The answer to the questions depends on where you are. In the recent change to digital in the UK, many existing analog aerials work perfectly with the new service although others have had to be changed.
Generally, in areas where the digital terrestrial service is using similar frequencies to the analog service and where there is good signal strength, the old aerial is likely to work. The results will vary between countries and even between areas. Try it and see if your aerial still does the job.
For most people, their old antenna will work just fine. Don't let the people at the electronics store fool you, there is no such thing as an "HD antenna." There is nothing special that needs to be done to an antenna to receive HD signals. In fact, many of the antennas that are being marketed as "HD antennas" are inferior UHF-only antennas that receive a smaller set of signals than your old antenna. However, some people who were barely receiving an analog signal may need to buy a better antenna. Also, if the location of the digital transmitter has changed or the signal strength of the TV station has changed, you may need to re-aim or replace your old antenna. Simply plug the old antenna into the converter box and then plug the converter box into your old TV where the antenna used to go and you will be fine. The converter box will tune in a digital station (some digital stations are HD, some are not) and convert the digital signal into an old-fashioned analog standard definition signal and feed it into your old analog TV. You will not be able to watch shows in HD on your old analog TV, but you will be able to watch a version of the HD broadcast that has been converted into Standard Definition (SD) for you. You will be able to watch all of the digital stations including the HD ones but you will see them in Standard Definition. Standard Definition is 480i. Digital to Analog converter boxes receive all tv transmissions of 1080P , 1080i , 720P , 480P , 480i and coverts them ALL to 480i to watch on a standard definition NTSC Analog TV.
I would look to the antenna system, a stronger signal from the antenna is needed for a digital set than for the old analog sets. Try aiming the antenna. Raising the height it or better yet install a new higher gain with a amplifier and new down lead.
No my local channels all but one that is broadcast in both analog and HD digital but they tend to black out a lot. But with a powered antenna the kind you plug into the wall i get a beautiful crisp clean HD picture you can pick a good one up for around 30-40 bucks but don't buy the cheap 15 dollar one's :)
The towers for DTV might be in a different location the the old analog transmitters were. Most likely you are confused as to which way is forward.
An old antenna blowing in the wind can be troublesome causing flickering in the picture, etc.
You need a special digital version of the old-fashioned "rabbit ears" to pick up digital TV broadcasts over the air.
For most people, their old antenna will work just fine. Don't let the people at the electronics store fool you, there is no such thing as an "HD antenna." There is nothing special that needs to be done to an antenna to receive HD signals. In fact, many of the antennas that are being marketed as "HD antennas" are inferior UHF-only antennas that receive a smaller set of signals than your old antenna. However, some people who were barely receiving an analog signal may need to buy a better antenna. Also, if the location of the digital transmitter has changed or the signal strength of the TV station has changed, you may need to re-aim or replace your old antenna. Simply plug the old antenna into the converter box and then plug the converter box into your old TV where the antenna used to go and you will be fine. The converter box will tune in a digital station (some digital stations are HD, some are not) and convert the digital signal into an old-fashioned analog standard definition signal and feed it into your old analog TV. You will not be able to watch shows in HD on your old analog TV, but you will be able to watch a version of the HD broadcast that has been converted into Standard Definition (SD) for you. You will be able to watch all of the digital stations including the HD ones but you will see them in Standard Definition. Standard Definition is 480i. Digital to Analog converter boxes receive all tv transmissions of 1080P , 1080i , 720P , 480P , 480i and coverts them ALL to 480i to watch on a standard definition NTSC Analog TV.
I would look to the antenna system, a stronger signal from the antenna is needed for a digital set than for the old analog sets. Try aiming the antenna. Raising the height it or better yet install a new higher gain with a amplifier and new down lead.
I expect you are making reference to the antenna on your roof. If so, yes. An old antenna can be used for digital TVs.
If your old tv has no built in ATSC Digital Tuner , then you need a digital to analog converter box. This box receives the ATSC Digital Signal and converts it to NTSC Analog , for Tv's that only have a NTSC Analog tuner.
I get a perfect picture on TV using an antenna. Can not get digital signal to come thru when using either a converter box or a new digital TV. I have following all the instructions carefully and can get no signal for digital. The antenna is new and hooked up correctly. Get perfect analog pictures. Why can't I get a digital picture? DTV signals are for the most part weaker than the old analog signals. Your new antenna needs to be a high gain VHF/UHF type with a built in or add on amplifier at the antenna. Don't forget to use new coax cable between the antenna amp and the TV set. Be sure the antenna is pointed directly at the transmitters, many have been moved. Sometime a rotor is a great help if the transmitters are in different direction's. If you using splitters, etc, they might need to be replaced with ones that will pass UHF (900 MHz) signals.
Not really. While some "HD" antennas are designed to minimize the effects of multipath reflections in large cities, there's no fundamental difference between an "HD antenna" and an "analog antenna". In a larger city where the TV transmitters are nearby and you have a good line-of-sight to them, you'll see no difference. The antenna is only used to pick up the air signal, which is on the same frequency band as old Analog TV. The only difference is the old-style analog NTSC (or PAL or SECAM) TV standard(s) used an analog carrier and the DTV ATSC standard uses a digital carrier. The whole "HD" + "Analog" antenna thing is basically hype.
Antennas are designed to work in certain frequency bands. They are essentially "tuned" to one or more bands (Depending on elements used) to increase the gain in those bands. Now if the signal is strong enough from all channels you can get by with just connecting a wire to the antenna input. The length of the wire in terms of the wavelengths of the signals being received determines how well the antenna matches to the incoming signal. So the answer is try using your old antenna and if you have signal strength problems you can rotate the antenna or get one specifically designed for your HD channels. Another option is to use an amplifier at the antenna to boost signal going to the TV. If you are close enough to the broadcasting station, you can use a coat-hanger, so NO it doesn't require a special antenna to receive the digital high definition signal locally.
To receive antenna reception, an old TV typically needs an external antenna, which can be either an indoor or outdoor type, depending on the reception quality required. Additionally, if the TV does not have a built-in digital tuner, a separate digital converter box is necessary to decode digital signals. Finally, proper connection using coaxial cables between the antenna, converter box (if applicable), and the TV is essential for optimal reception.
Yes, a bad signal on a TV mean that there is definitely a problem with your antenna. It could be that it's not working well for your television. It could also be old and it could also mean that you need to move the antenna around to get a good reception.
You don't need a new TV or antenna. You need a Digital Converter Box. Go to a Radio Shack, Circuit City or Best Buy. Connect your old antenna to the converter box, connect the converter box to your old TV...all will be well.
You need a converter box connected to your own antenna or subscribe to cable or a satellite service.