Winegard cable vs antenna use

[Sam&Diana]

Hi, is there a way to switch between digital antenna and cable input for my tv? I’m in a park that has cable (yes, I connected the cable to the rv) but I see no way to select the park’s cable input rather than digital antenna (which I have successfully used). My tv only has one coax input so I can’t choose it there. Thank you.

 

[wrapped]

If there's a button with a red light next to the cable near the TV push it so red light goes off, it's the boster for over the air tv and it won't let you watch cable TV. And go to menu on tv and switch from over the air to cable.

 

[Sam&Diana]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately there is no red light, and the tv just has antenna as a selection, no choice between cable and over the air. I just spoke with winegard support and they said to turn off the wingard for cable tv input, but that didn’t make a difference. I’m suspecting improper wiring in the Thor (no connection from external input to inside components).

 

[ghnl]

That's how ours works (except it has a green light). Then we select 'Menu' on the TV remote and choose 'Cable'. We have to arrow over to 'Input' or 'Source' to find the option for Air or Cable.

 

[Sam&Diana]

We’ve looked for a cable option on our tv but there’s only an antenna option. Very frustrating.

 

[ghnl]

Post a picture of the menu on the TV screen.

 

[Sam&Diana]

Here is the input menu and what I get when I push antenna. There is only one coax input on the back of the tv. Thanks I uploaded 2 photos but I don’t see them in this reply so I hope they actually went. Sorry, I’m new to using this forum.

 

[ghnl]

Pictures didn't upload. See: https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2/posts-pictures-33712.html

 

[Sam&Diana]

I give up. I can’t get the photo to load. Thanks for your time.

 

[dkoldman]

Hi, is there a way to switch between digital antenna and cable input for my tv?

Yes, there is a way to switch.

I’m in a park that has cable (yes, I connected the cable to the rv) but I see no way to select the park’s cable input rather than digital antenna (which I have successfully used). My tv only has one coax input so I can’t choose it there. Thank you.

You may get better help by telling which RV you have and which TV model you have.

Unless you have a 30 year old TV, or maybe even an older RV, the process to do this is pretty much the same in every RV make or model and TV Make or model.

Step one is to relax and have fun because you are likely to learn something new about your RV & TV.

Step 1 There is some cable connect box that is usually in a compartment bay outside. If you have not seen find your manual, or someone with your coach can tell you where it is.

Step 2 the only way for local antenna to work is with a power booster, if it has has been used, you must turn it off. The light color does not matter but find out where your local antenna comes into the RV and you will see that switch. Turn it off.

Step 3 I will assume you could not find how to tell the TV to scan for Cable channels. This is a very basic step, so given your issue, I suggest you google on you tube how to scan for cable channels for a "enter your TV make and model) and you will see how it is done.

Let us know what you find out, people will help so be patient.

 

[MCP-THOR]

I give up. I can’t get the photo to load. Thanks for your time.

Not sure what make, model, year rv you have, but most probably have a setup like the following.

Don’t you have one of these? It may or may not have the 12v power socket. Typically located next to tv plug in in adjacent cabinet. Coax from tv connects to it. Cable to antenna is behind in wall as is the cable to the park cable connection on the exterior.

 

[Sam&Diana]

It’s the tv

Thank you all for being so patient. Turns out the 2 interior tvs don’t have a cable selection option but the outdoor tv does. Outdoor tv works perfectly, both antenna and cable. The 2 indoor tvs are Insigna Amazon fire tvs and don’t have cable choice. The outdoor tv is a different brand and not Amazon fire.

 

[SGilbert]

I need to resurrect this thread, as it doesn't answer my question.
Preface by saying, I usually have no problem receiving 25-100 digital channels, but on rare occasions, I get free cable at a campground and would like to use it.
I have never been able to acquire cable on any of my 2 interior or 1 exterior TVs.
Granted, like Sam&Diana above, one TV is an Amazon Fire TV, and has no Cable input source.

I have exterior cable input and the normal Winegard amplified wall plate in upper cabinet. I know to turn off amp for cable, but nothing works. The exposed cable connection on the wall plate is empty. Is there supposed to be a cable attached to it, and if so, to where?

Any insights?

 

[MCP-THOR]

I need to resurrect this thread, as it doesn't answer my question.
Preface by saying, I usually have no problem receiving 25-100 digital channels, but on rare occasions, I get free cable at a campground and would like to use it.
I have never been able to acquire cable on any of my 2 interior or 1 exterior TVs.
Granted, like Sam&Diana above, one TV is an Amazon Fire TV, and has no Cable input source.

I have exterior cable input and the normal Winegard amplified wall plate in upper cabinet. I know to turn off amp for cable, but nothing works. The exposed cable connection on the wall plate is empty. Is there supposed to be a cable attached to it, and if so, to where?

Any insights?

As indicated on the plate, that would go to your tv. Your antenna and cable “inputs” are cables connected behind the plate. The push button switch selects if the signal to the tv comes from park cable or rooftop antenna (or satellite?).

 

[16ACE27]

The exposed cable connection on the wall plate is empty. Is there supposed to be a cable attached to it,

Only if it is directly behind a TV it will feed.

Besides turning OFF the injection power you must go through the TV settings and scan for cable channels. This only works if the TV has a QAM digital tuner and the cable signal is an unencrypted digital signal.

 

[Jimbo57]

As indicated on the plate, that would go to your tv. Your antenna and cable “inputs” are cables connected behind the plate. The push button switch selects if the signal to the tv comes from park cable or rooftop antenna (or satellite?).

My understanding is the only time you push the button and see the green light is when you are using over the air signal. Satellite wont work with that light on . As said earlier if your using the parks cable not needed there either but in all cases you need to tell your tv what your using. On my RV cable is cable, Ora you need to search channel with button pushed, Blueray, satellite are hdmisetting

 

[dkoldman]

I need to resurrect this thread, as it doesn't answer my question.
Preface by saying, I usually have no problem receiving 25-100 digital channels, but on rare occasions, I get free cable at a campground and would like to use it.
I have never been able to acquire cable on any of my 2 interior or 1 exterior TVs.

I am gonna go on the assumption you have tried lots of things but have had no luck, so I am gonna suggest a different approach. If you have cable long enough, connect the park cable direct to the back of the TV. Set the TV for Cable input and scan away. Confirm you are getting your channels. Get a beer and celebrate. Get two for me, then report back.

Assuming all works you then you need to verify the cable is connected all the way through to the TV, if you unscrew the wall plate you can see the cable that goes to the TV, take a cable connector and connect the same source cable that you know works to the TV, if you don't get anything on that same TV, you have found your problem.

If Step Two works then you are where you were to start, I am gonna assume that the wall plate is not working for you, or not connected properly at the back.

I never use park cable, but I verified it works if ever needed. I also have a portable King Omni antenna where if for some reason where the RV is parked and my roof antenna is not cutting mustard, I may pull it out, but I don't need my King potable antenna because I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to crow about my T Mobile Home Internet and You Tube TV. I take cable TV for granted and no wires needed. RV owners have been telling me for 4 years you can't stream away from home. When I am in my RV, I am home

 

[MCP-THOR]

My understanding is the only time you push the button and see the green light is when you are using over the air signal. Satellite wont work with that light on . As said earlier if your using the parks cable not needed there either but in all cases you need to tell your tv what your using. On my RV cable is cable, Ora you need to search channel with button pushed, Blueray, satellite are hdmisetting

Correct, the button boost is only for OTA antenna. I should have worded it differently. On my previous class c the cable connection on the outside could be used for park connection, portable satellite connection, or whatever coax input device wanted.
Then of course one has to go the tv settings to define what source is coming through that coax. And of course there can be a variety of cable layouts. Mine was pretty straightforward and it simply followed the connection schematic that came with the booster/injector. As I recall I added a splitter/selector to choose between the park cable and the satellite when the OTA button was off. Maybe not too clear, but that’s how my setup worked. Current setup is vastly simpler. Starlink.