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Connecting Off-Air Antenna
Transmit Channel Numbers
For information on channel numbers, you can visit the National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB) web page at www.nab.org. On this web page, go to www.nab.org/
Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp for a listing of digital broadcast stations and
their Transmit Channel numbers.
Note: Where Transmit Channel is displayed by the receiver, the NAB web page uses the
term RF Channel. These terms mean the same thing.
Another good source of local channel information is available from the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA) web page at: www.antennaweb.org. This website provides
recommendations for antenna types and pointing directions.
About Off-Air TV Broadcasts
Off-air TV signals are broadcast from stations on the ground, while satellite TV signals are
broadcast from satellites in space. You receive off-air TV signals using an indoor or
outdoor antenna instead of the satellite dish. You are likely familiar with analog off-air TV
signals - these are the signals that have been used to broadcast TV for many years. New
digital off-air TV signals are broadcast and received in the same way. Digital off-air TV
broadcasting uses advanced technology like that of the DISH Network to deliver superb
picture quality and CD quality sound. However, digital off-air signal reception (like analog
off-air signal reception) depends on several things:
• The distance between the broadcast station and your home (the farther away the
station, the weaker the signal);
• The broadcast station's power (the lower the power, the weaker the signal);
• Obstacles between the station and your home, such as mountains, buildings, trees, or
other objects (these may block or reflect the signal before it reaches you);
• Multiple broadcast stations (to receive good signals from several stations, you may
need to compromise in how you aim the antenna or you may need more than one
antenna).
The effects of poor digital reception are different from the effects of poor analog reception:
• Poor analog reception usually causes the TV picture to be “snowy” or to include
“ghosts,” that is, multiple images caused by receiving reflected signals along with the
direct signal from a station.
• Poor digital reception may cause the TV picture to be “pixelized,” that is, broken up
into small squares of various colors, or to be lost completely (the TV screen is all black
or all blue).
• Digital broadcasts often provide either a very good picture or no picture at all.
• You may be able to receive a poor analog signal but not be able to receive a digital
signal at all.
Chapter 12 Two Color.fm Page 111 Tuesday, December 20, 2005 2:12 PM