What’s this about “Scan” & “Rescan”?

What Is Scanning?

When you first set up your digital TV or converter box, you must take steps to find the digital channels in your area. This process is called "scanning" or "searching for channels." If you did this prior to June 12, 2009, you need to do this again – called “rescan” to be sure you have all of the digital broadcast channels available.

How Do I Scan?

Your digital TV or converter box knows how to scan. To begin scanning for channels, use your remote control and the menu function.

If you have a converter box, you need to scan for channels using the converter box remote (NOT your analog TV remote).

If you have a digital TV and no converter box, you need to scan for channels using your TV remote.

Look for the menu button on the remote and consult your digital TV or converter box owner's manual for instructions. The up/down and left/right buttons move you through the on-screen menu.

Once you start, don't press any buttons until the screen says the scan is complete. This process can take a few minutes.

When Do I Rescan?

Sometimes digital channels have changed frequencies. For example, some TV channels, including AETN’s KETS and KETZ, changed digital frequencies during the final digital switch. Digital TVs and converter boxes retain old channel locations until they are rescanned — so you must go through the scanning process again to update your TV or converter box with the new channel locations. Anytime you lose a channel that you used to receive, always remember to rescan!

Since the switch to all-digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009, some viewers are having difficulty receiving AETN and other local channels. According to the FCC, this problem may occur if converter boxes do not pick up the new frequencies for the digital TV channels. To resolve the situation, try this quick fix:

Initial Scanning and Double Rescanning

Any new digital TV or converter box will always need to first scan for digital channels it may be able to receive. After that, it may be necessary to “rescan” from time to time or if changes occur due to power outages. This is necessary because scanning searches for and “remembers” the available digital broadcast channels. But in some cases where stations moved their digital frequencies on June 12, simple scanning may not be enough. There is a procedure – sometimes called “double rescanning” – that can clear your box’s memory of saved channels. These earlier scans may have saved channel information that is now incorrect. There are five simple steps to a double re-scan for a converter box or digital TV, which are as follows:

1. Disconnect the antenna from the box or digital TV.
2. Rescan the box or digital TV without the antenna connected. (As with any scan follow the on-screen instructions or owner’s manual for your device.)
3. Unplug the box or digital TV from the electrical outlet for at least one minute.
4. Reconnect the antenna to the box or digital TV and plug the unit into the electrical outlet.
5. Rescan the box or digital TV one more time.

Rescanning should resolve the problem. If not, then you may have a reception problem that may mean an adjustment with your antenna.

Converter Box Rescan Steps

* Everyone with a Digital TV or a Digital Converter Box connected to an antenna may need to rescan for channel and reception changes.
* Anytime a digital TV station previously received is suddenly gone -- rescan to be sure.
* The up/down and left/right buttons on your TV or Converter Box remote control moves you through the on-screen menu.
* Below are simple scanning steps for the most common digital converter boxes. Consult the owner's manual for your Digital TV.