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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?
BBC Three Linear channel re-opens1
Will car radios have to be replaced?2
Will UKTV History and FTN eventually be available on fSfS or Freesat? They are 3
Could u please explain why there are no subtitles on most of your films terresti4
Can I pay as you go for British Europsort on my digital tv without subscribing?5
In this section

Comments
Friday, 31 August 2012
G
Glenda
10:52 AM

I had trouble after a strong thunderstorm 2 days ago and kept getting a 'no signal being rcv'd' message on screen. I have followed your digibox reset methods 1 to3 to the letter and now for 40 mins the t.v. screen still diplays 'Upgrading System Software'. plaese can you advise what is my next step?

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Glenda's 1 post FR flag
G
Glenda
11:11 AM

Oops sorry, I'm a bit old for this new fangled computor stuff. and got my email slightly wrong.
Glenda

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Glenda's 1 post FR flag
C
colin
12:15 PM

I keep getting message to update my tv.

Sometimes I get the update message 2/3 time on same day after switching on after being on stand by.

Is this normal or should I ignore it.

I use Waltham transmitter.

Thanks

Colin

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colin's 15 posts GB flag
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Simon Parsons
2:36 PM
Limavady

NEED HELP!!
I have the current setup - aerial on roof connected to 6 way booster in attic - booster box connected to rf2 on sky box - all other tvs in house connected to booster box - rf1 connected to main tv. Rf2 set to channel 21 - tv in kitchen can be tuned to sky with watchable but not great picture - tvs upstairs will not pick up sky channel. Main tv picks up sky and freeview perfectly. All other tvs pick up freeview perfectly. Why can only one tv be tuned into the sky channel? I have checked the booster box and it is turned on and all the cables are connected securely. I am in Northern Ireland and my transmitter is located in Limavady.

link to this comment
Simon Parsons's 3 posts GB flag
Simon's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

5:48 PM

Simon Parsons: I would try changing the Sky boxes RF modulator to Ch36 and carry out an "analogue" auto scan on one of the TV's you are having a problem with.

Just out of interest are you using a magic eye on any of the remote TV's? as if you aren't then make sure that the Sky boxes RF2 power is turned off.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

5:58 PM

colin: Basically yes! or of course you could just go ahead and allow it to update whatever as that would stop the message from appearing again.

You should also check the set up menu on your TV as there might be a selectable option to stop these messages from appearing, but it depends though on the model / sophistication of TV as on many types there isn't an option to stop them.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
S
Simon
10:36 PM
Limavady

I have a magic eye on one of the bedroom tvs - changed it to 36 and still no joy - any other suggestions?

link to this comment
Simon's 3 posts GB flag
Simon's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

11:25 PM

Simon: There just has to be some simple explanation to your problem, as virtually nothing can stop an analogue signal from getting through to a remote position except of it was clashing with a powerful Freeview signal, which of course it isnt if the boxes modulator is now on Ch36.

Although I doubt if this would make any difference but for a test couple the feed to the 6 way amp onto the boxes RF1 output rather than RF2, do "not" put RF2 into the main TV's aerial socket.

If this still makes no difference then position one of the problem TV's near to the Sky box and couple its aerial directly into the Sky boxes RF1 (not RF2) and then select "analogue" on the TV and carry out an auto- scan, as it just has to work! although if not its the TV at fault.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Saturday, 1 September 2012
S
Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

11:01 AM

Hi Brian - did you see the query about hourly emials of no new info?

Can you stop it or should I turn off my notifications?

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
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JOhn
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

6:37 PM

It is unusual for this to happen on ukfree but what is even more unusual is that these emails contain wrong info.
I believe the North East switchover starts in September and not as shown ie " North East England - switchover completes on Wednesday 27th June 2012:

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JOhn's 34 posts GB flag
S
Simon
7:52 PM
Limavady

Still no joy - tried rf1 - can still tune in the kitchen tv but it has no sound for either rf1 or 2 on channel 36. The tv upstairs which I'm trying to tune was tuned into sky from an upstairs bedroom in our last house. I'm thinking there may be some problem with the booster box but then the kitchen tv should not tune in to sky then.

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Simon's 3 posts GB flag
Simon's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 2 September 2012
J
Jon
8:26 AM

How can I find out which satellite my comunial disk is looking at

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Jon's 7 posts GB flag
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Jon
8:28 AM

how can I find out which sat my communial dish is looking at

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Jon's 7 posts GB flag
F
F.Oxberry
11:02 AM

I have a sky +box message saying no satellite signal on my tv in the lounge, but I am getting
a signal in my bedroom, and both TVs are on the same dish. what can I do?

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F.Oxberry's 1 post GB flag
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Steve Hatherly
11:11 AM

Is it possible to stop the recent daily sending of up to 10 copies of the same e-mail update?

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Steve Hatherly's 1 post GB flag
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Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

2:25 PM

Steve H - change your preferences to "Daily" as I have, pending Brian sorting it out.

F Ox - I presume they were previously working? And that you have twiddled connections. Try swapping the sky boxes to see if the problem is the aerial or the box.

Jon - I think your tv will tell you somewhere in setup menu. Are you not in UK?

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
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Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:45 PM

Hi Brian - pleased to note that I am now getting car ads! Which do seem to use some sort of spyware as they are sites I have visited. If I ever visited "Mature Dating UK" it was a mistake!

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
F
felicia
7:54 PM

can i receive freeview channels without connecting my box to the phone? right now, nothing is happening when i connect it.

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felicia's 1 post GB flag
Monday, 3 September 2012
S
Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:33 PM

No boxes NEED to be connected to the phone. Sky likes it so they can do interactive things.

Are you connected to a dish?

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
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John Brady
8:23 PM

Hello, A very strange thing happened with my freeview set up. I live in Ireland and use a sat dish and am lined up to the Astra 2A, I had a few hundred channells, with a lot of german and other channells not available. I was getting all the regular channells ie ch 4, film 4 bbc 1, 2, itv 1,2,3,4, etc etc...but last night wheh I switched on, that was reversed, I could no longer get all my regular channells but I could get all the german ones I mentioned. I reset the box and did a re-scan but no joy? what is going on/

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John Brady's 1 post IE flag
K
KMJ,Derby
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:59 PM

John Brady: If your dish is fitted with a single LNB it sounds like it has changed alignment slightly, as the German channels are carried on the Astra satellites at 19.2 degrees, rather than the 28.2 degree position used by the channels aimed at the UK and Ireland. If you have two LNBs linked by a diseqc switch, you currently have the other LNB selected.

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KMJ,Derby's 1,811 posts GB flag
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Neil Bell
sentiment_satisfiedSilver

11:06 PM

John Brady I presume you mean "freesat" or "free to air" set up. All the channels you mentioned losing are at 28.2°E but most of the German channels are at 19.2°E so is it possible that a strong wind has moved your dish a few degrees to the west? I know it seems unlikely but if following your retune you can receive e.g. 3Sat, BR-Alpha, Das Erste etc. then it would seem that that has happened and that you need to get your dish realigned back to where it should be pointing

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Neil Bell's 106 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
J
Jeannie
3:45 PM

My sky signal has gone since my neighbours put up a giant sattelite dish. They are about 7 feet appart. Could this be the reason i am not getting a signal anymore?

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Jeannie's 1 post GB flag
A
Andy
4:20 PM

I am responsible for a ship which is going to be working off the Western Italian coast. We currently have a Freesat system on board. I understand that we would be able to receive all the same programmes via the Eurobird satellite without any problem. Please can you confirm.
Thanks.

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Andy's 1 post GB flag
S
Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

6:11 PM

If theirs is inbetween yours and the satellite; certainly. eg if it is above or if they point sideways to a wall they are mounted on.

If just next to each other, 7ft should be plenty separation. We have three very close - within inches of each other.

Could thay have knocked yours out of alignment when putting up theirs?

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
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Mike Davison
sentiment_satisfiedSilver

7:35 PM

Andy - this link Dish Installation for Astra 2 at 28.2° East & Eutelsat 28A at 28.5° East shows you the footprints of the Freesat satellites at 28.2 and 28.5 degrees east. Note the comments about the tight UK only beams.

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Mike Davison's 127 posts GB flag
Thursday, 6 September 2012
R
Robert Taylor
7:56 PM
Dover

Hi I have just got a new tv with built in freeview but I now find the sound is out of sinc if I watch programs through my sky box. The sound is in sinc when I watch through freewiew, whats happened?

Robbob

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Robert Taylor's 1 post GB flag
Robert's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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mary owen
11:07 PM

I am getting the no signal did the unplug and put it back on, some programs i put on plann oner have failed, now i find the t.v. guide wont come on, nor can i change channels, what as gone wrong, please help

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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
M
Martin
11:39 PM

I am getting a NO SIGNAL message on my standard sky box but I have a signal on my Sky hd box in a different room. I have checked all the connections and the LNB. What could the problem be. I had cancelled one of my multi-room connections but still have two.

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Martin's 1 post IE flag
Friday, 7 September 2012
C
Clive Rogers
9:54 AM

Why is it that for the last few days ALL TV stations are NOT transmitted in the early morning.
For the last two days my neighbour (84yr old) has come round to me saying her TV is not working (no signal). Today I switched on my set at 07.45 and my TV said the same. So I had another visit. By 09.00 all stations are back on.
I have also lost ITV4 mid way though a film at approx 23.00.
If you are carrying out work on the transmitter it would be helpful if you notified users.
I would appreciate your comments as I am now seriously considereing moving over to FreeSat!

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Clive Rogers's 1 post GB flag
M
mary owen
12:32 PM

I unpluged the set last night, this morning seemed ok, everything back to normal, will get back to this site if it stays the same, or not,


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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
M
mary owen
5:43 PM

no signal again, please can someone sort it out,i have done everything you have said,

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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
M
Mark Fletcher
sentiment_satisfiedGold

11:43 PM
Halifax

Mary Owen.Unless you leave a full postcode preferably or a nearby location,we cannot be of any useful help to you !

link to this comment
Mark Fletcher's 673 posts GB flag
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 8 September 2012
S
Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:21 AM

Clive Rogers you sseem to think that this site has somethng to do with the people who transmit TV.

You are wrong.

And even if we WERE the people who run your TV transmitters how could we possibly respond as you give no info on what tranmitter you use or where you are.

Anyway, Breakfast TV is the spawn of the devil and you are well rid of it.

Suggest you plug your postcode in top right of this page.

Incidentally no-one here cares a damn if you move to freesat - in many ways a better serice IMHO.

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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
I
ian from notts
sentiment_satisfiedSilver

8:27 AM

i need advice on a sky box problem,
everything has been working normally until i got the onscreen message "this display does not support HDCP" i have tried different hdmi leads and everything still works through scart.
is it the box or tv ?
cheers

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ian from notts's 253 posts GB flag
M
mary owen
3:11 PM

Mark Fletcher, why would giving you my postcode be any use to you, still got no signal, changed cables round last night, i was told by sky to do that last night,

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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
J
JB
4:16 PM
Henley-on-thames

Hi all,

We suddenly lost many channels (D3+4 on C49) a couple of days ago on Digital TV. All BBC channels are still on though.
Haven't changed anything with the TV, cabling, aerial(own), etc.
The transmitter (Henley on Thames) does not report any error.
Tried to retune, but no luck

Any idea what could be the problem ?

Thanks

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JB's 7 posts GB flag
JB's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
M
mary owen
5:57 PM

Sky ok now, very odd what has been happening to it,

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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:29 PM

mary owen: Mark Fletcher's request for your location (post code) was simply because you did not indicate whether or not your reception problem involved satellite TV (Sky or Freesat) or Freeview via a normal aerial.

However as you appear to be using a Sky+ box then press "services" and you will then see the main menu with "options" being highlighted, highlight the "settings" menu using the right arrow button and press select, then using the left /right arrow buttons scroll to "signal" and press select, this will then display the signal level indicator bars.

If the bars are indicating around the equivalent of 50% or under then the dish is slightly out of alignment, as 60%+ is the norm for reliable reception.

Further info dependant on results.


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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

7:53 PM

ian from notts: Although either device could be at fault I would suspect the TV as being responsible, if your TV has more than one HDMI input have you tried it in the other HDMI inputs?

If though the TV only has one HDMI input I would try resetting it to its factory default setting, and should this make no difference then try unplugging the Sky box for 30 secs or so before reconnecting the mains plug, as there isn't a single answer to this type of problem because its not a user setting issue.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
M
Mark Fletcher
sentiment_satisfiedGold

11:14 PM
Halifax

Mary Owen.The reason the full postcode was requested was to ascertain the reception possibilities in your area as you did not provide one initially or a nearby location as such.Seeing as you have now mentioned Sky and is all ok now,i hope your reception as improved as such.Perhaps the next time your reception on whatever format you have plays up and you fail to provide either full postcode or your locality,then dont expect me or anybody else on here to give valuable advice and help to you as such.
JB38 Many thanks for backing me up there,its amazing that a minority on here dont appreciate advice and help given to them,sometimes i wonder why i should bother !

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Mark Fletcher's 673 posts GB flag
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 9 September 2012
C
Chris
12:59 PM
Exeter

I have an LG TV model 42LV550T which says it has a HD Freeview tuner. I just installed a 91 element wideband high gain aerial:
Channel coverage:21-69
Frequency range: 470 - 862MHz
Antenna gain: 14-16 dB
Beam width (degrees): H30 / V33
Front - back ratio: 26 dB
Impedance: 75 ohm
Antenna length: 2210mm
Used autotune on the TV but dont see any HD channels. I shuold also get Film4 but dont see that on the list. My transmitter is Stockland Hill.
Not sure what I else I need to do?

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Chris's 7 posts GB flag
Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
H
Heather Richardson
5:19 PM

Hi, My SKY BOX in my bedroom isn't working so I've got a new SKY+BOX. Can I just use my existing card from the old box or do I have to contact SKY for a new one. Thanking You.

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Heather Richardson's 1 post GB flag
S
Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

5:48 PM

Heather - It should work. And no harm should come from trying.

Chris - did you RTM ? I recall some other case where HD needed a different tuning setting or somesuch.

See here for what you should be able to get.

Stockland Hill (Devon, England) full-Freeview transmitter | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice

Dunno if the +/- frequencies might be a problem


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Stephen P's 1,173 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:14 PM

Heather Richardson: If you were using a standard Sky box and you have now purchased a Sky+ version then in the general run of things you require a new card, the reason being that Sky has to download the access code necessary to allow you to use the recording side of your box.

The other qualification is, that cards supplied for Sky+ boxes are usually matched to the boxes serial number whereby they will only work in that box as far as accessing the recording / play back side of it is concerned.

Maybe you could verify if its a standard Sky box that you are using? as it will only have one feed from the dish whereas a Sky+ box requires two, meaning that the dishes LNB has to be either a dual or a quad type.



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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
JB
9:10 PM
Henley-on-thames

Hi all,


Still no luck with my selective loss of digital channels after switching off and cable disconnection:
We suddenly lost many channels (D3+4 on C49) a couple of days ago on Digital TV. All BBC channels are still on though.
Haven't changed anything with the TV, cabling, aerial(own), etc.
The transmitter (Henley on Thames) does not report any error.
Tried to retune, but no luck.

Any help to localise the source of the problem would be most welcome

Thanks

link to this comment
JB's 7 posts GB flag
JB's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:49 PM

JB: You are indicated as being only about a mile away from the transmitter and as such it being virtually impossible to lose a signal unless its caused by either the transmitter being down for some reason or another, or alternatively that the signal you are receiving is slightly over the top in strength and is causing blocking in the tuner.

You can test the latter theory out by simply temporarily replacing the aerial with a piece of wire of about two or three feet long and carrying out an auto-tune, or much better should your device allow it, a manual tune on mux Ch49.

By the way, its best not to automatically assume that all is OK at the transmitter simply because nothing is seen published, as bang on up to date info is usually only associated with BBC transmitter faults.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
JB
10:01 PM
Henley-on-thames

Thanks JB38.

I would be happy to know that the transmitter is too good and my TV is not broken.

Is there a way to contact the "transmitter" to check whether they increased the strength of the signal lately?
The aerial being hard to reach, I'd rather make a phone call before risking breaking my neck....

BTW I have a relatively new Samsung LE32 digital-ready TV set.

Thanks again


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JB's 7 posts GB flag
JB's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 10 September 2012
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:34 AM

JB: Well its not really possible nowadays to make contact with transmitter personnel, but what I mentioned regarding the temporary aerial wire test simply involves access to the aerial socket at the back of the TV, and now I know that its a Samsung that's involved is even a more essential test, as Samsung's do not take kindly to even slightly excessive levels of input signals.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
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martin holmes
2:35 PM

is eurosport player off the air i am unable to watch online thanks

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martin holmes's 1 post GB flag
J
JB
5:44 PM
Henley-on-thames

Thanks JB38 for the wire-update.

I have now tried to using the antenna cabling (2m long) as well as a radio single wire (3m long) from the socket at the back of the TV.
I have tried both general and channel specific scan but I do not get anything on C49, nor the working C58, this way.

Note that depending on the orientation of the wire, the specific search takes more or less time.

So no luck there, BUT
When I replugged the original cables and scanned again.
Channels are back !!!

Not sure what happened there, but it works for now !

Thanks for your help.

BW

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JB's 7 posts GB flag
JB's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Chris
5:58 PM
Exeter

Re Stephen P - thanks for the suggestion but What is RTM? Also confused by +/- frequencies suggestions. Re the list should I be getting some or all of each "Mux" list, or any one list only?
In between posts I noticed the list of channels I thought I had turned out to include many with no signal. I did a clear channels and auto-tune, shorter list of channels some with no signal, repeated and got a medium size list some with no signal.

link to this comment
Chris's 7 posts GB flag
Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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mary owen
7:09 PM

JB38 and Mark Fletcher, i have checked the dish, seems to be a cable lose, sky sorting it on Thursday, didn't mean to be funny with asking why postcode needed, please keep " bothering " Mark, it is a great service this site, Thank you,



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mary owen's 6 posts GB flag
J
jmp
9:03 PM

Can anyone tell me why i get a good picture and signal on ch 12(yesterday),ch 15(film4)and ch 38(quest)to name a few,on a t.v. with built in freeview but get picture break up when going through a STB.I have tried 3 different STB'S.


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jmp's 6 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:23 PM

JB: Pleased to hear that you are back in operation again and that your ITV has returned, its difficult to pinpoint exactly what was the cause of your problem but I strongly suspect that it wasn't anything concerning your particular installation, albeit that it was still necessary to carry out a few checks to eliminate a few factors.

However, regarding your observation of a variable time factor being involved dependant on the orientation of the wire is concerned, this is because the scanning sweep rate on a tuner is always faster when no signals whatsoever are being detected on the tuners input, but when you changed the orientation of the wire and a signal "was" detected this would automatically slow the scan rate down to give the tuner a better chance to lock on to what was being detected, that is should it be at a sufficiently high enough level to trigger a "lock on" which obviously it wasn't.





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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

10:54 PM

mary owen: Just a point regarding your intermittent reception, provided that you are "not" intending to record anything then you can help the situation as far as "normal" viewing is concerned by swapping the two LNB input leads over on the rear of your box, as LNB1 is basically used for viewing and LNB2 for recording.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
M
Mark Fletcher
sentiment_satisfiedGold

11:21 PM
Halifax

Mary Owen.No problem whatsoever !

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Mark Fletcher's 673 posts GB flag
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
N
Niket
1:49 PM

I have an old Sky+ box [NOT HD]. No viewing card. I live in a flat that has a communal satellite with a single feed. I am able to watch the freeview channels when I connect to a normal set top box. However, when I connect my sky+ box [dish input 1] I am unable to view even the free to view channels. The Sky+ box throws error 29 - No signal.
My queries are:
1. Do I need a sky viewing card to view the free to viw channels?
2. If I dont need a viewing card, do i need to have both the Dish Input connected to view the "freeview" channels?
Please note: I am not interested in recording of any sort. I only want to watch the freeview channels on my sky+ box [I know I can watch them using the freeview box]; so as if I change my mind later on I can buy a sky viewing card to view free to air channels offered.
3. Would there be a possibility that my sky+ box is damaged / faulty?
4. If I need to split the feed compulsorily to view the channels, both freeview and free to air, then will there any disruptions to the quality of viewing. I am least interested in recording.

link to this comment
Niket's 2 posts SE flag
N
Niket
2:08 PM

I have an old Sky+ box [NOT HD]. No viewing card. I live in a flat that has a communal satellite with a single feed. I am able to watch the freeview channels when I connect to a normal set top box. However, when I connect my sky+ box [dish input 1] I am unable to view even the free to air channels. The Sky+ box throws error 29 - No signal.
My queries are:
1. Do I need a sky viewing card to view the free to air channels?
2. If I dont need a viewing card, do i need to have both the Dish Input connected to view the "free to air" channels?
Please note: I am not interested in recording of any sort. I only want to watch the free to air channels on my sky+ box [I know I can watch them using the freeview box]; so as if I change my mind later on I can buy a sky viewing card to view free to view channels offered.
3. Would there be a possibility that my sky+ box is damaged / faulty?
4. If I need to split the feed compulsorily to view the channels, both free to view and free to air, then will there any disruptions to the quality of viewing. I am least interested in recording.

link to this comment
Niket's 2 posts SE flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

5:27 PM

Niket: If you have the single feed connected into your Sky+ boxes LNB1 input then you should be able to view "free to view" channels exactly as though you were using a standard Sky box, if you cannot then the box is faulty.

You should check if any signal is actually being received by pressing "services" and you will then see the main menu with "options" being highlighted, highlight the "settings" menu using the right arrow button and press select, then using the left / right arrow buttons scroll to "signal" and press select, this will then display the signal level indicator bars.

If any signal level is indicated it has to be equivalent of 60% or more for satisfactory reception, because if 50% or under then this is too low for reception and caused by the dish being slightly out of alignment.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
C
Chris
5:38 PM
Exeter

A further update; i have done a signal test and they are all poor, even the ones with a good picture. They are in single figures. Due to a deal between the developer and Virgin we are not allowed to have outdoor aerial or sat dish. My aerial is in the roof which i guess explains the poor signal. Can i boost it or am i not getting enough to boost?

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Chris's 7 posts GB flag
Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
P
Paul
6:08 PM
Dorking

Hi. Does anyone know why the (previously fine) Freeview signal in Dorking Surrey has suddenly plummeted this last 5 days (today is 11th Sept 2012)? ITV channels were really bad, then bBC1 got bad. Have tried re-tuning BT Vision box several times and is same with a DTV we have. Yes this is one of the poorer reception areas but signals been great for months. Has a transmitter failed? Friends in Claygate Surrey have had same problems in teh same few days. Nothing showing on the Freevie wsite . . It's so annoying. All ideas welcomed.
THANKS

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Stephen P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

6:50 PM

Chris RTM/RTFM - what you do when all else fails.

Read The (F...) Manual !!

UK digital TV reception predictor

You seem to have a fairly strong signal so roof ae may be OK - depending what is in the direction of the transmitter - and you have a choice of 4 at all points of the compass. I presume you know about H & V.

Always worth trying a booster - but don't tell Bryan who dislikes them.

NB That digital TV is a two stage process. You scan for channels, details of which are stored, then you receive. So if signal varies, once scanned you may or may not find it. But if you rescan and it is weak it will not appear when strong until you rescan.

Developer/Virgin deal sounds very dubious. How is it enforced on you? Presumably you have cable but must pay for it?



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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

8:26 PM

Niket: On re-reading your posting I see that you mention you have a communal satellite connection so obviously the dish is out with your control, but with regards to splitting the signal you cannot a satellite feed as its liable to cause a clash of polarity switching voltages, plus the LNB2 input on your box is the recording tuners feed.

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Chris
8:29 PM
Exeter

Stephen,
already tried the manuals - no help. LG support said that if no HD is showing the signal strength is too poor.

Paying VM £30/mth for a landline i don't want broadband and free TV. I can get broadband/landline for £14/mth so trying to get freeview via the aerial. A Management Co, also a deal done by developer, enforces covenants in the Title Deeds.

I thought Stockland hill would be best but i will try the other directions - as you say all points available.

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Wednesday, 12 September 2012
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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:19 AM

Chris: Just out of interest I was wondering if you have the internal booster switched on or off? you will see this described on page 40 of your manual.

The other point I wondered about being, when you mention your aerial being in the roof have you any access to it? that is as far as being able to check on the direction its facing as well as its polarity angle.

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Mark Harriman
8:46 AM

We have a HD Free-view TV on the wall in the bedroom. We live in North West Norfolk and have to have Yorkshire;we would like to change to Freesat and have installed a 4 lnb dish. Is there a small freesat adaptor or box available.We have not got room for a big "Sky" sized box and "the management" is not keeen on too many wires hanging down the wall.

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:38 AM

Mark Harriman: Re: Freesat adaptor query, not as far as Freesat is concerned, but if you purchased a Freesat HD box then you could use an HDMI lead to couple this into your TV, as HDMI leads and especially of the swivel end for right angle use types such as sold by Lidl stores are far more acceptable appearance wise over a thick scart lead.

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Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:47 AM

Mark Harriman: Can you not receive Anglia programming from one of the Norfolk transmitters, such as King's Lynn?

Prior to switchover it relayed BBC One and ITV1 from Tacolneston, so two aerials (and a diplexer to combine them) were needed so as to receive BBC Two and Channel 4 from Belmont.

The diplexer combines the feeds from the aerials and ensures that only one aerial is allowed to provide each frequency channel. Thus, there is a particular channel where it "splits" and one aerial is allowed to feed channels below that and the other above it. Prior to switchover, Belmont's channels were low down and King's Lynn's were in the middle of the band and this meant that one diplexer was needed because its inputs "split" somewhere between the two.

Following switchover, King's Lynn carries all Public Service channels (BBC One, BBC Two etc, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 5, the four HDs and a few others). This is only the same as many other small relays do. Those who can't receive from a full-service transmitter cannot receive the COMs (this being around a 9% of the population who can receive terrestrial television).

Unforunately after switchover, whilst one of Belmont's COM channels (those that King's Lynn doesn't broadcast) is below the frequency that KL uses (as was the case before switchover), the other two are above that of KL, so two diplexers will be needed and either two aerials on Belmont or a splitter for the Belmont aerial. Obviously a KL aerial will also be needed.

Obviously, this may be starting to get costly, although I am throwing it to you as a suggestion for perhaps the "only" way for you to receive Anglia regional programming *and* the COM channels. It assumes that reception from King's Lynn or Burnham is possible at your location.


Or you could have two aerials and not combine them, but instead feed them into different receivers. This would mean that two diplexers wouldn't be needed and that a second aerial on Belmont wouldn't be needed (or a splitter for your single Belmont aerial).

So, if you only ever watch the local news and other local programming as its broadcast, then you might just have a set-top box (without recording function) for this and use it only at times that BBC One or ITV1 is broadcasting different regional content. At all other times use Belmont for these and all other channels.


For lots of information and products, see ATV Sheffield's site: A.T.V (Aerials And Television) TV Aerial, DAB Aerial, FM Aerial.

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Chris
6:05 PM
Exeter

JB38; yes booster is set to on in the TV. Going to go up in the loft and try different aerial directions. First will probably buy a meter to save on the trial and error. Are the cheap noes ok? eg £15 to £20 in Maplins.

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jb38
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8:33 PM

Chris: Well there are only really two positions to try, these being 71 degrees with the aerial horizontally mounted for Stockland Hill @ 20 miles, or 280 degrees with the aerial mounted vertically for Exeter St Thomas @ 1.8 miles, this latter station being a Freeview PSB only relay.

Although the meter you refer to does serve a purpose I find it somewhat difficult to recommend their use, as the most important aspect of a digital signal, namely quality, does not always run in parallel with the indications of strength on the meter, and its much better to approximate the position of the aerial and then go into the TV's tuning menu / manual tune and enter the BBC mux channel number of the station you have pointed the aerial towards but do "not" scan it , as on most equipment as soon as the channel number is entered the strength / quality of the channel number entered will (or should) be immediately indicated.

If it appears to be OK then you could carry out an auto-tune, but if it appears to be on the low side or alternatively the quality is observed to be fluctuating, then inconvenient as it may well be but its best policy to go back to the loft and try swinging the aerial around a few degrees to either the right or left checking after each action, as you will soon know where the best position is.

By the way, Stockland Hills BBC mux is Ch26, and Exeter St Thomas's BBC mux being Ch44.

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

9:00 PM

Can anyone tell me why my main aerial FEED is zapping my satellite signal when I try to connect it to the aerial in port on my HD box the reason for having to do this along with a cable from the RF2 port is to get freeview/digital channels and analogue/sky channels to my bedroom TV

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:26 PM

William : If what you are meaning is that as soon as you connect the normal aerial into the Sky boxes aerial input for purposes of passing the Freeview signal through the box its killing the analogue signal sent out by the Sky box, then its likely that the RF output channel used on the Sky box is the same as a powerful digital channel from the Freeview transmitter that covers your area.

You will have to go into the Sky boxes installation menu and change the RF output channel used, unfortunately I am unable to advise on which ones to avoid as you have not given your location, a post code or one from nearby is suffice as this will enable your Freeview channels to be assessed.

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:43 PM

William : It goes without saying that you will of course have to rescan (in analogue) your remotely positioned TV to pick up the new RF channel used by the Sky box.

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

9:56 PM

Postcode is G51 Glasgow area

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

10:06 PM

I have 2 sky inputs to "dish 1 input" and "dish 2 input" from wall plate to HD box and a HDMI cable to my LIVINGROOM TV this all works perfectly for viewing sky HD in my LIVINGROOM.
But when I take a flying lead from my main aerial socket on the wall marked "TV" and touch it against either cables marked DISH INPUT 1 , DISH INPUT 2 , AERIAL IN , OR RF2 it cuts my sky signal only when I touch my normal aerial cable against RF1 on my box the sky signal stays.
So forgetting about my normal aerial for a second if I take a cable from RF2 on my sky box to my bedroom TV I can watch sky on analogue channel 68 which is fine but i get no freeview/digital which is obvious as my main aerial isn't connected but when I try to introduce my main aerial cable via the "aerial IN" my sky signal goes I can get either freeview/digital to my bedroom via the return port on my LIVINGROOM wall plate with a flying lead from TV port or analogue only from RF2 but not both in my bedroom and can't get my magic eye to work either in my bedroom because of this

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

11:26 PM

William : What you are reporting suggests that you have a voltage leaking from somewhere that shouldn't, as you do appear to be using the correct connections for what you are doing, but though when you say that the signal vanishes when you touch the main aerial against Dish 1 or 2 inputs are you meaning against the "side" of the "F" connectors or sockets? as if you mean the centre then it will short the boxes power supply.

By the way Ch68 (the default channel) is OK for your area as none of the transmitters use it, but the other thing I wondered about was as you use a magic eye on the Sky boxes RF2 output does its light go out when you touch the main aerial onto the Sky boxes "aerial in" socket?

Another question being, do you have exclusive use of the dish and normal aerial? just asking in case its a communal distribution system.


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Thursday, 13 September 2012
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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

6:57 AM

The both are communal dish distribution systems and I can't get access to them when I touch my
Main aerial cable when it's plugged into Tv at the wall ( which is from my communal aerial ) against just the side metal work of both dish input cables ( when connected ) its cuts the signal .
Suspecting that it may be a faulty box but its only 2 months old I tried to cut out the cabling through the box altogether so I put a cable from my main aerial along with a cable from RF2 in a splitter into the return port to send both to my bedroom without going through the box this gives me freeview/digital "AND" analogue to my bedroom Tv and my sky signal remains and I can use it as normal record , pause playback etc but my analogue reception in bedroom this time is really bad very snowy/fuzzy

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

7:11 AM

The magic eye light doesn't go on at all in the bedroom

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janette
9:36 AM
Newcastle Upon Tyne

Hi i can recieve itv and channel 5 on the tv in the bedroom but not on my tv down stairs they are run off 2 different arials in the loft .... if i take the tv upstairs i get the channels can anyone tell me if this is something to do with the ariel or the switch over?? im in newcastle upon tyne.

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Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

10:32 AM

janette: It's probably the case that at the time the TV performed the automatic tuning scan, the signal that carries ITV1, C4, C5 and others wasn't quite good enough.

Try manually tuning to UHF channel 55 for these service (if the TV allows manual tuning).

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Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

10:37 AM

Jannette: It is likely that this won't be an issue when they have switched to full power on 26th. It is the weaker signal that is making it hit and miss for you.

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Alan McGregor
12:38 PM

We have freeview and have a Humax digital recorder connected to my TV in the living room. We also have a signal booster. Recently, we lost all digital signal through my analogue aerial and replaced it with a digital aerial fitted to my roof. I think !

Previous aerial/booster seemed to work well to send signal to other TVs in the house but now Ive lost the signals to all but the main TV. I've also read on here that signal boosters aren't required/don't work with Freeview ? Anyway, any suggestions ?

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Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:53 PM

Alan McGregor: I have just replied to your identical posting on another page:

Are you using Freeview? | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice

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Dave Lindsay's 5,724 posts GB flag
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Alan McGregor
4:53 PM

Thanks Dave - first time user - didn't know whether I'd posted in the correct place in the first instance.

You will see I have now answered your query and expanded my original question to provide greater clarity for you on what my problem is.

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:06 PM

William : That's an interesting test that you have carried out as in theory it should not work, the reason being that when the Sky link to the bedroom instantly fails when you touch the outer of the main aerials coax connector onto the sides of the "F" connectors whereby electrically bonding them together, this in effect is exactly the same as what you are doing in your test, as the outer of the Sky boxes RF2 socket is at the same potential as the outer on the Sky boxes aerial input socket, which of course is the same as the outers of the "F" connectors because the chassis electrically bonds them together, the only difference with what you are doing is that you are linking them through a splitter which will possibly electrically isolate the inners from each other.

Now that you have discovered this, I would like you to revert to your normal connections "but" though feed the normal aerial into the Sky box via the splitter and not directly into it, giving an update on results.

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

7:11 PM

This is unbelievable I have done what you said and when I take the main aerial into a splitter and straight into my box marked "aerial IN" it cuts my sky but still sends freeview/digital (only) to my bedroom via the RF2 into the return port even when I then unplug the main aerial from my sky box and leave it lying on the floor just with RF2 into my return port to my bedroom I am STILL seeing my freeview this is getting weirder

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

7:16 PM

Ok so now my bedroom Tv is gone as well now with just Rf2 it's as if it was still holding some sort of digital charge for 5 mins to give me freeview in my room I need to connect my main aerial back into my return port with my splitter and RF2 this is the only way I can get freeview and a fuzzy sky pic in my bedroom atm

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

7:21 PM

And I may also add that when I put the main aerial and a cable from RF2 into a splitter my sky signal cuts off it isn't until I plug them into the return port on my wall plate that the sky signal comes on and if it's not plugged in firmly my sky signal goes this is the weirdest thing I've came across in my life

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

8:50 PM

William : Well I am certainly inclined to agree with your statement of weird, as there is obviously something a bit oddball about the communal facilities you are using, and I am still a bit suspicious about the standard aerial facility you are provided with insomuch that there might be a defect in the system that is allowing voltage to come down the line, as this is something that can happen if someone else on the communal system is using a device that's defective in the electrical sense, as it passes along the cabling.

The problem you have is that the Sky box in effect links the coax braiding of the satellite feeds to that of the normal aerial and it appears that this is killing the Sky signal, which of course it shouldn't do!

Regarding the Freeview picture still being seen without the connection being made, this is something usually experienced in high signal areas, but your G51 area does not really come into this category as two of the more local relays (Glasgow West Central / Cathcart) are only low powered transmitters.

But though I have another test that I would like you to try, that is using a short piece of thin insulated wire bared at one end and pushed into the Sky boxes normal aerial socket, but with the other end of the wire (not bared) and carefully pushed into the end of the coax plug that would normally be inserted into the Sky boxes normal aerial socket, try to loop it around the centre pin inside the coax plug.

The idea being to try and pick up enough Freeview signal to allow the 2nd TV to show a Freeview picture but done without an electrical link existing between the communal aerial system and the Sky box, i.e: completely electrically isolated.

I would normally have requested you try and borrow a set top aerial as that would do exactly the same thing, but I doubt that a set top aerial would work in your locality.


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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Friday, 14 September 2012
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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

12:07 AM

William : I had also meant to say that with regards to your magic eye I presume that you have switched the power on for the RF2 out via the installers menu?

If you have then connect the magic eye directly into he Sky boxes RF2 to make sure that it is working OK, if it is but not in the bedroom then that indicates that you have either a short circuit on the link cable between the two positions or that you have a Non-DC pass splitter installed on the coax, and this would require changing to an alternative type that does have DC by-pass.

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

9:39 AM

Can you explain carefully where the piece of wire needs place between is it the "bare end" into "aerial IN" in the back of sky box and the "un-stripped end" into the end of my co-ax end which is still plugged into my main aerial point on the wall plate marked " TV "

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

3:29 PM

If my aerial signal providing freeview is overly strong therefore "swamping" the satellites signal would fitting an attenuator maybe solve the problem

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Stuart Owens
sentiment_satisfiedSilver

4:22 PM
Wrexham

Why is there two Al Jazeera channels on two separate EPG numbers? Both broadcast on COM6 so can't they timeshare on the same EPG number?
Al Jazeera Eng is on air 1800-2300 on ch.83 and Al Jazeera 6-8 is on air 0600-0800 on ch.84. Surely they could timeshare on the one channel number to save being on two different channel numbers at different times of the day?

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Stuart Owens's 156 posts GB flag
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Saturday, 15 September 2012
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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

1:01 AM

William : No! as the reason I suggested trying this is because that going by what you have reported it appears to be the case that when an "electrical" connection is made between the main aerial and the outer casings of the "F" connectors (in effect all metalwork) that this is whats cutting the signal out.

The approximate post code that you provided was suffice to verify that your Sky boxes modulator was not being swamped by a Freeview signal on the same channel and so that possibility can be left out of the equation.

Regarding the wire referred to, the whole purpose of this is to "induction" couple your main aerial system into the Sky boxes normal aerial input so that the signal could transfer into the Sky box without an actual electrical connection being made between both, as this in theory should allow the Freeview signal to transfer without the electrical component linking both which should stop the Sky signal from cutting out.

The wire having a proper connection into the Sky boxes aerial socket is just done for convenience, and the un-stripped end is to ensure that an electrical connection is "not" made between the wire in the Sky boxes aerial socket and the lead that goes to the wall plate, as signal transfer does not necessarily require a positive (wire to wire) connection to be made.

If you were an enthusiast in this field I would normally have suggested that you use two small capacitors (100pf each) to link the boxes braiding to the normal aerials same, and do likewise with the inners of both coax's, as this method gives a stronger signal.

Induction transfer was the reason for your TV receiving Freeview whilst the cable was on the floor not connected to anything.


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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

2:02 PM

I can see some 100pf capacitors on eBay fairly cheap but they are ranging from 50V to 15KV any particular ones and when I get them shall I just hold them in place between the 2 points of contact ( braidings and inners )

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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

2:03 PM

How do I link the capacitors across them

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:09 PM

William: Simply imagine that you have a piece of coax that you have just chopped in two and you want to join it up again, the only difference being that instead of joining the inner to the inner you do it through one capacitor (inners of each cable joined via the capacitor) and with exactly the same thing being done with the braidings.

This of course should not be necessary and will only "in theory" stop your Sky signal from cutting off, as I suspect that there might be a potential difference between the outer of the coax plug and the "F" connectors same, although only a voltmeter would reveal that.


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William
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

4:31 PM

I have a multimeter

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jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

5:37 PM

William: Set it on a 250 volt or slightly more AC range and check if anything reads between the outer of the coax plug and the side of the "F" connectors, the latter connected into the Sky box but the coax connector "not". (free standing)

Should nothing be indicated then try it with the meter set on DC, giving an update on results, and now I am aware you have a meter get someone to view the remote TV position to check if the signal cuts out when you have the meter across these two points.

Another thing that I should have suggested a few postings ago was to temporarily position the remote TV near to the Sky box and connect it into the boxes RF1 socket with a jumper lead, then see if it still cuts out when you connect the main aerial into the box, as I want to eliminate any possibility of a problem existing with your wiring.

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