How to get terrestrial tv on samsung smart tv?

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Home » Samsung » How to get terrestrial tv on samsung smart tv?
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Written By Dinu Sri

Dr H. T. D. S. Madusanka is an electronic expert with 10 years of experience, involved in the research and development of SMART HOME systems.

Televisions have been around since the dawn of time. Newer models come out every now and then. Samsung is one of the biggest electric gadgets companies out there, so if the brand made a smart tv, it has to be good, right?

The main difference between a smart tv and a regular tv is that a smart tv can have access to the internet and play beyond just tv channels. Which, a regular tv cannot. Keeping that in mind, Samsung smart TVs are not any different. Samsung smart tv can play entertainment platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and so on.

But that’s not what we are here for today. If you got your hands on a Samsung smart tv, the first thing that should come to mind is connecting it. And that’s exactly what this post is for.

Let’s jump right into it.

Does Samsung Smart TV have a built-in Antenna?

Most versions of Samsung smart TVs, do have built-in antennas. 

However, the antenna provided is not able to access your local tv channels. You will need an extra antenna for that. But in my humble opinion, if you have TV cable services in your home, along with a couple of tv streaming services. You don’t need an antenna.

People these days normally don’t watch over the air tv, and Samsung is aware of that fact. I mean, come on, who watches boring shows with advertisements every 2 minutes? 

Not just Samsung, most smart TVs these days don’t come with any extra antennas. Nevertheless, most of them have the option of connecting an antenna with the tv if you want to.

If you are brave enough to take your smart tv outdoors, Samsung smart TVs can also work with antennas outside! 

If you want the peak television experience, here’s how you can get your old-school local tv channels on your smart tv. Keep reading.

How To Get Terrestial TV On Samsung Smart TV?

While you have access to pretty much everything on a regular Samsung smart tv. Just the option of some basic tv channels and news feels more comforting and less chaotic. 

Below are some steps you can follow to get regular TV on Samsung Smart TV:

Step 1: Click on the source menu on your smart tv, and go home. 

From the source icon on the left in the menu, agree on TV as a source.

Step 2: Take your antenna, and connect it. 

If you don’t have an exclusive antenna connected, you will see a “no signal” message dodging the screen. 

Step 3: Pick the source on which you will be watching.

 It can be the antenna, cable, etc. Since we are using an antenna, click on the “over air” source.

Step 4: Scan for channels.

 Once you click on “scan for channels,” your smart tv will automatically start the process, and bring the channels that are a near sight.

It’s done!

 At this point, all you have to do is complete setting up the terrestrial tv channels. But if you are impatient like me, you can always leave it as it is, and start binging HBO.

One small thing that can give you the best terrestrial tv experience is if you use the channel guide that Samsung provides. That way, it will not only guide you through the process but also keep you updated on what is premiering.

How To Connect Antenna To Samsung Smart TV?

Smart TVs don’t need antennas to play. Samsung smart TVs usually have streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc. built-in. Since we are talking about traditional tv, you will need an antenna to get your local tv channels.

Here are some steps you can follow to connect an indoor antenna to your Samsung smart tv:

  • To the digital tuner box, which can be found at the back of the tv. Connect your extra antenna coaxial cable.
  • Using another coaxial cable, with the digital tuner box, connect “out to TV.” 
  • After this, you should see your Samsung scanning for tv channels.

If you still don’t find local tv channels chipping in, you can set your tv to channel 3 or 4 instead of 1.

Another problem that a lot of people find is that the tv still does not show local channels, even after the antenna is installed. If this happens, usually you get at least of few over-the-air channels. If not, your antenna failed to get access to the tv channel towers.

Here’s a video on how you can connect an antenna to your smart tv, will help out a lot if you are actually planning on doing it!

Another question asked by new smart tv users is, do I need an aerial to watch traditional tv?

And the answer is, positive. Now as it’s a smart tv, you don’t need extra cables or devices for internet use. It already has built-in systems to have access to your home wifi, you just have to connect it.

But if you want to watch over-the-air shows or television, you might need an aerial. As it is, after all, an antenna. And you are trying to watch live tv.

How Do I Pair My Samsung TV?

Pairing up a Samsung tv is easier than it looks. All you need to do is turn on your tv, and go to the connection guide. From the connection guide, make your way, and activate pairing.

The built-in Bluetooth in the tv will start scanning for devices nearby. Now, if you are trying to pair a speaker or even headphones, make sure the device has Bluetooth turned on.

After this, your tv should have the devices popped on the screen. All you’ll have to do now is select the device on the tv, and connect! If you are connecting speakers, make sure to change the output settings on your smart tv.

Why Is My Samsung TV Not Picking Up Antenna Signals?

After setting up your antenna to your Samsung tv, you should have some of your local channels broadcasted on your tv. If not, then maybe the antenna did not pick the signals.

One of the most frequent causes of this is, the antenna did not get any signal back from the broadcasting tower, nearby. If that’s the case, try to place your antenna, a little higher. 

Another reason may be, loose-fitting of the antenna cable. Or the cable you are using for the antenna is damaged. In this scenario, turn off your tv, and check the cables, if they are damaged, take them off.

How Do I Manually Program Channels On My Samsung TV?

To manually tune channels on your Samsung TV, you can use the “Auto Store Function.” You can also search through channels by doing a few things.

Using your remote, click on MENU, scroll to the “Auto Store” function on your tv, and press enter. Use the arrows in your remote control, for a better navigation experience.

Now, after you have selected your antenna, select the channel source. As you are watching digital tv, of course, press on the digital option. 

You can now watch channels on your Samsung tv. Use the search bar that is shown on the upside of the screen while it scans for channels.

Final Verdict

Samsung smart TVs are surely a lot of people’s go-to option when it comes to getting a tv. The brand has always kept its excellence in terms of quality, and experience. However, some people might want the traditional tv experience which is completely fine. 

Although the most recent versions of Samsung smart TVs don’t have an antenna built, most versions do have antennas, built-in. Unfortunately, you are not able to watch local tv using that antenna.

You will still need an external antenna to watch local tv, to do that all you need to do is connect your antenna to the tv, choose the source for broadcasting, scan for channels and you are done! To connect the antenna all you need is the antenna, all  Samsung smart TVs have built-in digital tuners if produced after 2007!