Samsung TV’s Antenna: Air or Cable? Local Channels & Troubleshooting
Cable boxes, DVD players, and streaming devices are popular entertainment options for TV users today. However, free over-the-air TV hasn’t gone out of style completely.
I mean, who completely gives up a free option?
So, cable packages are getting more expensive, and you’re not ready to renew your subscription. In this case, free over-the-air channels are a great place to watch great shows and keep up with the news.
Since most Samsung TVs don’t have built-in antennas, you’ll need to purchase an external antenna and connect it to your TV. If you are facing issues with your TV antenna, this article is for you.
You’re probably wondering: Why is my antenna not working? What kind of antenna is best for my TV?
Don’t worry: we have answers. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about Samsung TV antennas.
Samsung TV Antenna: Air or Cable?
When it comes to watching television, there are two main options: OTA (over-the-air) TV or cable TV.
Like the bad boys they are, Samsung TVs support both air and cable television. You can use either one or both of them.
However, it’s necessary to understand the differences between the two options before buying an antenna or choosing a cable subscription package. So, let’s explain each option in detail.
1. Air Television
Air (over-the-air) TV refers to TV channels broadcast on public airwaves. It is a free service that allows you to access local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
TV antennas pick up these channels; the channels you receive depend on your location and the kind of antenna receiver you have.
To watch OTA TV, you’ll only need to buy an antenna. However, if you own any of the few 2020 – 2021 models with built-in antennas, you’ll get local channels at zero extra cost.
Samsung TVs with built-in antennae include the Q800T, Q900T, Q950TS (65, 75, and 85″), QN90A (55, 65, 75, and 85″), QN800A (65, 75, and 85″), and QN900A (65, 75, and 85″).
2. Cable Television
Cable television does not transmit signals over public airwaves. Instead, it charges a subscription fee to provide access to a wide range of premium channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
To access these cable channels, you need to have a cable box and a subscription with a cable service provider (i.e., Xfinity or T-Mobile).
The choice between OTA or cable television depends on your viewing preferences and budget.
OTA television is excellent if you’re content with the programs available on the free local channels. There’s just one problem: users have complained that their Samsung TVs do not recognize their antennas!
The following section explores why this happens and provides solutions to get your favorite shows back on the screen.
Why Doesn’t My Samsung TV Recognize Its Antenna?
So, you’ve just purchased and installed a new antenna, but your Samsung TV screen remains blank. The reviews guaranteed a flood of clear channel broadcasts, but you’ve got nothing so far.
What this means is that your TV is not recognizing the antenna. Below are potential reasons for this occurrence:
1. Connection Problems
A loose connection is the most common reason for TVs not recognizing an antenna.
Your antenna receives electromagnetic signals and transmits them to the Samsung TV via coaxial cables. If the coax cable isn’t connected securely to the TV or antenna, your TV will not recognize the transmission.
Another contributor to connection issues is faulty cables. Coaxial cables can break or degenerate when mishandled.
Usually, we’ll consider the possibility that your cable is plugged into the wrong port. However, this mistake is highly unlikely—most Samsung TVs have only one antenna input port (F Connector), and the coaxial cable is too distinctive to fit into any other port.
Note: The F Connector on your TV is labeled “ANT IN.”
2. TV Settings
There are a few TV settings that you’ll need for your TV to recognize the antenna.
TV Input Source
Your Samsung TV has input setting options that dictate what source it displays from at any moment. If you set your input source to HDMI (or other sources), the TV won’t be able to communicate with the antenna.
To display OTA content from your antenna, you need to set your input source to “TV.”
Auto-Program
Channel broadcasts won’t just trickle through the coax cable and generate pictures on your screen.
The “Auto-Program” feature on Samsung TVs allows you to scan for channels the TV receives via the antenna input port. If you don’t activate this feature, your TV will not recognize the antenna.
3. Poor Signal Reception
If you’ve checked all the items above, but you’re only getting snow (TV static or white noise) on the screen, you’re probably dealing with poor signal reception.
Poor reception can occur due to any of the reasons below:
Antenna Type
Antennas come in different types and should be installed in different ways. Your antenna may contribute to what signals you can (or cannot) receive.
Obstructions
TV signals travel through the air as electromagnetic waves. If there are large objects (like buildings, hills, power lines, or trees) in their path, they either become weaker or get cut off entirely.
Location
If you’re in a remote location (like a mountainous or sparsely populated area),
TV transmission towers may not properly cover your location. We call these areas reception black spots because signals are either weak or undetectable.
Interference
Electromagnetic interference from electronics like Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens may cause your TV not to receive signals from the antenna as well. Also, metallic furniture or windows can intercept and block TV signals from reaching your indoor antenna and TV.
Outside the house, harsh weather can also interfere with your TV signals. You’ll notice that reception gets worse during storms or severe rain. This is because the moisture absorbs the signals and scatters them.
How To Make Samsung TV Recognize an Antenna
Want to enjoy OTA channels on your Samsung TV? Below are ways to ensure your TV recognizes your antenna.
1. Check Connection
Ensure that the coaxial cable securely connects to the TV and the antenna. If the connections are loose, tighten them or replace the coaxial cable.
To ensure your coaxial cable lasts long, always keep it away from moisture and foot traffic.
2. Adjust TV Settings
After plugging the coaxial cable into your TV’s ‘ANT IN’ port, ensure the TV is on the correct settings for the antenna TV. Follow the steps below.
Change Source Input
- Press the “Source” button on your remote.
- Select “TV” as the input source.
Scan for Channels
- Press the Settings ⚙️ button on your remote.
- Scroll down the settings list and select “Broadcasting.”
- Press “Auto Program” and select Start.
- You’ll see a prompt to choose between ‘Air,’ ‘Cable,’ or ‘Both.’ Choose Air.
- Wait till the scanning process is complete. It usually takes a minute or two.
3. Reposition Your Antenna
If you’re dealing with poor reception, below are suggestions to help improve it.
We advise you to use an outdoor antenna, especially in a location with poor coverage. Mount it in a clear zone (i.e., a rooftop) with little or no obstructions, so it can pick up strong signals.
If you’re using a directional outdoor antenna, it should point in the direction of the broadcast tower. The large/wide portion of the antenna is the back, while the narrow side is the front.
Basic features, Antenna (air / cable), Country – Инструкция по эксплуатации Samsung LE40C630K1W
Страница 12: Auto store, Manual store, Cable search option
Channel Menu
Antenna (Air / Cable)
Before your television can begin memorizing the available
channels, you must specify the type of signal source that is
connected to the TV (i.e. an Air or a Cable system).
The PIN input screen appears. Enter your 4 digit PIN number.
: Change the country for digital
: Change the country for analogue
Scans for a channel automatically and stores in the TV.
Automatically allocated programme numbers may not
correspond to actual or desired programme numbers. If
a channel is locked using the Child Lock function, the
PIN input window appears.
Antenna Source (Air / Cable)
: Select the antenna
source to memorise.
Channel Source (Digital & Analogue / Digital /
Analogue): Select the channel source to memorise.
When selecting Cable
→ Digital & Analogue or Digital:
Provide a value to scan for cable channels.
Search Mode (Full / Network / Quick): Scans for all
channels with active broadcast stations and stores them
in the TV.
Quick, you can set up Network,
Network ID, Frequency, Modulation, Symbol
Rate manually by press the button on the remote
control.
Network (Auto / Manual): Selects the Network ID
setting mode among Auto or Manual.
Network ID: When Network is Manual, you can set up
Network ID using the numeric buttons.
Frequency: Displays the frequency for the channel.
(differs in each country)
Modulation: Displays available modulation values.
Symbol Rate: Displays available symbol rates.
Scans for a channel manually and stores in the TV.
If a channel is locked using the
Child Lock function,
the PIN input window appears.
Digital Channel
When scanning has finished, channels are updated in
the channel list.
Modulation, Symbol Rate
Analogue Channel (Programme, Colour System,
Sound System, Channel, Search): If there is abnormal
sound or no sound, reselect the sound standard
required.
(programme mode): When tuning is complete,
the broadcasting stations in your area have been
assigned to position numbers from P0 to P99. You
can select a channel by entering the position number
in this mode.
C
(aerial channel mode) / S (cable channel mode):
These two modes allow you to select a channel
by entering the assigned number for each aerial
broadcasting station or cable channel.
Channel Manager Option Menu
(in Channel Manager)
1. Select a channel and press the
2. Edit the channel name or number using the Edit
Channel Name or Edit Channel Number menu.
Edit Channel Name
(analogue channels only): Assign
your own channel name.
Edit Channel Number
(digital channels only): Edit the
number by pressing the number buttons desired.
Cable Search Option
(depending on the country)
Sets additional search options such as the frequency and
symbol rate for a cable network search.
Как выполнить авто настройку эфирных или кабельных каналов
Так уж сложилось, что некоторые люди при покупке нового телевизора Samsung не знают как выполнить авто настройку эфирных или кабельных каналов. Данная статья является общим руководством, поэтому пункты меню могут отличаться.
Для того чтобы телевизор начал показывать каналы, после подключения антенного кабеля необходимо выполнить авто настройку каналов. По завершении авто настройки все найденные каналы будут сохранены в памяти телевизора.
Вот пошаговая инструкция по авто настройке эфирных и кабельных каналов на телевизорах Samsung серии E , F и H поколения (2012-2014 г)?.
1. Убедитесь, что антенна подключена к разъему AIR/CABLE.
2. Включите телевизор и убедитесь в том, что выбран источник ТВ. Для этого нажмите кнопку SOURCE на пульте ДУ > Выберите ТВ > Нажмите кнопку ВВОД.
3. Нажмите кнопку MENU на пульте управления.
4. Выберите Трансляция > Авто настройка > Авто настройка.
5. Выберите пункт Пуск.
6. Нужно определите параметры поиска. Для этого выберите источник сигнала — Антенна (если вы используете антенну) или Кабель (если вы подключаете кабельное ТВ) и тип каналов – цифровые и аналоговые) > Нажмите Сканир. для поиска и сохранения каналов.
7. Дождитесь завершения авто настройки. Время сканирования будет зависит от подключенного вами источника и количества каналов (количество цифровых каналов будет зависит от вашего провайдера).
8. Когда авто настройка будет завершена, выберите Закрыть и наслаждайтесь просмотром каналов.
Автоматическая настройка эфирных или кабельных каналов на Samsung Smart TV
1. Убедитесь, что антенна подключена к разъему AIR/CABLE.2. Включите телевизор и убедитесь в том, что выбран источник ТВ. Для этого нажмите кнопку SOURCE на пульте ДУ > Выберите ТВ > Нажмите кнопку ВВОД.3. Нажмите кнопку MENU на пульте управления.
4. Выберите Трансляция > Автонастройка > Автонастройка.
5. Выберите пункт Пуск.
6. Определите параметры поиска. Для этого выберите источник сигнала — Антенна (если вы используете антенну) или Кабель (если вы подключаете кабельное ТВ) и тип каналов – цифровые и аналоговые) > Нажмите Сканир. для поиска и сохранения каналов.
7. Дождитесь завершения автонастройки. Время сканирования зависит от подключенного источника и количества каналов.
8. Когда автонастройка будет завершена, выберите Закрыть для перехода к просмотру каналов.