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Reception of digital TV broadcasts
Reception of digital TV broadcasts
Digital TV requires a proper antenna
Having a proper reception system becomes even more important when the number of television networks increases. In addition to the UHF frequency band, the VHF frequency band has been reintroduced in the television broadcasts which imposes more requirements on the reception equipment.
The terrestrial digital TV in Finland provides more content than ever. There are dozens of nationwide, free-to-air and pay TV channels that offer television picture in both traditional Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD).
Most of the SD channels are sent with DVB-T technology. The HD channels and part of the SD channels are sent with the new DVB-T2 technology which requires a new digital set-top box or a television with a built-in DVB-T2 receiver.
The multiplexes A, B, C and E transmitted by Digita are broadcast with DVB-T technology in the UHF frequency band. The multiplex F transmitted by Anvia and the multiplex F that covers the Helsinki metropolitan area are broadcast in the UHF frequency band as well. Both these multiplexes use DVB-T2 technology. Anvia also operates the regional multiplex of the coastal area of Ostrobothnia which uses DVB-T technology.
The network operator DNA transmits multiplexes VHF A, VHF B and VHF C in the VHF frequency band. All of these multiplexes use DVB-T2 technology. DNA's transmitters are not situated in the same location with the transmitters of Digita and Anvia which has to be taken into account when considering aerial solutions.
More information on TV broadcasts in the UHF frequency band at:
More information on TV broadcasts in the VHF frequency band at:What is a proper receiving antenna system like?
Reception conditions are affected particularly by the distance to the TV transmitter and the natural obstacles between the transmitter and receiving antenna. The more demanding the reception conditions, the more is required from the receiving antenna.
The antenna must be chosen according to the desired frequency band: A VHF antenna for the reception of the VHF multiplexes, and a UHF antenna for the reception of the UHF multiplexes. Because the transmitters of the UHF and VHF networks are situated in different locations, they are also situated in different directions and at different distances from the reception point. Using separate VHF and UHF antennas is the only way to adapt to the differences in signal strength that are due to the differences in distances between signals in different frequency bands.
The greater the distance to the transmitter station and the more difficult the natural obstacles, the more the antenna has to amplify the signals. The most demanding conditions require a UHF antenna which amplifies at least 17 decibels or a VHF antenna which amplifies 9 decibels. When needed, users can obtain antenna amplifiers that can be adjusted according to the frequency range. For the amplifier to be genuinely useful, it should be installed as near the antenna as possible.
The receiving antenna should be installed high enough, which means at least 10 metres above the ground level in the most demanding conditions. The VHF antenna should be directed at DNA's transmitter station and the UHF antenna at Digita's and Anvia's transmitter stations.
For detailed information on antenna systems and television services that can be received by using an antenna, see the guidebook Pientalon antenniopas (in Finnish), updated in June 2011.
More information on the locations of transmitter stations at:
