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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
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
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Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
B
Bru
4:54 PM

With ref to above, Bru.
Hi, have tried your suggestions, however I have installed a supressor on the pump, just waiting to see the results, I had aleady paid 15pounds for a Fly lead, which made no ,to one I had only paid 2pounds for.
If this does not work I will look towards a filter socket, the thing is I would need 4 of them.

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Bru's 4 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:45 PM

Bru: OK. The cable thing does work sometimes.

Please let me know how you get on with the suppressor.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Thursday, 17 February 2011
B
Bru
12:32 PM

Re- Bru above 16/02/2011. Hi, the supressor seems to of worked, however the central heating boiler now causes a loud click noise to be sounded from the speakers of the television, when it shouts off. Believe it may need a supressor fitted to the boiler.

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Bru's 4 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

2:34 PM

Bru: Yes, I think you are correct. You do seem to have some rather problematic electrical devices.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
B
Bru
11:32 AM

Hi, ref bru above.17/02/2011.
It would appear that the supressor,has sorted my problems. so to sort my problem, I have fitted a supressor to the boiler and pump. Bru.

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Bru's 4 posts GB flag
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:59 AM

Bru: I'm hopeful that will give you trouble-free viewing.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
J
John
9:44 PM

well, for all the answers about interference, I simply get the message "no signal" .Comes back on now and then, but happens whether pump etc is running or not. Why is this, seems a satellite/transmitter problem to me?

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John's 1 post GB flag
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:38 AM

John: I have no idea if you have satellite or Freeview or where you are.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
H
Hshez
8:23 AM

Hi,
Please can you help. Our freeview box keeps loosing signal on all channels except the news channels and a random welsh channel- we live in Berkshire! There are no mobiles nearby and the heating has no effect. Seems strange that all channels go except the news and a welsh one!
Please help!!

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Hshez's 1 post GB flag
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