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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
Saturday, 7 April 2012
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sparky8:51 AM
sparky: hi jb38/Dave
just found a site Unofficial Vestel PVR Information (UK) - Home
apparently this record problem is a known fault with this model of pvr,it mentions a software upgrade for other later models but not my one,when the other channels get fully switched over they may display the same behaviour ..looks like the easy way out(apart from the cost) is a new pvr,
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jb389:08 AM
sparky: You have just beat me to it, as when you mentioned the model I was going to say that if it still cannot record using the set top aerial then the device requires an upgrade, the problem there being that any over air upgrades from recent times have not been for that chassis, if as I suspect its a T810 depending on the age of the unit.
I was also going to say that its not worth the bother trying to do it in conjunction with a PC either (an RS232 cable between both) as its fraught with the danger that after having gone to the trouble of downloading the software etc that any slight glitch that might occur during the upgrade will render the device useless.
A good and reasonably priced upgrade to that model is the current Hitachi HDR325 twin tuner 320gb PVR sold by Argos, as these have the same user friendly remote control menu systems used by all Vestel chassis devices.
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jb389:16 AM
sparky: Also meant to say to say that I would be interested to know what software version your box has, this accessed by pressing Menu - set up - configuration.
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jb389:32 AM
gabby: Well it would suggest that the dish has moved out of alignment, as if you have tried both of the leads from the dish in turn into the boxes No1 input (dont use 2) then its nearly impossible for both sections in the LNB to have developed a fault at the same time as they totally independent of each other.
Cant you reach the dish? as if you can then a slight tap on one side of the dish or the other might get the picture back again, as the movement necessary to lose the signal is so small that it cannot be detected by looking at it.
Needless to say leave the Sky box on its signal check screen whilst you are touching anything, as variations in the strength / quality indications will be seen well before any picture can be resolved and that why it should be left on that menu for instant visual feedback on what is happening during any alterations made.
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sparky9:42 AM
sparky:jb38
Software version is the latest for this model t810 v5.7 .
about yr2006.(not bad for 6 years use)
An upgrade is mentioned for a later model t825 software version v.13 but nothing for this model.
regarding the recording from a set top aerial,it will record the commercial channels correctly but not the BBC ones.
The reason I have kept this PVR is that I like the EPG style and simplicity of the controls,could have done with a series record facility though.
I will investigate the model you mention,thanks again for your help.
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eric ogilvie12:29 PM
Weymouth
All I want to know is what channels can I receive in preston weymouth if I buy a freeview receiver and cancel sky
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eric's: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb3812:56 PM
sparky: Thanks for the update re software version etc, v5.7 suggesting that you do have the T810 chassis, the dastardly thing about this type of problem being that come the 18th you will likely find that it wont then just be confined to the BBC but all channels.
Although unsure of what site you have been having a look at, but the whole situation with these download into PC then transfer to PVR procedures have elements of the hit and miss involved, as in some cases although an upgrade might possibly have cured one problem its frequently found that another has cropped up, this is why that even I as engineer don't find the effort and sheer inconvenience to be worth the bother, especially if a device is a few years old.
By the way I only requested you try a recording with the set top aerial as signal strengths (especially excessive) can actually result in certain type of problems these older boxes are prone to being exaggerated.
Regarding the Hitachi HDR325, one of my PVR's is the older version of this box but later than your own one, and although I also have Humax PVR's (inc Sat version) the sheer user friendly logical arrangement of the menus used in Vestel chassis beats Humax any day with the HDR325 retaining this system, as I have installed these for a couple of relatives recently who aren't exactly the sharpest when it comes to operating modern equipment and feedback suggests them being delighted with the box.
By the way this box also has an eco friendly standby as well as auto power down, but thankfully these are switchable from the configuration menu and left off, as when on they break the RF loop through to the TV after about 5 minutes or so when the box is placed in standby.
PS : I noticed that Argos is offering £10.00 off if over £100.00 is spent, so that makes the HDR even better value for a 320gb twin tuner PVR.
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Eric Ogilvie: I don't think that you have chance of receiving all the Freeview channels at your location. I believe that you will only be able to receive the Public Service channels. You would probably be best advised to look at Freesat (or maybe Freesat from Sky) if you would like more channels than the basic Freeview which is available to you.
The issue is that the Commercial broadcasters (known as the "COMs") operate to make a profit first. It's up to them where they transmit from and they decided to broadcast from 80 of the biggest transmitters (by population) which gives them a 90% coverage. To broadcast from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters would roughly double their costs of transmission whilst only adding a further 8.5% of the population. When asked, they declined to increase their coverage.
For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Unfortunately, due to the terrain, you are unable to receive from Stockland Hill which is one of the main stations that carries the COMs. Your area is served by the Preston and Weymouth relays which are Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) transmitters only.
PSB services are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD and a few others).
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Sunday, 8 April 2012
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Mel Latter6:03 PM
Last week when I switched on my recorder, after a week of not using it, digital channels came up as "No Signal."
I had read that Meridian were changing things about this time so I retuned. It presented me with 9 analogue channels but no digital channels at all. I repeated the retuning but got the same result.
I went to the set top box and retuned that. I got a load of digital channels but not ITV1, Ch4, or 5. They are not on numbers 3, 4 and 5 or anywhere else
Do I have to buy a new DVD recorder and set-top box or can it be solved by getting a new aerial? Did I get a Freeview recorder and set-top box too soon?
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jb386:59 PM
Mel Latter: As your question is one involving reception then you really have to provide info regarding your location, this preferably in the form of a post code or one from very near by, as that will then enable the signal levels expected at your location to be assessed.
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