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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.

Help with Freeview, aerials?
How do I get a test card with Freeview1
I would like to know if it is possible to receive UK terrestrial Freeview servic2
I have been told I would receive too much singal from my Freeview tansmitter as 3
Can my Freeview box receive more than one BBC and ITV region?4
Is it true that my 87 year old mother is entitled to a FREE upgrade when the ana5
In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
Digital Region Overlap4
Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Saturday, 21 May 2011
S
StuMagoo
8:34 PM
Sunderland

Briantist: Not the street lights, problem starts before they come on.

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
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:03 PM

StuMagoo: It could be anything on a timer if it happening at the same time each night.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
S
StuMagoo
10:51 PM
Sunderland

Briantist: Think I've found the cause, there's a small block of flats out to the back of my property, directly in the line with with my aerial, looks like they have a faulty rear security light(about 15-20 meters away).
I can pretty much time my picture break up to that thing flickering on/off.

Now ,to get one of them to get it fixed....

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
Monday, 23 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:38 AM

StuMagoo: That sounds like an ideal candiate, there have been a number of people who have found security lights the cause of problems (once at a service station). You are probably not the only person effected.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
A
A D WILLIAMS
10:25 AM

My main concern is with BBC digital channels
bbc1 bbcnews bbc3/4. these programmes every now and then go into freeze /pixations.
i am on the mendip transmitter.
i hope i am not the only one in this area,
with this problem.
thank you for reading this message





link to this comment
A D WILLIAMS's 1 post GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

11:41 AM

A D WILLIAMS: As you have provided no postcode, I can't really comment about "your area".

However, please can you see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
R
R Bryan
1:08 PM
Oxford

I live in Oxford and until recently I have had good digital reception via freeview. The last two evening all channels have been imposssible to watch due to pixilation, freesing and loss of sound. I have not changed anything or installed any new electrical equipment in the house. Please help

link to this comment
R Bryan's 1 post GB flag
R's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 29 May 2011
T
Tara Hayes
8:40 AM

Briantist, your a star for trying to help us all but in the last two years this is about the third time it has happened, I've spent a small fortune on aerial guys looking at reception, aerial, signal. After about six months of 'being patient' it comes back. Three months later it goes again. Our TV is unwatchable, and it's unacceptable that we can't do anything about it. Never get this with Sky and at least we have one sky tv. I think waiting until September is ridiculous!! Soooooo frustrated!!!!

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Tara Hayes's 2 posts GB flag
T
Tara Hayes
8:41 AM

By the way, know it's not your fault, just letting off steam!!!!

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Tara Hayes's 2 posts GB flag
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