The development of digital television is a necessity faced all over the world. The analog signal, of course, extends over long distances compared to the digital signal, but the quality of the image and sound deteriorates with increasing distance to the broadcasting antenna. There was only one way out of the situation - to encrypt the signal so that it could be received and processed tens of kilometers from the translator without loss of quality. So the choice settled on the digital method of transmitting information.
History of digital television
For more than 60 years, analog television has been the only means of delivering news, movies and entertainment to the homes of millions of viewers around the world. If the receiver, that is, the TV, is located near the repeater, then the signal and sound are of acceptable quality. When removed, it becomes necessary to amplify the signal with various antennas. The farther the repeater, the larger the antenna should be. At a distance of 50 kilometers, these receiving antennas reach enormous sizes, like a multi-story building. All for the sake of a few channels in mediocre quality.
Finally, in 2009, after many experiments with various formats, modern DVB-T2 digital television was launched on the air. A number of questions immediately arose. Nothing has changed for cable and satellite TV users, but for analogue receivers, a new problem has arisen. To decode a digital signal, you need a TV with a built-in digital signal reception module or a set-top box. The cost of the latter reaches $50, which is not affordable for everyone.
The issue is partially solved with the help of government subsidies, and perhaps in the next few years digital TV will completely replace analog TV.
What you need for high-quality digital TV reception
The quality of a digital television signal, like an analog one, depends on the distance to the repeater. The difference is that an analog picture with poor signal reception will blur and the sound will hiss. In digital television, the image will either completely disappear, or will be displayed on the screen in rectangular blocks. That is, for high-quality reception of a digital television signal, an antenna is also needed, but not as bulky as in the case of an analog signal.
The television signal is distributed in two bands - meter (English designation VHF) and decimeter (UHF). The first one does not allow the signal to propagate over long distances, its waves do not cope well with obstacles in the form of buildings, walls inside the apartment. Therefore, most channels broadcast indecimeter range. Accordingly, for high-quality reception, you will need a decimeter antenna for DVB-T2 digital television.
Types of decimeter antennas
All antennas for receiving digital television are antennas of the decimeter range, as well as the meter range. Thus, they can be divided into enlarged groups - indoor and outdoor.
Both types of antennas can be either passive or active. The latter has a built-in amplifier, which allows you to pick up a weak signal. But it is more narrowly focused, it must be directed towards the signal source. Passive amplifier does not have, but receives a signal from all directions for its subsequent supply to the signal amplifier in the TV.
Which antenna to choose
Before you set up the antenna, you need to pick it up. A professional approach to installation involves measuring the signal level using a portable sensor. It will be very useful in areas with dense buildings, where the signal comes not only directly from the repeater, but also reflected from the terrain or comes from several repeaters at once. After obtaining the characteristics of the signal, it is necessary to study the instructions for the antenna so that the reception quality is guaranteed.
If it is not possible to use a portable sensor, then using the general recommendations, you can select an antenna by trial method. The recommendations are simple. For an apartment in an area with sparse buildings, a regular, but high-quality indoor antenna is suitable forDVB-T2. In a densely built-up area, an indoor antenna with a signal booster should be used. In open areas, that is, in cottage settlements, in summer cottages, it is already necessary to use an external antenna. Using the free exchange option in the store, you can set up several antenna models yourself until you find the right one.
Setting up a decimeter antenna
Before installing a decimeter antenna for DVB-T2 digital television, you must configure it to receive a signal. By connecting the antenna output to a TV or set-top box to decode the signal, you need to point the antenna in the direction where the repeater is located. Then you need to perform automatic channel tuning from the device menu. The entire frequency range will be tested.
By turning on any channel, if its quality is insufficient, you can slowly rotate the antenna to find the ideal position in which the signal will be the best. Typically, receiving devices show the signal strength for each specific DVB-T2 channel. Do not think that in the ideal position for receiving one channel, all the others will be of sufficient quality. After setting up the reception of one channel, you need to move on to the next and so on until all channels are broadcast.
If the receiver did not find any channels during automatic tuning or found less than half, in this case, how to tune the antenna? It must be rotated 180 degrees to receive the reflected signal. This is often found in residential areas, where a large number of houses interfere with the signal.
In open areas, simply point the antenna towards the repeater and perform automatic tuning of DVB-T2 channels on the signal receiver.
Installing a decimeter antenna
After successful channel tuning, the result must be fixed, that is, fix the antenna in the position in which the signal reception turned out to be the best. Indoor antennas are usually installed on cabinets, cabinets, but this is not aesthetically pleasing. Modern antenna stands provide screw and screw mounting points that can be mounted directly on the wall.
Outdoor decimeter antennas for DVB-T2 digital television are mounted on brackets or supports. An outdoor antenna is usually supplied with fasteners that will allow you to securely mount the outdoor antenna on a support. When outdoor antennas are used in apartments, they are usually mounted outside the dwelling: on balconies or external walls. Then, as with an indoor antenna, you will need to drill a few holes in the wall for a secure fit.
The process of operating a decimeter antenna
A few more comments regarding the operation of decimeter antennas for DVB-T2 digital television. Depending on the weather conditions (even the time of day), the signal reception quality may vary. Therefore, the antenna mount should provide for the possibility of its rotation to adjust the better signal reception.
Correct antenna selectionwill allow you to enjoy the digital quality of the TV signal. The DVB-T2 network is constantly evolving, new channels appear. It is a great alternative to cable and satellite TV as it does not require a monthly fee.
