Posted on 06/20/2009 3:53:24 AM PDT by Las Vegas Dave
Has your television reception survived the DTV transition not quite fully intact? Here are a few tips from the Federal Communications Commission, including one we haven't heard before.
That's double rescan. According to an FCC News Release http://www.fcc.gov/con-adv-061509.pdf (PDF), channels that have changed frequencies may still leave their old frequencies lurking in your TV's channel memory. To get rid of them, perform double rescanning with these five easy steps:
1.Disconnect the antenna from the box or digital TV.
2.Re-scan the box or digital TV without the antenna connected. As with any scan follow the on-screen instructions or owner's manual for your device.
3.Unplug the box or digital TV from the electrical outlet for at least one minute.
4.Reconnect the antenna to the box or digital TV and plug the unit into the electrical outlet.
5.Rescan the box or digital TV one more time.
Because some DTV stations operate at different signals than their now-deceased analog counterparts, you may need a different antenna. It should include rods to pick up VHF (2-13) and a circle, bowtie, or something else to pick up UHF (14-51). The FCC warns that some antennas labeled HDTV may lack one or the other. For channels 2-6, pull the rods out; for 7-13, reduce them to 12-18 inches. Finally, here are the FCC's tips on antenna location:
•Near a window.
•As high as possible.
•Away from other electronic equipment, including computers, VCRs, DVD players, converter boxes, and the television itself.
•Change the direction the antenna is facing.
•Rooftop antennas may be needed in some instances.
•And don't forget to run the channel scan again after moving the antenna.
(The FCC’s .PDF file that may be of possible interest. Click here: FCC PDF file.)
LVD
Note: if you search Freerepublic using the keyword "“HDTV”, you will find most of the past HDTV postings.
Hey there Dave! please add me to the list? I just got DirectTV & we have a couple HDTVs in house. I have watched more TV in past few days than the past year! Mostly movies (addict that I am) and I also like Animal planet.
How about RTFM ... that is a whole lot shorter.
And if that does not work, try Double Secret Rescan!
FYI.
My DTV reception is horrible. I tried complaining to the fcc, they don’t care, they got their money from the frequency lottery.
I have the latest design antenna specifically for DTV, the problem is low radiated power from the stations compared to the analog signal I used to get.
Would it do any good to write my congresscritter?
“Would it do any good to write my congresscritter?”
Not unless you enclose a check.
I don’t think there is any question that the stations were using analog power settings for their digital signals during the transition period when they were broadcasting both .
I built two of the 4 bowtie ‘coathanger ‘antennas. one for home and one for the office.
Since April I was getting a 75-80% signal.
After June 12 it is now 35-40%. Barely watchable.
The office signal has dropped our ABC affliate altogether.
It was broadcasting DTV on a UHF channel (ch 51 I think).
June 12 it went back to its original freq.,channel 11.
I’m not too concerned about the home TV as uVerse is coming in the neighborhood next month and I’ll be hooking up the one TV on the antenna to that.
Mulling over adding another bowtie antenna to the one at the office.
Problem is keeping it light. Two chunks of wood plus a crossbar will get it unwieldy and heavy.
Possibly your antenna is not powerful enough?
Check out http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx , just entering your zip code should work, I suggest your street address for more accurate data.
I had lost quite a few channels after the 6/12 conversion. I just did the double rescan and got them all back and a few new channels too. Thanks for posting this.
First, thanks for doing this ping list. This is usually very helpful information.
The double re-scan process makes sense.
Personally, I did one rescan and everything cleared up. Here in the D.C. area, I lost WJLA right after the transition, but the rescan got it back. I heard that others lost WUSA and WJLA. After the rescan, I added a few new channels in the 30.xxx set(they may have been there a week ago, but I had not re-scanned in a couple years).
I do not have cable tv- only broadcast. I have been getting “news” from the European and South African news channels, which I find in the 30.xxx set here in D.C. I am amazed at how comprehensive their coverage is. For example, I watched all of Khamenei speech — Live!
I also lost some DTV channels after 6/12 and re-scanning did not help ven though the DTV channels did not change frequency. I’ll try the above steps to hopefully find them again.
I usually skip right to the triple-dog rescan!
That’s living on the edge!
http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/design.htm
Plus, it is amplified as well. Problem is on the transmitting end.
We have DISH satellite TV Gold package with HD, and also basic $11/mth cable and local HD service.
We pay about $18/mth including the HD box rental from timewarner, not only do we get all the local stations, but additional national HD stations (Smithsonian Channel HD is also one of them,)including a free HD video on demand. in all about 11 or 12 HD channels which includes most of the 50 or so non HD stations, which caught me by surprise, I was expecting much less...The basement older 36” Sony only has the basic cable, less box..
NOTE: the FCC forbids cable companies to upcharge for FREE local hd tv if they carry the standard channel. If you contact your cable provider, be sure to mention that fact. (This information is also available on the internet but very very difficult to locate....if you can locate it, please post the link ...)
I am within 10 miles of every station in Phoenix’s transmitting towers and half of them are too weak now for me to get with my cheap bunny ears like I used too. So now I either have to make my own bowtie or buy a new powered antenna which is BS.
That’s not in the manual.
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