There’s a reason why roughly 1.6 billion people around the world get at least some of their television from live TV. With the advent of streaming channels, many people are beginning to realize that they don’t require the often pricey bundles offered by cable providers.
However, these same individuals might not be ready to give up live TV entirely. That’s where a TV antenna comes into the picture. These products give individuals access to broadcast channels at a fraction of the cost.
However, you shouldn’t just purchase the first TV antenna you see. Instead, you should consider various factors before buying a TV antenna. Luckily, we’ve organized this article to give you five areas you should consider before making your purchase.
That way, you get an antenna that works best for your specific location and circumstances. Let’s get started!
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- The Type of TV Antenna
The first thing that you need to consider is the type of antenna that you will be using. This ties in with the location of your TV antenna, but it’s important to go over the three popular types. This includes outdoor TV antennas, indoor TV antennas, and attic TV antennas.
Outdoor TV Antenna
Outdoor TV antennas go on top of your home, or in a clear open space. They provide a much clearer signal than indoor antennas which makes them ideal for people living in rural areas that are far away from a broadcast tower.
However, they are a bit trickier to set up. As such, you will likely need to hire a professional to help you.
Indoor TV Antenna
Indoor TV antennas are by far the easiest ones to set up. In many cases, you can handle it entirely by yourself. However, what you gain in convenience you lose in terms of signal reception.
Because it’s indoor there’s limited ability to pick up broadcast frequencies. As such, it’s only ideal for people living in urban areas, or places close to a broadcast tower.
Attic TV Antenna
The attic antenna represents a bit of a cross between the outdoor and indoor one. Since it’s higher up you get a bit of an improved signal. However, like the indoor TV antenna, the roofing material on your home may interfere with the signal.
- The Frequency of the TV Antenna
The next thing you should look at is the frequency range of your antenna. Different areas come with different types of transmitted signals. And, to pick these signals up, your antenna must come with a compatible frequency band.
There are two main types of frequency bands: UHF (or ultra-high frequency) and VHF (very high frequency). However, there are also digital antennas that need to be matched with a different section of a digital band.
So, find out what type of signal is in the area, then choose an antenna that properly corresponds to that signal in terms of frequency.
- The Gain of the TV Antenna
The gain of an antenna refers to the product’s ability to pick up signals from a broadcast station. An antenna with high gain is extra sensitive to these signals. So, even during periods where the signal quality is especially poor, you can still get a relatively clear picture.
An antenna with low gain will often struggle to pick up a signal that it’s not near. There are some natural ways to improve the gain of your antenna.
For example, if you point the antenna directly toward the direction of the broadcast station, then it should be improved marginally. However, there are also enhanced products that you can purchase as well.
These types of products reduce the amount of interference caused by other antennas. So, if you live in a place with a lot of interference, then you should look into products that compensate for this problem.
- The Price of the TV Antenna
The next thing you need to consider is the price of the antenna. Ultimately, there isn’t a high price difference between indoor and outdoor antennas. However, the price begins to increase the further your TV is from the antenna.
That’s because you will require more cable to connect it to the television. You also need to factor in the installation costs. Few people have the know-how to properly install a TV antenna themselves.
As such, they will likely need to hire someone. Make sure to check out this link if you want to learn how much to pay for antenna point installation.
- The Location of the TV Antenna
The last thing you need to consider when buying this type of product is the location of the antenna. As we mentioned before, location will play an important role in whether or not you should get an indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna.
However, the direction of the antenna is also an important thing to consider. You want your antenna pointed in the direction of the broadcast station.
Ideally, there should be nothing standing in the way of this connection. If there is something, like say a large building or mountain, then you will likely need an antenna with stronger gain.
Or, you can look for add-ons that enhance the signal. Amplifiers or antenna upgrades are usually enough to compensate for these location problems. However, they do represent some additional costs to your final price.
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Enjoy Learning About What to Look Out For When Buying a TV Antenna? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn about some things you should factor into your decision before buying a TV antenna. If you just purchase the first TV antenna you find, then you run the risk of getting a product that provides limited to no broadcast coverage.
However, as long as you follow the advice in this article, then you’re sure to get a TV antenna that works properly for you.
Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
