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Saturday, August 30, 2008 
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Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing reception problems in receiving WETA Television, please look through the following questions and answers for some tips that may assist you.



Q&A if you're using a converter box and an antenna

Q&A if you're using a converter box (with an analog pass-through) and an antenna

Q&A if you're using a built-in digital tuner

Q&A if you're a cable subscriber

Q&A if you're a satellite subscriber

Q&A if you're using a DVD player, VCR, TiVo or other DVR device


I have a converter box and am now DTV ready. Where do I point my antenna to get the best WETA reception possible?

Viewers in Washington, D.C., and close-in areas such as Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and McLean may need to reposition antennas to get digital signals. The reason for this is that WETA's analog and digital transmitters are located in different areas in northwest Washington. This should not be an issue for viewers who live further out because they are at a greater distance from the towers. Another way to ensure you receive digital signals is to try a larger antenna.


I will soon install a DTV converter box to receive digital signals on my existing television. Will I still be able to receive analog signals?

If you wish to continue receiving analog TV broadcasts after your converter box is installed — up until the national transition to all-digital broadcasting on February 17, 2009 — be sure to buy a converter box with an "analog pass-through" or a switch that allows you to turn the box's function off and on. These capabilities tend to be included on the higher-end converter box models, so shop carefully.

The following converter boxes have analog pass-through capabilities:

  • Alpha Digital At 2016
  • APEX DT250
  • CASTi CAX-02
  • Digital Stream DSP7700T
  • Digital Stream DX8700
  • Digital Stream DTX9950
  • DISH Network DTVPal
  • ECHOSTAR TR-40
  • Jiuzhou DTT9001
  • Magnovox TB-100MG9
  • Philco TB150HH9
  • Philco TB100HHP
  • RCA DTA800B1
  • TATUNG TDB3001
  • Venturer STB7766G1

Another option is to buy an antenna splitter with an A/B switch for your digital converter box for less than $20 to receive both the analog and digital signals.


Do you have suggestions for finding over-the-air channels?

After you install a converter box, you may want to go to this website which has an online tool that can analyze your location to help determine what free broadcasts might be available in your neighborhood. The tool can also help answer questions such as:

  • Which direction should I point my antenna?
  • How strong are the signals in my area?
  • What analog and digital channels are available?
  • How will things look after the analog shutoff in February 2009?

Simply enter your street address or zip code.


How can I get better reception from my antenna?

Digital broadcast towers are often located in different places than their analog counterparts. Often, moving the "rabbit ears" to a different location will clear up the picture. Another option is to try a larger antenna which might receive a stronger signal. For further information about the free channels in your area and the best way to receive their broadcasts, visit this website.

You might also want to try an antenna amplifier, which is a device that amplifies signal reception. Antenna amplifiers are also known as signal boosters because of the way they are able to increase the signal reception capability of an antenna. You can buy an antenna amplifier at your local electronics store.

Although not as important as where the antenna is located, you may also want to consider where your TV set is located. Try moving the television to another area of the room, to a higher floor in the house, or close to a window.


I have a built-in digital tuner and I'm having trouble receiving WETA. What should I do?

First, try reprogramming your TV according to your owners manual so it registers all currently available channels. Next, try tuning to channels WETA HD 26.1, WETA Create 26.2, WETA Kids 26.3, The WETA Channel 26.4. If you still can not access the stations, the problem might be technical within the TV itself. Please contact the TV manufacturer.


How do I know if my TV has a built in digital tuner?

The best way to determine if your TV has a built-in digital tuner is to consult your owner’s manual. You may also be able to find information about your TV set on the manufacturer’s website.

One way to tell if you receive digital channels is to check if you receive channels with decimal points, for example, 26.1 or 26.2 rather than just 26. Some TVs with digital tuners have labels containing the words "integrated digital tuner," "digital receiver," "digital tuner," "DTV," "ATSC," or "HDTV."

If your set is labeled "digital monitor," "HDTV monitor," "digital ready," or "HDTV ready," this does not necessarily mean it has a built-in digital tuner.


I'm a cable subscriber and I'm having trouble receiving WETA. What should I do?

First, try reprogramming your TV according to your owners manual so it registers all currently available channels. Next, follow the steps below, depending on your provider.

Comcast

  • Try tuning to channels WETA HD 220, WETA Create 200, WETA Kids 201, The WETA Channel 202. If you still do not have access to the WETA channels, your problem could either be technical relating to the TV or with your service provider.
  • Additional questions? Please contact Comcast at 1-800-266-2278 or www.comcast.com.

Cox

  • Try tuning to channels WETA HD 726, WETA Create 800, WETA Kids 801, The WETA Channel 802. If you still do not have access to the WETA channels, your problem could either be technical relating to the TV or with your service provider.
  • Additional questions? Please contact Cox at 703-378-8422 or www.cox.com.

RCN

  • Try tuning to channel WETA TV 26 or WETA HD 164. If that does not work, your problem could either be technical relating to the TV or with your service provider.
  • Additional questions? Please contact RCN at 1-800-746-4726 or www.rcn.com.

FiOS

  • Try tuning to channels WETA HD 804, WETA Create 874, WETA Kids 872, The WETA Channel 873.
  • Additional questions? Please contact Verizon at 1-888-623-7710 or www.verizonfios.com.

Note: You will not get WETA HD in high def if you do not have an HDTV set.


I'm a satellite subscriber and I'm having trouble receiving WETA. What should I do?

First, try reprogramming your TV according to your owners manual so it registers all currently available channels. Next, follow the steps below, depending on your provider.

Broadband

  • If reprogramming your TV does not work, your problem could either be technical relating to the TV or with your service provider.
  • Additional questions? Please visit www.broadbandinfo.com.

DIRECT TV

  • Try tuning to WETA TV 26 or WETA HD 967. Please note that Direct TV only provides the WETA HD channel. This is not a WETA decision. You will not receive the other three digital WETA channels unless you add a traditional antenna to your satellite. To connect an antenna with your dish: 1) if your TV is relatively new, it should have multiple inputs so you can just plug the dish into one and the antenna into another; 2) if the TV doesn't have multiple inputs, the DIRECT TV receiver might and you can connect the antenna that way.
  • Additional questions? Please contact DIRECT TV at 1-866-928-2578 or www.directtv.com.

DISH Network

  • Try tuning to WETA TV 26 or WETA HD channel 8076. Please note that DISH network only provides the WETA HD channel. This is not a WETA decision. You will not receive the other three digital WETA channels unless you add a traditional antenna to your satellite. To connect an antenna with your dish: 1) if your TV is relatively new, it should have multiple inputs so you can just plug the dish into one and the antenna into another; 2) if the TV doesn't have multiple inputs, the DISH receiver might and you can connect the antenna that way.
  • Additional questions? Please contact the DISH Network at 1-888-825-2557 or www.dishnetwork.com.

Note: You will not get WETA HD in high def if you do not have an HDTV set.


I have a DVD player, VCR, TiVo or other DVR device hooked up to the TV, and I'm having trouble receiving WETA. What should I do?

If you're using a DVD player or VCR with the TV which is having reception problems, be sure to connect the device through the converter box. There are ports on the back of the converter box. If you still have problems, see the converter box manual.

If you are using TiVo with the TV and are experiencing difficulties, please visit TiVo support at www.tivo.com. The new HD TiVo (the TiVo is labeled as such if you have one) has an ATSC tuner so the interface should be fine. Older TiVo models have an infrared sensor that should interface with a converter box.

If you are using a DVR device other than TiVo, please contact your service provider about your reception difficulties.


Learn more:

DTV: Are You Ready? | Converter Boxes & Coupons | WETA's Digital Channels | Troubleshooting | More Info & Resources

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