The CGC Communicator Newsletter Web Posting

SOME TUNERS REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACTUAL DTV RF CHANNEL

Re: these news items in CGC #891....

 o  Having consumers rescan is the key, but there are  so many different DTV converter boxes and TVs out there that  we have to refer callers to their instruction books.  Wish we  had a master list so we could talk consumers through the  steps required to rescan their particular product.

 o  Some rescans miss our station entirely especially when  people use indoor antennas.  Callers are told to rescan (again)  and that often does the trick.


...the simple idea of watching the set while adjusting the TV antenna to obtain the best result is no longer simple, due to software limitations in the rescanning algorithm, which I suspect is common to most DTV sets.  Here is the technique for my Philips set, note particularly item #4, information carefully kept from viewers!


1. Press the 'Menu' key on the remote control.

2. Press the 'down' key (bottom of circle) until the highlight rests on 'Installation'.  Press 'Select'.

3. Press the 'down' key until the highlight rests on 'Weak Channel Installation'.  Press 'Select'.

4. Press the 'up' or 'down' key until the highlight rests on the ACTUAL RF channel being used by the desired DTV station.  Do NOT use the station's advertised or former Analog TV channel number unless that station is one of the very few using the same channel.

5. Aim, or have someone aim, the antenna or indoor 'rabbit ears' until the signal strength bar at the bottom is at its highest (most toward the right) level, and press the green "Store" button.  If you do not see a picture behind the menu choices, your antenna isn't in the right place, isn't strong enough, or the station is not currently on the air.


This process is very poorly described in the user's manual, and would not be obvious even to the more capable viewers, as one has to go to the CDBS or phone the station to find out which channel they're really using.  How stupid.

You're welcome to publish my name and agree (or not) with my point about hiding the real RF channel.  Investment in branding one's channel is at best transitory, but this disconnect is permanent.  The only argument could be about when in the future the two lines cross...  I can imagine several less-than-eloquent software solutions to this problem, care to join me in a patent application (LOL)?


Peter Moncure, VP RadioSoft
706.754.2725 -2745 FAX
PMoncure (at) RadioSoft.com
...a Customer Friendly Company

February 20, 2009

Posted by Steve Blodgett
Earthsignals.com