Troubleshooting Digital Reception: Getting a Digital Signal
Unfortunately, after converting your television to digital reception through a converter box and antenna or a digital television and antenna your television may not receive the signal perfectly right at first. There are a few things that you can try that may fix the problem.
- Double Check Connections
- Make sure your antenna is connected to the antenna input of your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television. If using a digital-to-analog converter box, also ensure that the antenna output of your converter box is connected to the antenna input of your analog TV. Refer to the owner's manuals and/or converter box installation guide if you are unsure of the proper connections.
- Ensure that your components are plugged in and have their power turned on.
- Be sure to tune your analog TV to channel 3 or 4. You should see a set-up menu or picture displayed on your TV screen on one of those two channels.
- Perform a Channel Scan
- In order to receive a full set of digital channels, a channel scan needs to be performed upon installation of your digital system, upon any adjustment of your antenna, and periodically to receive new channels that may have recently switched to digital television. Use your converter box or digital television owner's manual to determine how to perform a channel scan.
- Definitely remember to re-scan on June 13th, after many more channels will have switched to full-power digital.
- Doing an occasional re-scan may add channels to your digital line-up.
- Keep in mind, a power outage may re-set your converter box making another channel scan necessary.
- Adjust or Change your Antenna
- Small adjustments in your antenna make a huge difference. Try elevating your antenna, moving it slightly left or right, moving it closer to an exterior wall of the home, facing the antenna a different direction, or switching to an indoor/outdoor antenna. Moving your antenna, even a few inches, may clear reception that had been blocked by a building, tree, or other obstacle. Always perform a channel scan after the adjustment.
- Be sure your antenna uses both VHF and UHF band. Many indoor antennas use "rabbit ears" for the VHF band and a "loop" or "bow-tie" for the UHF band. Make sure the antenna you are using covers both.
- Generally, an outdoor antenna will get better reception than an indoor antenna.
- Further Assistance on Antennas:
- Antenna Web: Based on your location, Antenna Web can help you discover what antenna may be best for you and what direction you should point your antenna.
http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
Final Consideration: Until June 12, 2009, some stations will be operating their digital signal at reduced power levels. KBYU is not one of them; our digital signal is already full-power. But if you are not receiving other stations on your digital system, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or digital-to-analog converter box or digital television. They may be operating at lower levels until June. For more details about whether stations around you are currently operating at lower power levels, you will need to directly contact the station.
If you are still having difficulties, we would like to help. Call KBYU at 1-800-298-5298.
