Hisense is a Chinese TV brand known for several smart features. Their gadgets often include a built-in tuner for over-the-air digital channels.
So, how do you search for digital channels on Hisense TV? You need to connect an antenna to your device and use the TV’s Channel Scan or Auto-Tune feature. This feature will automatically find and save any available digital channels.
In this article, you will learn how to search for digital channels on Hisense TV in detail and fix common issues.
Procedure on how to search for digital channels on Hisense TV
Below, we will cover generic steps that apply to Hisense TVs on VIDAA, Android, Roku, or basic non-smart models. The exact menu names may vary slightly, but the overall process is very similar on most sets. Shall we get started?
1. Ensure your TV supports digital channels
First, confirm that your Hisense TV can decode digital broadcasts. Digital channels use DVB-T2, ATSC, or ISDB-T standards.
Many newer Hisense TVs have a built-in digital tuner, but older sets might only have an analog tuner. An analog-only TV cannot receive digital signals.
To check if your TV supports this:
- Look up your model number or check the TV manual. See if it lists support for DVB-T2, ATSC, or “digital tuner.”
- In the TV’s menu, go to Settings > Channel or Broadcast. Check if there’s an option for “Digital” or “DTV” scanning. These indicate that a digital tuner is present.
Tip: If your TV is analog-only, consider buying a DVB-T2 set-top box and connect it via HDMI. That box will receive digital channels and send them to your TV.
2. Install your antenna
You have two options: an indoor one that is easy to set up and an outdoor one that picks up signals from farther away.
Use this procedure for installation:
- Choose an antenna type: If you live in a city, a good indoor HDTV aerial will do. In rural or remote areas, use an outdoor directional antenna.
- Installing the aerial: For indoor type: attach it to a wall, high up, near a window, and ideally pointed toward the broadcast tower. For Outdoor type: mount it as clear of obstructions as possible, aimed at the local transmitter.
- Connect the cable: Run the coax cable from the antenna to the TV, keeping it as straight as possible, avoiding tight coils. If it has an amplifier, plug it into power.
Important: Keep the aerial away from other electronics to minimize signal disruption. For an indoor antenna, avoid routers, Wi-Fi repeaters, microwaves, cordless phones, and large metal objects. For outdoor, ensure there is a clear line of sight to the tower direction.
3. Connect the Antenna to Your Hisense TV
Now connect the antenna to the TV’s input. Use these steps to do so:
- Plug it in: On the back of most Hisense sets, there’s a round ANT IN or RF connector labeled for antenna or cable. Screw or plug it in and ensure it’s tight and secure.
- Set your TV source: Turn on the TV and go to the source/input menu. Select TV (Antenna) mode, not HDMI or other inputs.
- Set the TV to antenna: If the menu has a Tuner Mode, set it to Antenna and not Cable or Satellite. Hisense TVs often default to antenna, but double-check.
If you’re using an external DVB-T2 or Android box, first connect the aerial to the box. Then, use an HDMI or AV cable to connect to the TV. Finally, select the relevant TV input or source to access it.
4. Running the digital channel scan
The TV has a built-in scanning feature that searches for any available stations. This is usually called Auto Channel Scan, Auto Tuning, or Auto Program. The exact menu wording may vary by model, but here are the steps you should follow:
- Open the menu: On your remote, press Home or Menu, then navigate to Settings or Setup.
- Find the channel settings: Look for a section labeled Channel, Broadcast, or Tuner. Within that, find Auto Channel Scan, or Auto Scan, or Auto Tune.
- Select Antenna: Some TVs ask whether to scan for Antenna or Cable; pick Antenna.
- Choose digital only: When given an option, select Digital Only (DTV). This tells the TV to skip old analog signals and look only for digital channels.
- Start the scan: Choose Start or OK to begin. The TV will now sweep through all frequencies. Do not change any settings or turn off the TV during this process.
- Wait for completion: The TV should display progress or list channels as it finds them. Once it finishes, it will usually list the number of channels found.
5. Saving channels and finishing the setup
After the scan completes, the TV typically prompts you to save the found channels. Use these steps:
- Save channels: Select Yes or Save when the TV asks. If it doesn’t ask, the channels may have been saved automatically.
- Check the list: Go to Channel List or simply exit the menu and press the CH⁺/CH⁻ buttons to scroll through channels. Ensure the expected channels are present.
- Finalize: Exit the menus. You should now be watching live TV through the antenna. If you need, you can reorder or delete channels in the Channel Edit section of the menu to organize them as you like.
Voila! With that, the setup is complete. Your Hisense TV will remember these channels, so in the future you can just turn on the TV and switch to Antenna/TV input to watch.
6. Adjusting the antenna and rescanning if channels are missing
If some expected channels didn’t appear, you need to reposition the antenna or try rescanning. Signal conditions can vary, so fine-tuning is common. Follow this procedure:
- Re-run the scan: Sometimes running the Auto Scan a second time picks up channels missed on the first pass. You can even try scanning both analog and digital channels. If your TV has a filter like “Free channels only”, disable it to catch every station.
- Move the antenna: Slightly change the antenna’s location or orientation. Even small adjustments can improve reception. After each move, run the scan again.
- Check signal strength: Some TVs show signal bars or quality in the tuning menu. Use that to aim the antenna and get as many bars as possible for each channel.
- Inspect connections: Ensure the coax cable and connectors are snug and undamaged. A loose or frayed cable weakens the signal.
Note: If, after several tries you still get nothing, try another antenna or consult a signal locator tool to ensure there are broadcasters within range.