HiRez 7 Combo--AA battery powered 7 inch digital TV for emergency (hurricanes, tornadoes)

Hirez 7 TV User Manual

Questions about Tivax TV

1. 1.            There is no signal on my portable TV

No signal may mean that you have not "auto programmed" the unit or there is insufficient signal strength for the digital signals, or you have connected the converter to a cable system.

 

Your mail did not state whether you did the auto program or not so I have to assume you did not.  Press the menu button and select the first item that auto program (manual Page 17).

 

HD type antennas are mostly UHF antennas as the VHF channels are currently used by analog TV.

 

If you get only ch2-13 on your current antenna that may indicate that you have a VHF antenna only and most likely will not receive UHF digital channels.

 

Smart Antenna are very expensive and are active amplified antennas that can electronically change their directional sensitivity.  They usually only needed if your broadcasting sources are spread around you and would otherwise require the antenna to be reoriented every time you change the channel.

 

The following is writeup is designed to help you determine the next steps.

 

1) We have had customers who have a tv the displays "No Signal" when no antenna

   is hooked up and they decided to use the A/V input, but failed to set the TV

   AUX input or second input or similar.

 

2) Some customers thought the converter box IS the antenna and never bothered to

   hookup an antenna to the RF-IN/ATSC-IN on the converter.

 

3) Some customers have only a VHF antenna and their digital signals are on UHF

   Check with the stations in your neighborhood and find out where they transmit. You also may just have an UHF antenna and some digital stations come in on VHF.  Also after the digital switch rescan since some channels may have moved.

 

4) Check on titantv.com or tvfool.com for your zipcode what stations are supposed to be available.  And yes, there may be areas where digital may not be available yet.

   In Canada try http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=129

 

5) Some customers never performed a channel scan on the converter. Each region

   has different broadcasters, so the converter needs to scan the frequencies to see what is available and program it's internal memories.

 

6) All digital stations have a format of x.y  where 'x' is the main channel and 'y' is the subchannel as in 7.1 .  Not all channels start with a sub channel of '1'.

   Digital channels are currently broadcast on different channels than their analog counterpart. (this will change after the switch over).

   If you receive ch7 analog,  the digital counterpart may be on ch53.1 .The converter recognizes this, and puts the channel in slot 7 not in slot 53.

 

7) If you unfortunate enough to receive channels from different directions and must turn your internal antenna to receive different station, consider buying an amplified circular sensitive antenna, or an even more expensive smart antenna.

 

8) In some cases internal rabbit ears may just not work and you need to find a better antenna solution.

 

9) in some cases your amplified antenna, if you use one, may just create too much output and over drive the tuner. In that case turn down the antenna amplifier, or turn it off, or adjust the antenna away.

 

10) in same cases there might be interference from nearby radio stations and an FM trap is needed. This is a filter that goes in line with your antenna and prevents radio signals to enter the converter.

   If you check the physical frequency of the TV station and you find a multiple of that frequency falls into the FM range of 88-108, then this may be a strong indication of FM interference. Frequently those interferences may be limited to certain times of the day.

 

11) If you have more than one converter and you find that there different reception results, try to exchange the converter with each other and see if the problem goes with the converter or stays with the location.

   This can be caused by bad wiring and you may need to replace that cable.

 

 

You might want to try some of those links to get you going with your configuration:

 

http://columbiaisa.googlepages.com/diagrams_index.htm

http://www.geocities.com/columbiaisa/tv_dvd_vcr_hookup.htm

 

2.  TV lost channels

If a channel is no longer visible, please go into the menu and check under manual channel set if the missing channel shows up as non viewable.  The signal may have fluctuated and the converter may have marked the channel as non viewable.

 

If this does not work, run a channel scan (add channel scan) to re-detect the channel.

 

If this still does not work, find out the physical channel number from titantv.com

(you need to be logged in to see that info) or visit the website of that station.

Enter the physical station number (i.E ch2 may transmit on ch 53 physical), then try to adjust your antenna for maximum signal strength.

 

It may be possible that a particular channel is being interfered with by some other strong broadcaster like a radio station.  Sometimes, it may help to add an FM-Trap or filter in the antenna to solve that problem.

 

3. TV/Converter-signal quality

Some customers are asking about Antennas and why they do not receive digital

stations even so they receive analog channels.

 

In general, whenever possible, an outdoor antenna should be used to maximize

reception.

 

Indoor antennas are susceptible to loss of signal from walls, especially if the walls are made of concrete or have stucco on the outside. Metal components in walls will weaken or inhibit reception.

 

Amplifiers only amplify what they receive.  In most cases they just bring up signal levels so that long cable runs would not worsen signals.

 

If there is insufficient signal strength intermixed with noise than that noise will be amplified as well as those amplifiers are broadband amplifiers. 

Walking inside the room can affect reception even if the antenna is not moved.  Walls will reduce the amount of signal received by the antenna.

 

The tivax should receive a signal that is at least in the middle range of signal quality to experience no dropouts.  You can check signal quality by pressing the signal button on the remote, and use that to adjust your antenna.

 

The Tivax converter needs to programmed after purchase by getting into the menu

and select auto-channel-scan.  This process will scan the airwaves for existing

broadcast stations.  If at first it did not find any stations, then there could be a problem with your antenna or even the cable between the antenna and the Tivax. Try changing that cable.

 

Some people reported bad signal from the Tivax when using the RF connection

between the Tivax and their TV.  Make sure your TV is tuned to the same channel as the selector switch at the rear of the Tivax converter.  If in doubt, use the A/V cables (red/white/yellow) and switch your TV AUX input or Line1 or similar. A/V gives you a better quality.

 

Some channels may be received at a different channel then its name.  For instance, CBS on CH5 may broadcast on CH29 in digital.  This has an impact on your antenna.  The antenna may be optimized for CH5 but may have a lesser performance at the higher channels (UHF versus VHF). If the signal was not strong enough, the converter may never receive the digital information to recognize the channel.

 

Most digital channels are in the UHF range.  If you have only a VHF antenna you

may not receive those channels.  Digital station also use less power than analog stations and thus may require a better antenna.

 

In some cases it may be possible that the signal from the antenna is too strong and overloads the tuner.  In that case the antenna signal needs to be attenuated, or, if you use an amplifier, the amplifier should be removed or turned down. Sometimes, an antenna pad is needed.  A pad is a small connector the gets screwed in between the tuner and the antenna cable and it will lower the signal strength by a certain amount.

 

It is also possible the that there is interference from radio stations and their harmonics which might fall into the some TV channels.  To eliminate such interference you may need an FM-Trap which is a filter that prevents radio signals to reach your TV/Converter.

 

 

4. General Troubleshooting steps:

 

Please make sure the batteries are inserted properly. The pins in the compartment need to match with the contacts on the batteries.

 

Plug in the AC or 12V adapter into the lower power power connector marked 12V (not the one marked with Battery-In)

 

The LED should be steadily red indicating charging of the battery.  The TV has a slide switch on the side to turn power on or off. There is NO standby mode in order to preserve battery power.

 

The TV should display a splash screen with the tivax logo. Pressing the source button on the TV toggles through various modes described in the manual. Make sure the unit is set to TV/ATSC mode.

 

Any TV needs to be programmed before use which is called "channel scan".  To

scan, select the menu button to get into the menu and find the "auto program"

section.  The menu button is the top button on the front. You will find references to that in your manual. Make sure you select Cable or Air in the menu.

 

If you use a cable feed, the TV will only detect digital signals not analog.

If your cable provider does not provide digital signals it will not work on cable.  The unit will also NOT DESCRAMBLE premium content.

 

Anytime you make a significant change in location, it may be necessary to rescan.

5. Drop-out

The symptom of blocks of pixels showing on the screen can be caused by one of

two reasons:

 

1)  you have tuned to a weak station and your signal is marginal. 

    Add an amplifier, or re-adjust antenna.

 

2)  Your station has a signal that is too strong and overloads the tuner.

    Turn the antenna away from that station, or add an attenuator.

    Attenuators reduce signal strength on ALL signals.

    A suitable attenuator can be obtained from this location:

       http://www.mjsales.net/items.asp?FamilyID=221&this_Cat1ID=265&Cat2ID=93

 

    Re-adjusting the antenna is the better solution. Remember, you don't need stronger signal to get better quality.

 

 

6. The function of  “add scan”

The Add Channel Scan is a feature that was added after the manual was printed.

Its purpose is to add channels that require a repositioning of an antenna.

 

Each new scan would overwrite existing channels and possibly delete channels

if not found.  Some people may live in an area where they need or use a

movable antenna. Adding channels allows them to automatically scan and add

channels to the memory without loosing existing programming.

 

 

7. Weak indoor signals with the small antenna

The included Antenna may be insufficient in some locations and connection to a better antenna is needed. Sometimes, placing the magnetic mount antenna on top of a metal surface, such as a car roof or file cabinet, may drastically increase its performance.

 

The connector on the TV is a screw-on type.  But, due to the recessed fit a plug in adapter (not included) is required to hook up any other external antenna.

Those adapters or cables are available at radio shack, OSH and other stores that sell antennas and accessories.

 

 

8.  Regular AA battery and other power sources on Hirez TV

The battery compartment on the Hirez does not have provisions to accept regular batteries. The docking station has provisions to accept AA batteries. There is no need to open that battery compartment.

 

To open the battery compartment, apply slight pressure and slide the compartment door down.

 

The TV also works with 12V via a car battery adapter (included).  Internal batteries are charged while 12V is applied.

 

The optional docking station is available on our website or retail stores. Alternatively, the included 12V adaptor can be used with external battery boxes that have a cigarette lighter type socket.

 

The AC adaptor powers the TV and charges the batteries.  When full, the charger will stop charging.  There is no need to remove the Li-Ion battery.  While charging the red light will be on. The light will turn green when fully charged.

 

Blinking means, there is no battery in the TV. There is no battery state of charge indicator.

 

When AA Batteries are in the docking station, the AC input can not be used.  AA batteries are for emergency use only.

 

Battery consumption depends on usage, brightness, volume and broadcast content and is usually around 90 minutes.

 

9. TV -Aspect ratio

The remote has an aspect button that will cycle through various options.

 

Aspect ratio has a lot to do with the Tv set as well and how it can display what is being fed into the TV. Along with this come the added choices of the broadcaster of how they format the content.

 

Some displays/converters may fit all onto the screen by either distorting the content or cutting away.  Different manufacturers have different solutions. In some cases a border may appear around the broadcast. Some stations transmit several formats of the same program to accommodate different TV resolutions.

 

It all comes down to presenting a picture of dimension X*Y (station) onto a screen of A*B (TV).

 

For instance:

A HD signal of 1920x1024 can be only displayed on screen of 640x480 by down sampling or "tossing away" some information.

Standard definition TV is 640x480. If you receive an aspect ratio program of 16:9 from the station, which 704x480, then something has to happen to display that on your screen. Either you see black borders, or the image has to be distorted.

 

A more elaborate explanation is available here:

       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television

 

Tivax solutions can be selected by pressing the aspect ratio.  Not all possibilities or permutations are implemented.

 

10. Auto power:

The Auto Power down timer puts the unit into standby mode after the indicated time.  If you use any remote keys, like changing channels, it will reset the timer to the start.

 

The autotimer can be turned off in the menu.

 

 

11. Closed caption

 

Closed captioning can be turned on and off by repeatedly pressing the caption button on the remote. Also check the captioning on your TV as it may be on as well.

 

The closed caption font can be selected from 3 different sizes and 8 different fonts. These are all the choices available.  The only way to make fonts larger would be to view the broadcast on a larger screen.

 

Some captioning may be part of the stream and can not be turned off.

 

12. EPG

The electronic Program guide (EPG) is information that is provided by the broadcaster. It should not be compared with information by some cable and satellite providers who use a separate channel to supply that information for which you pay.

 

If you watch one channel there is no way to receive information about another channel from a competing channel without tuning to it.

 

The information shown in the EPG is all that is available by the digital receiver.

 

The EPG is not like a Tivo or Replay TV type display programming information is provided by the station and it depends how much they provide.  You can see some hours ahead.

 

But there is NO matrix like TV guide.

 

1. 13.              TV-sleep timer

Your description sounds like you have the sleep timer still turned on.

Press the Menu button on your tivax remote and select the auto power down timer and turn it off.

 

14. TV-Smart antenna

We get occasional questions about "Smart-Antenna". Please read the following

article to understand what a Smart Antenna is and does.

 

Tivax implemented the ANSI/CEA-909A standard.  We do not, at this time, recommend any particular brand of smart-antenna, nor do we have any testing results with a particular brand. We do not sell smart antenna at this time.

 

A smart Antenna is NOT required. Any regular antenna that is capable of receiving analog channels 2-69 is sufficient to receive digital signals.

 

If you happen to live in an area with poor reception, you may need an outdoor or roof antenna. Indoor antennas are frequently affected by walls and furniture and even people walking around.

 

Smart antennas, will not work any better inside than a regular inside antenna which has the same receiving characteristics. 

 

The only time smart antennas are needed is when you live in an area where one TV station is on your right side and the other one on the left or some other direction that can not be "seen" when looking towards the first station.  The smart antenna is capable to automatically "look" where the best signal for the other station was received from, and "turn" towards that station either electronically or mechanically.

 

In order to use a smart antenna 2 cable connections are used.  Once carries the RF signals and one carries the commands and data from the controller of the smart antenna to the Tivax. Information about best antenna position is then stored inside the Tivax T9/8 and reused when tuned to that channel, or, the T9/8 will adjust the antenna for a better signal. This process may add to the time tuning to a different channel.

 

Instead of using a smart antenna, you may also use several antennas and combine their signal onto one cable and feed it to the Tivax.

 

 

For more information you might want to visit the following Sites:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_antenna

http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/smart_antennas/

 

1. 15.              TV-sound levels

Some users notice various sound levels when a broadcaster switches from main programming to commercials.

 

In general it is the job of the broadcaster to feed material at pre-determined sound levels. Some material the the broadcaster airs may not meet those standards and thus you may need to adjust your volume level on the receiver.

 

This has little to with the receiver and is up to the broadcaster to address.

 

Some consumers state that audio levels are too low. While it is possible that some older TVs may have some issues with the audio level provided to them, this is in general not true.  It is possible that a unit is defective or has been damaged by consumers due to improper hookups.

 

If there is a low sound level on ALL channels, then there could be an issue with your TV, or the cable connecting the TV with the converter. You might want to try to find a replacement cable in a local electronics store.  If you use RF connection, see if switching A/V connection solves this problem. Or, if you use the A/V connection try the RF cable.  See if the cables are properly seated by wiggling on them and try to insert them better.

 

16.  TV- change language

To change the language, press the menu button.  Press the down button 6 times to highlight the language field. Then press the right button to cycle through the various languages.

 

If you are still in the initial setup screen, highlight the language name and use the right cursor key '>' on the remote to cycle through the languages.