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Originally Posted by Johanna
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We used the same antenna at another house and got a couple of channels (never as many or as clearly as I had hoped), so I don't think it's user error (but I would never rule it out completely!). Our TV is a Sony with a built-in hdtv decoder.
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A couple of thoughts:
1) Did you configure the TV for "Air" mode? On some TV's you need to configure the tuner for either "Cable" mode or "Air" mode so that it knows which set of channels to look for. If your tuner is set up for "Cable" mode then it will be searching for signals on the wrong frequencies and using the wrong decoder type.
Digital TV broadcasts no longer show any "snow", so if you are seeing "snowy" channels, then this is a hint that you are picking up an analog broadcast and not a digital one.
If your tuner is set up correctly and picking up the digital broadcasts, then you will usually get either a nice perfect picture or no picture at all. A marginally receivable digital channel might show some "blockiness" or "pixellation" when the signal is breaking up, but never "snow".
2) It's possible that your building has something in it that is causing problems for the TV signals. If there is any foil-backed insulation, stucco mesh, aluminum siding, or other obstructions, it might block a lot of signal before it ever reaches your antenna. If in doubt, you might want to try sticking the antenna out a window to see if it makes any difference.
If moving the antenna outside make a huge difference in signal quality, then perhaps the building is causing unusually high signal loss. It means that an attic or rooftop antenna may be the best option for you to get reliable reception.