Why does my digital TV image fall apart into pixels and the sound breaks up - when I switch the digital box to TV antenna, the reception is ok, just not so sharp as with digital conversion. Is it a problem with the antenna? the digital box? the TV (LG) is new

Television signals are at such high frequencoies they will be reflected form buildings and other objects, and attentuated by moisture in the air and through the leqaves of trees, etc. In large cities yourt TV singals can arrive from different paths Digital TV signals bounce as di the old "analog TV" signals but the technology allows the receiver to ignor singals that are out of phase so the picture is "clean" despite multipleversions of the signal arriving at the antenna at slightly different times. That said, if the signal is weak, there is little you can do other than experimanet with positioning the receivng antenna. Typically, building walls attentuate televisoin signals so locating the receving antenna close to a window often provides for stronger signal reception.

Amplified antennas cannot amplify what is not there. Moisture in the form of fog, rain and snow will attenuate television signals and if thre signals are marginal in good weather, they may be virtually not-existent in wet weather. Digital TV signals are threshold dependent. When they are toow eak, you won't see anything. Back in the old analog TV days, you could see a "snowy picture" but digital TV doesn't allow for that. The signal is either strong enough to be viewed or it is not.

You have few real options if you do not subscribe to cable or a satellite tv provider. Amplified antennas can help but if you need them you live in a marginal TV reception area to begin with and more prone to the vagaries of weather and the seasons.

Use an Antenna that Provides Good Reception of All Channels

• Most existing antennas used by consumers will provide good reception of DTV signals. (Before making any changes, try your existing antenna first to see of it allows you to receive all the stations you normally watch.)
  
• For watching DTV signals, you will need an antenna that provides good reception of both VHF signals (channels 2-13) and UHF signals (channels 14-51) to reliably receive all of the digital signals broadcast in your area.
  
• Many antennas are designed only for reception of either VHF or UHF signals (but not both). For example, the commonly used “rabbit ears” indoor antenna is only suitable for receiving VHF signals. To receive UHF signals, an indoor antenna should also include a wire loop or other feature for reception in that band.
  
• The reception capabilities of TV antennas also vary considerably, so be sure to talk to retail consultants and look at information on the packaging and/or the Internet to make sure that any new antenna you may choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels. In addition, if you use an indoor antenna and receive signals on VHF channels, you may need to use an antenna with amplification.
  
• Many antennas currently being sold as “HDTV Antennas,” perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these models state that they provide reception of signals on channels 7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels. If you obtain one of these antennas, be sure it provides good reception of all the VHF channels as well as the UHF channels.
  
• To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available at www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.
  

Check Your Connections

• Check that your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television is connected properly. Make sure your antenna is connected to the antenna input of your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television. If using a digital-to-analog converter box, also ensure that the antenna output of your converter box is connected to the antenna input of your analog TV. Refer to the owner’s manuals of your components if you are unsure of the proper connections.
  
• Ensure that your components are plugged in and have their power turned on.
  
• If you have a digital-to-analog converter box, tune your analog TV to channel 3. You should see a set-up menu or picture displayed on your TV screen. If you do not see a set-up menu or picture, tune your TV to channel 4. If you still do not see a set-up menu or picture, recheck your connections.
  

Perform a Channel Scan

• Digital-to-analog converter boxes and digital televisions have a button, usually on the remote control, that is labeled “set-up” or “menu” or some similar term. Press that button to access the set-up menu. Using the directional arrow buttons on your remote, scroll to the option that allows you to perform a “channel scan.” The channel scan will automatically search for digital broadcast channels that are available in your area. Consult the owner’s manual of your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television for detailed instructions on how to perform a channel scan for your device.
  
• Once the channel scan is complete, you will be able to tune to the digital channels received by your antenna. You should perform a channel scan periodically to check whether additional digital channels have become available.
  

Adjust Your Antenna

• Small adjustments to your antenna can make a big difference in the number of digital channels you can receive. If you have an indoor antenna, try elevating it and moving it closer to an exterior wall of your home. After adjusting your antenna, perform another channel scan to see if your reception is improved.
  
• While adjusting your antenna, it may be helpful to access the “signal strength meter” on your digital-to-analog converter box or digital television to determine whether your adjustments are improving the signals’ strength. The signal strength meter is usually accessed through the menu feature on your remote control. Refer to the owner’s manual of your device for detailed instructions on how to access its signal strength meter. Remember to do another channel scan after you have adjusted your antenna.
  
• Television stations broadcasting in digital use both the VHF band (channels 2-13) and UHF band (channels 14-51). Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band. Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly.
  

If You are Still Having Difficulty:

• Until June 12, 2009, some stations will be operating at reduced power levels. If you are not receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or digital-to-analog converter box or digital television. Check with the TV station to find out whether they are planning changes that will improve reception.
  
• When an analog TV signal is weak or receives interference, static, snow, and distortion will often appear on the screen. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture; however, if the signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you watch analog TV stations that have static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system.
  
• Simple indoor antennas provide minimal performance that may not be suitable for your location. If you are unable to obtain satisfactory DTV reception with your current indoor antenna, you may wish to obtain an indoor antenna that includes features for better reception of UHF signals, as well as VHF, and/or an amplifier to boost the received signal (often referred to as an active indoor antenna).
  
• Generally, an outdoor antenna will get better reception than an indoor antenna. However, the performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. If you are having problems, check for loose or corroded wiring, broken antenna elements and that the antenna is pointed in the right direction.
  
• Try to keep the length of wire between your antenna and digital-to-analog converter box or digital television as short as possible for best reception.
  
• “Splitters” that are used to connect a single antenna to multiple digital-to-analog converter boxes or digital televisions reduce the amount of signal available to each device. If you are having problems, check whether reception is improved without the splitter. In some cases an “active” splitter that includes an amplifier can solve the problem.
  
• If you are near a station’s broadcast tower, reception of that station, as well as other stations, can be impeded by strong signal “overload.” Consider using an “attenuator” or removing amplifiers to improve your reception.
  
• If you decide to replace or upgrade your indoor or outdoor antenna, many types are available from electronics retail stores at a variety of prices. Websites such as www.antennaweb.org provide information on the locations of broadcast towers and the types of outdoor antennas appropriate for the stations you wish to receive. If you need assistance with upgrading your antenna system, check with a local antenna retailer or antenna installer.
  
• To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available at www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.
  

Hope it may helps:

Regards:
VOTIT

try googling how to build an antenna with coat hangers. not pretty but cheap!

You will need a digital antenna for reception. You do not need a converter box for your tv. I have a digital antenna and get a bunch of channels in.

Ok first I can save you some money. Take your "HDTV" antenna back. There is nothing different about the antennas needed receive analog and digital signals. If you got reception without your converter box, use the same antenna with your converter box.

Next let's see if there is a problem with the box. Hook up a television with the antenna. How many stations do you get? Now hook up the same television & antenna, but this time put the converter box between the antenna & the TV. Do not turn on the box. Now how many stations do you get? If the number is different, the box is not allowing the antenna signal to pass through. That is bad. You want your signal to pass through the box so you can still pick up stations that don't broadcast digitally. Some areas of the country will not be covered by digital stations from all major broadcasters when the changeover happens in Feb.

My suspicion is either you did not have the antenna hooked up to the converter box when you searched for channels OR you are in an area that is not yet broadcasting digitally.

I hope this helps you solve your problem. Thank you for using FixYa and feel free to add more questions here by using comments.

TERK HDTVa is a good amplified indoor antenna.

You can change the way the channels can be displayed/viewed by a video setting, consult manual. When pic breaks into pixels and sound goes it's usually a reception problem so you'll have to adjust the antenna facing a direction that makes that channel come in clearly. It helps to experiment with positions and antennas.

Usually rooftop antennas yield the best reception, but if it's old maybe it's rusted or the cables need replacing perhaps. With digital programming, it's either it comes in great or you don't get a pic at all unlike analog which will allow snowy images and bad reception to come in.

As far as the antenna goes..NO. It is still an RF signal. The antenna just needs to be good for the frequency range of the stations you are receiving. The station numbers and frequency don't necessarily match like they use to. They are all over the place now.

Unfortunately, I'm in Australia and not familiar with New York TV transmissions, however, the reception principals are the same.

Your signals are most likely bouncing off walls etc in your apartment with several 'reflections' being picked up by your indoor antenna.

This 'multipath' reception causes errors in the digital signals.

Your receiver can correct a certain amount of errors, but if there are too many, your picture will pixelate and the sound will make loud noises and then you will lose reception altogether.

The fix for this problem is connecting to a roof-mounted antenna and signal distribution system. Most apartment buildings have one, however some only distribute cable channels.

There is a possibility of a fault with your TV, but from what you describe, it sounds like a signal issue.

Have a chat to your building manager and ask what system they use for FTA reception in your building.. perhaps there's a fault that they are not aware of.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Good luck.