Antennas are selected based on the frequency/channel that is to be received, not the content. All off-air/broadcast antennas will receive both analog and digital signals; however, receiving the new digital off-air (8VSB) channel may require a new antenna because of the new channel frequency assignment of the digital channel.

The necessity for a pre-amplifier cannot be determined until a site survey is performed. If required, the pre-amplifier is mounted outside on the antenna mast, and requires a separate power supply that is mounted in the building. The appropriate power supply for the pre-amplifier being used must be specified separately.

The digital processor is the system component that filters and amplifies to condition the particular channel being received. The processor can convert the received channel to another channel for output onto the system. It is common practice to convert desired local UHF channels to non-broadcast VHF channels in the market. This is done to minimize losses, and make it easier to construct and manage the distribution network.

When the new channel is combined with other channels in the facility it must be done at the correct level so that the signals do not interfere with each other. Digitally modulated carriers (ATSC, 8VSB, QAM) should have an output signal level that is about 10 dB less than its equivalent analog channel.