Improve DVB-T reception - the best tips

This article shows you how to improve your DVB-T reception. DVB-T can be received via three different antenna types. Here you will find options for improving your reception for each antenna type.

Improve DVB-T reception - indoor antenna

When using a room antenna, the network coverage in your region is particularly important. Check the reception quality in your neighborhood, for example using the website of the DVB-T consortium www.ueberallfernsehen.de. This is how you find out whether you should achieve sufficient reception with an indoor antenna or whether you should use an outdoor or roof antenna. Other tips for improving reception quality are:

• A passive indoor antenna (antenna with USB connection often included) ensures basic reception. If this is not available, the network utilization in your region is too low.
• An active indoor antenna amplifies the received signal by switching on the mains voltage. In some cases this can also be connected via the receiver.
• Pay attention to the correct location of your antenna. If possible, place your antenna near the window and a little away from other devices that receive and emit signals.

Improve DVB-T reception - additional external antenna

You can improve your DVB-T reception by adding an external antenna. This can be attached to a balcony or an outside wall, among other things. There are also a few things to consider here:

• If possible, the antenna must be aligned with the transmitter, especially in residential areas, it often requires a little patience to find the appropriate orientation.
• An active outdoor antenna requires an extra power supply. Flat cables enable a power connection without additional holes in the house wall. The cables can then be routed through the window frame.

Improve DVB-T reception - roof antenna

If you have decided on a roof antenna or already own a model, please note the following when improving reception:

• Is the polarization of the transmitter horizontal or vertical? The type of antenna is particularly important. For antennas with omnidirectional polarization that polarize vertically, there is no need to align the antenna, since it usually offers good reception regardless of the direction of rotation. In the case of an antenna with directivity (horizontal polarization), alignment with the transmitter from the single-frequency network is required.
• You can recognize an antenna with horizontal polarization by the short rods that run parallel and point horizontally to the earth.
• In contrast to horizontal polarization, the short bars in vertical polarization point perpendicular to the earth. The polarization depends on your neighborhood. As with reception quality, you can also find information for your region on the Internet.

In the next article we will explain how to build a DVB-T antenna yourself.