Winegard RC-1010, Installation Manual

Page: 4 / 36

4
Introduction
Digital OFF AIR Television Reception
Traditional analog television sets are able to tune in free off air programming like local NBC, ABC, and
CBS channels using a standard antenna and a built in NTSC Tuner. In fringe areas, reception becomes
poor and channels show up with poor coloring, ghosting, or with snow or static.
In 2002, local channels began broadcasting a free
Digital Signal as well as an analog signal. Using a
high quality antenna and an ATSC tuner, you will be able to receive digital broadcasts. The digital signal
provides you with DVD quality picture and sound, and will never show static or poor picture. Digital
reception is “All or Nothing” reception, much like digital cell phone reception or satellite television.
Digital Television is also your source for free
High Definition programming. If a program shown on a
digital channel is broadcast in High Definition, your HD capable television set will display high quality
video and Dolby Digital® audio.
Your Winegard Digital Receiver has a built in ATSC tuner to decode Digital OFF AIR signals and display
them on your television.
How Do I Receive Digital Channels?
To receive free, over the air Digital programming, connect your Winegard Digital Receiver to your
television. You must then scan in the digital channels in your area using the receiver.
You are probably familiar with the local channels in your area and what channel they are broadcast on.
For example, the local ABC affiliate in Davenport, IA is WQAD, broadcast on Channel 8. This is an
ANALOG channel. To receive the channel, simply point your antenna towards the station’s origin and
tune your analog television set to channel 8.
WQAD is also broadcasting a
DIGITAL signal. There are two important things to know about receiving
a Digital broadcast:
1. The Digital signal being broadcast is not on the same channel as the analog broadcast. Back to
our example, WQAD broadcasts an analog signal on Channel 8, a VHF frequency. WQAD
broadcasts the
DIGITAL signal on Channel 38, a UHF frequency . This means that to receive
the Digital broadcast, you must have a UHF capable antenna and orient it to the station’s origin.
2. Once you have scanned your Digital channel into memory on your digital receiver, the Digital
channel will appear on your television as the analog channel number, plus a “-“ or “.” and a
number 1-6. In our example, WQAD will appear as channels 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3.
Digital channels are “
multicast ”, meaning up to six separate channels may be shown on one digital
channel. In our example, Channel 8-1 is the standard digital channel showing regular ABC
programming. Channel 8-2 is a 24 hour news broadcast and channel 8-3 is a 24 hour weather
broadcast. If you are able to tune in your digital channel, all available multicasted channels will be
available. Available channels will vary by your local market.
How do I Receive High Definition Programming?
To receive free, over the air High Definition programming, connect your Winegard Digital Receiver to an
HD Capable Television. Scan in your available digital channels, and tune to your desired channel. If
the program being broadcast is in High Definition, you will automatically display the High Definition feed.
HD programming is shown in Widescreen, 16:9 format on your television and will have outstanding
picture and audio quality. When the program being shown ends or is not being shown in HD (such as at
commercial breaks), you may notice black bars on either side of the picture.
To determine what channel your local Affiliates are broadcasting digital channels on, consult the
“Winegard Traveling Guide” (sold separately) or consult www.antennaweb.org.