How do I Measure Signal Strength of a Digital TV?

Most digital television receivers offer a signal strength display.

One way to troubleshoot digital television reception problems is to check the strength of your TV signal. Most digital television sets or set-top boxes have a basic signal strength display, and you can access this through the "system" or "setup" menu of your receiver. The signal strength is usually displayed as a percentage or a number on a scale from 1 to 10. Some receivers use traffic light colors with red for a weak, or nonexistent, signal and green for a strong signal. You will need a strong signal to enjoy stable, clear reception of all available digital TV and radio channels.

Things You'll Need

• Digital TV receiver remote control handset

Instructions

1. Switch on your digital TV set, or TV and digital set-top box.

2. Press "Menu" on the digital receiver's remote control handset.

3. Find and select the "Settings," "Setup" or "Installation" menu.

4. Scroll down to select "Signal strength" and note the reading.

Tips & Warnings

• Some digital TV sets and set-top receivers show the signal strength during a scan for new channels. To view this, access the channel scan or tuning option from the settings menu.

• Another way to check the signal strength of your digital television reception is with a signal meter. You can connect this to your digital television antenna or satellite dish to align it for the best reception.

References

• Radio and Telly: Reception Help

Resources

• DTV: What You Need To Know About The Digital Transition