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Question:

Is there a difference between an RF Connector and a regular Coaxial cable?

I just bought a new TV, a 26 Element TV with a built in digital tuner. I am completely lost and do not understand how to get cable. I live in a dorm and we are supposed to connect our cable to the wall, but I only see an RF connector on the back of the TV. Is an RF connector the same as a coaxial cable to the wall or is there an RF to coaxial cable converter so I could hook it up to the wall? Sorry if this doesn't make sense I have no idea what ANY of this is and every website I have done research on hasn't been helpful!

Answer:

Regular cable from the wall is RF,at least should be. You screw that to the RF in on the TV,set for whatever signal it is and scan. Now, depending on the provider, you may need a box, or be able to use the tuner in the TV directly.
the only difference between a regular tv channel and a cable tv channel is in FREQUENCY there is a converter (box) which changes cable tv frequency to regular tv frequency on some new tvsconverter is inside of tv.you should select ANTENNA or CABLE if there are antenna coaxial and catv coaxial at the same time.you should use a TWO WAY SPLITTER for mixing them. emil me if you have a question .
Connect a coaxial cable (dollar store) between your RF connector on the TV and the wall connector and you should be in business.
but I only see an RF connector on the back of the TV. That is also called a F connector and it mates with the CATV coax cable. Measure the distance you need to go from the wall jack to the back of your TV. Go to Radio Shack or the student union. They will sell lengths of CATV coax with male F connectors on each end. Buy one long enough to reach to the connector in your wall and the connector on the back of the TV. IMPORTANT: screw the connectors on hand tight. Then use a wrench or pliers to go a half-turn tighter. These have a tendency to come loose over time. Then: Go to your TV setup menu. It should have an option to Scan for channels. The TV will then spend 10-15 minutes attempting to access every possible CATV channel. The TV will then 'remember' the channels so you can just hit the channel up/down button on the remote and it will not show you empty channels. Hope this helps.

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