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Unread 08-05-2012, 10:37 AM
 
15 posts, read 15,857 times
Reputation: 25
Default No longer receiving free local channels on my new HDTVS..?

I Have two fairly new HDTVs that don't require a digital converter box to receive local channels. I have not had a cable or satellite subscription for quite a while, but have always been able to get the local channels. Btw, I live in an apartment complex in NE Phoenix/Scottsdale.

All of a sudden, I stopped getting ANY channels at all about a month ago. A month or so prior to that I switched from Cox internet to Century Link, and I'm beginning to wonder if that has anything to do with it. I've tried adjusting the coaxial cables and rescanning for channels and have gotten nothing. Does anyone know why this happened? Does it really have anything to do with me getting rid of Cox internet (even though I didn't pay for their cable service)? Any help would be much appreciated!
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Unread 08-05-2012, 11:00 AM
 
257 posts, read 111,343 times
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I have a fairly new HDTV and disconnected my cable about 3 months ago.

While my TV does not require a converter box either... I had to completely rearrange my front room to have the TV next to a window with the antenna in a strange position to get any local channels. Once I did, I got a lot of them.

3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 45, 51, 61 (some with more channels within that station). For some reason, I still needed an antenna.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 11:01 AM
 
2,476 posts, read 4,302,840 times
Reputation: 1302
Do you have an antenna attached to the TVs? You need to in order to get the channels.

You probably don't, and didn't, before either, but having Cox and connecting the coax was the antenna. Now with CenturyLink, they probably spliced into the coax wiring somehow and you lost your "antenna".
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Unread 08-05-2012, 11:58 AM
 
89 posts, read 74,600 times
Reputation: 80
If I were you I'd ask my neighbors if they are receiving OTA tv signals and check with the apartment manager to see if there is any programming provided in a central antenna system. I doubt that anyone reading this forum has a clue what your set up is. I have switched to OTA tv and Netflix. Good luck.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 04:04 PM
 
Location: Phoenix, AZ
587 posts, read 215,102 times
Reputation: 521
I need an antenna to get locals, but with an antenna I can even pick up Tucson channels up in north Phoenix.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 04:14 PM
 
Location: Willo Historic District, Phoenix, AZ
1,034 posts, read 1,026,167 times
Reputation: 719
If you have Cox internet and split off the cable to connect to your TV, you may get Cox's basic channels. I say "may" because this used to be a feature but Cox no longer supports it and has been applying filters to the lines to prevent it.

If you have been "adjusting the coaxial cables", what cables are those? Since you longer have a cable subscription they are likely hooked up to nothing.

Sounds like you were getting this stuff from Cox. Depending upon your proximity to South Mountain, and what lies in between, an indoor antenna may solve your problem. Connect THAT to your TV via a coaxial cable.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 04:19 PM
 
Location: San Diego
14,674 posts, read 8,991,004 times
Reputation: 4500
Quote:
Originally Posted by sgfernandez View Post
I Have two fairly new HDTVs that don't require a digital converter box to receive local channels. I have not had a cable or satellite subscription for quite a while, but have always been able to get the local channels. Btw, I live in an apartment complex in NE Phoenix/Scottsdale.

All of a sudden, I stopped getting ANY channels at all about a month ago. A month or so prior to that I switched from Cox internet to Century Link, and I'm beginning to wonder if that has anything to do with it. I've tried adjusting the coaxial cables and rescanning for channels and have gotten nothing. Does anyone know why this happened? Does it really have anything to do with me getting rid of Cox internet (even though I didn't pay for their cable service)? Any help would be much appreciated!
Sounds like you were getting the basic tier Cox service and you now have no local channels due to signal. You will need an antennae, you should see a fitting for it on the back of your tv. Pretty cheap fix.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 05:05 PM
 
Location: Southern Arizona
7,011 posts, read 11,865,473 times
Reputation: 4539
Quote:
Originally Posted by HX_Guy View Post
Do you have an antenna attached to the TVs? You need to in order to get the channels.

You probably don't, and didn't, before either, but having Cox and connecting the coax was the antenna. Now with CenturyLink, they probably spliced into the coax wiring somehow and you lost your "antenna".
I bet that's it.

The coaxial cable for Cox's Internet was probably doubling as an antenna.
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Unread 08-05-2012, 08:58 PM
 
Location: Tucson/Scottsdale, AZ
2,680 posts, read 3,059,365 times
Reputation: 1618
since the topic has came up, I just got my first flat screen HDTV (Costco - Samsung)...have been using Cox for basic cable (chs 2-18 or so) for years, but am looking forward to dumping that rip-off ($300/yr) and getting an HD antenna....a friend has what I think he said is an HD antenna mounted on the wall above his TV....

1. if I get an HD antenna, can it be mounted inside somehow?....

2. will I need to reprogram the TV channels?

3. will the picture be as good as the cable quality or what should I do to get the best picture?

4. any other hints?...

I got the new TV mostly as a vehicle for watching netflix, but do like the much-improved picture and size, too, for all types of watching....I think the TV can be used for computer stuff, youtube, and all that, but I don't yet even own a router...baby steps, you know....
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Unread 08-05-2012, 09:54 PM
 
429 posts, read 359,802 times
Reputation: 313
The over the air signal is beautiful. Costco has a nice digital antenna with 100 feet of satellite cable for $60. I would say that the quality of tv programming is just as bad as a cable source. There are three channels of channel 7 (Prescott) that show oldies. I have seen commercials for Mr. Antenna there. Mr. Antenna USA / Phoenix, AZ
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