So my DVD player is set to channel 3. If I’m on channel 3 already when the DVD player is off and I then turn the DVD player on, the picture gets all weird. However, if I turn to channel 4 and then back to channel 3, the picture is fine now.
Technically, what the hell is going on there?
The frequency of the player is just a little off from where the TV set thinks channel 3 should be by default. Changing the TV channel and back makes the TV’s channel locking circuit reset and “hunt” for the signal again. Then it locks in and all is fine. (If it makes any difference, the signal of the player is probably “more correct” and the TV’s circuitry is off a little.)
With my TV, cable box, dvd and vcr set up, the TV itself is on channel 4 when watching TV with cable box on, but if I want to watch a vcr tape, I must put the actual tv on channel 3.