One way to cut TV costs is an antenna setup. You can now record like cable without the cost of cable with a TV tuner as well. You can also combine all of this with free streaming apps for live content and online content. TV antennas allows you to watch sports, prime time TV shows, and more live for free. However, there is an upfront cost for equipment if do not have an antenna already set up. This post can be used as a guide to set up a TV antenna.
Click here for an idea on what can be watched live for free using a TV antenna. The “Free Live Primetime TV Shows on Antenna Broadcasts” and “Free Live Sports on Antenna Broadcasts” sections have more details and shows and sports.
If you prefer free TV shows and movies online, click here details.
TV Antennas Options Overview
Connecting an Antenna directly into your TV
Watch shows, sports, news, movies, and more on major TV networks live.
Watch NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision, UniMás, Telemundo, and more without using an internet connect.
Running an Antenna Through a Tablo
Tablo lets you pause, rewind, fast forward (if recorded or watching few minutes behind the live feed), and record broadcast TV shows.
Tablos come with over 100 free streaming channels as well.
Smart devices within homes be connected to Tablo live broadcasts and recordings but requires an internet connection.
Visit Tablo’s website for more details on how they work
Restrictions
There is a up front cost for setting up antennas and Tablos.
Antenna broadcasts and recordings are only available within your home.
How to Set Up Overview
Antenna Prep
- Get the distance and details of TV station transmitters.
- Distance and details of TV station transmitters. Figure out the signal strength to figure out what kind of antenna is required. Check AntennaWeb.org has a scanner that shows you channels in your area and shows type of antenna options for your area.
- Decide on where you will place the antenna.
- Outside vs Inside and where to place. Figure out where and how you want to mount your antenna to choose between indoor vs outdoor and flat surface placement vs mounts. Antennas can be mounted inside on windows and walls or placed on top of a flat surface. They can also be mounted outside.
- Figure out how long the coaxial cable for your TV needs to be.
- Measure distance from antenna mounting location to TV to figure out how long of a cable your need.
- Figure out if you TV has a coaxial input and if a coaxial to HDMI converter or TV tuner is needed.
- A coaxial to HDMI converter or TV Tuner will allow you to plug the TV Antenna into an HDMI port.
- You will have to either get behind your TV to check for a coaxial input or check your TV settings that show the TV Model. If get the TV model of your TV check the specifications online to see if there’s a coaxial input.
Gathering Equipment
- Buy the antenna and coaxial cable (and possibly a coaxial to HDMI converter or TV Tuner) that fits your situation.
- Extra 1: If you would like to record shows, sports, and events, buy a Tablo.
- Extra 2: If you would like to watch the antenna broadcast if your internet goes out or with without using a streaming device on occasion, buy a cable Splitter to watch antenna TV with or without an internet connection or Tablo.
- If your antenna feed only goes through a Tablo, you can plug your antenna feed directly into your TV for outages.
- Extra 3: If you would like to add more recording space on your Tablo, buy an external hard drive.
Installation
Refer to the installation instructions provided for full details.
Scanning For Channels
If the antenna will plugged directly into your TV, check the TV manual the TV installed for details on how to scan for channels.
If the antenna will plugged directly into your Tablo, check the Tablo instructions manual for details on how to scan for channels.
