Cable TV Troubleshooting Tips

Is your TV cable-ready?
What if your TV is not cable-ready?
Picture rolls vertically or horizontally or does not fit the screen
Picture has distorted color or no color
You have no picture
You have no sound, or cannot control the volume
Your TV displays a pattern or lines
Picture rolls, jumps or flashes

Is your TV cable-ready?
Generally, any newer (less than 5-8 years old) television is cable-ready - this means we can connect the cable directly into the back of the television. To test if a set is cable-ready, disconnect the cable from the back of the TV and check what is the highest channel number it will accept - don’t be concerned with the picture, since the cable is unplugged. If the set accepts channels in the 80's, it is cable-ready. This is not an issue with DigiStar service. Back To Top

What if your TV is not cable-ready?
San Bruno Cable does not use a converter box. Use a cable-ready VCR, leave the TV set on channel 3 and control it with the VCR remote. Or you may subscribe to DigiStar service which includes a multi-function converter box which works on channel 3 or 4. Back To Top

Picture rolls vertically or horizontally or does not fit the screen:
First check your TV’s horizontal or vertical adjustment. Also check cable connection to back of TV. Back To Top

Picture is distorted color or has no color:
If this problem happens when tuning your TV to channels other than 3 or 4, make sure your VCR/cable box is off or set to "TV" or "Bypass" mode, or tune your TV to channel 3 or 4 and use your VCR/cable box to select your channel. Back To Top

You have no picture or blue picture:
Make sure that the TV and VCR are plugged in and the wall switch is on. Check to make sure your house has power and replace the batteries in your remote. Ensure proper Input source is selected for your television configuration. (Often with menu/input/setup button) Follow Picture Distorted recommendations.

You have no sound, or cannot control the volume:
Check the mute and volume control on both the TV and VCR. Back To Top

Your TV displays a pattern or lines:
Adjust fine tuning on your TV. Ensure connections are finger-tight, and visible coaxial cable is not kinked or mangled. Ensure that any do-it-yourself modifications use high quality "RG-59" 1/4" coaxial cable, and splitters capable of at least 1 Gigahertz (GHz). Unused splitter ports should be capped with a special terminator. SBCATV installs and supports additional outlets at very reasonable cost.. Back To Top

Picture rolls, jumps or flashes:
Adjust the vertical hold and fine tuning on your TV and tighten cable fittings. Back To Top