View troubleshooting guide - BoilerTV help

Troubleshooting Guide Page 1 BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
Initial TV set up
When you connect your TV to the cable outlet in your room you will need to run the channel set
up process in order to view the BoilerTV channels. (If you used your TV at another location your
television is used to receiving a different channel line up) To scan for our channels, enter your
television's menu and re-rerun the channel Set up or Auto search process. Please ensure that
the standard Cable setting or QAM setting is selected (not Air, Antenna, HRC or IRC).
We have found that the auto-programming process can be as swift as 5 minutes or up to 45
minutes depending upon the television being programmed. Popular name brand televisions like
LG, Samsung and Sony are your best choices. Some less expensive televisions (listed below) do
not have tuners that can handle all types of TV distribution formats.
TV more than 5 years old and not receiving all channels
If your TV is more than 5 years old, you may or may not receive any channels. If you only receive
20 or 30 channels on a five year-old television, we will not be able to enable your television to
receive all of the channels. TVs are limited by the capacity of their tuners. You can contact the
manufacturer and ask them whether your TV's year, make and model accepts "Clear QAM"
signals.
New TV but not receiving any channels
If you have a new television that is not on the list of TVs without a Clear QAM Tuner, you just
need to run the channel search process or auto search process. Review your TV's manual for
details. Enter your TV's menu and select the channel search or auto scan process.
1-5 year old TVs not receiving all channels
If you are receiving some but not all of the BoilerTV channels, you probably need to visit the
manufacturer's website and update your television's firmware. (Updating a television's firmware
is very similar to updating the software in a smart phone) Updating your TV's firmware may
involve downloading a file from the manufacturer's website to a flash drive and then connecting
the flash drive to your TV so it can process the update. In some cases, a firmware update can be
completed by connecting the TV to the Internet and downloading the update. The manufacturer's
website and customer support phone numbers are the best source for this process but YouTube
is another great resource. As an example, here is a link to Bravia's video about how to update
their firmware http://youtu.be/-PPO6abrkhs?list=PL19C96FD220AE708B
1-5 year old Element Brand TVs not receiving all channels
Element brand TVs are problematic. Some Element TVs work fine but others do not. To work
properly, your Element Brand TV must have a QAM capable tuner. How do you know if your
Element brand television has a QAM capable tuner?
1. If your TV has a QAM capable tuner it will be an option in the channel menu. You may
know that when setting up a television, you usually select which type of signal you’re
going to receive. Air means you’re receiving channels via antennae. Cable means
BoilerTV Basic Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Guide Page 2 you’re connected to a traditional cable network. While the Cable option here usually
works for most televisions connected to BoilerTV, if your TV has an option to select QAM,
that is the best option for BoilerTV users.
2. In the Channel Menu of Element brand televisions you should see AIR/CABLE/QAM if
AIR/CABLE are the only options that means the TV has no QAM and you need an
external tuner.
3. If QAM is an option in the channel menu, once selected, it’s my understanding that the
Element code 31415 can be entered there. This should enable the QAM tuner and you
should be able to receive BoilerTV channels after you have completed the rest of the
general TV setup options.
4. If your TV doesn’t have a QAM option you will need an external tuner to view channels on
our network
Unfortunately, most televisions manufactured prior to 2009 cannot be updated and do not have a
tuner that will allow them to receive all channel frequencies or signal types. You can however,
purchase an external tuner that is up to date. Here is a link to the best choice for an external tuner
- http://www.amazon.com/Channel-Master-CM-7001-Antenna-Clear/dp/B0066O1DI2 The cost is
approximately $130
*When shopping for an external tuner, please make sure it can accept Clear QAM or Open QAM
formats.
Formatting a drive for firmware update
If you have a mac, you might find formatting a drive to fat32 is a challenge. Here are some basic
instructions to formatting a drive on a mac. http://www.ehow.com/how_8147841_format-flashdrive-mac-fat32.html
External tuner
If no firmware update is available or if your TV still isn’t receiving all of the channels you can
purchase an external tuner.
•
•
Here is a link to the best choice for an external tuner - http://www.amazon.com/ChannelMaster-CM-7001-Antenna-Clear/dp/B0066O1DI2 The cost is approximately $100
Here is a second choice for a tuner. This tuner is more affordable but may work well but
may require a firmware update. http://www.amazon.com/3500STBII-Multi-FunctionConverter-Recording-Playback/dp/B00GOILYB6 This converter may require a firmware
update to work properly on our network. Here’s a link to the update
http://www.iviewus.com/firmware3500STBII/ *Do NOT download this firmware if your
3500STBII Converter Box has a CH 3/4 switch behind it. You own a converter box that
was released in a new batch that has a different chip piece that is not compatible with the
box. If you do install this firmware your box will automatically shut completely off and it
will not be able to turn on. Please be patient, a new firmware is being currently tested that
will be compatible with your box soon.
*When shopping for an external tuner, please make sure it can accept Clear QAM or Open QAM
formats.
BoilerTV Basic Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Guide Page 3 You can also look at our Frequently Asked Questions page. Here's a link to the BoilerTV FAQ
page. http://www.housing.purdue.edu/BTV/Faq
TVs and TV brands that may not work on the
BoilerTV network
TVs manufactured prior to 2009
Regardless of the brand, TVs manufactured prior to 2009 will not work on our network because
they lack the updated hardware and software required to receive the Open QAM / Clear QAM
signal
Newer model TVs with inadequate hardware
Even a new television may not contain a tuner or software that allows it to receive all types of
common TV signals. Manufacturers save money by installing inexpensive tuners in their cheaper
televisions. These models do not generally work on our network.
Other brands that may have difficulty connecting to our network
Note * The following TV brands are causing viewers some problems this year because of the
tuners installed in the TV.
Make
Models Not Equipped With QAM Tuner
Dynex
DX-32L151A11
Element
Do not appear to have QAM tuners
Memorex
MT1134
Sansui
All Models do not appear to have QAM tuners
LC320EM2F
Emerson/Funai LC401EM2F
EWL20S5B
Insignia
Do not appear to have QAM tuners
LG
Models made prior to 2007
Magnavox
P2MF23ID/37
RCA
LED24G45RQ LD32G30
Samsung
Models made prior to 2009
Seiki
SE24FT01
SE47FY19
Sharp
32″ Aquos
LC-13B6U-S
Sony
Models made prior to 2007
Sylvania
Do not appear to have QAM tuners
Toshiba
Models made prior to 2007
Westinghouse All models do not appear to have QAM tuners
Olevia
All models do not appear to have QAM tuners
BoilerTV Basic Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Guide Page 4 iView 3500STB II
Technicolor DCI 401
Tuners /
CONVERTER
BOXES
ePVision PHD-208
Students have recommended the above converter boxes. We cannot
guarantee that a converter box will work with your TV or that the box will
deliver a clear signal on the same channel lineup.
Tuner for your computer or laptop
Here is an example of the type of tuner you might purchase to watch TV on your
Mac, PC or laptop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116034
Due to the wide varieties of computer models, we cannot guarantee which tuner
will work on our network. You should make sure the device can accept Clear (or
open) QAM signals and is mac or pc compatible.
BoilerTV Basic Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Guide Page 5 Here are some websites you should know about and follow . . .
BoilerTV website
https://www.housing.purdue.edu/BTV/
BoilerTV on demand – Purdue’s version of Netflix (only available on campus)
http://boilertvondemand.housing.purdue.edu
Roundhouse Radio website
https://dev.www.purdue.edu/cla/petebroadcasting/roundhouse-radio/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PeteBroadcasting
Twitter
@PeteBroadcasts
Instagram
PeteTV
Watch PETE TV on channel 4.2 for original Purdue Programming. BoilerTV Basic Troubleshooting