Spouse's facility in CA has mysterious "HomeFree TV" (I may have that name wrong but Free is in the name) with amazing looking channels; what he'd like to do is watch his usual shows: Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on ABC *channel 10 in our broadcast area* plus Rachel Maddow. I'm also confused about what a smart TV can do, but would anybody know how to operate a Vizio smart TV in these circumstances? Thanks for any help; Spouse needs stimulation.
My SIL actually made a "nonny remote" (that's what they call me, 'Nonny') and he taped off the unneccesary buttons and all I had to do wa push one or two and we could navigate through the setup.
You can also google 'Vizio smart TV' and try to follow along. Again, it's not HARD, it's just our old brains are wired to turn on the Tv and try to find something on the 3 channels we had to choose from.
Or maybe find a resident who has mastered this and ask them.
DH and I joke that we have 700 stations to choose from and I watch none and he watched FoxNews and the History channel.
You should be able to program in the channels you want and 'ignore' the many you don't. So I am told. I can't turn on the TV in our bedroom!
I did get help from the cable tv provider though. If you already have cable, you might check with their help department to see if you can get HomeFree in one of their packages. But I think you might also be able to get the shows he wants to see as part of a cable basic package.
Or: Apparently HomeFree is an app:
https://homefree-tv.en.uptodown.com/android/download
I wouldn't know how it could be used on a smart tv though.
Honestly, get someone in there from the rehab to help figure out the TV they do have. It's probably some kind of subscription programming. Ask someone like the activity coordinator rather than a nurse, because nurses don't have time to learn how the TVs work.
I know he'd like to watch what he's accustomed to, but what could be more stimulating than watching something new?
I feel for you. When I went to intern my dad I had to call the office in the hotel to have someone come help me turn it on. I don't have a TV and things have changed ALOT since I owned one. Heck mine had a dial to change the channels it's been so long.
If you see a youngster in the facility they can help you figure it out and they usually LOVE being able to show off.
Thanks for replying.
Ask a kindly CNA to help you get everything setup. On the tv menu, maybe the three bars called a hamburger, navigate to it with the arrows on the remote and see what options are there. That is where you should find a help menu with An online manual. An option to find help is a YouTube video that has been uploaded by the tv manufacturer on using the tv.
Best and simplest idea, get an antenna, there will be an option on your "input" to select antenna. Then you are done with pressing wrong buttons if you get a simple remote. Search for those on Amazon.
Remember when instant on was such a big deal on a new tv. Now, as far as I know, instant on is a dream. You have to wait until the internet comes up to begin making your selection.