How to watch TV without an antenna

Wondering how to watch TV without an aerial socket in Australia? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most significant advancements in how we watch television since the introduction of colour TV. Australian households made the switch to digital TV transmission in 2013, supported by a major media education campaign that encouraged the transition. Analogue technology was phased out entirely, and today only digital televisions can receive audio and video signals.

All the Australian free-to-air television networks are now available on digital televisions and smart TVs, but if you still have an analogue TV, you can access them with a digital set-top box.

In this article, we explore:

• How to get free-to-air TV on a smart TV or analogue TV

• How to watch TV without an antenna in Australia

• The benefits of digital TV

• The various internet TV services available, and more.

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What is Digital TV?

Digital TV, or digital transmission, replaces the analogue signal method that Australian viewers used for decades. It uses processed and multiplexed audio and video signals to deliver sound and images to your TV screen.

Using digital transmissions to broadcast audio and video, digital TV is more advanced than the analogue transmissions from decades past. It’s the biggest leap in television technology since the advent of colour televisions in the 1950s.

Digital TV offers superior quality, more variety, and more accessibility than its analogue counterpart. It also enables the broadcasting of high-definition (HD) television formats that provide resolutions that are much greater than standard definition. With digital TV, users are able to watch more than one program on the same channel bandwidth, which is why we can now watch one television show while simultaneously recording another.

If your antenna is in good condition and you live in an area with a strong signal, it should work with a new digital TV without needing an upgrade. However, antennas older than 10 years may need to be replaced with a digital antenna for optimal reception. If you’re unsure, check your antenna’s condition or consult a professional.

You might like: Do I need a different antenna?

Advantages of Digital TV

Digital television offers several advantages over analogue, including more efficient use of bandwidth, allowing for more channels and even multiple programs on the same channel. It also supports additional features like web browsing, music streaming, and video games, which were not possible with analogue TV. These innovations make digital TV a more versatile and higher-quality option for viewers.

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What are the benefits of Digital TV?

Here’s a snapshot of the benefits of digital TV:

• Superior picture quality
• Clearer reception
• Digital quality stereo sound
• A whole new range of channels
• Digital radio

Television sets with only analogue tuners are unable to decode digital transmissions. This is why in 2013, homes with only analogue televisions needed to convert to digital in order to view any television transmission at all.

New TVs – plasma, LCD or LED LCD – feature integrated HD digital tuners. All new televisions are clearly labelled accordingly. Look out for labels that show HD or HDTV. New HD TVs are available from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on their size and technical capabilities.

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Do I need to buy a new TV to watch digital television?

Purchasing a digital television is only one way of making the switch to digital. You may opt to keep your analogue television but you will need to purchase a converter box to be able to tune in to digital channels (analogue channels no longer work). The “set top” converter box acts as a digital link between the analogue television and the television aerial. A new digital television is already equipped with the technology necessary to plug directly into the TV antenna.

What about my TV antenna?

Your existing TV aerial or antenna should not need upgrading in order to receive digital transmission. In some cases, aerials more than ten years old may need to be replaced with a digital antenna. If you have a good aerial and you live in an area with a good signal, you can simply plug your new digital TV in and go from there. In some regions, there is poor or nil digital reception so if this is the case for you, you will need to contact an antenna specialist for advice.

Different types of digital antennas

The performance and clarity of your TV picture will depend on your antenna’s size, design and how it was installed. There are three main types of TV antennas on the market:

• Indoor antennas
• Outdoor antennas
• Loft antennas

The indoor antenna is one of the most simple antenna installations but it does not always perform very well with an inferior signal quality. If you live in an area where the TV signals are good, you may be fine with an indoor antenna but if it’s not working very well you can try to position the antenna near a window or higher location.

Outdoor antennas are the most popular type of digital tv antenna and have a much stronger signal than indoor antennas. Some types worth noting are the Log periodic antennas and the Yagi. Do your research before you choose as there are pros and cons to each. The Log periodic antennas have weaker signals than the Yagi but offer more channels.

A  loft antenna is generally installed on the roof. In terms of signal, they function better than both indoor and outdoor antennas, but their installation is more complex and it’s recommended you get help from a professional.

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How to diagnose a problem with a digital antenna

Whether old or new, your digital antenna may experience problems that affect signal strength or reception. Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

1. Inspect the Antenna
   Look at the antenna outside (no need to climb on the roof). Ensure it’s visible and all parts are securely attached.

2. Check Alignment
   Make sure the antenna is still pointing in the correct direction for optimal signal reception.

3. Verify Cable Connections
   Go inside and confirm that all cables are securely plugged into the correct ports on your TV and antenna unit.

4. Select the Correct Input
   On your remote, ensure you’re using the correct input source (e.g., Antenna, HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.).

5. Retune Your TV
   Perform a channel scan to refresh the list of available channels.

If the antenna still isn’t functioning properly, it may be time to reach out to a local TV antenna installer for a professional inspection.

Can I still watch Digital TV without an antenna?

If you are wondering how to get free to air channels without an antenna, or if it is possible, you’ll be pleased to know that you can do so by watching content over the web using your digital TV. While you won’t need an antenna, you will need an internet connection that is set up to a smart TV.

How to watch free to air tv on smart tv? There are platforms you can take advantage of, such as Freeview, which launched the new FV service over the web. It brings together live streams and catch-up services from more than 20 FTA TV channels. Freeview is available via any current browser to give users access to the free FV website.

As well as streaming content, there’s a TV guide for all FTA channels. There is also a program recommendation tool to help you find content that may be of interest.

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Hang on, what are examples of Internet TV?

Want to know how to watch tv without antenna or a cable in Australia? All you need is WiFi! There are a variety of different internet TV subscriptions available to choose from. Many may recognise Netflix as one of the most popular options, but other examples of internet TV in Australia include:

• ABC iView
• Stan
• Foxtel
• Binge
• Amazon Prime
• Tenplay
• 9Now
• 7plus
• Hayu
• Fetch
• SBS on Demand
• Kayo

Even Amazon and Youtube have their own versions of internet TV these days, offering original programming that can stream right to your digital TV. Often in order to access the streaming services, users will have to pay a monthly fee.

Does Internet TV cost me money?

If you plan on using an internet streaming subscription in in order to access programming, you may have to pay for the service. One of the most well known and popular streaming services, Netflix, for example, charges about $10.99/month. Amazon offers a free 30-day trial and then charges $6.99/month, whereas SBS on Demand is free.

There are a variety of options, both free and paid, that offer many of the latest television series and movies that can be streamed at any time you like, as often as you like. Many offer free trials or introductory offers, so you can test out the service to decide if you want to stick with it or look elsewhere for your content.

Want to find a TV antenna service in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?