Ever since the big fat digital switch earlier this month, I have been essentially TV-less. And it’s really getting old. I need help, and I’m hoping you can give me some. I beg of you dear reader, if you know anything about this whole digital TV thing, please read on and offer me advice. I can’t take this much longer.
Here’s a little background info:
- we didn’t buy cable when we moved into our new apartment
- we still got the local NBC affiliate clearly, the CBS affiliate fuzzily, and a few public-access channels by plugging into the “antenna” port in our wall
- we have a Dynex flat panel TV, bought new in 2007
From everything I’ve read, chances are good that any TV manufactured in the last five years has an internal digital tuner. And therefore, we should be all set with getting any free channels. You’re great! You’re fine! Nothing to worry about! Just wait for the switch and enjoy your television as usual. Only now in digital!
Except there isn’t on mother effing thing out there that tells me what to do if in fact our TV isn’t okay! It all assures me we’ll be all set, but fails to tell me what happens if we’re not all set. Which we’re not.
So here are the things we’ve tried so far:
- ran channel search
- ran channel search again and cross fingers
- ran channel search again and cross fingers and toes
- ran channel search again and cross fingers and toes while standing on head
- plugged cable cord into cable outlet
- plugged cable cord back into antenna outlet
- changed option in some menu (?) from “air” to “cable” and back again
- stared at fuzzy screen and pleaded
For about a day we got a very fuzzy screen on the local CBS channel with the station logo and nothing else. For hours. And then it disappeared. It gave us hope and then quickly fizzled.
I mentioned all this to my grandpa who happened to have an extra converter box that he gave us. Finally, we’re saved! TV at last! we thought. The events of that evening went approximately like this:
- hooked up converter box from wall (antenna port) to VCR to TV
- followed set-up instructions
- ran channel search, held breath
- screamed when no channels were found
- ran channel search again
- screamed again
- hooked up converter box from wall directly to TV
- channel search
- scream
- channel search
- scream
- etc.
- I took a shower and when I got out, the Giraffe had managed to get three public access channels for us. So now we can watch “The Joy of Painting” and amateur cooking shows.
- tested signal strength on NBC, ABC, CBS affiliates
- signal strength = zero for all three
- yelled at converter box, TV and both remotes
- gave up
- watched a movie because the DVD player is the only thing that works
We really only got one channel before, but it was enough to allow me to watch the news with my breakfast and for us to watch The Office and 30 Rock in the fall. Now I eat breakfast in silence. And we better have this figured out by fall or I’ll break someone.
We tried to look at the website the government created for old people who are easily confused by technical things like digital TV. But it was too confusing. I can’t find an answer anywhere, and we’re out of ideas.
Please. Please with all my heart. Won’t you help us?
Maybe that converter box isn’t compatible with your tv model. Perhaps apply for a converter box coupon and research one that may work with your tv better.
http://www.dtv.gov/getcoupon.html
Otherwise, I say call the phone number instead of using the website.
Um, join the 21st century and get a dish or fios or cable. Pay for tv like the rest of us.
What is the model of your TV? Do a search for “Dynex MODEL# no digital signal” and see what comes up. Unless you’ve already done that.
Just “dynex no digital signal” shows some people have had their TVs lose a digital signal just out of the blue.
Also do you know for sure that the antenna you’re connecting to is actually doing anything? You might want to buy another antenna at Best Buy and try that (and return it if nothing works.) From http://www.huliq.com/1/82170/fcc-explains-indoor-digital-tv-antenna :
To receive digital TV signals from all stations, it is important that your antenna be able to receive both VHF channels (channels 2-13) and UHF channels (channels 14-51). Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both. For example, indoor “rabbit ears” usually need to be augmented with an additional “wire loop” or “bowtie” antenna (see pictures below) in order to pick up signals on UHF channels.
Consumers should be aware that even if they use a digital-to-analog converter box, they will still need to use an antenna to receive DTV signals. Many of the antennas currently being sold as “HDTV Antennas,” perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these models state that they provide reception of signals on channels 7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels.
I would try the search and/or another antenna and see if that works. I wish you both the best of luck in your TV adventures.
You’ll probably need a new antenna. Part of the change to digital TV was that stations signal strength dropped a whole lot, like down to 10% of original levels, so better antennas are required.
In other news, did I see you at the trap range today? I wasn’t sure if that was you because whoever it was had sunglasses on, but I could have sworn it was you.
You might need a new antenna. I heard that was some issue people were having.
But I’d also have given up and watched a DVD. I don’t blame you for that one bit.
I don’t know if you have a Radio Shack near you, but the guys at the Radio Shack near my parents’ house were very helpful to them when they couldn’t get their TVs and converter boxes to work (and their TVs are ancient). Short of coming to the house, they helped them figure it all out. Or, maybe a nice Best Buy employee would take pity?
Just know you’re not alone. Lots of people, without cable, have this trouble. And believe me, I would’ve killed someone long ago if I were in your situation. I cannot live without my TV.
Do not ask me. Technology and I don’t get along. I think I have some weird aura.
Two suggestions.
1) Steal cable. (It’s easier than you think.)
2) Hook your laptop up to your tv and watch Hulu. That’s what we’ve been doing for the last month and I don’t miss real tv at all. (Except Spongebob and the shamelessly terrible reality shows that I used to watch when Kyle wasn’t home because I was too embarrassed to admit that I like them. I miss those a little.)
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