Feedback
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV For the last six years, I have answered many thousands of personal emails that you have sent to UK Free TV.
Sadly, I am unable to offer this personal service at the moment.
Until I can restore this service, please can you leave any questions you have on an appropriate page, where they will be answered as soon as possible, or below, if you can't figure out where to ask.
I look forward to your questions!
Help with TV/radio stations?
In this section
Friday, 4 November 2011
J
jb384:15 PM
johnb: Pleased to have been of assistance! and hope it clarified the situation.
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Saturday, 5 November 2011
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jeffrey short3:38 PM
I have been told that shortly I will have to upgrade my dish to a mark 4.
Then one I have at the moment is probaby a mark 1.
I only have freesat(through a Skybox)but a Sky engineer told me that if I don't upgrade the dish my signal will be weaker
Is there any truth in this?
Thanks.
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jeffrey short: It's all lies. See Freesat reception - all about dishes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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bev4:25 PM
London
i have an indoor areial and had all the channels now the some of the channels are missing like bbc and itv and channel 4 what to do please as i do not have an outdoor aerial. and not sure if the landlord will put an outdoor aerial up. thank you
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bev's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
bev: You would not expect the landlord to install an aerial for you, but you do have the right to have one installed at your own expense.
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Hector Evans7:56 PM
I will move abroad. Generally speaking, is it possible to use a Freeview receiver to watch local digital terrestrial channels? Also, is it possible to use a Freesat receiver to watch Free to Air satellite channels? Thanks!
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Sunday, 6 November 2011
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Julie11:12 AM
Newark
I can get most freeview channels on a tv with digibox and excellent indoor aerial but for some reason I just cannot get ITV 3.
Help please
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Julie's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Tony Banks1:16 PM
Ludlow
Thanks Brian sorted.
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Tony's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Julie: If you have a fixed (e.g. roof-top) aerial that you know picks up the required signal, then I would connect the set-top box to it and tune it in using that. Having done this, then take it back to the indoor aerial and move it around until you get good reception on all channels. The last bit could be easier said than done; you might find that some or most come in good but one doesn't work.
Putting the aerial higher doesn't always improve reception; sometimes it makes it worse.
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Dave's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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teresa3:37 PM
will my sky plus work if i buy a £25 viewing card and cancel my sky subscription
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teresa3:44 PM
can i use sky plus with a £25 viewing card if i cancel my sky subscription
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jb384:20 PM
teresa: Yes, but it will only work like a normal Sky box, insomuch that the recorder side of it will be inoperative unless you pay Sky an additional monthly charge.
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Mazbar5:07 PM
Hi brian could you set up a riggers page where riggers around the country could give help to each other when they need it and b1tch about customers who give them a hard time. This could help each other and the thing about the customers at a job today 2 1/2 hours for a clip on aerial on a sunday then a 15 mile drive to my next job and they where as bad as the first. Just sitting at home now with a glass of wine listening to pink floyd what i have to do to unwind. Sorry for the rant but the first part could be helpful all the best anthony c and a aerials
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Monday, 7 November 2011
Mazbar: You mean something like Rigger's zone | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?
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teresa: Don't spend any money, the £25 card will be identical to the one you already have.
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NottsUK1:13 PM
Briantist: I don't know if this has already been mentioned, only I have just rescanned my TV and a new channel is coming soon. It is called "the ZONE" on Freeview channel 39. The place to shop and play.
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NottsUK: It not showing up yet in the "official" list at DMOL Post-DSO Logical Channel Numbers or on my box. So, it's not Zone Reality if it's "shop and play"...
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Tuesday, 8 November 2011
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phil3:30 PM
Bath
Hi,
We are in Bath BA26SJ. We are suffering a re-occurence of the "lost channels" problem, on all sets in the house. We have tried the retune, the switch off and tune with no aerial and then retune route and this time that has failed. Any new ideas?
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phil's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Paul Chapman9:38 PM
Hexham
Hi - I live in Hexham NE46 and receive Freeview signal from Pontop Pike. The signal through our Sony TV with HD and built in freeview is via a Humax 9300T freeview box so we can record programmes.We get good reception for most channels from a high gain digital aerial except those with the signal transmitted on -
Channel 55 (746000KHz 2K 1/32) North East Channel 4 and other ITV channels.
When reception is poor the signal strength will be around 72 to 75% and the quality sticks at 100% (this info is available from the Humax pull down menu). Poor reception seems to be coincident with cold / windy / wet weather.
Any ideas on what we could check to resolve this problem.
Many thanks in anticipation of help.
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Paul's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Paul Chapman: Is there a problem with the picture breaking up or freezing during these periods of bad reception?
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Dave's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
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lm3:29 PM
I live in Glasgow and have not had tv reception, analogue or digital (freeview) since Saturday 5 Nov 2011. I have the message 'No channels found. Please check antenna connection'. I have followed the delete channels/reset instructions on this website, I've checked the internal cables and I've checked the Blackhill Transmitter, which is not reporting any problems/maintenance. I live in a tenement flat, neighbours in my block have Sky and an uninerrupted service. What has happened/what can I do? I've had the vague quote of £700 for a replacement aerial for the block, the cost of which my neighbours won't share. Is an aerial upgrade/replacement really necessary when I received all freeview channels on Friday, then absolutely nothing since, and if an upgraded aerial is necessary, is £700 as ridiculously excessive as it seems and do I have the right to ask everyone who will have access to it, whether they need it right now or not, to contribute? Thank you for you help.
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gerard5:41 PM
hi
is it possible to connect an dvd recorder/player not hd to a new tv with only hdmi sockets ?
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jb386:01 PM
lm: If you had mentioned your location (post code) in Glasgow it would have been of assistance, as parts of Glasgow can use Darvel as well as Blackhill, or alternatively one of the small relays that's dotted around, like Cathcart or Glasgow Central. (Kelvindale)
Going by what you have said suggests that a fault has developed in your aerial system, I cant determine though whether or not you are meaning that its a communal aerial system you are on, and if it is then a check should be made to ensure the power to the distribution amp hasn't been knocked off in error.
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lm7:58 PM
Hello JB38, thanks for getting back to me.
I am in G3, a tennament flat in a block of 8, all of which are/were connected to a communcal roof-top aerial which I understand hasn't been replaced for at least 10 years. It now appears, however all the other residents have either Sky or don't have a tv, so are unaware as to whether the old aerial system still works in their flats.
I have asked if anyone has been doing any work on the roof or aerial, but no luck (although it is possible other people could have been on the roof and we wouldn't know). I have tried to re-tune both tvs a number of times (one with freeview built in and an old one with a set-top box) but both come up with 'no channels, check anntenae' and there is absolutely nothing but static when I try and retune the analogue channels (reception was pretty poor on analogue, but it was at least watchable.) I've checked, re-checked my internal cabling system (both tvs run off a single aerial cable although I'm not sure how it enters my flat) and are connected to a signal booster box which I plug in next to one of the tvs.
I don't know what I do now. Previous re-tunings have only ever picked up Blackhill so I'm not sure if that rules the other transmitters out (if not, how do I tune in to them as re-tuning is brining up a blank!) You also mentioned checking the power to the distribution amp; how do I do that? Is it on the roof by the aerial ie a job for an aerial man? If he says I need a new aerial, is £700 as extortionate as it sounds? Can I get a little one just for my use if the neighbours won't split the cost?! Your advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.
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gerard: Only if it has HDMI connections. HDMI is digital connection and can be used with non-HD content, but does not provide an analogue connection like SCART. See Connecting it all up | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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Mike Dimmick11:28 PM
lm: I'd still argue that it's a communal facility provided for the tenants by the building management, and some part of your rent or building management fees should be going towards its upkeep. See PARAS - Professional Aerial Riggers Against The Sharks for thoughts on who to speak to and what to say.
You certainly shouldn't expect to pay for this yourself.
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Thursday, 10 November 2011
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NottsUK8:44 AM
Briantist: It seems as though the What Satellite & Digital TV, (Wotsat), web site has been removed. If you select the Wotsat article on your "UK Free TV Newsbucket" column it goes to techradar.com, with the message, "Sorry! We can't find the page you were looking for".
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NottsUK: Yeah, I get redirected to Home cinema | News | TechRadar .
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lm12:05 PM
Thanks Mike, the website re communal responsibilities was helpful.
My concern at the minute is to find out what exactly the problem is. JB38 mentioned two possibilities: re-tuning to another transmitter or checking power to the distribution amp. JB38, thank you for getting back to me, I replied above, answering your queries with a couple more - my postcode G3 and it is a communal aerial system. How do I check the distribution amp and how do I find other transmitters when Blackhill was the only one to show when I was able to tune channels? Thanks again to both of you for your help.
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jb386:04 PM
lm: Regarding the communal aerial, and which I know is quite common on tenement blocks around Glasgow as I have a friend that lives in similar circumstances just off the Victoria Road, but I have to agree with what Mike D said insomuch that rectifying the situation should really be the responsibility of the person(s) that had the communal aerial fitted in the first place, usually the building Factor.
That said though, it really hinges on what was stated on the original agreement, and should you have access to that I would have a good study at the document to see if anything is mentioned regarding the communal aerial system, if though you don't have the agreement then you should try and have a word with a neighbour in case they should have a copy. Of course if they do and the wording is stated in your favour, I fully appreciate the great difficulty in getting anything done when a request is made to a building factor, if my friends experience in the past is anything to go by.
Regarding your location, my reason for requesting this was to give me an idea of the type of signal you were liable to have been receiving before it ceased, with your G3 area being quite variable depending on whether you are located at the higher up area of Charing Cross or the much lower down level of Argyle Street / Finnieston etc, the former in many parts using Darvel whereas Argyle Street is mostly Blackhill.
Regarding the distribution amp, in these type of situations its usually sited in the loft and fed from the same mains supply that's used for the landings lighting, its unfortunate though that you are unable to make a check with your neighbours as this would have helped no end, but when I mentioned checking, I was thinking that if any workman had been in the loft for any reason he might have accidentally switched off the supply to the distribution amp at the same time as the light. (If of course its arranged that way!)
If you are on the upper floor is it possible to access the loft? because as well as checking what I mentioned regarding the distribution amp you could possibly have given a loft aerial a try out, although I have to be honest any say that if you are located in the lower Argyle Street areas then success is very doubtful.
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Jane8:10 PM
I have lost my TV pictures on freeview. I re-scanned and this has not made a difference, as when I scanned all the channels appear as they are found but when scan has finished they do not appear on the EPG but all the radio channels do and they play ok.
Any advice would be appreciated please.
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Friday, 11 November 2011
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John Fogarty8:27 AM
Pips for time checks are several seconds
apart on VHF and DAB. I understand the reasons but wonder which is correct?
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John Fogarty: Some UK broadcasters add a pre-delay to their VHF output, so that they can align the various packetized digital systems.
However, the BBC do not do this, so the FM/AM signals are "in sync" and the DAB is not.
From memory, the BBC do not do this because the delay is not wholly caused by the digital transmission, but is partly down to the speed of decoding on the receiver and the amount of "buffering" that it uses.
If you have several different types of DAB receiver they will often be slightly out of sync.
Also the BBC provide digital radio via satellite, which has a (slight) delay due to the 78,000 km round trip; Freeview which has a slight encoding delay; WMA online stream which due to buffering is usually behind DAB, AAC (for Flash) which is usually in front of DAB.
Of course, if you want an accurate time signal, the best you can use is GPS as this takes into account Einstein's time dilation effect.
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michael9:19 AM
TIME SIGNAL: Or use a "radio controlled" digital clock, which synchronises with the
very accurate time signal from Rugby or
Braunschweig.
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Jane9:25 AM
I tried unplugging aerial and clearing all channels then re-scanned but no joy. It scans and shows all tv and radio channels as being picked up, but when complete the EPG only shows the radio channels. Any further help would be appreciated.
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Jane: Some boxes have a RADIO/TV button on the remote and you need to press this to switch between the different "sides" of the EPG.
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lm12:27 PM
Thanks JB38. I have engineers here now and they have discovered that the close doesn't have a communal aerial system, I have been sharing with one other flat and the aerial in question was on the roof, but should have been inside the loft so had degraded considerably. The factor was very unhelpful, despite being the agent for the flat I'm sharing an aerial with (who I discovered last night had lost signal too). The factor told me it was my responsibility alone to replace it. However, afer much cajoling they finally saw the sense in sharing a new aerial and splitting the cost. Does £175 inc vat sound reasonable for a rooftop aerial split between 2 flats? Will signal strength be compromised with the split? (I'm Kelvingrove). Thank you again for your help.
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A Smith12:52 PM
Herne Bay
Oddest thing, i am at the postcode ct6 8rh,I only have indoor ditigal ariel but works ok except dont get some/all channels.not sure which reciver but it gets east anglia service..........yesterday was playing up and retuned...and got all channels from multi regions which was awesome...........................now today i cant get them again.if they is playing around with the signals why cant they just let them stay so can receive all.they obviously can as i did.for a day at least.....sad :(
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A's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb385:27 PM
lm: Thanks for the update! and which was indeed very informative as it puts things into perspective regarding the situation in your block, with not really surprisingly your findings of the factors attitude, that of following their usual reputation of being totally unhelpful and effectively side stepping any problems.
I will say though, that the figure quoted is what I would consider to be in the upper limits for what's getting done, with the thing I wondered about being exactly where the figure mentioned had came from? because now that the factor has clarified the situation from his point of view insomuch that the cost is being shared between your neighbour and yourself, I would be inclined to fish around for quotes elsewhere rather than automatically accept what you have been told.
Just out of interest, is the other flat you are sharing the aerial with on the same level as you? and if not is it you or them that's on the upper level?
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jb385:57 PM
lm: Sorry! forgot to answer your question regarding the aerial being split, if its done properly with the aerial being split via a powered two way splitter / distribution amp then nothing the person sharing will do can affect you, so maybe you could ensure from the installers that this is their intended way of doing things.
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Jane6:31 PM
Briantist: Well I never!! Had never noticed TV/Radio button and all is now fine.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
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Saturday, 12 November 2011
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lm12:03 PM
Thank you again JB - you have been a great help and very reassuring! I share the aerial with my downstairs neighbours (I'm 2nd of 3 floors) and I got the quote of £175 (inc vat - for the whole job) directly from the aerial man, which I relayed to the factors before they would finally agree to split the cost. I asked the chap about splitting/signal degredation and he said there wouldn'g be a problem, but I now know to specifically ask for a powered 2-way splitter- thank you. As I am higher up/nearer to the aerial than my sharing neighbour, does that make a difference? Thank you very much again, I really appreciate your help. One observation in whole thing - the longer I don't have a telly, the more I realise how much time I squandered watching it and how much more life I've lived without!
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jb386:52 PM
lm: Well I fully realised the predicament you were in on trying to decide on the best policy to get over the problem without paying through the nose, so to speak! and I dare say that the other person who shares the aerial is probably quite pleased that you have organised everything, albeit that they also are having to pay out.
Regarding distances from the aerial, if the job is done correctly then the fact of you being closer to the aerial is neither here nor there, as that's the point of a powered distribution amp, matter of fact if the people who reside in the bottom flats had been involved then they wouldn't have noticed any difference either "if" its done correctly, and which I am confident you will ensure that it is armed with the info provided.
As you will obviously appreciate Kelvingrove covers various levels of ground, likewise good reception can never really be guaranteed in parts of Glasgow due to the numerous tall buildings, but if you had good reception before the aerial problem occurred then you should likewise do again, and which I would appreciate if you could give a final update on your findings once the job is completed.
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Monday, 14 November 2011
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Alan Thompson6:23 PM
I have a 12 volt analogue colour tv(Sharp)on my boat.Is there a 12volt freeview box?Is it expensive?I appreciate there could be aeriel/signal problems?I cruise the boat on R.Thames spring/summer/early autumn.
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John7:53 PM
Hi I have three aerial sockets around the house, all three cables are brown in colour and all go to one point in the loft connected to the aerial. I have two digital boxes connected to two televisions tuned into free view but some times the picture freeze and speech stutters. I was told that if I install a cable from the skybox RF2 and install an amplifier I would be able to get a stronger free view signal and as a bonus I would also get sky in all three points as I would be using the sky dish. (I did switch on the RF2 port on sky) I did this and I can get sky but I can not get the free view, it says no signal. Any ideas or was I told wrong
Amplifier is a 4 way Nikkai
Cable I used was what was left over from the sky installer.
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jb389:33 PM
Alan Thompson: You don't really have to search about for a dedicated 12 volt Feeeview box, as any of these cheap types you see around that use a separate power supply are in effect just 12 volts operation boxes, as that's all the separate power units are for, to supply them with 12 volts.
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Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Dear Brian,
Get in contact!
Stephen Brook
Media Editor
The Australian
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John: You have been told wrongly, the Sky box will never improve the Freeview signals.
Please can you see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice - I can't say more without a full postcode.
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Paula7:41 PM
I have had scaffolding erected today which has knocked out my sky signal. Have been unsuccessful in trying to contact Sky technical helpline, how do I change the tv to main Ariel please?
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ian from notts8:20 PM
Nottingham
paula
if your watching sky thro a scart lead then turning the sky box should revert your tv back to aerial
if not there should be an input or av button which you can use to select tv
altho most people using sky boxes do find their aerial doesn't work as good as they thought it use to ?
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ian's: mapI's Freeview map terrainI's terrain plot wavesI's frequency data I's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
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Bill W8:55 AM
Towcester
Alan Thompson: Re (jb38 Monday 14 November 2011 9:33PM). jb38's comments valid only for Freeview boxes with an external power supply (some, even cheap ones, have inbuilt mains PSU). Also, even with external PSU, check the voltage. Many are 5 volts rather than 12 volts.
If it has/needs an external PSU but requires 5v, you should be able to get a 12 v to 5 v converter (used for operating USB accessories or similar from a cigar socket)from anywhere stocking computer accessories.
Even if the box has an inbuilt mains PSU, look at the Maplin range of inverters (providing 230v AC from DC) which are quite cheap and come in a range of sizes from a few watts up to half a kilowatt!
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Bill's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Llywelyn4:10 PM
my sky digibox has started to show the wrong regional TV - how do I change it back?
this happened after the box and tv was switched off in the mains one night. The following morning instead of BBC1 Wales, BBC2 Wales and ITV Wales it had changed to BBC London, BBC England and ITV1 W. S4C had fallen dwon from 104 to 134.
I've tried to retune but without success.
Would be very greatful if you could advise.
Regards
Llywelyn
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feasa8:57 PM
Is it possible for me to get Irish TV stations on freeview in Spain. I have BBC ITV C4 Sky News etc.,
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Thursday, 17 November 2011
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glenn9:58 AM
Ipswich
had to re tune and yet again lost channels receving on ch 54 and 56 was ok before told to re tune things should be left alone as always the ip12hl post code never had good t v reception
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glenn's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Gabriells1:24 PM
Hi
I woul dlike to know whether it is possible to get Italian programs with dish/receiver -- in some wireless mode as we just completed work in house and I do not want to put cables all over the place.
Thank you
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Friday, 18 November 2011
Gabriells: How can I get Italian satellite channels in the UK? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice . You will need to use a cable, there is no "wireless mode".
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dave lee4:17 PM
Salford
I used to be able to get channel 201 movies for men now i have not been able to get channel 201 or 200 for the last two weeks.
My postcode is M6 5er
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dave's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Peter Brotherston5:47 PM
Melrose
Any thoughts on Talktalks new youveiw.Will it be better than BT Vision?
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Peter's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Peter Brotherston: As both BT and TalkTalk are partners in YouView, the services will be the same in the long run.
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Peter Astley11:31 PM
I have a communal Sky satellite system here in Spain. I was told to get a new viewing card. Gradually I have been losing channels throughout the day. Will one of the resetting methods you suggest work or will I lose use of my old card if I reset?
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Saturday, 19 November 2011
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Sam5:23 PM
i have two sky cards in two sky plus HD boxes both cards have been canceled but one gets more free channels than the other for example MOTORS TV, 5* 5USA ETC why is this, an can i get those extra free channels on my other box?
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Sunday, 20 November 2011
R
reform10:23 AM
After switch over will my digitals channels improve has currently i have quite severe ghosting(reflected signal) on my analogues which i have been told affects the digital signal.Doesnt this mean after switch over i will still have a digital reflection affecting the digital channels but just no more analogues reflections to complicate matters.Would like to hear from someone who may have had same problem
but is now in a fully switched over area
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P.Brown12:11 PM
I was able to watch sky tv in my bed room , but only the same chanel as was showing in living room through an old anaglogue tv but recently tried to connect a dtv in place of the anaglogue by using the same connection but the dtv wont pick up anything just shows Database empty..Help.
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Eric Jowitt7:52 PM
Instead of Yorkshire news on BBC1 we are getting Lincoln. I have tried retuning several times. I live at Barnsley South Yorkshire. Could you please help.
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Eric Jowitt: The problem is that your receiver has decided to tune to the Belmont transmitter instead of Emley Moor. See:
Digital Region Overlap | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Simple and most generic answer I can give is to run the auto tune without the aerial plugged in. It will find nothing. Then run it again with the aerial unplugged and when it gets to 25% plug in the aerial.
This will have the aerial unplugged when it's scanning the frequencies used by Belmont and plugged in for this from Emley.
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Monday, 21 November 2011
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Judith Siford12:28 PM
The council (Hackney) has just installed digital tv (we pay weekly small sum) but I don't understand it as am dumb when it comes to tech stuff! Am using Virgin Media but wd like to stop it as it's hopeless and I'm interested in the foreign progs. I know (I think!) how to plug in the aerial but he lost me when explaining about the Hotbird and Sky bits! I want to put a small tv in bedroom to watch Italian and French progs - the aerial has the exension in the bdrm already. Please explain in words of one syllable how to do this! Thanks, Judith
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Graham Worboys9:07 PM
Ipswich
Hi, hope you can help. I am situated just outside Ipswich in the market town of Hadleigh. I have 2 freeview boxes that have now lost a few stations ie: Yesterday. ITV4, Film4, 4music & a few others. These were ok a week or so ago. I have cleared all the stations from the memory on both boxes as shown on your site but they still not appear. Any ideas?
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Graham's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Graham Worboys: You're not alone! See this page:
Sudbury Arqiva multiplex B changes 16 November - retune required | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Tuesday, 22 November 2011
hello I have two questions I wish advice on
1. is it possible to connect a second tv to a Skyplus box.
2. How can I use a sky box which is now reduntant as a digi box
Thank you
Art
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arthur's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Chris Bartram10:47 AM
Welshpool
SY21 8DA (Shropshire/Powys border - receiving from Wrekin). We have a Goodman Dv3 (or DVB?) Freeview box. Before switchover we could get all multiplexes 1,2,A and B (but not C or D). Now we can only get BBCA and D3+4. We've also noticed that the sound often drops to a whisper then slowly returns to normal volume.
We've tried clearing channels and total reset to no avail. The set-top box does not detect any software updates. Is the problem with the transmitter? (Could we re-orientate our aerial, perhaps?) Or do we need a new aerial or set-top box? If the latter, which should we get first?
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Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Chris Bartram: There are a couple of possibilities (or it could be both).
1. The TV spectrum are known as UHF channel numbers and these are divided into groups. See here:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
Back in the day when we only had four terrestrial channels, all transmitters used UHF channels that were all in the same group. Aerials tended to be for a specific group and The Wrekin was Group A.
BBC and ITV which are the Public Sector Broadcaster multiplexes (PSBs) are on Group A channels, but the Commercials (COMs) aren't.
If your aerial is Group A, then it will probably explain why your aerial doesn't pick up the COMs as they're higher up in Group B.
There is now the wide proliferation of wideband aerials which, supposedly, cover the whole TV band. The reason is because of what I've explained. Channel 5 analogue sometimes necessitated such measures as well.
2. The COMs are at half power with respect to the PSBs. So if you're not going to get some, then I'd expect these to be lost first.
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Thursday, 24 November 2011
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Tony Moore3:29 PM
When new channels become available I have always been able to up date programmes thru' Auto Tune without difficulty. Recently however noticed lost Freeview Channels 201 to 205 Men & Movies on 2 of our 3 TV Sets.My son has had similar problems on his 4 TV Sets. Before I call in an Aerial Engineer can you advise whether these programmes are still available on Freeview? (No Reception problems on other Channels.)
Tony Moore (Bolton Lancs).
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Tony Moore: I would try manual tuning. It is on UHF Ch57.
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Saturday, 26 November 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
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Eric Brightwell3:52 PM
Marlow
With regard to free Eurosport, yes it is still available in English on analogue satellite using a standard decoder - even an old Sky box should work. You can choose between English or German commentary.
I don't know why this information is not included in the list.
I do not wish to watch British Eurosport, so I cannot comment.
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Eric's: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 28 November 2011
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ian from notts9:20 AM
Belper
tony moore, dave lindsay
what are channels 201-205 on freeview ?
do you mean freesat ?
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ian's: mapI's Freeview map terrainI's terrain plot wavesI's frequency data I's Freeview Detailed Coverage
ian from notts: The logical channel numbers 201-205 are local services and are only available on Freeview in Manchester, Bolton and surrounding areas.
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I Stanley10:57 AM
Ipswich
Sudbury Transmitter. After retuning I have lost ITV4,Yesterday,Film 4 etc.How do I get them back? I am in the main service area of the transmitter.
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I's: mapI's Freeview map terrainI's terrain plot wavesI's frequency data I's Freeview Detailed Coverage
I Stanley: Loads of people are in the same boat. The answer would seem to be that you're going to have to wait until June:
Sudbury Arqiva multiplex B changes 16 November - retune required | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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trevor long12:50 PM
Reigate
i have just fitted a freeveiw box to a small bedroom digital tv a mxfv300labgear the post code is rh2 8ls we have a digital aerial but we cant recieve bbc 1 or 2very well 38 others but not these two what are we doing wrong the problem exist on the main set which has a freeview built in it as well nearly new aerial
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trevor's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
trevor long: I would say that one issue you might have is caused by the fact that you are in an area where you might pick up signals from different transmitters and that means your receivers could have tuned to the wrong one to which your aerials face.
A quick look on Google Streetview of your area shows most aerials on Midhurst (234degrees horizontal).
What transmitter is your aerial pointing at? If you don't know, then the direction should help work out which it is.
What UHF channel has your TV tuned to? This information is probably given on the signal strength/quality screen. Based on the Digital UK predictor, it will be either 31, 34, 45, 52 or 56. Having found this, we then need to see if this is the same as that used by the transmitter to which your aerial faces.
What BBC and ITV regions do you normally get (on analogue)?
What UHF channel is ITV1 on (same procedure as above)?
This will help finding out what transmitter your receiver is picking up incorrectly (if this is the case).
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trevor long: See also this page:
Digital Region Overlap | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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trevor long: If your aerial is not on Midhurst, is it on Hannington which is 276 degrees?
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Mark Mundy9:00 PM
Gillingham
Hi, after some advice. we have 4 TV's in the house 2 of which have built in freeview. No problems at all until this week when we moved from Sky to Virgin cable. Since the installation we have tried to reinstall the channels and now only have limited channels. Any ideas? do i need a booster? post code is ME73BY
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
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Peter East7:24 AM
Following the transmitter change which occured on the 16th November. I lost several freeview channels that I wanted (e.g The yesterday channel, and some of the music tv channels, but kept a number that I do not want, (like those trying to sell me something I dont want)which is a bit frustrating.
The picture quality on the channels that I can get is excellent. For a while I was (just) able to get the channels I wanted, but both the audio, and visual appearance kept breaking up / pixellating.
Is there any way I can get the channels I do want to watch back?
I already have a new wideband aerial, which is pointing in the same direction as all the other aerials on the houses around me.
There is also an aerial booster, but this seems to make absolutely no difference to the picture quality / number of channels received regardless of whether it is turned on or off.
Any help in trying to resolve this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards
Peter.
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jb389:07 AM
Peter East: As you haven't given your location (pref post code) its really quite impossible to give an answer with any element of accuracy, although the problem channels you mention would suggest it being the East of England as numerous people are having exactly the same problem as yourself, and is caused by the temporary use of very low power on the multiplexes concerned compared to the power of the main transmitters.
The booster you refer to wont make any difference to picture quality or the number of channels you receive if you are located in the suspected area's, but further info can only be given with knowledge of your location, this making it easier to check on the signal levels expected at your location.
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keith atkin12:41 PM
Whilst connected via an HDMI connection to a Sky+HD box and not paying Sky for an HD service, am I receiving all the free HD channels (ie BBC1 etc) in full HD format?
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TERENCE HARVEY1:44 PM
Londonderry
Why have i lost some freesat channels the last couple of nights
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TERENCE's: ...
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Paul Gillam5:07 PM
Hello,
Could you give me some advice please on the best way to watch sky tv in a games room that I have built at the bottom of my garden. At present I have sky multiroom with the second box located at the back of the house, which is approximately 25metres away from the games room. Is it possible to simply run sat cable from the rf output on the back of the box in the house into the tv in the games room. I would still have the problem of trying to change the channel from inside the games room. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Paul G
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Paddy Fox5:08 PM
I have a Canal+ French viewing card which I currently use with a basic SD receiver. I also have a Humax Freesat+ HD box for British TV. Can anyone tell me if I bought a Viaccess CAM for the slot in the Freesat box would I be able to tune in the French TV stations? Then I'd have them in HD & could record?
Thanks
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Wednesday, 30 November 2011
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A Morgan9:29 AM
For the last few months at every re-tune I now get BBC East Midlands rather than Look East. Can anyone explain why or how to stop it ?
My signal comes from Sandy Heath.
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A Morgan: The reason is because your aerial is picking up another signal and feeding it to your TV (as well as the Sandy Heath one). Your TV has decided to go with the other signal. See here for an explanation:
Digital Region Overlap | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Without knowing your location (or knowing what UHF channel(s) the erroneous signals are on), it is difficult to be certain, but the most likely transmitter to cause this issue is Waltham.
Some receivers allow manual tuning and you may be able to wipe yours and put in the channel numbers of each multiplex ("mux"/group of programme channels).
Channels for Sandy Heath are:
27, 24, 21, 31*, 52, 48
* SDN is due to move from Ch31 to Ch51 next year.
Channels used by Waltham are:
61, 54, 58, 29, 56, 57
These channel numbers I've given are for (in this order): BBC A, D3&4, BBC B (HD), SDN, ArqA, ArqB
One possibility is to run the auto-tune scan and unplug the aerial when it gets to 67%. This is Ch53, which you can see is immediately between the highest one you want and the (second) lowest you don't want. Obviously you have to be quick.
Alternatively, aim to unplug a bit too soon and you might have to add Ch52 manually (but it will reduce your chances of picking up Ch54 from Waltham). Waltham has Ch 29 in there; you may need to see if this is picked up. If so, you either have to delete it (if your receiver allows) or you have to aim to unplug the aerial for it.
I'm assuming here that your auto-tune scan gives a percentage (some give UHF channel numbers). Channel numbers are from 21 to 69 which should assist you in working out a percentage if you need to.
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Ruth Jackson6:08 PM
Ruth Jackson Bradford 30/11/11
I just bought a freeview digibox and whilst it works ok it will not get ITV3 before 7pm. It can't be my aerial as my freeview tv in the bedroom works off the same aerial just fine. The ITV3 works fine after 7pm, what is going on?
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Joyce8:53 PM
Glasgow
I have lost all the BBC channels, plus stv+1 and 5*, and perhaps a few others I haven't noticed yet. I have switched off, unplugged, retuned...nothing is working! Please help!
Postcode is G43
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Joyce's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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