How to Set Up Cable On TV

If you purchased a new TV, changed your cable TV operator or type of broadcasting, then the first procedure that you will encounter is setting up TV channels on the TV.

Depending on the method of receiving the signal, there are three main types of broadcasting:

• Ethereal. Broadcast from the TV tower is transmitted to a conventional antenna;
• Cable. Packets of channels from the distribution node of the operator are transferred to the apartments of subscribers by wire;
• Satellite. The signal from the satellite is transmitted to the parabolic antenna (dish) and converted by the receiver.

In turn, terrestrial and cable television can be analog and digital. The second is characterized by a higher image and sound quality, but additional equipment in the form of a digital set-top box (tuner) may be required to view it, especially if it is an old TV model.

This article discusses the automatic and manual tuning of analog channels on a TV (everything will be identical for cable channels).

TV preparation

Before proceeding to directly configure the channels, you should connect the TV to the broadcast source. With an analog signal, the cable of the antenna or cable operator is connected directly to the antenna input of the TV (marked on the photo):

At the same time, it is worth considering separately the situation in which more than one TV is used in the apartment. In this case, a special antenna splitter is used for connection, which in most cases has two or three outputs:

How to tune channels from a regular antenna to multiple TVs?

Often people complain that in one room the channels on the TV are tuned worse than in the other. Some of them are absent, while the rest have interference. The reason is the wrong connection. It is important that both televisions are equidistant from the main cable. Otherwise, the one that is located closer will take on most of the signal. Also, to connect two or more TVs, you should use a high-quality cable that is better protected from interference. Therefore, the standard cheap cable, which is usually offered by many cable TV operators, is not suitable here.

How to automatically tune channels on a TV

This is the easiest way to configure, which requires a minimum of effort and knowledge. The TV itself finds all available channels and remembers them.

To enter the automatic adjustment mode, enter the TV menu by pressing the MENU button on the remote control. Depending on the model of your TV, this button can also be indicated by the words HOME, INPUT, OPTION, SETTINGS or special characters in the form of three longitudinal stripes, a house, an arrow in a square and others. For more information on this, see the instruction manual and setting up the TV channels. Some options for designating the menu button are shown in the photo:

Having entered the menu, use the navigation buttons to select “Channel Settings”. “Automatic Tuning”. After that, indicate what type of television you are going to configure (on-air or cable) and start the search process by pressing the ENTER / OK button. In different TV models, the names of the described menu items may vary slightly, so in case of difficulty, look at the instructions. An approximate menu screen might look like this:

In some cases, before setting up channels on a regular antenna, you should additionally select the region of your location. To do this, in the setup menu, find the COUNTRY or REGION item and select the corresponding entry in the list.

After the auto-tuning of channels is completed, a sorting menu may appear on the TV, with which you can arrange the found channels in a convenient order for viewing.

It is worth noting that when changing or adding transmitted channels from the side of the cable TV operator, the setting needs to be done anew.

How to manually tune channels on a TV

For all its apparent simplicity of automatic tuning, it has several significant drawbacks. Some channels may repeat, have a distorted image or sound. In this case, correct the situation manually. Here is a step-by-step guide for manually setting up TV channels:

• In the “Channel Setup” menu, use the navigation buttons to select “Manual Tuning” and press ENTER / OK.
• Select the “Program” item and assign the channel a serial number by pressing the number buttons on the remote control.
• Choose a color system that is appropriate for your area of ​​residence: PAL, SECAM, NTSC or AUTO.
• Select a sound system: 2.0 (stereo), 5.1, etc.
• Perform a “Search” of the channel and, if successful, enter it into the TV’s memory by pressing the “Save” button.
• Repeat the same procedure for all necessary channels.

The manual channel settings menu may look like this:

It should be remembered that all actions in the proposed instructions are confirmed by pressing the ENTER / OK button.

Frequently Asked Questions for Configuring Analog Channels

Sometimes in the process of setting up channels, certain questions may arise, some of which are discussed below.

How to tune channels on a TV without a remote control?

The process of automatic and manual tuning in this case occurs in a similar way, but to access the TV menu, use the buttons located directly on its body:

If there are no such buttons, you need to purchase a remote control.

How to tune channels on an old TV?

In the absence of a menu, the channels are tuned by special controls that can be located under the switching buttons or on the reverse side near the antenna connector. In addition, on old domestic televisions such as “Electron” or “Rubin” and portable car TV receivers, band switching is possible using jumpers, sliders or buttons. Setting up television channels for such devices is done only by hand.

What should I do if the channel tuning fails?

If you configured the channels in automatic mode, try running a manual search. If the channels fail again, the reason is to look for a bad broadcast signal, a faulty cable or a TV breakdown. Read more:

You can configure the TV to receive channels according to our instructions. Use the Setup Wizard, which opens when you turn on the TV for the first time.

The process is automatic and manual.

The setup procedure may be complicated when working with satellite or cable TV.

In most cases, the automatic search copes with its tasks, and after the procedure, the user can only remove unnecessary channels from the list.

But sometimes the equipment incorrectly takes into account the scanning range, signal source, etc. Then the procedure can be carried out manually or with the choice of new parameters. Of course, if we are only talking about new generations of TVs. In the old owners, only manual mode is usually available.

There are no particular advantages in choosing one or another channel search method. The first, automatic, saves time, provides high accuracy, is suitable even for inexperienced users, but occasionally can make mistakes. The second, manual, requires more time and knowledge, but allows you to configure the channels in more detail, including with poor reception quality.

If none of the methods failed, you can use the services of a telemaster. The cost of the call will depend on the region of residence, remoteness from the workshop and its pricing policy. As an alternative, you can consider contacting volunteer organizations that can help with the transition to a new TV format for free.

How to set up an old TV

On an old TV, the TV channels are tuned with special knobs. For most models, they are located under the switches or near the antenna connector on the back of the panel. Channel frequency controllers must be looked for under special covers or in drawers.

Setting up an older TV is always done manually. Very often, when you turn it back on, there is a need for additional adjustment, due to the lack of memory systems. If desired, digital channels can be obtained by connecting the DVA-T2 set-top box.

How to set up a new TV

To connect a new TV to a conventional antenna, you must definitely switch to your native language. To do this, the tunable receiver is connected to the antenna cable, then by long pressing “OK”, they call up the menu, look for the “Country” item, the word LANGUAGE and select RUSSIAN. Now all the menu will be in Russian.

Automatically tune channels on a TV

How to set up the TV automatically? Practically cable television as well as analog are tuned in the same way. Perform it after the conclusion of the contract for services with the provider.

Turn on the receiver, the message “channels are not tuned” appears on the monitor. Using the remote control, they call up the “Menu”, move the cursor alternately on the lines “Channel settings”, “Automatic tuning” and indicate the type of broadcast that you want to configure. Now it remains to press ENTER / OK. The television receiver begins to tune into the channels, scanning the entire frequency range. It takes several minutes of time and depends on their number, at the end of the TV will show all the saved TV channels. If it doesn’t work out, open and study the instructions that came with the device. It contains a detailed description of the settings for this TV.

When the TV operator adds new channels, the setting is done again, for this, use the edit line. But even after restarting the automatic tuning, all previously recorded channels are saved, and new ones are simply added to available numbers.

Manual Channel Tuning

Manual tuning for television channels is absolutely necessary, because automatic recording of some is unsatisfactory. For example, doubles often appear, poor-quality image, there may be no sound. They are removed. But if you need to save the channel, you have to act manually. It is done like this:

• In the menu look for “Channel settings”, “Manual tuning” and press ENTER / OK;
• Select “Program” and assign channels numbers;
• Choose a color system: PAL or SECAM, sound: 2.0 (stereo), 5.1, etc.;
• Conduct a “Search” of the channel, if it works, click “Save”.

If necessary, these steps are repeated for each of the TV channels. They must be confirmed by pressing ENTER / OK.

Satellite Channel Setup

How to tune satellite channels if a dish is installed. A cable connects the receiver and the TV, putting it in monitor mode. Remote control from the tuner mark the desired satellite. In the receiver menu, select its scan. It is easiest to entrust this to an automatic search, which immediately does everything on its own, without requiring you to enter the transponder settings manually. Before that, it is advisable to study the instructions that came with the device. It details how to tune digital channels on a new TV.

There are a lot of such channels, so you need to choose the digital channels that you like best and will be watched at least sometimes. Do not forget when the image deteriorates, the cause may be strong wind and rain, so sometimes correct the position of the plate.

Digital Channel Setup

High Definition Television (HDTV) is a modern standard for transmitting compressed signals. This technology provides the highest quality images. All modern TVs with a DVB-C tuner have the opportunity to tune digital channels. But such a TV should have the ability to HD-viewing. This new technology is becoming more accessible to a wide range of users. Various offices appear offering digital channels tuning. But this problem can be dealt with independently and for free.

Having general knowledge and manufacturer’s instructions, it’s easy to set up any TV. First, mark the lines:

• “Options”, “Automatic setup”, mark the source and click “Start”;
• Hover over “Digital” and press “Start”;
• “Search mode” and the option “Full”;
• Enter the following data into the fields: frequency (kHz). 314,000 (314 MHz), modulation. 256 QAM, speed. 6875 kS / s.

Modern TVs are equipped with network search, you just need to turn it on and wait. All parameters will be entered automatically. To add new digital TV channels, re-scan. After that they appear in the list.

TV setup without antenna

Having high-quality cable Internet, you can watch TV without an antenna. To do this, connect the cable to the TV box. There is another plus, the channels of the countries of the former CIS with excellent quality will become available. Now the vagaries of the weather will not affect the broadcast. There is one more positive point, that the missed film can be watched later at any convenient time. What is Smart TV can be found in the appropriate section of our website.

Consider how to set up a Smart TV. You can connect it in the following ways: cable a router (router) and a computer, or use the Wi-Fi service. In order to provide simultaneous access of a computer and TV via a 3G modem, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 router is used, it is also suitable for cable networks. Modern Smart TVs are equipped with a special output for connecting to a loyal network, its cable connects to the router. In this case, the router gives the TV an IP address and all other necessary settings. Nothing more to do, the TV is ready to go.

Some TVs have built-in Wi-Fi or the ability to connect a Wi-Fi adapter, it is purchased separately. Which adapter to choose is indicated in the TV manual. Another condition, the router must also have Wi-Fi. This technical possibility does not require pulling the cable from the router to the TV.

Connecting via wi-fi, go to the “Network Connection”, and select the desired network, indicate the password for access to wi-fi. After that, the IP address for the TV device will be automatically assigned.

Image Adjustment

The TV image is set up as follows: in the “Service menu” find the line “Image”. The necessary parameters will appear: “Contrast”, “Brightness”, “Sharpness” and “Color”. Arrow keys change them, choosing the most suitable for the eye.

Once you have tuned your TV yourself, each user will be able to apply this knowledge again, you can’t do without them, because very often new television channels appear on the network or the signal source changes. Masters need to wait for hours, at a time when the entire TV setup takes several minutes, and most importantly, you don’t have to miss your favorite show.