How to retune a Sony TV
Sony Bravia TVs come in three generations with different menus: Google TV, Android TV and older Bravia. All of them separate Digital tuning from Analogue tuning; only Digital matters in Australia.
Which Sony do you have?
Google TV: a Quick Settings button on the remote and a Google TV home screen with For you across the top. Android TV: the older app-row launcher. Older Bravia: a plain HOME or MENU system menu with no apps.
Google TV (2021 onwards)
Auto tune
- Press the Quick Settings button on the remote, then Settings.
- Open Channels & Inputs, then Channels, then Channel setup.
- Choose Auto tuning, then Digital.
- Choose Set up, then Next to start.
- Choose Antenna (Terrestrial), not Cable. A PIN may be requested.
Manual tune
This TV asks for the RF channel number or frequency.
- Settings > Channels & Inputs > Channels > Channel setup > Manual tuning (Digital).
- Choose the RF channel (or enter the frequency), then Scan.
- Repeat for each RF channel.
Get the RF channel numbers and frequencies for your suburb
Clear the channel list
- Settings > Channels & Inputs > Channels > Channel setup > Channel list edit (or Programme list edit): remove unwanted channels.
- Run Auto tuning again.
Check signal
- Manual tuning shows signal level for the selected channel; some models also list Signal diagnostics under Channel setup.
- Sony AU suggests a firmware update or factory reset if tuning problems persist, and notes a missing channel can mean the broadcaster discontinued it.
Android TV (2015 to 2021)
Auto tune
- Press HOME, then Settings.
- Find one of these paths (they vary by model): Watching TV > Channel setup > Auto tuning > Digital; Watching TV > Channels > Channel setup > Auto tuning > Digital; Watching TV > Channels > Channel setup > Digital setup > Digital tuning > Digital auto tuning.
- Choose Antenna (Terrestrial) and start the scan.
Manual tune
This TV asks for the RF channel number or frequency.
- Settings > Watching TV > Channels > Channel setup > Digital setup > Digital tuning > Digital manual tuning.
- Choose the channel, then Scan.
Get the RF channel numbers and frequencies for your suburb
Clear the channel list
- Settings > Watching TV > Channels > Channel setup > Digital setup > Programme list edit: remove channels.
- Run Digital auto tuning again.
Check signal
- Digital manual tuning shows signal level.
Older Bravia (non-Android, before 2015)
Auto tune
- Press MENU or HOME.
- Choose Settings > Digital Set-up > Digital Auto Tuning, or Settings > System Settings (Set-up) > Channel set-up > Digital set-up > Digital Auto Tuning.
- Confirm with Yes or OK, choose Antenna (not Cable), then Start.
- Do not use Analogue Auto Tuning; it finds nothing in Australia.
Manual tune
This TV asks for the RF channel number or frequency (Scan Type: Channel or Frequency).
- Settings > Digital Set-up > Digital Manual Tuning.
- Choose the channel or enter the frequency, then Scan.
Get the RF channel numbers and frequencies for your suburb
Clear the channel list
- Settings > Digital Set-up > Programme List Edit: remove unwanted channels and reorder.
- Run Digital Auto Tuning again.
Check signal
- Digital Manual Tuning shows signal level while scanning.
- Auto Tuning Range: Normal searches within your region; Full searches every channel and is the setting most likely to pull in a distant transmitter and create duplicates in border and fringe areas.
Before you start
- Plug the antenna lead into the socket marked ANT, RF IN, AIR or Antenna on the TV itself. If the antenna only goes into a set-top box or Fetch box, the TV's own tuner will find nothing.
- Switch the TV to its TV, Live TV or Antenna source first. On many brands the tuning menu is greyed out while an HDMI input is selected.
- If a masthead or distribution amplifier is fitted, make sure its power supply is plugged in and switched on.
- Leave the country set to Australia and, where asked, choose your state or region. A wrong country or region scrambles the channel numbers or finds nothing.
- Choose Antenna, Aerial, Air, Terrestrial or DVB-T when asked. Never choose Cable, DVB-C or Satellite: Australian free-to-air is terrestrial only.
- Choose DTV or Digital only. Analogue TV ended in Australia in 2013; scanning for it doubles the time and finds nothing.
- Look up the RF channel numbers your transmitter uses first, so you can tell whether the scan found the right transmitter.
After tuning
- Check the channel list: you should see the main channels at 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10 (or 5, 6 and 8 in most regional areas) with their multichannels behind them.
- Channels at 350 to 399 are duplicates from a second transmitter. Delete them or hide them; the copies at the normal numbers are the strongest signal.
- If a Fetch box or recorder is connected, retune it separately; it has its own tuner.
If it didn't work
- The tuning or Broadcasting menu is greyed out
- The TV is on an HDMI or app input. The tuner menu only unlocks on the TV/Antenna source. Press Source or Input, choose TV, Live TV or Antenna, then open the menu again.
- The scan finishes but some networks are missing
- One multiplex is arriving too weak, or the antenna suits the wrong band (VHF versus UHF) for your transmitter. Compare the channels found with the list for your suburb. If one network's RF channel is missing, retune once more; if it is still missing the antenna, cable or connectors need checking on the roof.
- Channels appear twice, or at numbers like 350 to 399
- The antenna is receiving two transmitters that both claim the same channel numbers. Only one can keep each number; the weaker copy is pushed into the 350 to 399 range set aside for duplicates. Delete or hide the 350 to 399 copies. If the wrong transmitter won, clear the channel list and use manual tuning with the RF channels of the transmitter you want.
- No channels found at all
- No signal reaching the tuner: antenna lead not connected to the TV, amplifier unpowered, damaged cable, or Cable/Satellite chosen instead of Antenna. Check the lead goes into the TV's antenna socket, the amplifier power supply is on, and the tuner mode is Antenna. If the TV's signal screen shows nothing, the fault is outside the TV.
- Channels are in the wrong order or have odd numbers
- Country or region set incorrectly during setup. Set the country to Australia (and your state where asked), then run a full rescan.
- Channels disappear again a few minutes or days later
- Retail or demo mode on Samsung TVs wipes settings, or the signal is marginal and drops out in weather. Set the TV to Home mode. If the signal is marginal, the antenna system needs attention rather than another retune.
- Picture pixelates or freezes on some channels only
- Marginal signal on one multiplex: water in the cable or connectors, a tired amplifier, or the antenna moved in wind. Retuning will not fix a weak signal. Note which RF channel is affected and book an inspection.
Free TV Australia assigns the channel numbers. When a scan receives the same service from two transmitters, only one signal can occupy each number; the other is stored at 350 to 399. This is not a fault with the TV or the broadcaster.
If channels are still missing, the antenna may be aimed at the wrong transmitter. How to read the antenna direction results
Sony questions
- Digital or Analogue Auto Tuning on a Sony?
- Digital. Both appear in the same menu; the analogue one finds nothing in Australia and adds minutes to the scan.
Other brands
Still missing channels after a retune?
A retune cannot fix a weak signal. Our technicians check the antenna, cabling and signal levels on site.
Steps are taken from manufacturer support pages and user manuals; menu names vary by model year and software version. Sources: manufacturer support pages and manuals — sony.com.au, sony.com.au, helpguide.sony.net. Report an error