Cord cutters: Has anyone tried Tablo, or SimpleTV as OTA DVRs?
I don't understand. Your conversation with the Insignia guy should have been like this:
You: I'm trying to select the HDMI 1 input on my TV. Can you help?
Him: Sure. Press the Input button, then scroll up or down to HDMI 1, then press Enter.
You: I tried that, but HDMI 1 is not selectable.
Him: ok, try this. Press the HDMI button.
You: That's not working either.
Him: Can you try another device on that port? Like a DVD/bluray player? Or can you plug it into HDMI 2 or 3 rather than HDMI 1?
...
If another HDMI port works, then the problem is with your TV, but I'd suggest just keeping it and using the alternate HDMI port. If HDMI 2 and 3 don't work, then it's quite possibly your HDMI cable or (less likely) the port on your cable box. Test the other ports with another device.
Basically, you want to find out exactly where the problem is - the TV, the HDMI cable, or the cable box.
On most TVs that I've had, if it does not sense anything connected on a particular port, it won't make that port selectable.
It can help to try a second HDMI cable and another HDMI device for testing. Some sets may not tune to an input that it doesn't see a signal on. There's a chance you may need to reboot your set top box (unplug it and plug it back in) to get it to switch to an HDMI output.
I have had a eureka moment in this mess, I rebotted, then got into settings to get this screen -- but no clue what numbers or letters they want
mtierney said:
I have had a eureka moment in this mess, I rebotted, then got into settings to get this screen -- but no clue what numbers or letters they want
That screen is to change the displayed name for the inputs in the input selection dialog, so you could put in Blu-Ray, Cable, etc. It makes it easier to remember what's plugged in where, but it won't help you select an input.
I believe everyone has given the right solution, but someone keeps calling the help desk with the wrong problem. We'll get there, I just know it. We just need to find out at some time in the next 2-3 weeks whether mtierney has actually tried to do what we and the manual said to do.
earlster said:
mtierney said:That screen is to change the displayed name for the inputs in the input selection dialog, so you could put in Blu-Ray, Cable, etc. It makes it easier to remember what's plugged in where, but it won't help you select an input.
I have had a eureka moment in this mess, I rebotted, then got into settings to get this screen -- but no clue what numbers or letters they want
I thought it might be asking for a code to enter.
Although there are those who think I do not follow their suggestions , I assure the rest of you kind helpers that I have, religiously!
mtierney said:
this is the menu on the TV. I cannot scroll down to select HDMI using the Insigna's remote.
I changed the batteries again
After you use the remote to get to the menu in your original picture, can you scroll using the buttons on the TV? Sometimes they are kind of hidden behind.
MT,
There are several ideas you can try. I suggest you go thru the many different and very good ideas in a logical way. Before doing anything else- double check that all your connections are firmly in place.
First the TV manual gives a very specific order to use when turning things on. Turn off the tv, cable box and anything else hooked up to the tv. Now turn on the tv set first; select HDMI 1 using the tv remote. THEN turn on cable box.
If that doesn't make a difference- turn off tv and cable box. plug the cable into port 2. Repeat turn on procedure; choosing HDMI 2. If necessary repeat with port 3. Remember to try choosing the new HDMI each time. One final test here; reverse the cable. Both ends of the cable are the same so it will just reverse.
If all that fails get out your DVD player. Those usually have an HDMI cable. First try using the DVD cable to connect the cable box to the tv set. Repeat the tests above with the DVD player; keeping the cable box off.
These are a lot of tests to do. You'll be busy for quite a while. Would making a list for each and every test to try help keep things in perspective? As soon as something works STOP. Circle what has finally worked and report back. Please don't go any further.
ridski said:
So none of our suggestions worked
iPhone cut off the punctuation. This should have had a question mark like this:
So none of our suggestions worked?
I don't know about others but I troubleshoot this way: I try to figure out a problem by process of elimination. I believe we can help you keep your current TV. It appears, however, that you really want a new one.
First, my apologies to Earlster for derailing his thread. I had no idea what Earlster's issue meant, but it sounded like cable problems.
As to your supposition, Ridski, that I really want a new TV, it is wrong.
Last night, I called Comcast and a very patient agent spent a lot of time trouble shooting various machinations. The agent managed to get a picture, albeit green, which only buzzed loudly. I can't recall if that success came with the HDMI cable in place or the analog ? multiple port thingy which started this whole mess. Yes, until 11:30 pm, the agent had me switching back and forth!!
The conclusion given was I need to get a new remote! This remote was in its original box since the initial setup as I only used the Comcast remote! Old age? (Yes, with newly purchased batteries.)
I'll got to BestBuy as soon as the doctor decides I am sane enough to drive.
Your support and advice were gratefully appreciated.
For a smile..
http://www.geekfill.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/114.jpg
I am not a television technician, though I play a teachhead on TV. While anything is possible, I guess, the idea that this is a problem with your remote made me literally fall off my chair. People are looking at me funny at work now.
Thanks Obama.
Is there no button on the TV itself to change the input? Could you perhaps get a Geek Squad member to come out and set it up correctly for you?
I am really trying to block out those few days of madness. I should have kept a log!
After I was informed that my remote was the culprit, I did schlepp to BB. The young lady in customer service said my remote was not in her computer and suggested I purchase a universal remote. I went to the aisle and was overwhelmed with a glittering array of choices. The young man with tats and piercings looked at me strangely and asked who had told me my remote was , to be technical here, busted?
When I told him Comcast and the remote manufacturer had, he demonstrated how nicely my TV remote changed inputs on several of the store's TVs!
Late on Saturday evening I was surprised to receive a call from a Comcast tech who had an impressive title which I can't remember who offered to assist me with my issues. Some 35 minutes later when he had run out of his bag of tricks, he arranged for a cable guy to make a house call the next day, Sunday!! In addition, he said he would request the billing dept. to give me a $40 credit next month!
The cable guy was two hours late arriving, but I didn't complain. After trying to make things work, he decided my cable box was not working, and replaced the box as well as the Comcast remote. He demonstrated for me how efficiently my TV remote switched input sources! The cable guy had never ever seen that unweildly strap device with the 5 colored ports at each end which started this whole mess!
Comcast appears to believe in repairing every problem from afar. How much strain put on customers doesn't seem to factor into their business plan. But, until the revolution, we will have to accept ridiculous lack of choice in what we really want to watch and pay for and real service.
Oh, everything works great
Glad to hear your ordeal is over with. Save the 5 plug 20' double Hydra. As strange as may seem the wires, which are very heavily insulated, can be split to make several long, super connections for other electronics systems. For example they may usable for hooking up stereo speakers.
As for distance diagnosis and repair I have found this to be particularly true of the mindset of folks working at 1-(800) 3rdworld. They seem to be unauthorized, unwilling a/o unable to move thru a task in other than what the screen in front of them says. I recently wasted more than 10 hours- over several sessions trying to get my computer running again. This does NOT include hours wasted waiting for a repair tech.
This morning a woman in NC resolved the issue in a little over 11 minutes!!! None of the foregoing is a typo. She has arranged for me to get a new computer. I think she may have noticed my first phone call about the prob was in April. My experience with dell a decade ago was at least 4 times worse.
In each case whenever I got to an American real progress/solution only took a few minutes. It seems we recognize that saving a customer's time IS the problem they want to solve.
Well, I'm glad Comcast came out to help you and it all worked out. I've finally recognized what you had before, though, and I would have that Comcast guy fired for never having seen a pretty standard configuration of High Def Component AV cables.
http://www.vpi.us/images/cmpsaext-25-mm.jpg
CMPSAEXT-xx-MM
$13.00 to $38.00
- HDTV YPbPr Component Video + Stereo Audio Cable.
- Connectors: RCA Male Plug x5 to RCA Male Plug x5.
- RG179 micro-coax cable.
- Bonded construction design for neat, easy connection of component video and stereo audio.
- 75-Ohm oxygen-free copper center conductor delivers exceptional video detail, color and brightness.
- A molded strain relief ensures durability and years of dazzling video.
- The gold plated, shielded metal connectors make a perfect, corrosion free contact every time.
- Color Coded: (Video: GREEN, BLUE, RED; Audio: RED, WHITE)
- Available lengths: 1.5/3/6/12/25/50 feet.
ridski said:
Well, I'm glad Comcast came out to help you and it all worked out. I've finally recognized what you had before, though, and I would have that Comcast guy fired for never having seen a pretty standard configuration of High Def Component AV cables.
It's > 10 year old tech made entirely obsolete by HDMI, so I'd give the guy a break on this one!
qrysdonnell said:
ridski said:It's > 10 year old tech made entirely obsolete by HDMI, so I'd give the guy a break on this one!
Well, I'm glad Comcast came out to help you and it all worked out. I've finally recognized what you had before, though, and I would have that Comcast guy fired for never having seen a pretty standard configuration of High Def Component AV cables.
Maybe just a little. We've had USB for about 20 years but I still know what an RS-232 standard serial cable looks like.
ridski said:Maybe just a little. We've had USB for about 20 years but I still know what an RS-232 standard serial cable looks like.
qrysdonnell said:It's > 10 year old tech made entirely obsolete by HDMI, so I'd give the guy a break on this one!
ridski said:
Well, I'm glad Comcast came out to help you and it all worked out. I've finally recognized what you had before, though, and I would have that Comcast guy fired for never having seen a pretty standard configuration of High Def Component AV cables.
I originally had the same thought you did about the tech. But with respect to recognizing an RS232 cable, you might, but someone 20 years your junior wouldn't.
ParticleMan said:
I originally had the same thought you did about the tech. But with respect to recognizing an RS232 cable, you might, but someone 20 years your junior wouldn't.
I would be surprised if any of the younger crowd that I've worked with in IT knew what a serial cable was (unless they worked with routers and firewalls where they are still commonly used). I'm happy enough just when someone knows that DisplayPort isn't HDMI.
Actually you can blame the British show Spitting Image for that specific knowledge.
https://youtu.be/CDlj0jBtYmQ
I can't vouch for this app but it looks pretty cool in how they organized the data.
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Cord cutting isn’t just a buzz term anymore. It’s a trend, and it’s here to stay. Households in the United States and around the world are ditching their pay TV packages and opting to go Internet-only, since Netflix and all the other Web-based streaming services out there provide more than enough entertainment for most people.
Of course, there are drawbacks for cord cutters, and not knowing when or where to find the content you’re looking for is one of them. Now, however, there’s a free app that will do much of the heavy lifting for you — and it’ll even tell you when paid content you’re looking for goes on sale.
JustWatch can be thought of as a next-generation TV guide for cord cutters. Laying online content out in a schedule is impossible since it’s all on demand, but JustWatch lets users see exactly where each TV show and movie they’re looking for can be streamed. And thanks to a newly added feature, you can even set alerts that will notify you when a movie or a season of a TV show goes on sale.
http://bgr.com/2015/08/14/cord-cutters-guide-free-iphone-android-app/
That's what I said. Did it work?