A: NO...if your TV has a newer Digital Tuner. YES ONLY...if your Television has an older Analog Tuner, this goes with ALL antennas.
A "Digital to Analog" converter box is a tuner that converts a signal from digital to analog so that the Digital (DTV) signal can be used with an Analog Tuner TV. If your TV has a built-in ATSC (digital) tuner, which it probably does, then you can get your local broadcast stations by using an antenna with no converter.
Analog TV owners who pay for subscription cable or satellite services are not affected by the conversion to digital because their subscription service uses their TV as a monitor.
FACTS: As of March 1, 2007, the FCC required all TVs sold in the U.S. to be equipped with a Digital Tuner.
As of June 13, 2009, U.S. TV stations stopped transmitting "Over-the-Air" TV signals in Analog to comply with the FCC, they are now broadcasted in Digital. This means that those who use an Indoor or Outdoor antenna need a television that is capable of receiving Digital signals to continue watching free "Over-the-Air" programs. Those that don't have a TV with a "Digital Tuner" will need a "Digital-to-Analog" converter box to continue using that TV, again ONLY older Analog TVs will need a converter box.
If in doubt, check the info on the back of your television to see if it's built date was before March, 2007. If no date, Google the make & model to see if it states "DTV", "ATSC", "HDTV" or "Digital Receiver" in its description. Although not required by the FCC, some expensive TV makers started including digital tuners far before the 2007 deadline.
A: In our opinion, it’s always best to go with an outdoor antenna, if not possible place it in the attic (but you may lose up to 50% signal strength in attic placement). An outdoor HDTV Antenna will give you the strongest most reliable signal & the ability to pick up the most available TV channels in your area. There are many advantages to an outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna. An outdoor antenna will have fewer obstructions and less interference (noise) from other electronics devices in your home. Our outdoor HDTV antennas are easy to install, plus we offer Free Tech Support, just ask.
A: The channels you receive will depend on many factors as in the available transmitters, the strength of power they transmit to your home and other issues like height of tower, terrain.
Regardless of the antenna, each area is different and what determines one's ability to receive any channel are outside factors not controlled by the antenna, some are...
1) The transmitter's tower signal strength (how much power is the station transmitting). The more power, the further it can possibly travel.
2) The Path needed for the signal to reach you, (is it over flat land, valleys, hills or mountain ranges, and surrounding building and such).
3) Is it a VHF 2-13 channels or is UHF 18-69 channels?
4) The type of your antenna, (is it passive or amplified, used indoor or outdoor).
5) How high off the ground will the antenna be, usually the HIGHER the BETTER for best reception!
6) The length of the cable, try to stay at 30-60ft, the longer the cable the more signal strength you'll lose.
7) Using a Splitter is like slicing up a pie, the more you split, the smaller & weaker the signal gets.
A: No, it's NOT only about the Miles... more importantly it's about the “Strength of Signal” available to your home that matters! Whether it be 10 miles or 100 miles, what lies between a transmitter and your antenna will have a direct effect on how well of a signal you’ll receive. Regardless of antenna maker, each area is different and what determines one's ability to receive any channel are the outside factors not controlled by the antenna.
Beside miles, factors to consider are the power output and height of a transmitting antenna tower, the type of terrain between the tower and the receiving antenna, and the size and number of buildings that lie in the path of the transmission (see “What channels will I receive”).
A: No, the Motor-Rotor is powered by Low-Voltage sent through the RG-6 coax cable from the Control Box.
A: Yes, all our HDTV antennas work with analog TVs when used with a “Digital to Analog” converter box.
Note: Please Google your TV’s make & model to verify it’s digital if bought before 2007.
A: Yes, all our LAVA HDTV antennas are easy to install. Our outdoor HDTV antennas are lightweight and come with a UV protected plastic housing and do not require to be grounded, just follow in order our A-B-C instructions.
A: YES, you may receive different reception from one side of your home to the other. Each home is different and for that reason you should “Test the Reception” to maximize your reception before deciding the location of the mounting pole.
Ideally you want it above the highest point of your roof, away from power poles or large trees to minimize distortion. Test by connecting the antenna to the Control Box/Power Insert, and then to the TV and run a full channel scan. If reception is not as desired, move the antenna & rescan TV again.
Before deciding the placement of the mounting pole, TEST the RECEPTION at different location to maximize reception (visit the "Find Your Local Channels" page to see available channels and to verify which antenna would be best suited).
TIP: It’s wise to check the reception at the spot you intend to install the antenna before attaching the mounting pole (don’t forget to rescan). Point the antenna towards the available transmitters and verify channels by rescanning (go to the “Find Your Local Channels” page).
A: Yes, you can install the Antenna in the attic. But the shielding on the roof may cause the signal strength to weaken than having it outside. First check if the available signal level is strong enough for most of the wanted channels before you install it on the attic and especially if you use a splitter that can weaken the signal even more.
You may expect the signal to be weaken by 20%-50% because of your roof composition as compared to outside installation.
A: Another big factor to keep in mind is your TV’s tuner’s ability, sensitivity, and selectivity. Different brands & models may have dramatic performance differences.
A: Just as the received signal strength varies with the mounting site and the direction in which the antenna is pointed, the height at which the antenna is installed will also affect signal strength. A few feet up or down may make a big difference in the level of the received signal(s), especially on UHF channels. Check your home’s address at TvFool.com and experiment with the height to get a better idea of the proper height to raise or lower the antenna.
The height at which you ultimately mount the antenna depends on two things: signal strength and practicality. You should mount the antenna only as high as necessary. Choose the height at which you get the highest signal level without having to resort to guyed mast and other more expensive and difficult to install equipment. Your objective should be to get as close as possible to an unobstructed “line of sight” between the transmitter tower(s) and the receiving antenna so that the signal clears all large buildings and other obstructions.
A: Environmental factors are largely unpredictable. What’s best for one location may not be the best for another. Before installing your antenna on any mount, it's important to check the reception at the location you intend to install the antenna prior to attaching the mount to any surface. There are many things that will affect the performance of your antenna, but as a rule, the higher you can get your antenna, the BETTER!
Outdoor placement is ideal as an outdoor antenna will pick up more signals as it gets closer to the broadcast towers, hence clearer signals with less interference.
Outdoor installation is always better than indoor if possible. Mounting your antenna in the attic may get it in a higher position, but the attic's insulation can reduce signal quality as well. If your homeowner's association won't allow an outdoor antenna chances are the law is on your side.
There are many advantages to an outdoor antenna over an indoor antenna. An outdoor antenna will have fewer obstructions and less interference (noise) from other electronics devices in your home. And a single outdoor antenna can service many televisions.
If you live in lower terrain and the location of the transmitters in your area requires you to aim the antenna into the side of a hill, your chances for success may also be limited. People who live in deep valleys or canyons may not be able to receive HDTV signals with an over the air antenna. Similarly, people who live in high-rise apartment buildings will have more success if they live on the side of the building facing the transmitters.
Attic Installation Tips:
While you have the legal right to install an antenna on property you either own or control, many people will still install an antenna in attics for aesthetic reasons. On the average, you can lose up to 40-50% of your signal's strength from an attic install due to the loss from roofing materials, but with a proper install & the right antenna you can overcome some of this loss.
Before purchase, make sure you have space to rotate towards the strongest signal directions. Keep Away from Metal, it will help to keep the antenna away from any metallic surfaces. Air ductwork, electrical conduit & wiring can all present interference with the digital signal. Keep as much distance as possible from these objects (6 feet or greater distance if possible). If you have foil backed or "solar shield" insulation in the roof joists then you will need to replace the insulation in the area surrounding the antenna or place the antenna outside. The digital signals will not pass through metal surfaces.
ATTENTION: If you have a metal roof, installing your new antenna in the attic will be very difficult and have a low probability for success.
A: During certain hours of the day or times throughout the year, many stations will temporarily operate at reduced power levels. If you are not receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or receiver. Check with the TV station to find out whether they are planning changes that will improve reception. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture even with a weak signal and in the presence of interference. However, if the digital signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can suddenly disappear.