Why do all these hand held, digital recption T.V.s have such terrible reception in comparison to the old ones before digital was put into effect?
1788289
Analog was a more powerful signal with much wider bandwidth; when the picture was snowy, it looked pretty good on a small screen. With digital, if the signal is weak there is no picture. Most digital broadcast is UHF (loop antenna), but the small sets seem to have the VHF (rod antenna) only. Adding to the confusion is channels using their old analog VHF channel numbers though they are now broadcasting on UHF. Example: In Washington D.C., the station calling itself (VHF) channel 4 is broadcasting on (UHF) channel 48. Another problem with digital is you have to scan to find a station, and if the antenna isn't positioned optimally, you won't lock that station into the set's memory. With analog, you could manually tune to channel 48, and then position the antenna for the best reception.
1788290
Possibly because tube use lasted many years and got better and better---and digital reception has only begun?
2064087
This helped to improve analog signals. The current car and home tv run on digital signal. You will have to purchase a dtv antannae to get what you desire I believe.
594804
umm that's because it's a widescreen tv and because you refuse to get HD service you are seeing the crappy cropped old-style imagine. You can't magically make the image fit widescreen when it's formatted to the old image. You can only stretch it and it will look like crap.
115193
If I recall correctly, several years ago, my entire area went from analog reception to digital. It might have been an FCC decision. You can contact Sharp or your local cable or satellite provider and ask them. It's a very nice TV. We've had it for several years with no problems -- good luck.
1332269
This is a digital broadcast receiver and will receive HD "over air" transmissions with a digital antenna, like TV in the old days. It will not work as a cable box.
789942
Those that are suggesting to use a 3.5mm over a digital is totally out of their minds! Coaxial is the best way to go for the cleanest signal, its like, you rather use a cassette tape over a CD? Really..?!
171594
I thought the reception was pretty good with rabbit ears (in the city), though some shifting and orienting may be necessary for particular channels. No A/D (analogue to digital, I assume) converter was needed, and so never tested.
547627
No this is not a digital tv,this is analog .In order to watch tv ,u need a cable
4815
What is analog? Lol Welcome to digital era. All TV broadcast is digital. You need s good antenna like this and a post 2000 era TV or an after market TV tuner
1428738
Since over-the-air transmissions travel in a straight line, anything between the broadcast tower and your antenna will affect the received signal. Mountains will definitely block a signal. Trees aren't as much of a problem unless the are very close to your outdoor antenna.Digital transmissions aren't like the old analog signals. With analog, if your signal was weak, the result was a snowy picture. Digital, on the other hand, you either have a signal or you don't.
1773968
Reception is not good. It only pulls in the strongest 2 or 3 stations I listen to. I put in the same six preset's that work fine on my car radio, and only two work on the Sony, the others were staticy in and out. Power lines give it fit's as well.
869462
Thanks you two for responding. Well, I bought a DTV, so my problem is solved. I guess I'm an old timer, 51 yrs. I used to think I was handy with all this when I dubbed some VHS tapes or loaded programs into a computer, or had my own FTP space to put pictures on eBay. But OH MY GOD!!! You've got to be kidding!?? I know younger folk will have a better handle on it all, but just looking at these manuals,... who do they think they're talking to? 'Nuff said
2063814
I have a telescoping antenna from a previous HDTV OTA tuner that has a heavier and magnetic base, however, it doesn't have any better/worse reception than this "V" antenna, which is so flimsy, each individual antennae isn't strong enough to stay in any fixed "up" position. Because the antenna is removable, pickup a cheap larger HDTV antenna and give it a try.
809033
I used a plain old fashioned cheapie kind and it works fine. (I got it here at Amazon - an RCA that cost about 10 bucks.) No such thing as a "digital" antenna.This one: RCA Indoor FM and HDTV Antenna
740825
I have a digital converter. This antenna is junk and does not work on new or old tvs.
2071599
If you have new digital TV's, you only need a good digital antenna to watch digital channels with decent reception. You don't need a converter box. Analog to digital converter boxes are only necessary on older TV's (non-digital).
1770955
Only modern digital ones, and maybe not all of those[there are various kinds; ie, they are not universal]. Older analog models assuredly not.