Options

Poor reception after rescanning

We have a VIZIO VW42L FHDTV10A. Recently after a storm we were unable to receive 2 stations, 4-1 and 4-2. The picture will appear once in a while and then stall. All of the local stations are transmitted from the same tower @ 35 miles from here. I've tried rescanning the channels with no change.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0

5 Comments:

Hi @jgbooth56 ,

Have you got another TV that you can connect to the antenna to prove whether the problem is with the TV or with the antenna?

Have you checked that your antenna is OK, no broken dipoles or perhaps its shifted orientation (different frequencies are affected differently) etc?

by

Hi jayeff,

Thanks for your questions and suggestions. Only have one tv. Not keen on crawling up on the roof to check the antenna, but that's my next step. It's funny because the other 20+ stations come in ok.

by

Hi @jgbooth56 ,

Can understand your dilemma.

Looking from the ground you should be able to see a broken dipole, (if it is hanging down for instance). Check the antenna's direction in comparison to a neighbour's antenna at least as a rough guide.

Also check in the TV menu area (I couldn't find it in your TV user guide but could have missed it) if there is a signal level and / or signal quality measurement given when connected to a channel. Most TVs show this somewhere in their menu options.

Just a thought.

by

I hooked up another TV and have the same problems. I did crawl up on the roof to inspect the antenna but didn't get close enough to check the wiring. Everything looks OK from a distance. The antenna is pointed in the right direction. The TV menu does not offer a signal level/quality option. Will try to check the antenna connections tomorrow.

by

Hi @jgbooth56 ,

At least you now know that it is not the TV that is the cause of the problem.

If you have got one or can get hold of one from a friend, try connecting a PVR or digital set top box between the antenna and the TV and scan for the channels using it and see if they then all appear OK on the TV . Sometimes if the signal level is low theses devices have a better signal amp than the TV. Most also have channel signal level / signal quality info available

This is only to prove that the problem is low level or low quality signal. If it is, the question is why after a storm and not before.

If the antenna / antenna connections (check antenna outlet near TV as well) appear to be OK, is there more than 1 antenna outlet from the antenna to connect a TV to, e.g. bedroom + lounge room etc which is not being used? If so there should be splitter (example only, there are lots of different types) somewhere in the antenna cabling from the antenna to the antenna outlets which may be the cause of the problem

by

Add a comment