Tired of relying on cable or satellite TV? While both are great avenues to watch TV shows, they have numerous limitations and are costly. The next best alternative for high-quality programming is an outdoor TV antenna.
Yes, antennas may have gone missing in recent years, but they remain just as effective as all these other platforms, if not better. Below are reasons why antennas are making a comeback in homes across the country, plus what you should know before buying an outdoor TV antenna.
How does an Outdoor TV Antenna work?
Outdoor antennas are different from indoor antennas. Most outdoor antennas are metallic, so they can capture even the analog signals and transmit them to your TV. Basically, an antenna has a tall metal at the center called a boom, which carries rods that capture signals from hundreds of miles away through the help of receptors.
Once an antenna captures a VHF or UHF signal from a television station or a raised point, it induces an electrical current inside it that converts to video or audio. In a nutshell, antennas operate like transducers – they can send or receive wave signals.
Benefits of an Outdoor TV antenna
While to some, an outdoor antenna may seem old-fashioned and backward, there’s a population that finds antennas more convenient.
According to research, there has been an increase in outdoor TV antennas bought in homes from 2014 till now. The reasons for this shift are explained below:
Saves you Money
In this tight economy, it wouldn’t hurt to save a buck or two. Cable and satellite TV, although diverse, are one of the most expensive ways to watch your favorite shows on television.
Most Cable TV providers package their service to include phone and electricity charges as well. This raises the overall monthly subscription cost of cable TV to staggering amounts.
A good example of this is a recent case involving Karl Rudnick, a 69-year-old living in Solana Beach, California. After talking to several cable companies, Karl was denied opening one account for two homes he owns, and instead told he could only open two that cost over $300 monthly.
Similar cases are spread across multiple states in America. So what’s the alternative? Well, even for Karl, an Outdoor TV antenna, which costs less than $80, makes sense. Besides the initial fee, everything else is free, including access to numerous local TV stations for life.
Plus, installing the TV antenna outdoor doesn’t require a specialist since it’s one of the DIY projects. Instructions come with the manual, and you can use various online resources to help as well.
Better Signal Transmission
High-quality signal transmission is among the advantages traditional antennas have over modern Cable TV and Satellite TV or Streaming services. This is because cable networks usually have a lower bandwidth, and thus, the signal is always compressed, which reduces the quality of broadcasting.
Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, on the other hand, set a high bar when it comes to streaming shows in HD. Anything less than 5MBPS either buffers a lot or has a low-quality definition.
The case is not the same for an outside TV antenna. Outdoor antennas don’t compress their signals, and so, broadcasting channels are usually in high definition, meaning you can enjoy your favorite shows on TV in HD without complications.
More Channels Available
The number one reason people switch from cable or satellite TV to outdoor TV antennas is the variety of channels. With the former two options, you only receive some of the local channels in your area. This means you’re limited only to a handful of shows and may miss some you love if they’re not broadcast.
Not with a traditional outdoor antenna, though. The device receives signal transmissions from long distances and a wide variety of broadcastings. And, if you live close to one or two networks, you may get access to all free-to-air local channels within your area, and even new ones.
Plus, if you purchase a high-receiver TV antenna, you can watch high-definition programming on national networks. These include CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX.
Comfortability
Satellite TV is easily affected by rain or humidity because it transmits signals using the Ku-Band that is at a higher frequency, and are susceptible to moisture. Even the best-positioned satellites are susceptible to rain, since the raindrops either absorb or deflect the signals from the main satellite to the dish.
Furthermore, rain hitting the dish surfaces causes electromagnetic waves to refract, which interferes with signal transmission. So, if you live in parts of the country that experience storms or adverse winters, an outdoor antenna is what you need.
This is because poor weather doesn’t impact local transmission, especially if the broadcasting sources are close. In addition, even if their weather is terrible, buying the best outdoor TV antenna with a stronger receiver prevents any transmission problems.
An antenna can Compliment Cable and Satellite
Cable and satellites can be of little value in homes with outdoor antennas. This is because an antenna is an all-season gadget, meaning transmission is 24/7 even when there is adverse weather.
But on the contrary, an outdoor antenna can be a significant addition to a home with cable or satellite TV. In case any of these two experiences signal or connection problems because of one reason or another, an antenna can serve as the backup option.
This way, instead of being in the dark, you’ll stay informed about the current happenings through local broadcasting.
Less Gadget Interference
With the number of smart gadgets in homes today, cable and satellite TV connections are bound to have interferences. Streaming options aren’t any better since they’re all connected under the same network together with gadgets like smartphones and laptops in your home.
If anything were to happen to the connection, it would affect all your smart devices as well. However, with an outdoor antenna, you can still enjoy the benefits of digitalization through high-frequency antennas, but with minimal disruptions.
The lesser interferences, the higher the definition quality of programming on screen, whenever you watch TV.
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor TV Antenna
Outdoor antennas aren’t for everyone. There’s a select group who could benefit more from having an old-school antenna rather than a satellite or cable. So, consider some of these factors before choosing an outdoor TV antenna over other options:
Antenna Type
There are numerous outdoor TV antenna types available, whether for terrestrial or satellite broadcasting. The most preferred for long-range broadcasting are periodic antennas, because they can scan through a wide range of frequencies. This is especially beneficial to people living in rural or remote areas with little to no connectivity.
But a large antenna doesn’t always guarantee better coverage. This is an outcome that depends on several factors, among them is where you’ll mount the antenna. Plus, a big outdoor antenna is more exposed to adverse weather conditions.
So, before making the final decision, consider the antenna type that suits you.
Cost
The price of an antenna always reflects its quality. So, the more expensive an outdoor TV antenna is, the better it may perform. Simple designs are always less costly, but they can offer value for money, especially in areas where the network is naturally strong.
However, when it comes to money, it is best to work within your budget to avoid breaking the bank. Just identify a couple of outdoor antennas within your budget range and disqualify them one by one based on merit and demerits. In the end, you’ll have suitable options that give you value for money.
Ease of Installation
The hardest part after buying an outdoor antenna is installed. If you’re lucky, the company you purchase from will send a technician to help with installation, and so this won’t be a problem.
This is not the case with many antenna sellers, as they leave consumers to install the antennas themselves, which can be difficult. If it’s your first time installing an antenna, always have someone else accompany you when mounting it at a specific location.
If the weather isn’t favorable, postpone the mounting process to a better time. Always follow the installation manual to the letter, and if it all seems too hard, don’t hesitate to source help from professionals.
Mounting Location
The location of your home is just as important in the selection process. This is because the further your house is from networking coverage, the stronger the antenna you need to broadcast all the local channels in high definition.
The best solution in such cases is having a high receiver antenna, which can derive signals from miles away. Plus, the quality of broadcasting remains the same despite the distance.
Get Reliable TV Broadcasting Today
After a long day of work, there’s no better escape than catching up with your favorite TV shows. It is impossible to follow your best programs closely without a reliable connection. An outdoor TV antenna solves the problem of connectivity by providing constant broadcasting at all times.
If you’d like to buy a custom antenna for your home or just a simple one, contact us or visit our website to check out the latest stock. Hurry while they last.