How to Connect Antenna to TV Without Coaxial Input [2023]

I have been wanting to connect an HD antenna to my Vizio TV to catch some free channels, but my TV doesn't have a coaxial input to plug my antenna into.

I tried looking in the market for an antenna that connects via HDMI, but there seems to be no such thing.

So I figured I do some well-warranted research and write this one-shot article on how you can connect an antenna to a TV that doesn't have a coaxial input.

It is possible to connect an antenna to a TV without a coaxial input by using a digital converter box. As long as the TV has an HDMI or an AV composite port, the connection should work without many issues.

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Procedure to Connect an Antenna to the TV Using a Digital Converter Box

It is possible to connect an antenna to a TV, that too in HD quality, by using a digital converter box such as the HomeWorx HW-150PVR.

Prerequisites

Before jumping the gun and getting ready for acquiring all the items you need to make your antenna work with your TV, there are a few prerequisites you need to keep in mind:

  • The Antenna should be properly working.

It doesn't matter if the Antenna is a rabbit ear one or a modern digital version, as long as it uses a coaxial cable for connection.

It is preferable to use a digital antenna though, primarily due to the added convenience and its ability to catch on to higher-definition signals.

  • The TV should have a working HDMI port.

The digital converter box uses HDMI to connect to the TV to relay the signals it receives from the antenna end.

You can also use an AV composite connection if the digital converter box and the TV supports it, but the video quality will be restricted due to the dated tech.

  • Use a good quality HDMI cable with ample specifications for relaying signals.

The HDMI cable used should be rated to carry all necessary signals to relay the best quality possible to your TV.

Usually, digital converter boxes come with an HDMI cable rated as per its specifications, but if not make sure to get a good-quality cable.

  • An extra slot in your power socket, as the digital converter box, requires power.

The power cable might not be long, and since the digital converter box is supposed to be placed near your TV it is best to reserve a slot near the TV's own power socket.

Step One: Connect the Antenna to the Digital Converter Box

Connect the male coaxial end of your antenna to the female coaxial end of the digital converter box marked as input.

Make sure to plug it in snugly, as coaxial cables do have a tendency to get loose over time.

Step Two: Connect an HDMI Cable Between the Digital Converter Box and the TV

The system requires a male-to-male HDMI cable in order to establish a connection between the digital converter box and the TV.

Step Three: Power the Digital Converter Box

Plug the digital converter box into a power socket. There should be indication lights on the device to let you know the system is running as intended.

If your digital converter box uses a USB port to power the device, do not connect the cable to the USB port on your TV, as it might not provide the power it needs to function properly.

Step Four: Turn On Your TV and Switch to the Hdmi Input

Make sure that you are on the HDMI input slot on your TV.

If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, they should be numbered accordingly on the input page.

Why Is a Digital Converter Box Essential?

Since the world has moved towards newer technologies for streaming media such as the internet and set-top boxes, the need for antenna-enabled TVs has reduced drastically.

With TVs becoming slimmer by the day, it is not possible to implement antique technologies into new TVs.

This is primarily the reason why TV manufacturers like Vizio stopped using standard TV tuners.

A TV tuner is a critical part of ensuring that you can seek the signal and channel of your choice via an antenna.

This is where a digital converter box comes into the picture, as it houses a TV tuner that can be used to control your antenna.

Digital converter boxes will not let you have access to encrypted channels from cable companies such as Comcast, DirecTV, etc.

You can only access free-to-air channels using your antenna, on any TV including Vizio TVs.

Here are some pros and cons of using a digital converter box to relay an antenna signal to your TV:

Pros of using a digital converter boxCons of using a digital converter box
Access to free-to-air channelsRequires additional power
External storage support for recording live TVInitial hardware costs
Better sound profile Takes up extra space near the TV
Pros and Cons of using a digital converter box

Antenna Not Working After Connecting to the Digital Converter Box? How to Fix

If you followed the above procedure to the dot and found that your signals are not being relayed properly, then it might be in due need of some troubleshooting.

Fret not, for you can follow the steps below to fix any temporary bugs that might exist within the system:

Check Hardware

The condition of the hardware can be a prime indicator as to whether your system will work properly or not.

Wear and tear can cause a significant impact on the stability and communication of signals from the antenna to the TV.

Check all the components for any wear and tear. If you notice anything abnormal, get the unit replaced.

Take special care to check the cables properly, as they are the prime culprit in such situations.

Power Cycle the Digital Converter Box and TV

If the components of your system are not working as intended, it can completely cut off the relaying of signals.

The fault of a single component can temporarily halt the workings of such systems.

In such cases, a power cycle can help in getting rid of any temporary hardware faults within the system.

A power cycle is basically a hardware-level reboot that allows for a complete depletion of all charges from within the components and freshly charging them up again.

In order to perform a power cycle on your digital converter box, follow the steps below:

  1. Unplug the digital converter box from its power source.
  2. Let the digital converter box sit idle for about a minute in its powered-off state.
  3. Plug the digital converter box back into its power source.
  4. Let the digital converter box sit idle for about a minute in its powered-on state.

In order to perform a power cycle on your TV, follow the steps below:

  1. Unplug the TV from its power source.
  2. Let the TV sit idle for about a minute in its powered-off state.
  3. Plug the TV back into its power source.
  4. Let the TV sit idle for about a minute in its powered-on state.

It is best to perform multiple power cycles in order to get the best results.

Final Thoughts

If you have further queries or issues regarding the connection, feel free to contact your respective TV support.

I hope my article is on the various methods you can adopt in order to connect an antenna to any TV without a coaxial input.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are antennas with HDMI available?

Antennas that directly plug into an HDMI port are not available, as antennas require a TV tuner for proper operation.

What is the difference between analog and digital antennas?

As the naming suggests, digital antennas pick up digital signals, whereas analog antennas pick up analog signals.

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About Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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