Digital TV noob

LPuggy on 04/06/2017 - 16:33

Hi,

Absolute digital TV noob here in desperate need of a simple explanation.

How do I gain access to free to air channels?

The place that I'm renting does not have an active socket to plug my tv into. I thought I could just plug my TV into the wall with an antenna cord & scan for channels but nothing is picked up so I assumed the socket was for the possibility that the person renting wanted to get foxtel or whatever since theres also a socket for a phone line if I want to get it connected.

So I went out & bought a set top box (Laser STB-6000), plus a HDMI cord, plugged the set top box & HDMI cord into the TV, began to scan, no channels are picked up in the scan.

Searched a few videos & saw that they were plugging in the antenna cord, so I plugged the antenna into the tv and set top box. No return on the scan. Saw that a few plugged the set top box into the wall socket, but I don't have that. I then plugged the cable into an actual antenna (i have an old dick smith one laying around) and picked up a few channels but unable to view anything but a bunch of fuzzy stripes.

I tried using the old dick smith antenna only & found a few channels but its all fuzzy & has no reception at all.

TV: Toshiba 32W1300A
Set top box: Laser STB-6000
HDMI cable (Soniq)
Antenna Cable (Belkin)

Anyone care to help out a noob?

Thank you in advance!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • buckster on 04/06/2017 - 17:01
    +1

    Sorry for lol-ing, you issue is probably the antenna.

    Google seems to say that the Toshiba TV had a digital receiver already but either way if using the set top box you need to plug an antenna into that, and then the set top box into the TV, which is what you've managed at this stage.

    You might need to get a new antenna if your current one is flaky and moving it around the place doesn't improve things - but I have no suggestions on what type of antennas are good or not sorry.

    • Puggy on 04/06/2017 - 17:24

      Thanks buckster.

      I guess i'll need to look at purchasing an antenna. I've gone through a dozen antennas in the past & all have been a waste of money.

      And I expected lols :) I'm honestly lost in another world on this one! I was always under the impression we wouldn't need these normal antennas anymore & plug a few things around & ta-da!

      Any suggestions on antennas or whatever would be appreciated from anyone!

  • retiredfeline on 04/06/2017 - 17:32

    All broadcast TVs are digital now, analog service was switched off a few years ago. But you still need an antenna, it doesn't come through cable (unless your building offers a shared antenna that feeds the units).

  • Rhino rush on 04/06/2017 - 18:44

    Hi OP,

    Quick question, is your new place a free standing home or a unit complex?

    One common antenna problem with rentals is that the previous occupants often take with them the power injector for the amplifier on the mast.

    With out this, the antenna system will output virtually nothing.

    If the socket is inside the home and you can see an antenna on the roof of he complex, grab one of these. They are about $30.

    • Puggy on 04/06/2017 - 22:59

      I'm in a duplex.

      To be honest, I'm not 100% whether there's an antenna on the roof, I'll need to double check during daylight.

      Would anyone be able to shed some light on power injectors? What it does & what it connects to?

      Thank you Rhino!

      • Rhino rush on 05/06/2017 - 08:22
        +2

        Good Morning Puggy,

        In simplistic terms, the power injector feeds power back up into the masthead Amp (the plastic box) most commonly mounted under the antenna. Without this power the whole thing does not function.

        The below Kingray model, is the most common one. Matchmaster make one also.

        https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/power-supplies-and-injector…

        The injector will connect to the power point and then into the antenna wall socket. The cable from your STB or TV will then plus into the injector and viola, TV reception.

        Most people when they see them think they are the amplifier, so take them to use in the next house, not knowing that they are useless unless used as part of a masthead system.

        If you find an antenna on the roof of the building, this is your problem. :)

        You can buy them at Electrical wholesalers and Jaycar. Just don't go to Bunnings, they don't sell them and most Bunning's stores I been to have no idea and will sell you something that does not work.

        • Puggy on 05/06/2017 - 09:34

          Fantastic, thank you for clarifying.

          I can confirm that there is an antenna on top of the roof right in the middle of the duplex.

          I have two different 'sockets' within the house, it was a real pain moving things around when testing. But any chance you'd know which is likely to be for the TV:
          A: http://imgur.com/a/8SLOA
          B: http://imgur.com/a/pU0y8

          I'll still give both a try & see how I go once I buy the thingy.

        • Rhino rush on 05/06/2017 - 09:50

          @Puggy:

          No worries,

          The images do not really clarify which outlet would be the correct one.

          Normally the point in the main viewing room is the one to use.

          It the house is relatively new the splitter should have power pass on all points which means it doesn't matter which which point the injector in connected into. If it doesn't work on one point try another.

          Just as an FYI, as you have both an F type and a belling lee wall plate make sure you buy an injector that comes with all the F Type adaptors.

          Let me know if it solves it for you :)

  • markb28 on 04/06/2017 - 19:17
    +3

    Don't buy any more internal antennas they rarely work.

    • BensonP on 04/06/2017 - 20:23

      There are plenty of internal digital antennas on the market. Even ALDI sells one a few times a year.

    • Puggy on 04/06/2017 - 23:00

      Is there an alternative, Mark?

      I'll need to check out "digital antennas" as Benson has mentioned.

      • Rhino rush on 05/06/2017 - 08:27
        +1

        Hey Puggy,

        The notion of a digital Antenna is a bit of a ruse.

        Indoor antennas can be very situational depending on your location.

        If you live in a UHF area, in most cases you have more chance of winning the lottery than getting reception you would be happy with on an Indoor Antenna.

        Antenna reception can be a bit of a dark art, with most average punters not understandin why one antenna may work in one home but not the one 500 metres down the road.

        This is why you get some people swearing by indoor rabbit ear antennas and others saying they are junk.

      • markb28 on 07/06/2017 - 00:46

        See if you can loan one, I've tried a few and they have all been hopeless. Think most people need an outdoor antenna. I spent more time moving the internal antennas around than watching tv.

  • altomic on 05/06/2017 - 08:31
    +1

    Your TV is telling you to go on ozbargain and buy more bargains

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