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Totally off topic TV question

R

Rgarner

Android Expert
I have a tv set that works fine except that it doesn't get any channels. I have no idea why not. No, I don't have cable and it's a bad area for reception. Still, I used to be able to get some weird channels with a couple of old sets that no longer work at all. Can I fix it somehow or do I have to buy something else?
 
How do I do that? I guess there's sort of an antenna or cable in this kind of closet thing. I probably couldn't move it because it seems to be attached to the wall. Is there some special cable or something to get?
 
I'm in a crappy part of the U. S.. You'd think reception would be better, but no. It's a Vizio and I think it's digital. There are two HDMI hookips in the back along with RGB PC and component. Do they still make ranbit ears? Where would I get them, an antique store? How much do they cost? By the way, I tried using a universal remote, but I didn't get far. I was able to switch it on and off, not much else. I can't find out exactly which model.
 
Maybe it only has an analog tuner? Do you know how old it is? What's the model number of the Vizeo? I think analog TV was turned off in the US in 2012, that's what I've read. If the TV is analog only, a rabbit ear antenna or whatever will not work. You can probably get a digital TV tuner box, that will plug into it.
 
Rgarner said:
I'm in a crappy part of the U. S.. You'd think reception would be better, but no. It's a Vizio and I think it's digital. There are two HDMI hookips in the back along with RGB PC and component. Do they still make ranbit ears? Where would I get them, an antique store? How much do they cost? By the way, I tried using a universal remote, but I didn't get far. I was able to switch it on and off, not much else. I can't find out exactly which model.
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You can probably get rabbit ears from Radio Shack, but if the TV is analog only there won't be any analog TV signals for it to receive.
 
I wish I could answer those questions, but I just don"t know. This set is secondhand (at best) with no remote, manual, packaging, etc.. I'm just guessing at some of this stuff. Maybe if I knew where to look on the set it would help.
 
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Rgarner said:
I wish I could answer those questions, but I just don"t know. This set is secondhand (at best) with no remote, manual, packaging, etc.. I'm just guessing at some of this stuff. Maybe if I knew where to look on the set it would help.
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It should be on the back somewhere, on the rating plate, that has things like the serial number, "120VAC", "Made in China", etc.

Something like this...
Vizio-E321VL-back.jpg




EDIT:

You mentioned that you don't have the remote. Well without the remote there's a good chance you might not be able to do much with it anyway, apart from basics, like volume, and on/off. You probably won't be able to do any of the setup stuff, like tuning channels in. Do you have a phone with an IR blaster in it?
 
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What's an IR blaster? I'm guessing infrared, but I've never used one. Would the Samsung S5 have it? Would the LG X Charge? That's really the L6, right?
 
I found that the S5 has the peel remote, which I found almost accidentally by looking in apps under settings. I tried using it and it did switch on just once, I think with button nine. I haven't been able to do that since. I looked on the back of the Vizio where the model number should be and there's nothing that way. I don't even know where to point the remote at it. There's a little rectangular thing at the lower right but I guess that's about it.
 
I don't think I've ever found a cheap hotel tv without some back up buttons on the side or a bottom corner, even one 4/5 way button with one other.

I would spend time going through older Visio tv manuals and see if you recognise any part of it. I know they're all black and oblong shaped with glass on the front :).


You can get a digital box , or combined PVR / DVR recorder cheaply. Here in the UK there are often some in larger charity shops.
Also with an indoor aerial, there' are many to choose from on Amazon. I would consult with the local Humane society about rabbits ears (@olbriar is showing our ages).

Are you getting a clear screen when you turn it on?

If you can unscrew the Vesa mounts you can look at it better. Other than that, don't waste money until you know what you got.

I scrubbed my previous post about an analogue tuner, as I was thinking you had a CRT TV in a cabinet, but @mikedt's point still holds. It's probably analogue, but you will need to look at the back aerial connection.

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On edit : I'm still a little confused as you did say it was in a cabinet. Is it a flat screen or a tube / crt tv?

Screenshot_20180923-194139.png
 
Now I"m confused. I'm pretty sure I never mentioned a cabinet. It's out in the open. What are Vesa mounts? You're right about the buttons on the side but I'm not sure if they work. It does seem to be flat screen. I wish I could somehow send a picture of it, or more than one.
 
Rgarner said:
How do I do that? I guess there's sort of an antenna or cable in this kind of closet thing.
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Well, closet then :)
Around the tv itself or next to it?
There's a sparsity of information to go on.
VESA mounts are the standardised mounting points fitted to most modern tv"s to fit a VESA standard wall bracket - one of those - or something like that :p

There are loads of old manuals available to download from the visio site, that pic of mine was from a 2010 model.
You can upload photos on this site, if you can take one.

Good luck.
 
Thanks, I'm gonna need it. The closet is sorta near the tv and is where the cable is attached to the wall. It comes down from the closet ceiling. The tv is not mounted to anything. Right now it's lying on its back. I could probably take some pictures, but how would I get them to you?
 
Rgarner said:
Thanks, I'm gonna need it. The closet is sorta near the tv and is where the cable is attached to the wall. It comes down from the closet ceiling. The tv is not mounted to anything. Right now it's lying on its back. I could probably take some pictures, but how would I get them to you?
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Just attach them to your post, that's what I done previously in this thread to show an example Vizio TV.
 
Ok, but HOW do I do that? I've never used that feature. Also, I'm not much of a photographer and the lighting is pretty bad. Maybe I could use the S5's flashlight. Just don't expect much.
 
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