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Need help on improving OTA reception

C

ChaoZ

Diamond Member
I bought a digital converter for my grandparents, an RCA stb7766g1, and signals are really bad. I was only able to receive about a few channels, and most were pretty choppy ? there was video and audio lag. I couldn't even get signals from local channels like Fox, CBS, etc.

I think the antennas aren't good enough (need indoor ones btw). Any suggestions on how to improve the signals?
 
What antenna do they currently use? How many TV's are in the house? Do they have a preamp on the antenna? Do they have an amplifier on the antenna?
 
Chaoz,
Not sure if a digital box can do it or not, but my digital tv can: Try to find a menu showing signal strength, and just move the antenna around to try and find the best position. Oddly enough, my antenna works best sitting BEHIND the TV against the wall - you can hardly see it 🙂 Otherwise, like Purdue said - you'll prob want to get an amplified antenna.
 
Amplified antenna put it along the wall closest to the antenna tower form. (I.e. in my case it is the SW corner of the room). I also find that if I have a window nearby that corner placing it close to the window will help.

Otherwise, an antenna outside or in the attic may be your only choice. My grandparents (~45 miles from the tower) require an outdoor antenna to pick up all of their stations. Otherwise, even with an indoor antenna in the right position, they only get 2 of 12 channels.

FYI, they are using the same RCA digital converter box.
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
What antenna do they currently use? How many TV's are in the house? Do they have a preamp on the antenna? Do they have an amplifier on the antenna?
Click to expand...

Don't know what they're using, but has a knob to switch from UHF to VHF. They have one TV. They don't have preamp or amplifier (didn't even know they had those).
 
I have a Philips amplified antenna from Wal-Mart. Works really well. I put the amp at +2 out of 5 and can clearly pull in digital stations that don't come in unamplified.
 
Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
What antenna do they currently use? How many TV's are in the house? Do they have a preamp on the antenna? Do they have an amplifier on the antenna?
Click to expand...

Don't know what they're using, but has a knob to switch from UHF to VHF. They have one TV. They don't have preamp or amplifier (didn't even know they had those).
Click to expand...

Can they use a larger antenna?

If not go to antennaweb.org and see how far away the stations are.
 
Most of the stations are within 4 miles. And no, don't think they can use the really antennas. Their place is really small.
 
Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Most of the stations are within 4 miles. And no, don't think they can use the really antennas. Their place is really small.
Click to expand...

If their within 4 miles then reception shouldn't be a problem. Try a proven small antenna like the Zenith Silver Sensor...I believe a remake of it is made by philips.
 
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