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Freeview intermittent interference

When you get occasional sound loss or picture freezes

When you get occasional sound loss or picture freezes
published on UK Free TV

There are several different types of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:

  • Freeview reception is perfect or near-perfect most of the time
  • The audio on TV and radio channels mutes momentarily a few times each minute
  • The picture on a Freeview channel freezes a few times each minute


There are two main causes of this type of intermittent interference:
  • 'Induction' interference
  • Mobile phone interference


Induction interference

Induction interference is caused by mains-powered household devices that contain a large motor, such as:
  • Washing machine;
  • Tumble dryer;
  • Central heating pump or combination boiler;
  • Fridge;
  • Freezer;
  • Power tools (drills, jigsaws etc)
  • Vacuum cleaners;
  • Water pumps;
  • Automatic doors


You can identify if one or more of these devices is causing the Freeview reception problem by powering off the devices.

If one of these devices is causing the problem, then the reception problem can usually be solved by using a mains filter device and use it on the Freeview boxes mains connection.



Such as device is this: Maplin: 6-Way Flat Screen and HDTV Surge Protector and Mains Filter.

Mobile phone interference

If you keep a mobile phone by your Freeview box or digital television, keep it further away!

This also applies to other transmitters such as baby monitors, video senders, walkie talkies, and portable phones.

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In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
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Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
M
Melanie Holmes
9:34 AM

I am also unable to watch any BBC channels on digital, including BBC3 and BBC News 24. I live in Leeds (LS17). The picture freezes and sound disappears. The setting is at 722000MHZ frequency for BBC1. Is this the problem?

Thanks

link to this comment
Melanie Holmes's 1 post GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:31 PM

John Frail: A common problem after switchover is that you have too strong a signal.

If you have any boosters or amplifiers, remove them from your system now.

If you don't then you may need an attenuator, a small device that costs a fiver, that you attach to the cable.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:32 PM

Melanie Holmes: Can't be 100% sure without a postcode, but please see the Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:36 PM

dissgrunteled: Amplifiers are usually awful for digital reception. If you have an amplifier, booster or similar, try removing it from your system.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
S
StuMagoo
10:14 PM
Sunderland

Hi, I've started having major picture/sound break up over the last few weeks. Reception is perfectly fine during the day...90+% and no problems. However after around 8pm my signal seems to drop to around 75% and the break up starts, this affects all channels inc. analogue.

Think i'm on the Pontop Pike transmitter.

Postcode - SR5 5LQ

Thnaks

link to this comment
StuMagoo's 4 posts GB flag
StuMagoo's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

11:44 AM

StuMagoo: Have you checked everything at the top of the page?

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
V
Vic
7:59 PM

At 7.42 every night we lose signal on both of our freeview receivers (in different rooms). They then start working about 10 minutes later. This has just started in the last 3 weeks, but you can set your watch by it. There is no streetlighting coming on at that time or any household appliances. We are in Manchester. Is there any explanation for this?

link to this comment
Vic's 1 post GB flag
S
StuMagoo
9:23 PM
Sunderland

Briantist: yes tried the lot, currently just tv plugged in on its own, tried via the ext. lead and direct to wall socket (3 of them) started about 8.40pm tonight. Just can't figure out why it only happens in the evening?

link to this comment
StuMagoo's 4 posts GB flag
StuMagoo's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:40 PM

StuMagoo: If it happens at the same time each night it could be something external like a broken street light.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:42 PM

Vic: I am sure there is an explanation, but you are really the only person in a position to work it out.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
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