Forum Discussion

Evc1861's avatar
Evc1861
Channel Surfer
11 months ago

Conflict between Roku and digital antenna

Initially my Roku was successfully installed but unable to get local channels.  General advise was to add an indoor antenna since the available streaming software in my area, like Spectrum runs about $200 a month.   My first effort resulted in my tv not recognizing the digital antenna.  By disconnnecting the Roku box, my digital antenna is now  working fine.   Unfortunately the Roku system is not recognized.   When trying to restore my Roku, my tv screen shows the Roku setup program but "freezes" on the second page , select a language.  Despite multiple efforts I am still unable to run both types of inputs on my tv.

My Roku unit is a Roku Express 4K, model 3941K.  My tv is a Vizio D55f-E2.  Using a standard Roku remote, voice activated, which the digital antenna/tv does not recognize while the GE digital antenna is hooked up.  Currently for my Vizio TV using the digital antenna I have a generic remote which the tv recognizes.

My PERSONAL opinion is that there is a conflict between the Roku OS downloaded to the TV and the digital anntenna OS.  I have been told that there is no way to "delete" the tvs connecting programs and reinstall the Roku system.   THOUGHT:  is there a Roku unit designed to accomodate a digital antenna?

I would gratefully accept any guidance since my wife has threaten to kill me if I don't get the tv working again and she also promises to do other  bad things to me.  Please help!

TV & Player Setup

8 Replies

  • Strega2's avatar
    Strega2
    Roku Guru
    11 months ago

    Some basics: The only things that go through the inputs to your TV are audio and video.  No external devices are downloading an OS into the TV.  An antenna is a piece of metal.  It doesn’t have an OS.  (Some antennas come with a preamp that may or may not improve the results, but this is just an analog signal amplifier.)

    I have 7 devices connected to one TV and they don’t affect each other in any way. 

    One sort-of exception to this is that Roku does have a feature called 1-touch play that is meant to cause the TV to switch to the Roku input when a button is pressed on the Roku remote.  However, this seems to be a buggy in some circumstances and causes the Roku to be selected when other (non-Roku) remote buttons are pressed.  If that’s happening, try disabling it at: Settings > System > Control other devices > 1-touch play.

    I’m assuming that you understand that your TV has multiple inputs that you can select.  I mean no disrespect by that, but some people seem to have no concept of that.  ie: some people connect a Roku, and if 1-touch-play is enabled, then the Roku automagically switches the TV to its input, and some people interpret this as something like: The Roku has become the TV.  But really, the other inputs are still there.  However, if the user never learned how to switch the input on the their TV, then they don’t know how to get to them.

    Also, the Roku, being a small computer, can generate Radio Frequency Interference that can interfere with weak signals. (And if your antenna is inside a house, then the signals are weak.)  Separation is your friend here.  The best scenario is an outdoor antenna with a shielded coax cable connected to the TV, but even a few more feet of separation can help, and sometimes rotating one or both devices can make dramatic changes.

    Also, you said the TV doesn’t recognize the antenna.  I’m not sure what you mean by “recognize” because it’s just a chunk of metal.  If you mean a channel scan didn’t turn up much, then that’s probably the RFI issue.  On the other hand, if you attach the antenna, and still see the Roku, then that sounds like you never selected the antenna input on the TV.  (Or you did, but the 1-touch play bug switched it back to Roku.)

    • Evc1861's avatar
      Evc1861
      Channel Surfer
      11 months ago

      Hear what you are saying and my knowledge tells me  you are right.  My current experience is showing me something else.  My Roku streamer is completely disconnect from my tv set.  However the Roku setup program appears on my tv screen, responds to input on the first screen, displays the second setup screen (select language) and freezes.  If I have my Roku unit attached, the Roku settings program supposedly has a sub routine for "input" where you can select antenna.  My Roku settings program does not have it.  I have tried "discussing" this with on-line Roku help, but my Hindi is limited.  I have also considered acid in the airvents of my tv, but my wife stopped me..   I am using Roku Express 4K with a Vizio TV, model D55f-E2.  Have both the Roku controller and a generic Vizio controller.

      The best way I can describe my problem is a system conflict in the input program.  But as we know, the tv doesn't have an input program.  I have even tried shutting everything down from my wifi to the tv but no luck.  I used to have a wooden hammer for this type of problem when the reel tapes or punch cards would stick, but I lost it.  If you have any simple connection procedures i could use, please let me know.

      • Strega2's avatar
        Strega2
        Roku Guru
        11 months ago

        I’m not sure who you contacted, but Roku isn’t supported in any Hindi-speaking countries so it’s probably not them. 

        I would think Vizio would be a much better choice anyway, since the TV selects inputs. 

        Be careful googling phone numbers for support. Tech support scams are common.

        Here’s a manual for that TV:

        https://cdn.vizio.com/manuals/kb/dxxfexmanual.pdf

        On page 14, it shows selecting inputs.  By default, the antenna input is labeled “TV”.  On page 32, it shows how to rename inputs.  (So you could have, for example, renamed HDMI-1 so that it shows a custom name like “Roku” instead.)

        Page 33 shows where the CEC settings menu is.  Turning off CEC entirely would have a result similar to turning off 1-touch play on the Roku.

        By the way, simply disconnecting and reconnecting a Roku should not cause it to ask you the language again.  It should remember stuff like that through disconnections from the TV and through power outages.

        If you’re still seeing Roku screens on a non-Roku TV after disconnecting a Roku, my guess would be that you actually disconnected something else or have more than one Roku connected.  The fact that you are seeing a basic start-up screen (again) makes me lean towards having a second brand-new Roku connected.