There must be a forum for TV-fix questions, no? (turn on, screen, connect)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Feel silly posting this in Science, but maybe you can tell me what would be the best forum.
I just bought a used television via Craigslist (Toshiba 19CV 100 U), almost new, but no manual. I lugged it home, and did exactly what I did with my previous TV: I plugged it in, and then plugged the antenna into the set.
That was all I needed last time. But this time, the TV seems to be insisting on a cable connection. I've flipped around a bit on the on-screen options, and switched it from "PC" to "Cable/Antenna" but it seems determined to only want cable.
This morning I called Toshiba, and got someone in the Philippines who said she'd tell me how to connect if if I paid her $35.
I plugged it in, and then plugged the antenna into the set.
I don't know the age of your old TV, but according to FCC regulation by March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices that include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
An ATSC tuner must run a setup and scan for all "over the air" channels. It usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
In the USA, the legacy analog tuners used before 2009 were called National Television System Committee(NTSC) tuners and they no longer work. They did not require a setup.
With the 'input' button, there should be separate choices for 'antenna' and 'cable' and HDMI and AV and a few other things, not antenna/cable. When TV input is on 'antenna, TV goes to 'tuner' phase, when on other choices, TV goes to being a 'monitor'. If an antenna was previously used, your local channels should already be in 'memory'. If not, go to tv 'help' to choose 'cancel all settings' or 'reset to factory default' to start over with a new 'channel' scan. If the TV won't do an antenna channel scan, you bought a lemon. [probably the reason it was for sale]
I have a 19" Vizio that won't scan for new channels in my area anymore. And help 'factory default' doesn't work either. My 48" Samsung picks up new channels without even doing a scan. It adds them automatically when I turn on the TV.
To make sure you're getting the strongest signal and pointing the antenna in the right direction and channels available, go to antennaweb.org or tvfool.com
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
