velooce
Member
- Jan 28, 2008
- 266
- Boat Info
- 1977 30' Weekender
- Engines
- Twin Merc 454's, Hurth straight inboards
Recent LCDs will have the built-in digital tuner (HD TV). But you never know how long a particular TV was in the manufacturing pipeline. If its got HDMI inputs its almost certain to be digital tuning. Digital channels are often a separate search and program set-up versus analog. So if you've got an HDTV LCD but you're not receiving the digital channels, check your set-up menu.
The flying saucer atop the arch (Glomex, SeaWatch, etc.) is the UHF/VHF antenna. Its poor gain because it has to be omnidirectional. This requires an amplfier but still produces poor analog reception.
At one end of the antenna amplifier gain control rotation is a click stop which switches from the ship antenna to the transom shore inlet. You might check its position if you're getting no signal.
There's no need to change antennas. Basically the old analog and new digital operate with different languages but on a similar bandwidth. Digital reception will be improved.
If your accessing RF distribution at the Glomex then you're not getting as good a picture as you will with line level connectivity (ie HDMI, component, S-video or composite). You might use the RF modulation function for wholeboat distribution (before the splitter) and also use line level into a larger salon TV. This way one tuner will facilitate all TVs and you get a better picture where it matters most.
If you want to totally conceal the tuner within a cabinet or behind a TV then consider an infrared repeater like a Xantech 29110RP kit.
Here's an example,
Hope this helps.
David
Earmark Marine
I installed the Artech digital receiver and a infrared repeater so I could completely hide the receiver and am pleased with the digital reception. At the dock I am plugged in to a large round omni directional antenna with power amplifier and receive about 15 channels and at sea I was surprised to get 13 channels with rabbit ears plugged into the cable jack on the exterior side of the boat. Since I do not have a radar arch I just plug in the antenna when ever there is a desire to watch TV. I seen advertised a digital antenna that looks like a cucumber with the bottom cut off, does anyone know the manufacturer?