Satellite & TV Information

Troubleshooting your Cable Box


Unless you've recently moved from Alaska to Texas and you're feeling a little homesick, chances are that the last thing you want to see when you turn on your TV is snow. Combine a snowy screen with that loud, obnoxious static sound, and you've got a problem on your hands. Fortunately you don't have to be techie to fix your cable box - just follow these simple troubleshooting steps to get picture back in no time.

Cable Box Basics

Make sure your cable box is plugged in. I know that sounds silly, but after troubleshooting these things over the phone professionally, you can trust me on this one. Save yourself the time and embarrassment of calling a professional just to have them tell you to plug it in. That goes for the rest of the essential equipment as well (i.e. TV, VCR or DVR if you're running the signal through one, etc.). It wouldn't hurt to make sure the TV is on the correct channel - usually channel 3 or 4 or one of the input channels.

Make sure all the cables are connected. Even if you're TV and cable box are both turned on, you won't see a picture unless they are connected. Check each connection to ensure it is tight and that none of the wires or connecting pieces is damaged. Also check to see that the connections are all correct - meaning, video and audio should be going out of your cable or satellite box to your TV "in" ports. The signal should follow a logical path. If the connections are correct but you're still not seeing any picture, replace the cables to see if that solves the problem. If you're running the signal through a DVR or VCR and having problems, skip the middle man and plug the cables straight from the box to the TV. If you get a picture you know you're problem is in the VCR.

After making sure everything is on and the cable connections are all correct, try rebooting your system. Each company's receivers have different methods of rebooting, but one fairly universal way is to unplug the box for 10 to 20 seconds and then plug it back in. Do not just turn the box off and back on again - you'll need to actually pull the plug out of the wall and then put it back in again. Once the cable box is plugged back in, turn the power on and cross your fingers. If you're still not receiving any picture, unplug the receiver again for up to one minute and then plug it back in. This may be tedious and time-consuming, especially when you're missing the fight of the year or the Super Bowl, but give it the full minute - you'll spend less time doing it yourself than you will waiting for a repairman to come out and fix it.

Fuzzy Picture or Sound

If you are getting a picture but no sound; or sound but no picture; or a fuzzy picture or sound, recheck the cable connections to make sure they are tightened and that the wires or connecting pieces are undamaged. Poor picture or sound is typically caused by one of three problems: poor wire connections, signal interference, or TV settings.

Going outside to make sure nothing is interfering with your signal will help with the second problem. Of course, if you have underground cables there is not much you can do about making sure they are clear of interference (that's read, "Your neighbor cut through it while gardening"). If you have a satellite dish, know that excessive rain or snow buildup on the dish can cause signal interference. Use caution when checking your dish, especially if it is on your roof or some other hard-to-reach place around your house. The installer should have verified that no trees or other objects would interfere with your signal from the satellites, but take a quick look around to see if new foliage is blocking the signal. If it is not on your property, do not cut or remove anything without prior permission from the property owner.

Finally, adjusting your TV settings can help when you are receiving a clear signal and all the connections are fine. Horizontal and vertical settings are the adjustments that most often need to be made, but consulting your owner's manual can give you a better indication of other settings that can be tweaked.

Troubleshooting requires patience, so make some lemonade, roll up your sleeves, and get started. If none of these suggestions work (9 times out of 10 they will), contact your service provider. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or resources they can make available to you to get your cable or satellite TV up and running.

Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To find out how to replace your cable box with a digital satellite receiver, check out I-Satellite.


MORE RESOURCES:

Wired News

Tailgating Gone Wild: Trailer Packs Home Cinema, Grill, Satellite TV
Wired News - 3 hours ago
I'm a Brit, so I don't claim to understand the Tailgate Party. Taking the contents of your house outside seems kind of a pain. This was, of course, a flip, ...


Watch Satellite TV on PC – Does PC Satellite TV Software Deliver?
Corsavoo.com, France - 45 minutes ago
Watching satellite TV on PC by the route of satellite TV software is fast catching up in the homes of developed countries especially America, Canada and UK ...
How do you watch satellite TV through a broadband connection then? Corsavoo.com
Watch Satellite TV On PC – Forget About The Ugly Dish! Corsavoo.com
Watch Satellite TV on Computer – Can Your PC Deliver Quality TV? Corsavoo.com
Corsavoo.com - Corsavoo.com
all 7 news articles


DirecTV is the Best Satellite TV Provider Out There
Corsavoo.com, France - 45 minutes ago
1. DirecTV has been rated out of all the television providers as a company with the highest quality of customer service for seven years and running. ...
Get The Best TV Programming That Is available With Satellite TV Corsavoo.com
Satellite TV Programming from Dish Corsavoo.com
Why Satellite TV Is So Much Better Than Cable TV Corsavoo.com
Corsavoo.com - Corsavoo.com
all 13 news articles


Reliance Launches Its Satellite TV Venture BIG TV; Wil Launch IPTV ...
ContentSutra, CA - 8 hours ago
By Rafat Ali - Tue 19 Aug 2008 09:26 PM PST Reliance ADA Group has launched its DTH/satellite TV venture BIG TV, with 202 channels including 50 subscription ...


Asian Union to Become Guangdong Satellite TV's Exclusive ...
MarketWatch - Aug 18, 2008
Combining Guangdong Satellite TV and Travel Channel, Asian Union will own and manage gross annual advertising value reaching RMB6 billion. ...


Innocent Customers Potentially Dragged Into Legal Battle Over ...
Kansas City infoZine, MO - Aug 19, 2008
Echostar claims that the receiver can be modified to pirate DISH satellite TV programming. EFF argues that Echostar's demand, which seeks all purchasers ...


EMBARQ(R) Taps MetaSwitch to Enable Smart IP Enterprise(SM) Offering
CNNMoney.com - 11 minutes ago
This service portfolio includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class High Speed Internet, wireless, satellite TV from DIRECTV®, ...


Satellite TV repairman charged with sexually assaulting girl
South Carolina Now, South Carolina - Aug 15, 2008
By Rusty Ray A Florence County man faces sexual assault charges in Horry County after police say he sexually assaulted a 4-year-old girl in Myrtle Beach ...


Grammy plans new debut in satellite TV market
Bangkok Post, Thailand - Aug 7, 2008
Grammy Group, the country's largest entertainment company in term of sales, will move toward satellite TV as a content provider by the next quarter, ...


Satellite TV broadcaster DirecTV profit up two per cent, matches ...
The Canadian Press,  Calif. - Aug 7, 2008
The satellite TV broadcaster earned US$455 million, or 40 cents per share, in the quarter ended June 30. That compares with earnings of $448 million, ...
DirecTV Profits in Line with Expectations Los Angeles Business Journal (subscription)
DirecTV Posts Buoyant Earnings Broadcasting & Cable
DirecTV posts higher profit as subscribers rise Reuters India
all 33 news articles

Satellite-TV - Google News

home | more satellite tv resources | site map| privacy policy
© 2008