Watching Antenna Tv: Studio Monitor Setup Guide

Watching TV on a studio monitor is a practical choice, especially if you want to save money and space. Studio monitors often have multiple input options, making them compatible with various devices like gaming consoles, streaming devices, and computers. In addition, their sleek design allows for efficient use of space. To watch antenna TV on a studio monitor, you will need to connect the monitor to a TV tuner or cable box. Ensure that your monitor can support TV signals from a tuner or cable box, and check that your monitor has the necessary input ports, such as HDMI, DVI, or VGA. If your monitor does not have built-in speakers, you will also need to connect external speakers or use an adapter for sound.

Check your monitor and gear

To watch antenna TV on a studio monitor, you need to ensure that your monitor and gear are compatible. Here are the key things you need to check:

Check Your Monitor

Firstly, ensure your monitor can support TV signals from a tuner or cable box. Most modern devices use HDMI as the main signal input/output line. If your monitor runs at a 1080p resolution, you should have no issues. However, newer devices require at least a 720p output to work.

Another crucial aspect is HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliance. HDCP is a type of DRM (Digital Rights Management) that protects HD and UHD content from piracy. If your monitor's HDMI input does not support HDCP, it will not be able to decode the signal, making this method unfeasible.

Additionally, check if your monitor has built-in speakers or a 3.5mm jack. This will allow you to connect your desktop speakers or headset directly. If your monitor lacks these options, you will need an adapter or sound extractor, which we will discuss later.

Check Your Gear

If you plan to use a TV tuner or cable box, ensure it has an HDMI output to connect to your monitor. Also, check if it includes built-in speakers or a 3.5mm jack for audio output.

For local broadcasts, you will need a TV antenna and a TV tuner. Check http://dtv.gov/maps to see which channels are available in your area, as TV signal reception varies. Additionally, consider the range of the antenna; if you live in an area with many obstructions, such as tall buildings or trees, a wider range antenna will provide a clearer and more stable signal.

Additional Considerations

If you use a TV tuner, you may need an RCA to 3.5mm cable for your speakers to work with this setup.

If your monitor uses legacy connectors like DVI or VGA, you may need an adapter, such as an HDMI to DVI converter. Note that adapters may not work correctly with all models, so use them only when necessary.

Connect your monitor, cable box and speakers

To connect your monitor, cable box, and speakers, you will need to ensure that your monitor is compatible with your cable box. Most modern devices use HDMI as the main signal input/output line. Your monitor should be HDCP compliant, which protects HD and UHD content from piracy. Your monitor should run a 1080p resolution, but a 720p output is the minimum requirement for this setup to work.

If your monitor and cable box include built-in speakers or a 3.5mm jack, you can connect your speakers directly to the device with the necessary input. If there isn't an option for this, you will need an adapter or sound extractor.

Connect your TV box to the monitor via HDMI and plug your speakers into the device with the necessary input. If your setup is HDMI compatible but has no audio, you may need an HDMI audio extractor. If you are using a monitor with legacy connectors such as DVI or VGA, you can use an HDMI to DVI converter, which will also extract audio to a 3.5mm auxiliary jack.

If you are using a monitor with VGA input, you can connect your set-top box to the monitor with an HDMI cable and an HDMI to VGA converter, connected with a VGA cable from the monitor. If your monitor has two inputs, connect the HDMI cable for the set-top box and the VGA cable for your computer.

Make sure that you match the colours of the cables and inputs, attaching the red cable to the red input and the white cable to the white or black input. Plug the 3.5mm cable from your computer speakers into the female 3.5mm jack.

Turn on your monitor, set-top box, and speakers. You may need to adjust screen resolutions and audio output.

Check if using a TV tuner is feasible for you

If you want to watch local broadcasts instead of cable TV, you can use TV antennas and a TV tuner for your monitor. But before you do that, there are a few things to check.

First, check which channels are available in your area by visiting http://dtv.gov/maps. TV signal reception varies from area to area, affecting broadcast signal strength and clarity. Another website you can check out is AntennaWeb, which lists the available channels in your location.

Second, you will need an HDMI-compatible monitor and external speakers if your monitor doesn't have any. The most important piece of gear to consider is the antenna, which determines how clear the broadcast will be for you. If you live in a city, a 35-mile antenna will be enough, but if you live in the outskirts, you may need a 50-75 mile range. A wider range antenna will guarantee a clearer and more stable signal, especially if there are a lot of obstructions in your neighborhood, such as tall buildings or trees.

Third, you will need a TV tuner since monitors don't come with a built-in set. Most models come with an HDMI connector, but you may need an RCA to 3.5mm cable for your speakers to work with this setup.

Finally, connect the antenna to the RF jack on your tuner while running an HDMI cable from the tuner to your monitor. If you need to use external speakers, connect them to the tuner, which will decode the audio from the signal for you. After connecting your devices, you may need to open up OSD menus to select the proper inputs and outputs. If the signal isn't clear, try adjusting the direction or location of the antenna until you get better reception.

Set up your TV tuner gear

To set up your TV tuner gear, you'll need to ensure you have the right equipment. This includes a TV tuner card, an input source such as a satellite set-top box, and a computer monitor. If you're using a laptop, you can use the antenna terminal provided with the TV tuner or purchase a small antenna. For a PC monitor, a 16:9 monitor is recommended, and you'll need external speakers and the appropriate cables for audio.

Once you have the necessary equipment, follow these steps:

• Unpack your TV tuner and install the software before plugging it in.
• Connect your AV sources to the TV tuner externally using an AV cable, or connect the RF cable to the TV tuner.
• Plug in the TV tuner.
• Open the software and change the video input to AV.
• Connect your set-top box to the monitor using an HDMI cable. If your monitor has two inputs, you can connect one HDMI cable for the set-top box and another VGA/DVI cable for your computer.
• Connect the VGA/DVI cable to your computer.
• Attach the appropriate adapters to each audio jack on the AV cable, ensuring that the colours match.
• Plug the cable from your computer speakers into the female jack.
• Turn on the monitor, set-top box, and speakers.
• After watching, replace the cable or switch the input back to your computer. You may need to adjust the screen resolution and audio output.

Stream TV or movies on your monitor

Streaming TV or movies on your monitor is a straightforward process. If you have a newer monitor, you can use a streaming stick like a Google Chromecast or Amazon FireTV, which cost around $20 to $50. These devices connect directly to your monitor's HDMI port and can be set up using your mobile phone. You can then stream content from subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Now, as well as access music, sports, and YouTube through thousands of supported apps.

If your monitor has HDMI but no audio, you can invest in an HDMI audio extractor like the J-tech Digital Audio extractor, which comes with different connector options (3.5mm, optical, or RCA) and costs around $50. Alternatively, you can try screencasting from your phone to a Chromecast attached to your monitor, but there may be lag between the audio and video.

For older monitors with DVI or VGA inputs, you can attempt to use an HDMI to DVI converter with audio out, but keep in mind that Chromecast requires a minimum screen resolution of 720p and may not work with all models. Make sure your monitor's input is set to the correct port, and check for any errors indicating that your monitor cannot stream HD content.

If you want to watch local broadcast TV on your monitor, you will need either a cable or satellite subscription or an antenna and a TV tuner box. You can connect most satellite or cable receiver boxes to your monitor, and if it doesn't have integrated speakers, you can add external speakers or use an adapter if the inputs don't match.

Frequently asked questions