The first thing we all do immediately after buying a television is to connect it to the digital terrestrial antenna to tune in to TV channels. However, although it is widespread, it can happen that the antenna is not present or that you have positioned your TV in an area of the house far from the socket that is difficult to reach even with an extension cord.
So, what to do if we don’t have the possibility to connect to an antenna? First of all, we can take advantage of the Wi-Fi connection to watch TV programs via streaming, but we can also use some alternative and effective methods that I will show you in the next paragraphs. In fact, in this guide, I will explain how to connect a TV to a wireless antenna.
If you are curious about the tips I have prepared for you, I would say don’t waste any more of your precious time and get right to the action. Feel free to follow the instructions I’ll give you step by step, I’m sure that by the end of reading you’ll be able to find the solution that best suits your needs. I wish you a good reading and a good vision!
Wireless repeaters
If the antenna jack is far from the TV, but there is another TV connected at home, the first solution you might consider is using a pair of wireless repeaters.
Through these repeaters, it is possible to extend, via radio waves, the signal from television to transmit it to other televisions located up to several meters away (without obstacles).
These kits consist of a transmitter device and a receiver. The first must be connected to the TV correctly connected to the antenna via an RCA cable or SCART socket, and the second must be connected to the other TV in the same way, but it is possible to find HDMI models for more modern devices.
The most modern repeaters are manufactured with an operating frequency of 5.8 GHz to ensure optimal signal transmission, as this frequency is used by few devices.
Some of these repeaters support the IR remote control function (remote control repeater) to change channels on the source equipment. Here are some of the best on the market. If you want to know more about TV signal repeaters, I invite you to consult the specific tutorial that I have dedicated to this topic.
Portable antennas
The easiest way to tune in to channels is to buy a portable antenna to connect to your TV.
In fact, if you live in the city, perhaps in an area with a good outdoor signal, this is certainly the ideal situation to watch the various “traditional” TV stations without spending exorbitant amounts of money.
A portable antenna can be positioned anywhere, even if it is preferable near a window, and allows you to amplify the TV signal and improve its reception even in the case of terrestrial digital channels. In fact, the latest portable antennas support and are compatible with DVB-T2 technology, the latest standard for viewing digital terrestrial television broadcasts.
Streaming apps and devices
Video streaming platforms have certainly revolutionized the way of watching television, in fact, today it is possible to take advantage of television programs simply by connecting the television to the domestic Wi-Fi network, even being able to dispense with the digital terrestrial antenna.
All you need is a Smart TV , precisely a TV that can connect to the Internet, to launch the built-in applications (or install new ones) dedicated both to the world of streaming platforms ( Netflix , YouTube , Prime Video , NOW etc. ) and that of the free channels that transmit in streaming on the Internet ( RaiPlay , Mediaset Infinity etc.).
If you’re interested in finding out more information about how they work, read my guides on apps for watching TV and how to install apps on Smart TV. I’m sure you will also find these readings very useful.
If, on the other hand, you don’t have a state-of-the-art TV and you want to know if it’s possible to turn an old TV into a Smart one, just read the next solutions that I’m going to propose to you. At the end of reading I am sure you will find the device that best fits your needs.
Chromecast
The first device I want to recommend is the Chromecast : the Google dongle that allows you to play programs, movies and music available in streaming on the Internet on your TV by simply connecting this “key” to your TV’s HDMI input and the power outlet (or just the a USB port on the TV).
Through Chromecast it is possible to install several apps compatible with this system as well as almost all streaming platforms: YouTube, Netflix, Disney +, Spotify and DAZN, in addition to sending to TV. There are two Chromecast models available.
Chromecast with Google TV 4K—Allows you to view videos in resolutions up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision (requires 4K capable TVs). Remote control included with voice control with Google Assistant.
Chromecast with Google TV HD — lets you view videos at resolutions up to 1080p with HDR. Remote control included with voice control with Google Assistant.
However, it is still possible to find older versions of the dongle on the market. In particular, Chromecast Video that allows you to view content in 1080p resolution without using the remote control and without the Google TV operating system, therefore controllable and usable exclusively for streaming from smartphones, tablets and computers.
If you want to learn more about installing and configuring Chromecast and how to best use it on your devices, I suggest you read my tutorial on how Chromecast works.
Fire TV Stick/Fire TV Cube
Fire TV Stick is Amazon’s HDMI dongle for viewing video on demand content from Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Mediaset Infinity and being able to install many other apps to play on your TV screen.
With very small dimensions, they can be easily hidden behind the TV and, at a low cost, these keys are another ideal solution for viewing streaming content on a TV that is not connected to the antenna. They are available in several models.
- Fire TV Stick Lite — allows you to view videos in Full HD 1080p resolution, 8 GB of storage space, support for Dolby audio. Includes the new Alexa Voice Remote.
- Fire TV Stick — lets you view videos in Full HD 1080p resolution, 8 GB of storage space, compatible Dolby Atmos audio. Includes Alexa Voice Remote.
- Fire TV Stick 4K — allows you to view videos in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision, 8 GB of storage space, support for Dolby Atmos audio. Includes Alexa Voice Remote.
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max — allows you to view videos in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision with Wi-Fi 6 support, 8 GB of storage space, support for Dolby Atmos audio. Includes Alexa Voice Remote. Furthermore, thanks to the Live View function, it will be possible to view the images from the cameras installed in the house without interrupting the view of the programs in a picture-in-picture window.
- Fire TV Cube — is the streaming media player that, thanks to its octa-core processor, allows much faster access to apps. It supports voice control, allows you to view videos in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision with Wi-Fi 6 support, 16GB of storage space, Dolby Atmos audio and the Live View function. Includes Alexa Voice Remote.
If you want to know more about Fire Stick TVs, I suggest you read my guide dedicated to the subject.
Apple TV
Apple TV is a box produced by Apple that allows you to install many apps thanks to the dedicated store, including those for video and audio streaming, such as YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ or Apple TV+; the store for buying and renting movies managed by Apple is also available, as well as it is possible to send streaming content from iPhone, iPad and Mac via AirPlay technology.
Apple TV is currently only available in 4K variant with support for Dolby Vision 4K resolution video and audio content, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos and can be controlled with Siri Remote voice control with touch clickpad. It comes in two configurations: Wi-Fi with 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB of storage.
On the market, however, it is still possible to find the older version of Apple TV with HD video resolution of up to 1080p, Dolby Digital Plus 7 surround sound and Siri Remote.
NOW Smart Stick/Sky Q without satellite dish
If you are mainly interested in watching content transmitted by Sky, but don’t have a satellite dish available, you will be pleased to know that with NOW you can access the main contents of the well-known Pay TV via the Internet using an application for Smart TVs and devices HDMI as seen previously. Among the devices in question is the NOW Smart Stick: a proprietary NOW dongle that allows you to enjoy the contents of the platform in question even if you don’t have a Smart TV or your TV doesn’t have the NOW app.
All you need to use the NOW dongle is a TV with an HDMI input, a Wi-Fi internet connection and a credit card or PayPal account to activate your NOW account. In fact, to watch NOW content, you need to subscribe to one or more thematic packages, called Passes (if you remember, I already told you about them in the tutorials where I explain how to buy NOW tickets).
The NOW Smart Stick connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi only, supports dual-band 802.11 networks with b/g/n/ac wireless standards, and is capable of playing Full HD 1080p resolution videos. It also supports digital audio via HDMI (7.1/5.1 pass-through). In addition to the NOW app, you can also access other platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, etc.
NOW content is usually included as a free trial for one or two months with the purchase of the NOW Smart Stick. For more information, you can refer to my post on what the NOW Smart Stick is and how it works.
Alternatively, it is possible to subscribe directly to Sky even without antenna or Smart TV, thanks to the Sky Q service without satellite dish with its homonymous decoder.
In fact, this Sky Q formula does not require the installation of the satellite dish, but works simply by connecting the set-top box to the TV and connecting it to the home Internet network, either Wi-Fi or with an Ethernet cable.
You will then need to subscribe to a subscription plan from those available and start enjoying Sky content on your home TV. The Sky Q offer includes, in addition to access to the Sky content included in the subscription, also access to the main streaming platforms such as Netflix, AmazonPrime Video, Disney+, etc.
For more details on the services I just pointed out, and to find out about other useful solutions for this purpose, I suggest you read my guide on how to see Sky without an antenna .
Other streaming devices
If the solutions I proposed in the previous lines did not satisfy you, know that you can consider these other streaming devices listed below.
- Game Consoles — You can install apps from various streaming platforms and enjoy their content on various game consoles such as Xbox and PS5 using the controller as a remote control. If you want to learn more and have other “tips” you can, for example, take a look at my tutorials on how to download Netflix on PS4 or how to watch AmazonPrime Videos on PS4.
- Android TV Box — are very small computers equipped with Android to be connected directly to the TV and allow you to watch movies, TV series, documentaries and other content on demand. There are many TV Boxes available in the market with different features and prices, so I suggest you read our best TV Boxes buying guide.
- Set-top boxes — are devices that connect to the TV, even the old ones, and allow access to streaming services through official platform applications. They are usually provided with certain types of subscriptions to telephone or cable TV services, among the most famous we find, in addition to the already mentioned Sky Q, also TIM’s TIMVISION Box.
- Blu-Ray players — there are some latest generation Smart-type Blu-Ray players that therefore allow you to install applications dedicated to streaming. If you want some advice on this, read my Blu-Ray player buying guide.
Connecting PC to TV
Finally, it is possible to start and share the transmission of a video from your computer to the TV simply by connecting the two devices, either via cable or via Wi-Fi, or other suitable devices for this purpose.