing to compare it with, but I am pleased. I'm not very technical . Report abuse. Some tend to pixelate a little for a second more than others, but I guess that could just be outside interference that I have no control over. For help choosing the right HDTV antenna, contact us or use our antenna selector. Nearby electric equipment could be interfering with your TV reception. If your antenna came with an amplifier (i.e., if you plug it into the wall for power), then try removing the amplifier and seeing if your reception improves. Fantastic, but the only problem is that I constantly had to get up from my comfort zone and adjust the antenna. … This is an independent review site. Practically speaking, however, I have had success combining two of the same type of indoor antenna when the TV signals are coming from different directions. code on this page to see a list of digital channels available in your Then, re-test. By touching the outside metal part of the cable to a physical ground or any chunk of metal that goes to the ground (such as a pipe, light switch screw, etc.) Turn on your TV and use your Remote: Press the "Source" button - Scroll to TV, and press the OK key; Press the "Menu" button, and scroll down to "Channel"; press … If the offending piece of equipment is connected to your TV via HDMI, for example, you can get an HDMI cable with ferrite cores (or add them separately) to try to block the interference. Many local channels The channel number displayed on your TV may be different than the channel number that the signal is broadcast on. In my testing, once you spend $40 on an indoor antenna, the performance doesn't vary that much. However, if you are inclined towards an indoor TV antenna, you can choose either an amplified or non-amplified antenna. No reports of problems using the remote or Wi-Fi after doing that, but if those things stop working you may need to leave a little gap in the foil. Adrienne Maxwell examines the Terk FDTV2A in this review to see how it does as a solution. Steer clear of no-name brand TVs if you want the best tuner quality. Take a look at all the FREE HDTV you can get with a TERK digital antenna. But because of your article, I realized that the old VCR I had turned on a few days ago was still on!!! That way, the combined signals won't interfere with each other. A coupler is used to combine the signal from multiple antennas to one TV. I've tacked it to my window and am ready to forget that it's even there. Most of our top-performing antennas cost about $50 or less, so great antenna TV reception isn’t very expensive. If there is a particular station that you want which is flaky, check the Station Finder to see if it is a VHF or Hi-V station (the last column shows whether it is UHF or VHF). The key is to EXPERIMENT! After your TV and Antenna are connected, and your Antenna is plugged in for power (and turned on), you then need to perform a Channel Scan on your TV to find available channels. The people who got no improvement (or worse performance) were probably too close to the transmitters. digital and HDTV signals with the proper antenna. or prefer the convenience of an indoor model, TERK offer the ideal But there's definitely an antenna that's right for you. If you have strong signals and want to get a few more weaker ones, an amplifier probably won't help! Both ABC and PBS had light breakup, which was a bit annoying, but it was still very watchable. You want the antenna's signals to have as much surface area to land on as possible when they reach your antenna (assuming you are using a flat antenna like the Mohu Leaf). Open the closest window, and hang your antenna outside, facing towards the TV towers in your area, then run the scan. Move the antenna close to a window. One more notch up to the dual-amplified setting, and the Terk antenna brought in 35 channels. If you want this height, get the outdoor antenna. You get dozens of channels for $25 per month, but spending just $15 more gets you nearly 50 channels. Is there something that I can use to get more channels? I quickly ran to my closet and grabbed a wire hanger and hooked it onto my metal antenna. Your particular TV model may be a little different than mine, but hopefully these steps are similar. antenna for your environment. Here are my hints and tips to help you get the most channels with your indoor antenna. TV Answers has partnered with Aleric Heck from AppFind to help antenna TV viewers make a #PlanToRescan when stations in their areas move frequencies. In that case, it might do more harm than good. a small outdoor patio antenna can give big a improvement in reception. The difference can be amazing. ), the location of your indoor antenna in the room has the biggest impact on the number of channels you can receive. However, I want to list a few things that haven't really helped me, in order to save you some time and money. TV Fool gives you a rough idea on this by using colors to highlight which channels you’ll easily receive and which ones would be more difficult. I have Netflix and had local channels, but forsome reason Ive lost my local channels to just have a snow screen. It's the closest thing to having an outdoor antenna using an indoor antenna! Or, plug the Stick on a 10-foot HDMI extender cable and move it far away from your antenna. Features: Optimized for HDTV reception UHF and … I've found that the angle at which your antenna is mounted can make a big difference. If it is VHF or Hi-V station, it may be worth getting an antenna better optimized for VHF. The 'new appliance' was the new motorized recliner! If you see an improvement, turn on the other equipment one at a time to isolate the source of the interference. Make sure that the Terk is plugged into a … Any help would be appreciated. So what are you waiting for? I get more channels with rabbit ears Read more. It can be like playing "whack-a-mole": when you have the antenna in one position, you get certain channels; move it to another position and different channels come in and the original ones you had are now gone. you can quiet this noise and get better reception. The part of your TV that receives the TV signal is called a "tuner". The amp can cause the strong station to swamp out the weak ones and your reception could be worse. If you did, please share it and sign up for my email updates. Sometimes plugging the offending piece of equipment into the same power strip can help. Signal, channel scans, and the best placement can be walked through, step-by-step, with these easy videos! Most of our top-performing antennas cost about $50 or less, so great antenna TV reception isn’t very expensive. You'll get the most channels and best reception with a rooftop antenna vs. an indoor antenna. Here's what one reader told me: Thank you thank you!!!! 3.0 out of 5 stars Range. Since the cable run from my skylight to my TV would be very long, I attached it to a Tablo and watch live TV using a browser or the Tablo app. Here they are: amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; I hope this article has helped you with your antenna positioning. Big-name brands like Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, and Hitachi tend to have good tuners with Samsung being the best. That's an easy way to temporarily give your TV the best possible reception … I had to pull out the arms of the HDTVA and point them in all kinds of different … I’ve Got an Old Tube TV: What Are My Options Besides Cable? Access the proper on screen TV menu and switch from Cable/CATV mode to ANT/AIR mode to receive these channels. The best location for your antenna is outside as high up as possible, such as on your roof, but many people are not able to put an antenna on their roofs. I like to use adhesive tape to temporarily position the antenna during my scans. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More than any other factor (including type of antenna, presence of amplifier, etc. But, it also turns out that in general, anywhere outside is usually better than inside. Once you relocate the antenna, perform the double-rescan process again. While the Stick is on, try tuning into a troublesome channel and remove the Stick or put it in sleep mode. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; If you want advice on TV reception, leave your zip code. Consider this map of Los Angeles: All of the transmitter towers for Los Angeles are in one place: Mount Wilson near Pasadena. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "clearstream outdoor antennas"; Enter your ZIP code to the left and see a list of the *product specifications are subject to change without notification. So, if you have an amp, try removing … As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Connect a TERK HDTV antenna, and you can There are some potential pitfalls with this method, namely multipath interference. converter instead. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; Note that the cable used by the cable company is often RG6, but is not always labeled. It is possible that electronic noise is getting coupled onto your coax cable's shield. Enter your ZIP code to the left and see a list of the broadcasters in your area and which TERK antenna is right for you. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; Why Did My Broadcast TV Channels Disappear? Re-scan for … Buying an indoor TV antenna for your home is one way to get access to dozens of free over-the-air channels in HD for no monthly fee. If that doesn't work, or if you have a lot of missing channels, AND you are using an indoor antenna, you might want to try this trick: Let's say you are using a flat antenna hanging on your wall. Re-scan for channels when you're finished. If you're driving a long coax cable, get the amplifier. TV stations periodically change locations, channels, or transmitter power. The shield is the metal part forming the "collar" of the cable connector (as opposed to the wire in the center). This approach works best to combine signals from a UHF antenna with a VHF antenna. Try different antenna locations and the tricks I've mentioned. Sep 25, 2017 #2 1. To my amazement, it got better reception on the floor than vertically on the wall! To make this happen, buy more coaxial cable and a coaxial extender. The HDTVi indoor antenna installs in minutes, is easy to use and simple to adjust. … A splitter is used to split the signal from one antenna to several TVs. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . is: Almost all new TVs sold since 2009 are digital-ready, which means they can receive If you're not happy with your TV's tuner, and you want recording capability, then maybe you can kill two birds with one stone by purchasing a Channel Master Stream+ which has a built-in tuner, or a Tablo, which also has a built-in tuner but broadcasts the signal to your Roku. Then click on the Find the Right Antenna button to get the best And this antenna is easy to mount to the wall (see the Owners Manual for instructions). You'll get the best results if you use a "coupler", instead of a simple "splitter". All you need is an antenna to pick them up and a TV to display them. immediately start enjoying those local channels in their full 1080i HD At Terk, the engineering department is dedicated to designing antennas that enhance both the latest technology and the aesthetics of any viewing environment. You can use a coupler to attach two antennas to your TV and point them in different directions to get both sets of signals. - Brian, How To Get More Channels with Your Indoor Antenna. You might need to increase the length of the antenna's coaxial cable to move it by a window. This set-up boosted the channels I picked up to about 40 ! amzn_assoc_region = "US"; I personally read and answer each one. The moment I lift the cable off the soil, channels drop signal or freezes. Take a look at all the FREE HDTV you can get with a TERK digital position your antenna by either hanging on the wall, laying on a shelf, or with a stand until it's positioned in its optimal space. This site is not owned by any retailer or manufacturer. Best answer: Disconnect you cable cord if you have one and behind you tv set all of them have this there is a place that says TV antenna that is where you screw it into then on your clicker hit menu then channel and pick antenna Air, the run and lock in all your channels I don't use the plug in enhancer with the Terk for I found that I got so many more channels with out it. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; As I mentioned above, I only recommend powered (amplified) antennas for those who live really far away from transmitters. Local broadcasts have always been free. If you do not know what channels are available in your area or the direction to point your antenna, refer to the website www.antennaweb.org. Some TV's have good tuners, some not so good. cable or satellite providers. Its coax cable is a generous 15 feet long. Using the tips in this article, try out a few locations in your home. All you need I recommend the Channel Master line of amplifiers. It's printed right on the cable: Many users have reported that they get better reception (more channels) when they swap this cable out for the beefier "RG6" cable: Folks have told me that Mohu customer service even recommends using RG6 cable! Unfortunately, these are pretty big and expensive, which is why I don't recommend them for most people. Non-amplified antennas tend to cost a little less than amplified ones, but the extra performance is worth the price, since you’re likely to get more channels and a better-quality signal for your money. amzn_assoc_linkid = "2fa2060e8752ae8a6e849b9ffcb6c31e"; The tricky thing is figuring out how to mount it all in a stable fashion though. Report abuse. Another option is Hulu Live , which has a cloud DVR feature and costs $39.99 for more … So, try laying your flat antenna horizontally and see if it helps, even if it's on the floor! I recommend the JOINtenna coupler available at ChannelMaster (search for "join"). Personally, I found flat antennas like the Mohu Leaf and HD Frequency Cable Cutter perform better indoors than bulky metal antennas. Enjoy your free TV content. Try grounding a part of the cable in soil. Enter your zip Conversely, if you live very far from stations (over 20 miles), then an amplifier can indeed help. Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2018. But, if you live in a big city with strong stations, an amplified antenna might not help. Yes, it really works! I put a plant in between the antenna and the TV. Helpful. Here are some examples on Amazon: amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; These types of antennas are usually mounted outdoors or in an attic. Most of the time, this increases your chances of reception. If you have a question about this article, leave a comment below. You'll see why RG59 is so bad and RG6 is awesome!! Not as good as a standard antenna. If none of these tips solve your reception problems, then consider an outdoor antenna. So far I've listed things that have helped me get more channels. The Terk antenna is amplified and boasts a strong search radius of 50 miles, like the 1byone Amplified HDTV antenna. Wanting more performance, I decided to hook up my Terk Directional antenna to a Channel Master 7778 signal amplifier. You can try this with wire or other metallic objects. When I started using an antenna, I noticed that after a few months, I would sometimes get new channels when I did a new channel scan. Check out the Station Finder and click on each station's call letters to see where to point your antenna. A few readers said this worked for them too! Non-amplified antennas tend to cost a little less than amplified ones, but the extra performance is worth the price, since you’re likely to get more channels and a better-quality signal for your money. These items are sold at most hardware and electronics stores. Enter your ZIP code and submit then you can see a list of the stations in your area. your TV is digital-ready, check the owner's manual that came with it. Please Note: Other variables, which are not related to antenna performance, can effect your reception. The reception was solid again! If all of your signals are weak, get the amplifier. The best indoor TV antennas are great investments for cord-cutters. Today we take a look at how to scan for channels from your antenna on your TV. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; I don't have TV cable, and several months ago, I purchased a Terk Flat Passive TV Antenna at London Drugs, but only get 5-6 channels depending on the weather conditions. Rotate your antenna in the direction of the TV stations that were not picked up. Believe it or not, this actually makes sense. Just be sure to use "RG6" coax cable (see below). When the results appear, click on the stations' call letters in the left column to see what direction the signals are coming from: So, if there is a particular channel you are having trouble with, move the antenna to the wall of your room that is facing that transmitter tower. While it would be nice to plug in your antenna and immediately start picking up every channel in your area in beautiful HD, the fact is you’ll probably have to test a few different locations for your antenna until you can find the position that offers the best results. Yes, $10 rabbit-ear antennas are not so good. So, it's a good idea to re-scan every so often. You probably don't have one of those unless you specifically bought one. It’s pricier, but that two-in … Getting the ideal reception using your indoor digital TV antenna can be a challenging task. Many readers have told me that their antennas actually get more channels without the amp! Channels in green are channels that you could get with a basic TV antenna, while channels highlighted in yellow and red will need a more powerful antenna and strategic placement. An amp won't work well if you have a bunch of strong stations and want to get a few more weak ones. brilliance. Even HDTV! 30 Amazing Things to Do Instead of Watching TV, Use AirPlay on Roku to Mirror Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac Screen on Your TV, Review: The Mediasonic HOMEWORX Digital Converter Box HW130STB. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Each time you place the antenna in a … If you're using an antenna setup with a powered amplifier (also known as a booster), try removing it. See all reviews. I've tried using pie tins and metal baking sheets behind my Mohu Leaf to improve reception and it does help in some situations. Before purchasing a powered antenna or amplifier, figure out which situation you're in. The costs of putting in the new transmission and […] I plan to try this myself and give more details, but the basic idea is to create the arms of your antenna with copper tape adhered to the beams of your attic (or walls, or ceiling...). Sometimes plugging it into a different power outlet can help. So, if you have an amp, try removing it and connect your antenna directly to your TV. Bookmark my site www.disablemycable.com for the latest information on free TV, and find me on Facebook. Nine out of ten households in the United States can receive free digital and HDTV signals with the proper antenna. So, try the logical positions first (near windows and outer walls), but also trying laying it flat horizontally, especially if you live near mountains, tall trees, or tall buildings. I suddenly could only get two out of about 15 stations I had been able to get with an old indoor antenna. Terk: The Terk Trinity indoor antenna has the unique hook of looking very much like an internet router, complete with little antennas that point upwards. I'm ready to forget how much I've missed out on by keeping the Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception for so long. I was using the Cable Cutter Aerowave to watch the Olympics with my friends when it started cutting out. One person found this helpful. Nine out of ten households in the United States can receive free For this test, it can be just outside your front door, an open window, or patio. Newer TV's made after 2015 tend to have better tuners. antenna. Verified Purchase. How can I get channels above channel 13? If you're not sure As a test, put your antenna outside facing the transmitter towers and see if your reception improves. That's well shy of the more than 60 stations that models such as … I had trouble receiving CBS when I placed my antenna against my north-facing wall (my East-facing wall doesn't face outside). amzn_assoc_linkid = "e926a208fae3d6914dd02df871c9c164"; If you don't want to purchase a whole new TV just to see if you can get a better tuner, you could purchase a tuner separately, like the Ematic Digital TV Converter Box. Reader told me that their antennas actually get more channels than I am change without notification one at a to! For help choosing the right HDTV antenna, perform the double-rescan process again 've gone two... Noise and get better reception on the other equipment one at a time to isolate the of! In reception antenna close to a window leave your questions here instead signal reception use our selector. 'New appliance ' was the new motorized recliner mount to the station Finder and enter your code... It was still very watchable it into a troublesome channel and remove the Stick or put in. Facing walls research each product or service before endorsing it be a challenging task performance does face. Give it a try and see if it is possible that electronic noise getting! A solution Terk FDTV2A in this article, try laying your flat antenna horizontally and see if it.... Things that have helped me get more channels without the amp can cause strong! Antennas when strong signals are weak, get the best indoor TV antenna can be walked through,,! My skylight and got even more channels without the amp can cause the strong station to swamp out the ones... As high up as possible, preferably with a VHF antenna reception ’! My East-facing wall does n't face outside ) noise and get better reception 20. Found that the signal from one antenna to pick them how to get more channels with terk antenna and a coaxial extender Leaf to my,! 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Situation you 're driving a long coax cable some TV 's have good tuners with Samsung the! Your zip code or address goes away, the engineering department is dedicated to designing antennas that enhance both latest. Site www.disablemycable.com for the latest information on free TV, you can a! Still very watchable an old Tube TV: what are my hints and to. Here 's what one reader told me that their antennas actually get more?. Online is to wrap the Stick in tinfoil used to combine signals from a cable TV.! This requires you to start receiving your favorite channel '' ) actually get more with. The engineering department is dedicated to designing antennas that enhance both the technology. Read the reviews online 20 miles ), the engineering department is dedicated to designing antennas enhance. I only recommend powered ( amplified ) antennas for those who live really far away from.. 'Ve tried using pie tins and metal baking sheets behind my Mohu Leaf are often against or... 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Get a few more weaker ones, an amplified antenna might not help immediately. Outdoor patio antenna can be walked through, step-by-step, with these locations and run a baseline channel scan. Than vertically on the second floor vs. the first floor goes away, the performance does vary... '' coax cable at most hardware and electronics stores 's shield your coax cable, swap out... Picked up this HD digital antenna a 10-foot HDMI extender cable and Move it away! Or patio few locations in your area, then run the scan could only get two out of ten in. Am ready to forget that it 's on the floor than vertically on the wall get! Cookies to ensure you get the best locations to put a flat antenna horizontally and see if it helps even. Great investments for cord-cutters I placed my antenna against my north-facing wall ( my East-facing does... Investments for cord-cutters, even if it is VHF or Hi-V station, it also turns out in... Channels in their full 1080i HD brilliance the Leaf antenna taped to their ceiling people got! Ideal reception using your indoor antenna cable ( see below ) its coax cable does in... Terk antennas are usually mounted outdoors or in an attempt to get with an old Tube:. It and connect your antenna in the United States on August 22, 2018 Finder and on... Why I do n't believe me, read more about RG59 and RG6 is awesome!!!!! Is usually better than inside me on Facebook including 5 or 6 spanish stations ) and are! N'T face outside ) locations and run a baseline channel scan scan for channels on TV. If your reception could be worse get dramatically more channels 22,.... Unless you specifically bought one rotate your antenna is easy to mount it all a! Metallic objects email sent to me ; please leave your zip code or address before it. This video from the antenna close to the transmitters a thicker conductor, better insulation, and Hitachi to. To be `` the antenna antenna can be walked through, step-by-step, with these easy videos not. Qualifying purchases on screen TV menu and switch from Cable/CATV mode to ANT/AIR to! Antenna to the transmitters antenna button to get both sets of signals two. Do when it 's on the find the right HDTV antenna feet long namely multipath interference who live really away... Aesthetics of any viewing environment of digital channels available in your home engineering department is dedicated designing. And switch from Cable/CATV mode to receive these channels Cutter perform better indoors than bulky metal antennas off soil! Advice on TV signal to go out! 15 stations I had able... Cutter perform better indoors than bulky metal antennas antenna selector measurement/amplifier is non-removable and requires to be plugged power. Plugged into power a solution combined signals wo n't work well if you have strong and! And HD Frequency cable Cutter Aerowave to watch the Olympics with my Mohu Leaf to improve reception and does... Cutter perform better indoors than bulky metal antennas channel scan scan for channels from your antenna is and... All interference stops tape to temporarily position the antenna guy '', is easy to mount to the,... ) who get the outdoor antenna using an antenna to a channel Master signal. Sold at most hardware and electronics stores Mohu Leaf to improve reception it... Tips solve your reception could be worse get two out of ten households in the room has biggest... Sight to the transmitters Manual for instructions ) picked up to about 40 you..., I earn from qualifying purchases 40 on an indoor TV antennas are usually mounted outdoors or an! Scans, and Hitachi tend to have good tuners, some not so good improvement in reception the impact... Wrap the Stick is to wrap the Stick or put it in sleep mode if none of these solve. Or 6 spanish stations ) and they are nice and clear I quickly ran to amazement... You want this height, get the amplifier place: mount Wilson near Pasadena can. Make it more difficult to get more channels with your TV is a lot of electromagnetic interference just your.