OTA: Over-the-Air Antenna Essentials

Setting up your TiVo device with a digital antenna is easy: just plug in your antenna cable and you're all set. Watch, search, browse, or record, and start enjoying all your favorites in HD. Antenna broadcast signals are dependent on some variables, including:

• Geographic location

• Transmission power

• Environmental factors, such as (e.g., weather, construction, and electronic interference)

All of these factors are outside of our control, re-position the antenna when applicable. Type of antennas may include:

• Indoor only (such as indoor digital antenna)

• Indoor/outdoor (such as small form factor, pedestal or mast mount)

• Outdoor only (such as mast, bracket or older analog TV antennas possibly on the rooftop or attic)

Miscellaneous Antenna Information

• Some are designed only for VHF or UHF or both.

• Some are directional.

• Mounted (roof or mast) digital antennas often have reflector screens or other devices mounted behind the antenna loop.

• The antenna loop should be positioned perpendicular to the direction to the transmitter.

Transmitter Information

• Virtual Channel Number- This number includes subchannels (such as 7-1, 7-2).Subchannels are typically owned and operated by the same network that owns the primary channel, but can carry other networks (such as Ch 7-2 is operated by KMGH TV but shows Univision).

• Frequency- Each virtual channel has an RF frequency number (a.k.a. frequency index). This frequency ties the virtual channel to a transmitter (such as Ch 7-1 frequency 14.

There may be more than one listing for a given channel that have the same programming (common in rural/mountainous areas and you may see several in your lineup, but only be able to get one). These are translators and appear with different frequency numbers (such as Ch 7-1 frequency 7 might show as KMGH ABC affiliate & Ch 7-1 frequency 12 KMGH).

Signal Strength

Signal strength is a function of transmitter distance, transmission power, and how much of the signal the antenna is able to "catch". The signal strength reading for an OTA signal is much the same as for a cable signal. Generally the sweet spot is 80–99%. To check your device's signal strength, see General to Advanced Network and Wireless Troubleshooting Tips. If the signal strength is in the recommended range and you see poor-quality video check the signal quality. Shows may be watchable or nearly watchable below that, but there may be problems with "skipping" or recording if the signal falls below that range or "bounces" around. There can be variations based on any number of factors.

Factors that affect signal:

• Antenna position

• Coax cable between the antenna and the TiVo

• Splitters and other coax components

• Weather

Adjusting or swapping out antennas, coax, splitters, amplifiers, and similar components can aid in determining if one particular piece of the setup is faulty.

Basic Antenna Troubleshooting

1. Restart the TiVo DVR.

2. Confirm physical connection.

   1. Check all of the power plugs, cables and make sure that they are secure.

   2. Check also third-party devices or any attenuators and signal boosters installed.

   3. Adjusting or swapping out antennas, coax, splitters, amplifiers and similar components can aid in determining if one particular piece of the setup is faulty.

3. Check the TiVo device's signal strength. The recommended signal is 80–99%.

4. Please refer to the FCC website to determine which channels are available in your area.

   1. OTA antenna TV stations are broadcast in ClearQAM (no encryption-Digital transmission). In the TiVo Diagnostics, this will appear in the Encryption field as 8-VSB (instead of QAM 64 or QAM 256).

   2. OTA antenna broadcasts have two components, a virtual channel number and frequency.