Over the air TV channel scan?

[Isaac-1]

I am thinking about updating the 5+ year old non-smart flat panel TV in my motorhome to something newer in the 28-30 inch size range, and would like to get one that is quicker at scanning the over the air channels.  This detail is left out of all of the specs and reviews I find online, so I thought I would ask here for suggestions on what brands and models work well for you?    Smart TV would be preferred though I would also consider a non-smart model.  My current TV takes just under 7 minutes to complete a channel scan when we move to a new location, during which time it is useless displaying a blue screen counting through the number of channels detected.

 

[Dvan]

I prefer the Vizio smart TV?s. Very easy to operate and very easy to cast downloaded or streaming content from your phone or tablet. Channel scan is about a minute.

 

[John From Detroit]

Where as I don't like VIzio but that is a preference thing  Now Samsung is ok as are several makes.

That said. I do not know of anyone who publishes the average scan time. Both of my converters scan fairly fast (I never watch live so don't scan with the TV's) (Well almost never)

But you only scan once per parking spot normally

 

[SpencerPJ]

I have a 32" Sony, and it takes 5-7 minutes.  I'm always just hoping I get a few decent channels, and a major network or two.  I like my morning news and weather.

 

[darsben]

Isaac-1
How often do you move that this becomes a problem?

 

[ArdraF]

I would suspect that most of the newer models would be faster because they're using newer ever-changing technology.  In reality, you may be forced to buy whatever can fit into the space provided.  When we last upgraded there was only one model available that would fit without cabinet modifications.

ArdraF

 

[Isaac-1]

Isaac-1
How often do you move that this becomes a problem?

We rarely stay in one place more then 3-5 nights, so 7 minutes every time we stop can be an issue

 

[darsben]

Okay;

===

 

[phil-t]

Our 2 YO 32" Samsung (non smart) does it's thing in under 4 minutes.
Get a compass app and raise your antenna.  Note the direction of the antenna, I use an app called "No Cable", it will use your location and give you channels that are with-in "range" along with the direction of those networks and channel #s.  Point your antenna towards the station you want and start the scan.  Works for me.

 

[camperAL]

Hi Isaac-1,

I'm with Phil-t as I have a Samsung 32 foot. After we stop for a night on the road (when traveling) We hit the menu, scroll down to the Antenna/Auto Program and hit the scan on over the air. Depending on the amount of channels in the area, usually takes about 3 minutes or so and we are done. Finding the right place to point the antenna is important. As said there are apps or internet sites for finding signals. New TV is much lighter than the older sets that came with some of the older RV's. Best good luck!

 

[Fogetty]

Would the number of available channels make a difference?  ??? Would it scan faster near a big city where there are more channels, or out in the boonies where there are just a few ?  Just wondering.... :

 

[martin2340]

7 minutes every time we stop can be an issue

7 minutes wow almost a lifetime. As you arrive before setting up start your TV scanning and by the time you are done your TV will be ready to watch. I watch about 1 hour per day watching the morning news. TV watching during the day or night is during bad weather only.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Would the number of available channels make a difference?  ??? Would it scan faster near a big city where there are more channels, or out in the boonies where there are just a few ?  Just wondering.... :

The TV has to:

1) Scan each channel.
2) Recognize if there's RF on a particular channel
2) Determine whether that RF is NTSC (analog) video, ATSC (digital) video or something else
3) If it's ATSC, download the Virtual Channel Number
4) Add the channel to it's local database.

The local database is needed so the TV knows to tune to Channel 24 (the actual RF Frequency) when you select Channel 4 (the Virtual Channel displayed on the screen).  This is needed to satisfy broadcast stations who were reluctant to give up their prime Channels 2-13 branding when they established their digital service on the higher numbered UHF channels.

Identifying each signal takes a finite amount of time for each one the TV finds so yes, a scan will go somewhat faster where there are fewer TV channels.

Another reason newer TVs scan faster than older ones is because there are fewer TV channels to scan.  The FCC has "repacked" the TV bands, squeezing stations closer together on lower channels to clear out the upper half of the TV band for public safety, land mobile and expanded wifi and cellular phone services.  Instead of going to Channel 83, the TV band currently stops at Channel 36.

Not only is there no reason for TVs to scan above Channel 36, but those that do will run into these signals and they'll have to pause on each one until they determine they aren't TV signals.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Some tvs are just plain slow to scan, like the Sony mentioned above. It seems to be model dependent rather than brand name alone, but the last Sony I had was one of the low ones.  The Vizios and Samsungs were ok.

 

[Larry N.]

Another factor in the slowdown is if the TV detects a weak signal on the channel and has to take repeated tries to get the channel info or decide to go on.

 

[TheBar]

We cut the cable 2 years ago and now stream everything but local TV. I have traded a couple between the house and RV and they do scan faster when there are fewer stations to pick up.

We have a Phillips, Poloroid, Samsung, TCL, and Vizio and have noticed big differences between them. The TCL is 1 year old, is a smart Roku TV, and scans way faster at a little over 1 minute. The best TV overall. The Phillips is only 2 years old but is the slowest, about 7 minutes, and has to be re-scanned whenever unplugged which is a royal pain. The worst TV overall.

The others are 2-8 years old and about the same around 3 minutes. All are picking up the same 22 channels off the same antenna with the stations antennas being from 7-120 miles away, so a strong to marginal signal.

 

[TheBar]

I left one out which also takes about 3 minutes. It is a 7" Sylvania which now functions as a TV and rear view camera monitor. I don't watch TV while driving but by pressing the mode button I can watch TV while parked or in a traffic jam.

 

[gwinger]

Start the scan and go do something else. It takes longer to make a pot of coffee!
7 minutes is not a lifetime.

 

[John From Detroit]

Would the number of available channels make a difference?  ??? Would it scan faster near a big city where there are more channels, or out in the boonies where there are just a few ?  Just wondering.... :

Yes but not the way you think. When it finds a carrier it has to scan throug all the sub carriers.
now there are I think 68 Carrier channels. in some areas I might get as many as five or six or 7 Carrier channels. but I may get 20 services out of those.  WHY because of the sub channels

Example in Flint Carrier 12 really is channel 12  12.1 12.2 and 12.3

So it sees a carrier on 12 it has to scan 1,2,3 and 4 (which it won't find) before it cam move on

Where I am now carrier 35 is channel 29  bit 29 only has a .1 so it's very quick to scan.. Took me about 2 hours to update my electronic TV guide (in part because I screwed up) but the channel scan was fast.

 

[Isaac-1]

Start the scan and go do something else. It takes longer to make a pot of coffee!
7 minutes is not a lifetime.

Sure, you say that now, but how about when you miss the first 5-6 minutes of a  22 minute long show