American television and its pitfalls.

  In 2011 and 2012 the Naples' TV world made a change from analog to digital television. With the simultaneous launch of the flat screens in HD quality, there have been significant improvements in image quality. But unfortunately, at the same time the handling of televisions has become more complicated. The following explanations should help to clarify.
  • How do I know that the TV set has been converted to digital?
    (1) In general, there are TWO TV remotes for ONE TV. The FIRST one is usually smaller and has the same brand name of the TV itself. The SECOND one is usually larger (mostly silver) and may have the brand names COMCAST or XFINITY. A distinguishing feature and important control button on this is called "All On". Do not forget these distinctions. All the following statements refer to it.
    (2) On the TV sets itself there are additional infra-red sensors are. Or attached to the TV (over it or under it) there are black appliances in the size of a cigarette or cigar box. These devices usually have the trademark by COMCAST or XFINITY - these devices we call DECODER.
  • How is the handling if everything is correct?
    (1) With the remote control #2 (see definition above), you use the on-off button "All On". The TV displays a correct picture. All other functions such as "louder or softer" and "channel change" run ONLY through this remote #2.
    (2) In normal operation of the TV, you only deal with the SECOND remote control (as defined above). There will appear no problems, if you are operating with the remote control #2 more clearly pointing (important) in the direction of the television.
  • How is the most common cause of error?
    (1) We must first understand the function of the remote control #2 from COMCAST / XFINITY. A 'button press' sends an infra-red beam in the direction of the television. This single beam controls TWO devices simultaneously: (a) the television itself and (b) the DECODER (defined above).
    (2) If you read the above paragraph again, you know immediately how the most common errors can occur: For example, if the POWER-ON SIGNAL is sent from the remote control #2, and (e.g. by inclined hold) only ONE of TWO devices is turned ON, the other one remains OFF.
  • Why is there no TV picture when I push the "All On" button?
    (1) Situation: (a) you push the "All On" button - the TV shows no picture (or 'snowstorms' in Florida!). (b) you push the "All On" button a second time - the TV is dead, the game can continue indefinitely. No picture. This error you could fix yourself. Read on please.
    (2) (Continuous) Function: (a) Button "All On" switches the TV ON and at the same time the decoder turns OFF. Result - no picture. (b) Button "All On" turns the TV OFF while the decoder turns ON. Result - no picture. A vicious circle!
  • What I have to do, that the "All On" button works fine again?
    (1) To get the signals "parallel" you have to take the remote control #1 (see definition above): Push the ON/OFF button for the TV only one time. The TV turns 'ON' or 'OFF'. Then the two devices should have the same status. The "All On" button of the remote control #2 should work fine again.
    (2) A second way to produce the parallelism is this: Point and hold the remote #2 extremly close to the dekoder and press the "All On" button. Hold it very close that only the photocell of the decoder gets the signal.
  • No way: The TV doesn't work!!
    (1) Determine whether the Internet comes via COMCAST (TV cable) or not. If YES and the internet works fine, then the problem is an indoor problem, because the Internet signal is splitted off the television signal. If the internet works then TV should work too.
    (2) If the Internet signal comes from the telephone cable, then you should contact our caretaker.
Status: APR 2013