How to switch from directv to antenna? Do you overpay for cable or DirecTV? This guide will show you how to cut the cord and use an HDTV antenna to get free OTA channels. This arrangement also allows for streaming channels. Choosing an HDTV antenna over a satellite dish saved us over $220 a month. Follow these steps from Jovemaprendiz2019.org to ditch DirecTV, install an antenna, and save money.
Where to install TV antenna?
I think the ideal technique is to set your antenna adjacent to your DirecTV dish because you know it is the line into your house and that way the signal gets to every room. Locate a safe area on your house or roof to install your antenna. It would help if you were always aware of massive things in the route of a powerful signal. You may always reposition your antenna and run coax cable to where it enters your house. Then carefully remove the satellite dish and install the HDTV antenna on the DirecTV dish mount.
HDTV Antenna Setup and Removal DirecTV
Now go to your DirecTV dish and verify the coaxial connection. My DirecTV system used Single Wire Switch (SWM) technology, therefore I can’t comment on other DirecTV technologies. The SWM adapter from the DirecTV dish looks a lot like a cable splitter.
How to switch from directv to antenna in right way?
Connect the antenna to the splitter going inside. Previously, your DirecTV hose was attached here. This SWM adapter’s cords will need to be understood. In my situation, they were heading to a Cox cable box that came with the house. I found an existing ground wire. Then I connected the antenna to the house’s existing coaxial connection.
Every room in my house has coaxial cable. All I had to do was install and connect the HDTV antenna.
I was worried about signal loss because I don’t know where other splitters are or where the house’s wiring is. It’s obviously obvious, but the signal is greatest the closer you are to the antenna and the fewer splits in the line.
Set up a coaxial splitter
Next, I’ll remove the DirecTV SMW adaptor and install my Coaxial splitter. You can utilize the coax wire from your HDTV antenna as the “in” source, and the cabling from your DirecTV SWM adapter as the “out” sources. After replacing the SWM adapter with the coaxial splitter, you’re practically done!
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Which way can I make the transition from directv to antenna in a step-by-step manner?
Tip 1: Unplug DirecTV and connect the coaxial line directly to the TV
Now that we’ve done all of the connections, we’ll have to wait and see what comes in on your television. Start with a TV in a spare room rather than the primary television in your family’s living room, as this will be more convenient. The following step is to unplug the DirecTV box from your television. Because all of my televisions were connected by HDMI cable, I unplugged the HDMI plug from the back of the television. Then, locate the coaxial cable that runs from the wall outlet to the back of the DirecTV box and detach it from the DirecTV box using a screwdriver. Once the cable has been removed, locate the cable connector on the back of your television and screw the cable in place. I’m not aware of any antenna cable switches that would allow numerous lines to be connected at the same time.
Step 2: Look for HDTV channels
Your TV will then list the new HD channels it receives. Since we all have different TV brands, I recommend retrieving your original remote. You can also use your DirecTV remote if you programmed it to control your TV. If you notice the input as Cable, switch it to the “antenna” or “TV” input and finish a channel scan operation. If none of this helps, you might Google “how to scan for HDTV channels on [insert TV brand]”.
Here are the basic steps to find HDTV channels on Vizio TVs using an antenna:
- Select “TV” from the remote’s Input button.
- Press the remote’s Menu button.
- Choose “Tuner” and OK.
- Tuner Mode settings Not “Cable”. If it says “Antenna”, change it to “Cable” using the remote.
- Select “Auto Channel Scan” and hit OK.
As a result, your TV will scan for channels. When the progress bar reaches 100%, you will have access to all TV channels.
Step 3: Watch HDTV through antenna
Here is the final step on how to switch from directv to antenna. Watch a few minutes of each local channel. Watch to check if the signal is strong and steady. If not, return to your antenna and reposition it. I spent around 30 minutes calibrating the antenna depending on the received signals. Repeat this approach for each TV until you’ve located them all.
One minor hiccup occurred when I switched from standard to high-definition television. The number of channels available on a bedroom television was just half that of the others. The reason for this is that our main bedroom is the room that is the furthest away from the antenna.
Our DirecTV installers ran coax to an outlet so we could have a TV on our patio. There was an SWM adaptor on the cable in this bedroom where they spliced it! As stated previously, the SWM adapters only allow for satellite signals and not HDTV signals. I replaced the SWM splitter with a regular splitter and reset the TV to get all other channels. I don’t believe I have any signal loss from the point of entry to the TV farthest away.
How to connect DIRECTV’s “Off-Air Antenna” Terminal to a traditional analog television set.
Step 1
Before continuing, turn off the TV and the DIRECTV receiver on the wall.
Tip 2
Connect an RF “Antenna In” connection on the rear panel of the digital converter box with a coaxial wire from the television antenna. Occasionally, the coaxial cable for the TV antenna will be connected to the TV antenna. If the other end of the cable is not already connected to the TV antenna, connect it to the RF terminal, which is found on the base of the TV antenna, if it is not already.
Step 3
Connect the RF “TV Out” terminal on the converter box to the “Off-Air Antenna” port on the rear panel of the DIRECTV receiver with another coaxial wire to complete the connection.
Step 4
The power jack situated on the back of the digital converter box should be connected to one end of the power cord of the converter box. Connect the other end of the cord to a wall outlet or power strip to complete the circuit. Turn on the television as well as the digital converter box. Channel 3 should be selected on the television.
Step 5
Navigate to the main “Menu” display on the digital converter box. Then, from the list of available options, select “Channel Scan.” The converter box will perform a search for broadcast television signals that are available in the surrounding area.
FAQ about how to switch from directv to antenna
How to make a TV Antenna out of an old satellite dish?
You want to convert your old DirecTV dish into an over-the-air TV antenna. The mounting arm of the DirecTV dish is the only part that may be reused. You might be able to reuse your existing DirecTV mount depending on your new TV antenna. Check with TV Fool to see if the location of your current satellite dish will allow you to receive a good HDTV signal.
Is it possible to use DirecTV wiring to connect an HD antenna to a television set?
Yes, you should be able to make use of the existing wiring in your property. When I switched from DirecTV to antenna, I was able to connect my antenna to my house where the DirecTV line had previously been installed and receive television in every room.
Getting rid of DirecTV and replacing it
So, when I cancelled DirecTV, they only wanted three of the six units I owned. This strikes me as a bit deceptive, given that they have no difficulty billing me monthly equipment expenses, but I digress…
If they do not request all of the equipment back, and you have your DirecTV remote programmed to control your TV, you may as well keep the remote. There’s no need to return a universal remote because one of your televisions may require a replacement controller at some point.
The cancellation process with DirecTV was straightforward. They provided me pre-paid boxes to return the equipment they requested, as well as a prepaid Visa debit card to cover the remaining sum on my account. If they suggest you can cancel when your month is up, politely decline and request a refund. This will assist you in paying for your antenna and any other equipment you may need.
What is causing my television to not pick up antenna channels?
It’s possible that your cables are faulty. If your wires are loose, you’ll most likely get no signal or a spotty signal if you have a problem. As a result, check that the connections between your television and antenna are secure. During the same time you’re verifying your connections, take a look at your cables to make sure they are not bent, looped, or otherwise damaged.
Final Thoughts on how to switch from directv to antenna
After switching to OTA HDTV, I think the visual quality is greater than DirecTV. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think it’s true. I also expected this process to be more difficult than it is. Jovemaprendiz2019.org don’t miss DirecTV at all. Also, if you have a family member with DirecTV, you may use their login to stream entertainment from apps like ESPN, FoxSports, HBOMax, Discovery, Showtime, and others.
