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How do I get Free Digital TV?

Ron Marr
Ron Marr

While it could be said that nothing in life comes without some sort of cost, free digital TV can be relatively inexpensive. The digital broadcast signals and the programs they carry can be easily received at no charge; however, you do need a television and an antenna that are capable of picking up and displaying digital signals. Virtually all TVs sold today are equipped with a digital tuner, but if you own an older, analog-style television, you will need an analog to digital converter box. In the United States, these boxes are readily available at most electronics stores.

The other basic criteria for receiving digital TV broadcasts is having an adequate antenna and living within a reasonable distance of a transmission tower. Generally speaking, you should own an antenna that receives both Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) signals. While it is true that most digital signals are broadcast on UHF bands, a few are sent out as VHF. If you live within 60 to 70 miles (96 to 112 kilometers) of a transmission tower, you should be able to receive a signal.

Outdoor antennas should be capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals to get free digital TV.
Outdoor antennas should be capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals to get free digital TV.

The antenna is as important a part of receiving free digital TV as is the television or tuner box. The further away you live from a transmission tower, the larger and higher your antenna will need to be. If you live in a major city, you should get by just fine with a small, indoor antenna. If you live in a fringe area, then it is best that it be placed on an outdoor mast. Not only should the antenna be above your roofline, it should also be located away from power lines and any obstructions that could block the signal.

Indoor, set-top TV antennas can be used to receive free digital TV for those who live close to the transmission tower.
Indoor, set-top TV antennas can be used to receive free digital TV for those who live close to the transmission tower.

Most cable and satellite television providers send their signals in a digital format, and in this case, you have no need to buy an additional digital-ready TV or antenna. These services come at a price though — unlike over-the-air signals, this service isn't free. Digital programming acquired via over-the-air antenna includes the offerings of all the major networks. If you are not interested in getting hundreds of channels, or the premium movie options available through cable and satellite providers, free digital TV may an acceptable option.

Discussion Comments

httraj

The way of the future is not cable or satellite. It's true digital, right? IPTV programing is delivered via IP or internet so if you look around there are only video sites and not a tv network but I found one called askmilton. It's just like a cable TV network on any screen, even on your smart TV and it's free. You can even get a channel there.

MrPolitic99

My personal TV viewing habits are like many of the growing trend in Internet generation that watched our television content online. Instead of having to use digital TV boxes, satellites, and complicated equipment, I simply open up my laptop and tune into my favorite website.

With so many different online services now offering streaming television shows, it's hard not to make the transition to watching television at your convenience. Instead of using inexpensive digital video recording device to make sure that I watch my broadcast of my favorite show at the right time, I simply pull up the stream when I want. This is simply the best way to watch free digital TV online.

You will find that some of these services cost money. These services will often have a writing content that is similar to what is offered on cable television packages. Popular shows including prime time television shows will be made available at your convenience.

There are other websites that do offer free online digital television for free. These will often include advertisements either before or after or during the middle of an Internet streaming broadcast. These companies and websites use the ad revenue from these advertisements during your stream to make their money and pay the bills.

Burlap

One part of free digital TV that people usually pass up in the fact that there is free digital satellite television signals that come over the airwaves for free. These free digital satellite TV channels can be picked up with equipment that can be purchased at advanced appliance stores, electronic retailers, or on the Internet especially sites. A free digital TV receiver is required that is capable of hooking up to a satellite dish that you must place outside of your home. Unlike paid satellite television services that will include the equipment usually at a discounted price, the equipment for freeview digital TV over satellite will cost you some money.

Before investing that type of money into a new digital television receiving system, I would recommend that you look at what is available on these free view television sites. Often these channels are available as streams over the Internet you can preview what the content is going to be. You might find that these are not the same quality of channels that come over standard United States cable services.

IceCarver

As a businessman I wonder what the costs were and how much financial stress was incurred by local television stations that had to make the digital television switchover. While preview digital TV it is essential to keeping our society up to date with the technological demands of the world, I think that TV reception is something that we must focus on as in everyday issue for most people.

The fact that most people are now using either satellite or cable television reception systems means that the infrastructure for wireless television transmission has drastically changed.

Is it truly worth our time and effort spent millions and millions of dollars on replacing transmission equipment for the benefit of few.

GraniteChief

Digital TV is overrated and I think it's a scam by manufacturers to cost consumers more money. While the government did help with rebates for the digital TV switchover I don't think that it was fair to ask consumers to spend money simply so more spectrum of the wireless wavelength can be made available.

There is no doubt that the quality difference is better a digital television set that is receiving a digital signal over the air then the traditional analog signal. The only problem with this, is that now requires TV aerials and tennis in order to receive a solid signal. With an old analog sex you could actually turn into a channel most of the way even if it might be a bit fuzzy but still very watchable you could still receive the signal.

Now with digital television sets new to receive the signal perfectly or not at all. The problem with this is people in fringe areas around the outside of city limits as well as in rule areas that can somewhat see a signal before are now completely without service.

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    • Outdoor antennas should be capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals to get free digital TV.
      By: taweepat
      Outdoor antennas should be capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals to get free digital TV.
    • Indoor, set-top TV antennas can be used to receive free digital TV for those who live close to the transmission tower.
      By: Selecstock
      Indoor, set-top TV antennas can be used to receive free digital TV for those who live close to the transmission tower.
    • Proximity to the transmission tower is an important factor when receiving free digital TV.
      By: Anibal Trejo
      Proximity to the transmission tower is an important factor when receiving free digital TV.
    • A flat screen television.
      A flat screen television.
    • Digital TV signals are either UHF, or Ultra High Frequency, or VHF, or Very High Frequency, and they generally reach up to 70 miles away from their broadcast towers.
      By: itestro
      Digital TV signals are either UHF, or Ultra High Frequency, or VHF, or Very High Frequency, and they generally reach up to 70 miles away from their broadcast towers.