Smart TV tuning issue?
 

My brother has bought a new Smart TV, I've no idea which make. It's connected to a BT hub, as was his old 'dumb' TV

He's tuned it a few times but is unable to receive what I'm going to call 'normal' channels . . BBC, ITV, and other stuff like Dave (will this be freeview stuff? ) even though he has the tuner set to digital & analogue.

Anyway, if he shoves the old TV back in everything is fine, but the 'smart' one isn't playing nice.

Is there anything that needs to be added to the 'smart' TV to make it as clever as the 'dumb' one?

I don't know a thing about smart stuff and have no real interest in it, personally I think the word 'smart' is a bit of a con in relation to much of it ;)

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Make and model please

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

no idea, does it make a difference?

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

It helps yes.

Has he tried a factory reset?

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

it's brand new . . do you work for microsoft? :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Good luck :tu:

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Probably more like bad luck, there must be a reason why a smart TV is worse than a dumb one using the same connections

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

How were the channels provided to the previous TV? Were they aerial [Freeview] or satellite [Freesat]? If not, is the BT Hub one of their TV boxes, which can be set for streaming for the main free to view channels? One way of helping if it was likely to be the latter, did he use the TV remote or a BT remote to select the channel?

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

As far as I know he's doing nothing different with using the new TV than he did/does with the old one . . which works as intended.

Same connections swapped from one to the other. Will ask about the remote though :tu:

edit: connects with BT hub and an aerial, so unless the TV is 'missing' something I can't see why it misses tuning 'freeview' channels, unless he needs to download and install an ap :shrug:

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

does it have freely ? if so you do not need to tune it

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Which is why I was asking of make and model. With freely sometimes digital channels disappear.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I'll ask . . . he's currently somewhere between Lincolnshire and Dumfries so could be a while ;)

He's tried tuning with both digital and analogue (whatever that means) so would disappearing digital appear with the analogue?

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I gathered but I thought I would bypass a level haha

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I don't watch TV so have absolutely no idea of all this modern guff . . . don't bypass simple things or I'll still be in the dark :rofl:

Apparently it's a Samsung (no idea of model). Tried with both remotes, new batteries and cables, digital & analogue dual tune ( what? )

I bet it needs an ap or summat

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

If it is new they will have some sort of receipt. Model number would come in handy

---------- Post added at 14:37 ---------- Previous post was at 14:36 ----------

Samsung apparently do not have freely same as LG

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

would it make a difference if he used 'manual' tuning instead of 'auto' tuning?

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Try a different Aerial Cable - sounds like the Tuner isn’t getting any signal from the external aerial*

(*and he needs to check he’s auto-tuning using "aerial" option…)

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

will text and ask :tu:

To show I even wind family up when I get the chance, I asked if he changed the Country setting to UK from the default USA . . no idea if there is such a setting, but I bet he's now scratching his head thinking :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Is the BT "Hub" the source of the channels? Their TV box has an option to take an aerial input to give the freeview channels, and the aerial is plugged into the BTTV box. If so, it may just be choosing the right HDMI input on the TV to see the BTTV box.

If the aerial is and was connected to the TV directly, then the problem may just be that the TV needs tuning. Again if you can give the make and model then someone here will probably be able to tell you how to do that.

TVs will have a freeview tuner, no app is required.

---------- Post added at 15:17 ---------- Previous post was at 15:10 ----------

I just saw you said Samsung. I have an old Samsung. On that, one has to make sure that the source is TV and not one of the HDMI sources. If so, and it hasn't tuned in it usually does so then. If not, whilst on the TV input go into settings. From there see what looks likely, I think mine is broadcasting and that then gives you autotune as an option.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

thanks for those settings ideas Richard, I've passed them on by text, but he's driving so we may not have any results for an hour or two, but all suggestions are welcome.

cheers everyone :tu:

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

This bit troubles me as it makes me think this is in audio settings because analogue tv signals have not been a thing for a long time

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I had a feeling analogue was long gone, but my TV knowledge stopped at "turn it on, press button 1, 2 or 3, then watch" :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

The question is were is he sourcing the signal from. My Samsung in settings wants the source every time I switch it on , once selected it offers channels for streaming. If using aerial turn on search and it lists all the Freeview channels it can find . Guess it will hold if using anything but WiFi But I have to select source EVERY time , as it is not connected to any sort of box , it's using WiFi.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

This looks like a weak signal. First thing to check is that the aerial coax fly-lead is plugged directly into the TV's ANT IN / RF IN socket and not routed through an old set-top box, bypass loop on the BT Hub, splitter, booster, etc.

Then some Smart TVs have options for DVB‑T/T2 (Freeview), DVB‑C (cable) and DVB‑S (satellite). So go into the TV's tuning menu, select Tuner / Antenna / terrestrial (DVB-T/T2), and set the scan type to Digital Only.

If it's a budget TV (this is why knowing the make and model helps) made from 2024 it will likely have Freely installed and might be defaulting to broadband mode, so in the setup select Aerial / Antenna, not "IPTV / Stream".

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Old TV works fine when connected, so I don't think it's signal related.
The other stuff yeah, could be that . .


This has taught me one thing though . . . we're not buying a bloody 'smart' TV any time soon :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Sounds to me like nothing more than a poor connection in the aerial socket if it’s Freeview. Try a different fly lead between TV and aerial wall socket, and check the condition of the connections. Is the aerial lead loose in the back of the TV?

The Smart element of the TV is irrelevant if it’s a TV signal reception issue.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Maybe Dude111 has a spare CRT for you! :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

ha! Her indoors quite happy with the years old Panasonic 37" Plasma, if it ever breaks she can choose a replacement . . and set it up ;)

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Does sound like an aerial issue. The self tuning on TV's is usually pretty fool proof. I have an issue where we can't get BBC2 because the transmitter in sight doesn't have BBC2 and the one that does is on the other side of the hill, good job I can get BBC2 via VM.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Looking at his first post he says connected to BT hub .no idea whats needed in that case but he needs to select input and select the hub . Just tried with my V6 and when I connected it my Samsung picked it up and is working fine. Also put in a portable aerial it then started to scan . But if he is using that hub he needs to tell the TV , on mine it is not automatic.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

We are not 100% sure in this case, but a BT Hub is the internet router, not a TV box. A BT TV box is separate from the hub, similar to a V6 it sits between that and the TV. That's why any advice needs to know if it is a BT TV box involved.

https://www.bt.com/help/broadband/ma...lp-for-bt-hubs

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

As I said I don't know what it is. However the TV will need to be told the source of the signal, what ever that may be. My Samsung never finds any sort signal with out being told what that source is . My LG does but I didn't set that one up and haver never looked at it's setting. With a if it ain't broke don't fix it, attitude :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Tell then to get a Manhattan Aero and be done with terrestrial

---------- Post added at 13:19 ---------- Previous post was at 13:18 ----------

specifically this one haha

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G4XCBQ...v_ov_lig_dp_it

---------- Post added at 13:23 ---------- Previous post was at 13:19 ----------

Have we even ascertained the model number of this TV ? how about the manual ? do they have it ?

Looked back and I still do not see. The TV will tell them in settings somewhere. We are on page 3 of total guesswork

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Nice, but it doesnt seem to support Paramount+ or Now TV.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Aren't they freely boxes? I know they do produce them , hence why I say + now or some other means :D

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Yes, they are Freely boxes, and also have apps like Disney+, Netflix, Prime etc, but not the two I mentioned. :)

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

This looks like a licensing thing with Sky I guess. They are not listed on the PLEIO either (another freely box)

The reason I pointed to that is it does away with the need for tuning which would solve the issue of this thread

---------- Post added at 14:51 ---------- Previous post was at 14:48 ----------

Actually the PLEIO appears to be an android box with freely so best of both worlds for £99 so it will do now and paramount +. Which does bring the question why can it not be downloaded to android

---------- Post added at 14:52 ---------- Previous post was at 14:51 ----------

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgem-Chan.../dp/B0FLZ7Z498

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

TiVo OS is a budget platform which attracts the likes of Bush TV and Manhattan Aero - but it comes with drawbacks such as lack of apps like Sky’s NOW, Apple TV, Discovery+ and Paramount+. These streaming companies just won't give priority to developing their apps for this small platform.

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I'm not sure tuning is the issue of this thread - however the TV is set up, if it worked with the previous TV it should work with a new one. Buying a new set top box doesn't solve the fundamental issue which may be tuning if an aerial is appropriately connected, but may be the connexion of an existing set top box. If it is tuning, then tuning is the answer.:)

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

People are trying to help, but there is insufficient information to accurately diagnose the issue…

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

The main issue of this thread is we only know a Samsung TV will not show channels via the aerial and that is it. Everything is guesswork and conjecture I simply offered a solution that bypassed all the noise

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

I've been away for a few days, apparently BT sent him a new 'box' and now everything works perfectly.

No idea what the 'box' is, or why the 'dumb' TV would work on the old one but the 'smart' one wouldn't.

Technology . . . :shrug:

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

The problem is that some people see "idiot proof" as a challenge… :ninja:

When all else fails, RTFM….

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

He has EE TV not serviced by an aerial at all I believe and I think would have just needed his tv turned onto the relevent HDMI Channel

---------- Post added at 16:18 ---------- Previous post was at 16:15 ----------

Upon looking it is a clever box and can run Aerial and internet TV services together allowing recording 2 channels at once but still I think connects via HDMI

Re: Smart TV tuning issue?
 

Oh if only instruction manuals were still of any use in these days of 'suck it and see'