Feedback

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
Thursday, 27 September 2012
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Rob Walton8:44 PM
Darlington
I need to buy a new tv and replace the old arial, any advice on a freeview sat system or just replacing the old arial?.
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Rob's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 29 September 2012
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brian mayo9:33 AM
Why after numerous resets does the picture & channels still lock up on my 7 year old Philips 32PF5200 TV, it was fine until the digital switchover in February, the aeriel & lead connections have been checked 3 times since then by professional installer who says best thing is get a new TV, but after only 7 years why is a set which cost in excess of £800 a write off, the pre-flat panel sets were never this short lived
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steve9:56 AM
Bishop Auckland
looking for help to correct sky via magic eye which was perfect prior to latest switch over in north east england. using channel 50 rf output picture there but unwatchable - tried channel 57 and 58 but nothing. any suggestions? thanks
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steve's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
steve: Try C52.
Pontop Pike now uses 49, 50, 54, 55, 58, 59
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Stephen P6:37 PM
mayo - I presume you ARE the person on AV Forums with the same problem and a 6yo set?
If not, google for it and compare notes!
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Sunday, 30 September 2012
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Rafath Fernandez3:02 AM
Tried evrerything SKY suggests. Still NO SIGNAL. Happening everyday. Felling cheated as paying a lot of subscription. Please help
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matt hope8:13 AM
Burnley
i have sky tv in our bedroom running from a cable from rf outlet 2 in the back of my sky box downstairs. we use a magic eye to enable us to use the sky remote upstairs. for some reason we had to restoreto factory settings on the upstairs tv now for some reason it sky is not coming thru upstairs i can watch freeview but no sky it is saying no CA module inserted. never said this before can anyone help please
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matt's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:43 AM
matt hope: Without knowing the model of TV involved have you set the TV in question back on its analogue mode rather than DVB?, and if you have completely reset it you will have to carry another retune "whilst set on analogue" so that it will find the Sky boxes RF2 channel again.
Should you still experience the problem please indicate the model of TV involved.
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brian mayo10:34 AM
Hi Stephen P. you've rumbled me, some possible clues on AV to my Freeview Freeze prob., such as being overpowered & to use a "Variable Attenuator" to check are a start before I throw in the towel & head off to Richer Sounds.
Wineboy (on AV Forums).
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matt hope1:50 PM
Burnley
matt hope:
jb38 thanks very much that has got me sky back on upstairs. but the reason i did a full reset was that the sky picture upstairs was in black and white and after doing what you said it is still in black and white. the picture on digital tv is colour only when i try and watch sky is it black and white any ideas
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matt's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb388:23 PM
matt hope: Thats is inclined to suggest the possibility that a strong Freeview signal is close (or on) the RF channel used by the Sky box, you should have a check to ensure that Sky's RF output channel used above 64 (pref 68/69) and if you have to change it then remember to retune the TV again (on analogue) to pick up the new channel.
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Monday, 1 October 2012
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jb386:55 AM
matt hope: Of course there is an easy way to verify whether or not the Freeview signal is responsible for the problem, and simply done by temporarily removing the normal aerials connection into the Sky box and checking the result of this action on the upstairs TV.
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Our Milton Keynes location is almost midway between the Sandy Heath and Oxford transmitters. When I have to retune my freeview box it is 50/50 which transmitter is detected. I often end up with just a few TV channels listed as '800', '801', etc. It often seems to take 5 or 6 retunings to pick-up the Sandy Heath channels. Is there a way I can block out the Oxford signal - perhaps by covering the south-west side of the aerial?
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:18 PM
Mike Held: This might seem rather elementry, but I assume that your box does not have a manual tuning facility? as if it does then either reset the box or carry out a retune with the aerial disconnected as that will blank the memory out, then manually tune in Sandy's muxes one at a time, these being:
27 - 24 - 21(HD) - 51 - 52 - 48.
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Tuesday, 2 October 2012
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Stephen P12:32 PM
Mike H - Can you not switch the channels round so that the ones you want appear in 1/2/3/4/5 etc? Usually possible.
One trick is to unplug the aerial when the unwanted channels are bing scanned. Depends if the numbers are close or widely spread how achievable that is.
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matt hope5:58 PM
Burnley
matt hope:
jb38 the rf channell is set too 68 and still black and white upstairs
the tv is a grundig GU37BLKSE model any more help please.
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matt's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:37 PM
matt hope: If the picture on the Grundig looks perfectly OK apart from the fact that it's in black and white, then that suggests equipment failure rather than anything you have done, and with the problem being either with the Sky boxes modulator or alternatively (and more likely) with the colour decoding circuitry in the analogue side of the Grundig, this fault nearly always caused by crystal failure.
The only thing I can suggest is to try and borrow a small colour TV that is capable of analogue reception and then couple that into the link from the Sky boxes output, giving the borrowed TV an analogue scan to pick up the RF output channel from the Sky box for the purpose of checking the image obtained, black and white or colour, because if its colour then obviously the fault is with the Grundig.
By the way temporarily change the output on the Sky box from RF2 over to RF1 so as "not" to feed voltage into the borrowed TV's aerial socket.
Should you not be able to borrow a TV then if you have an old VHS tape machine around you could couple its RF output into the Grundig and retune same (TV) to pick up the VHS machines analogue signal, no tapes or aerial required as its only the modulator output you are interested in and with regards to whether anything seen is black and white or not.
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Wednesday, 3 October 2012
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Michael Frost10:51 AM
Hi JB38. This will seem an extremely odd request but could I ask if you are the same JB38 that gives advice on 'Pechorin's' website? If you are I have tried to contact you for the instructions to bypass the dewpoint sensor on my JVC GR-DX97 camcorder. I'm not sure that I was submitting it correctly or that it was ever rec'd. If you aren't THAT JB38 please accept my apologies.
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sally11:10 AM
i want to know if the olevia 32ra108s is multi system,or ntsc thanku
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dean9:14 PM
Hi, not that technical but had and used AV systems for years so familiar with setups, signal strength, installations etc.
I have noticed a problem and have been searching an answer for ages. With more than one make/ model of freeview tv that seems to be data related, not signal strength. I always keep updated with regular wipes and installations for new channels. (except sadly they're mostly selling channels).
But after tv has been on for at least a 1/2hr, the channel selection becomes frozen and eventually flashes through all the 'switched' channels, catching up with the frantic button presses. Also the epg data is missing. Just says 'No information available'. The only thing that resolves the problem is to switch off the set, wait 30 seconds and then switch on with full epg and channel change working normally again. I also notice that when switching through channels, ones with 'Loading interactive services' also seem to take ages and are much like a website bogged down with java ads and cookies hogging the cpu. Is this the future of digital TV? It isn't just my sets that do it either.
I am on Guildford transmitter, (tried london) and receive london regional.
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Andie10:28 PM
Altrincham
OK, I'm in a spin over my sky tv.
Currently have Sky+HD, subscribe to Sky Sports, Entertainment, phone with unlimited and basic broadband at a total cost of around £60 + calls. Have single subscription HD box in living room, and signal feed through RF to tv upstairs (changeover through magic eye).
Trying to reduce my costs.
Can I get all this on freeview with sky sports add-on? or any other options?
Please note I'm a technophobe, and it took me months to work out the RF feed, so please make it simple.
Thanks
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Andie's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb3811:44 PM
Michael Frost: The answer is basically no, "but" I am aware who this is (a work colleague) and will ask the person concerned to check either the site or possibly the message board for your request, of course that is if they still give advice on that site as I am not sure whether they do or not.
Don't expect results before the weekend though as I wont see the person concerned before Saturday afternoon at the earliest.
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Thursday, 4 October 2012
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jb387:31 AM
dean: What you report suggests an actual fault condition within the set, and which could possibly be caused by a signal compatibility issue in relation to the new transmission modes being used on stations that's recently switched over to high powered operation.
The other possibility is that the signal levels being received are a little on the high side for the tuner, but a proper assessment cannot be made without knowledge of your location, this being in the form of a post code or one from nearby such as a shop.
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steven brown8:57 AM
When I press the text button it turns sky box off. Then after turning it back on it works ok..
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Friday, 5 October 2012
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Mike Adams3:05 PM
Worcester
Our TV signal has deteriorated drastically over the past 4 to 5 days. We live in Defford . I've reset the box as suggested and even tried a signal booster but to no avail. Is it transmitter related or the weather?
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 6 October 2012
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Roger10:47 AM
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hi, I have an old Grundig Sky digibox through which I would like to use to get BBC 1 & BBC 2 on to a portable TV using an outside aerial but all I can get is "No satelite signal is being received". If it is possible to do what I want, how do I set the digibox to an aerial input rather than dish input and what settings would you recommend. I live in postcode NE13.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Les Nicol
12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Roger: You cannot connect a SKY or any other satellite receiver, with the exception of a Technomate, Dreambox or similar that are equiped with both Satellite and Terrestrial tuners.
P.S. not all models of the above and those not listed have that facility.
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Stephen P4:39 PM
Roger you could get Freesat if you had a DISH, but if you have an aerial you need a Freeview TUNER - very cheap from Argos etc.
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Sunday, 7 October 2012
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Roger10:02 AM
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Thanks for comments Les & Stephen - I did think that because the Grundig digibox had an aerial input as well as dish input, there must be some way to use aerial only.
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb3810:36 AM
Roger: Just to add to that already said by Les Nicol & Stephen P
The aerial socket on your Grundig Sky box is an input used in conjunction with the boxes RF1/2 sockets, because if a coax is run from either of these sockets to a remotely positioned second TV (set on analogue if a dual standard set) it will enable the Sky programme on the main TV to be viewed on the second TV.
The plus point being, that if the normal aerial is then connected into the socket referred to then the Freeview signal passes through the box and onto the second TV along with the Sky programme, this enabling the second TV to view either Sky or Freeview, the latter of course only being applicable if the TV being used is not an old analogue only set.
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Tuesday, 9 October 2012
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John P6:10 PM
Just got a nice letter from Sky today saying what a great service they provide and by the way we are going to increase your line rental by £2.25. On my calculations thats a 18% price hike! Does anyone agree that this seems a bit steep even for Sky. I wish my salary increased by that much.
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ELEANOR9:45 PM
i recently purchased a bush freeview box and i am frustrated at not getting epg on all channels.went out one night and was unable to record anything on the bbc channels.my previous box was a sharp and i had less problems.
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gladys moore10:49 PM
Wallsend
Hi,since change over my epg is not working bought another one same thing happening why is this tried everything means i can not record please help thanks glad
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gladys's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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ELEANOR11:05 PM
did try by unplugging mains and aerial from box.retuning then plugging back in.gets some of the channels giving info but not bbc.my son says hes going to move the aerial.just hope i dont lose the lot. (HALIFAX,WESTYO)
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jb3811:45 PM
ELEANOR: The BBC is generally the one thats always picked up but not always some of the others, however its not possible to determine what type of reception you should be having and from where without knowledge of your location, a post code or one from nearby eg: a shop being suffice, as the details you entered have an error of some sort and do not give access to the reception predictor.
Please also mention the model of Bush box you are referring to.
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Wednesday, 10 October 2012
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Robin4:04 PM
Hi,we have a TV with built-in Freeview,the TV is HD ready but because it is only standard Freeview we cannot get any of the HD channels.Is there any gadget that converts built-in Freeview to HD freeview?
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jb385:21 PM
Robin: Unfortunately not! as the only way around the problem is to purchase a Freeview HD box and couple it into your TV using an HDMI lead, this in effect turning your TV into a monitor.
As far as the HD channels are concerned, at the present time they are just HD versions of the standard programmes and as such not different in programme content.
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Thursday, 11 October 2012
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Trev Cape12:49 PM
When I leave Sky shortly can I utilise the sky dish for Freeview progs? and what do I need to do? This is only a stop gap measure while I get Freesat sorted out!My Sony bravia tv has freeview built in. If my misses cant get Eastenders life is over for me!
On the subject of Freesat I want to get the latest Humax HDR1000s which as a bonus records two progs etc. My question here is that the existing sky set up has only one cable to the skybox. Do I need to add another cable (LNB)I think its called to the terminal block on the dish to obtain two prog recording. Many thanks for any help in advance.
Trev
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jb381:26 PM
Trev Cape: You do not have to do anything at present as a dish is 100% technically compatible with Sky and Freesat, and when you cancel your Sky contract your box just reverts to you being able to view everything as before except Sky dedicated package channels, you can check what you will be able to view by simply removing your card and running through the EPG listings.
The Humax box you are thinking about is an excellent device, albeit that its just the large hard drive version of the lower capacity models, but as far as your LNB is concerned if you have carried out an inspection and it doesn't have a spare port then quad LNB conversion kits are available for around the £10.00 mark from various e-bay outlets, these in many cases being exactly the same type as used by Sky engineers.
These kits are simplicity to fit by virtually being push fit into the end of the "rectangular" arm, if its a round type then some kits contain an adaptor, so its best to check what type of arm your dish has.
After fitting the LNB swap the existing "F" plug onto the new block (any port) and check that the reception is still OK on the TV, if it is then run a second coax cable from the LNB to the Sky box.
Apart from the satellite grade coax you will require two "F" connector plugs, one for each end of the cable.
By the way exercise caution when fitting the kit to avoid any possibility of disturbing the position of the dish arm, as in most cases if it isn't moved then reception will still be OK.
Finally all ports are independent of each other and so any can be used, two for the Humax and another for a Sky box in a different room, this leaving one as a spare.
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G6:15 PM
Pontypridd
why have i not got all the freesat channels in pontypridd
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G's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Friday, 12 October 2012
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Brian2:31 PM
G: how do I connect a dvd recorder to tv which has only one scart socket which is being used sky+box
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Daniel3:50 PM
Luton
Hi, is there any chance of any dedicated sports channels appearing on freesat or free to air television on satellite in the future? I'm obviously not expecting a sky sports or anything top of the range, but something like a british eurosport, espn classic or a foreign sport channel. Thanks for any help or information, Daniel.
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Daniel's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb384:50 PM
Brian: Is there a reason why you are not using the usual method of connecting a DVD player / recorder into the Sky boxes 2nd scart socket? as by doing that you can record Sky's "free to view" programmes and possibly a few others, then when you wish to play a DVD the TV will automatically switch over to the player as soon as the player is taken out of standby.
Other than doing things this way you would require to purchase a two way switchable scart splitter but used as a combiner.
Item referred to: Argos 534/9656
Buy Alba 3 SCART to 1 SCART Selector at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for HDMI cables, scart leads and accessories, HDMI cables, scart leads and accessories.
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Saturday, 13 October 2012
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Alan Peachey11:45 AM
What is the new channel broadcasting on Transponder 12560v on Astra? At the moment they are showing. The Lucy Show, The Lone Ranger etc. Thanks.
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Trev Cape2:42 PM
Reigate
Thank very much for your advice
Trev Cape
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Trev's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 14 October 2012
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Pete4:00 PM
Hi Brian,
Your New Look Freeview Transmitter page, eg. Freeview reception at BA1 XXX, now only shows my predicted "Best" TX (Bath) and not all available at my Location as it used to.
This may be clearer and simpler for most, but it is no use to me as I have my aerial pointed at the Main (more distant but still 100%) TX at Mendip and not the Bath Local Relay.
You used to show all transmitters at a location, with the "Best" first, and even those that appear to be out of sight. This was very useful as on occasions I did get odd tuning events where a much more distant and normally out of sight TX (Stockland Hill) would be tuned due to atmospherics and I could tell what it was and why this was happening (much further away but in exact same direction as my aerial pointed at Mendip).
The DigitalUk site still lists Bath and Mendip as alternatives for me (Bath first of course - They have dropped Box which is now only given as a possible on the BBC page). Maybe you could add a Tab or Option (?) for ALL as well as the current BEST (set as default) Transmitter, so that we can get back the excellent Tuning and Terrain info for all, not just the supposed "Best" which in my case, and no doubt many others, is not the best !
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Pete4:12 PM
Hi (again)
Just looked at some others info, from above posts, and they do show alternatives that are presumably definite line of sight transmitters - My address must be erroniously returning that Mendip is not visible.
It would be good to add back the presumed "out of sight" transmitters as per your old method, but maybe you could put them below a big red line to point out that they may not be visible/useable at the current location. I think they used to have a different Icon ?
Keep up the good work
Cheers
Pete
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Stephen P5:35 PM
+ UK digital TV reception predictor
Paul - try this?
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Big Mart11:31 PM
Hi, does anyone know if the teletext service will ever be broadcast on the HD service?
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Friday, 19 October 2012
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Sue3:07 PM
We are moving to a house without a dish, we have a freeview ready tv and 3 sky boxes, but I have a 4 year old who needs more than cbeebies for entertainment. We r not allowed to instal a dish and so what is my best option to get the most channels for my daughter, I am 6 months pregnant and rely on the tv right now especially as Winter is coming and we will be getting out less
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jb385:27 PM
Sue: If you are not allowed to use a dish then you don't really have any choice but to use Freeview, this being provided that the property you are moving to has a suitable aerial connection for your Freeview TV and that you will be in an area covered by a Freeview transmitter, but unable to advise on this as a post code (or one from nearby e.g: a shop) is necessary to access this information.
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Sue6:45 PM
Cardigan
jb38,
we r moving in with Mother-in-law and I know that she has basic freeview through her tv (as far as I can remember) post code is SA43 2SQ if that helps, I am looking into buying a freeview top up box, will this help me in your opinion? Thanks for input so far
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Sue's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Sue6:54 PM
jb38
The one I am ordering is a 'hitachi hdr 255 freeview recorder', pretty useless when it comes to these things and I have probably just ordered something that will be of no help to me what so ever!
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David Spencer7:17 PM
Hi,
Since Dave moved on Freeview a few weeks ago, and then today following the HD channels shift to the 100s, my Sony KDL 32EX723 tv's EPG is missing these channels.
I can watch the channels normally, the tv "knows" where they are/ their new channel nos, they're just missing from the EPG.
I thought it might fix itself over time, but Dave hasn't re-appeared in the EPG as Ch12 and that moved a few weeks ago now.
Any suggestions to get the EPG working fully again?
Many thanks,
David
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jb388:48 PM
Sue: The area covered by the code provided is indicated as being able to have excellent reception from the Preseli transmitter located at just under 8 miles away, although if your mother-in-law already uses Freeview will you be connecting the Hitachi into this via a scart lead? as if you are then take the aerial of the TV and plug it into the Hitachi, then connect a jumper lead from "aerial out" on the Hitachi and into the TV.
By the way these Hitachi recorders (PVR's) have the most user friendly of all PVR's as well as them being very responsive to commands, not sluggish like some.
However in common with many Freeview devices their operating software has to be kept up to date, and in the case of the HDR255 range over air downloads are taking place from 10.00am on the 22nd Oct and finishing on the 24th at 09.00am, and so do not switch the box off completely during this period but leave it in standby when not being used, and preferably with it sitting on BBC1.
Also check under the "configuration" menu that "low power" is NOT activated, as that can cause a problem with software updating.
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jb389:06 PM
David Spencer: When you carried out a rescan on the 17th to update the EPG listings (that is presuming that you did!) did you carry out a "first time installation"? or alternatively if not an option a "factory reset" or "default setting", as this really has to be done to completely clear the tuners memory before a rescan is carried out.
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Sue10:01 PM
Sue: Thanks jb38, I will follow your instructions once box arrives. Very much appreciate your help.
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dave macready11:43 PM
Now that summer is finished my Sandy Heath reception is back to near 100% perfection. Even ch5+1 is at bang up full strength.
I got almost nothing of Wimbledon and only 50% of the Olympics due to co-channel interference, a MUCH bigger and longer lasting wipeout than I ever had with analogue tv. But the BBC and digital tv services seem loath to comment. Am I to be denied tv every summmer? And very cold winter days? AND certain foggy days? Can I get a 50% reduction on my TV license?
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Saturday, 20 October 2012
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Donna1:10 PM
Hi, I no longer subscribe to virgin but still have all the wires,if i buy a virgin set top box can i plug it in to my existing cables and receive free to view channels?
Thank you :)
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Stephen P2:23 PM
I vaguely recall that you cannot - but hope someone sure will confirm/correct.
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Tracy2:25 PM
Colchester
We used to be able to watch sky upstairs but since the digital changeover we can only pick up a very fuzzy picture. Any ideas?
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Tracy's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tracy: This could be caused by the UHF channel (frequency) that you are using to output the analogue picture to your upstairs TV now being used for digital in your area.
The Sky box puts out a signal on your aerial lead on a UHF channel (frequency). You need to use one that is not used by a Freeview transmitter that is being picked up by your aerial else the digital (Freeview) signal will interfere with the analogue picture from the Sky box, the effect on the analogue picture being that it will be more grainy.
You need to establish whether this is the likely cause. If you power on the Sky box and turn on the upstairs TV and select the Sky channel. Then remove the aerial lead going into the Sky box (the one that comes from the aerial). If the level of interference on the Sky picture on the upstairs TV reduces as a result, then this tends to suggest that it is interference from a digital signal.
Find out what RF channel number your Sky box is using by following the instructions here:
How do I change the RF output channel on a Sky Digibox? | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
If this appears to be the problem, then let us know which RF channel it is using and we can suggest which one(s) you might be able to use at your location.
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Tracy5:08 PM
Colchester
Tracy: Thanks for your help. I followed your instructions and the picture upstairs was perfect. The rf channel number was 60 and i tried changing it to 68 but this didn't help.Can i just leave the arial lead out of the sky box?
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Tracy's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Laura5:19 PM
Sowerby Bridge
Sorry to sound ignorant if you have already answered this but I don't have an Ariel for my house and the only thing I can get is Sky which has currently become a rip off. I would like to view channels for free using my sky box and satalite but how do I go about this? How can I find out what I will be able to watch?
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Laura's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tracy: The purpose of the incoming aerial being connected into the Sky box is to allow Freeview broadcasts to be viewed. If you do not watch Freeview on the upstairs TV, and you have no other TVs connected to the output of the Sky box, then the incoming aerial is surplus to requirements.
If the TV adjacent to the Sky box is connected to the Sky box and you only wish to have Freeview available on it (and not on the upstairs TV), then you could feed the incoming aerial directly into that TV.
Since 27th June 2012 the Sudbury transmitter which serves your area has been broadcasting on C60. If you change it, you will need to retune the TV. If it has manual tuning where a UHF channel can be entered, then you can enter the same channel number, else you will have to scan.
C51 might be available. You can use somewhere from C61 to C68 because it isn't used at the moment, but the 4G mobile networks are likely to use those channels so you would probably have to change it when they come on air.
Once you have changed the output of the Sky box to C51 and retuned the TV, if the picture is a bit grainy, unplug the incoming aerial lead to see if it is interference from something that is being broadcast.
If this proves to be the case, then 54 may be a possibility.
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John B9:15 PM
Having reception problems but only on the sd channels where the signal quality fluctuates between 20-60% and now and again goes to no signal,also the picture breaks up a bit, yet on HD channels it is perfect 100%.Seems worse at night and have tried redoing all connections, changed leads and is still no betterPoiting to hanninton transmitterThe aerial is about 8 years old and also has a masthead amp going in to o triax loftbox.
Any ideas of possible faults please before I call an installer
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John B: Being in the dark as to your location, it is impossible to have any idea as to what sort of signal area you reside in.
However, it could be the case that you have too much amplification, although this usually affects HD signals before the SD ones.
Whilst signal strength meters on receivers are in no way scientific, 100% strength could be an indication that the signal level is too high. The result is much the same as too low a signal level. As the signal level increases over that which the receiver can tolerate, the strength and quality will start to fluctuate and jump up and down.
At switchover the power of digital signals increased. In some cases, installations fitted for reception of the pre-switchover low power signals is OTT after switchover.
The strength of Hannington before switchover was restricted generally to the east so as to protect against interference with the Guildford transmitter. Consequently the difference between the strength of the pre-switchover signals and the current signals in that area is very big and an installation fitted to receive the pre-switchover signals could be boosting the current signals too much.
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jb3811:42 PM
Tracy: Are you sure that when you changed the Sky boxes output to Ch68 that you had scrolled down and selected "save changes", this action followed by retuning your TV whilst on analogue to pick up the new RF output channel used by the Sky box? as what you have said suggests that you haven't as Ch68 is clear of interference from any Freeview transmitter in the UK.
By the way you do not require an aerial to be connected into a Sky box unless you want to feed normal Freeview to other rooms along with the Sky boxes signal, if you do not require this then couple the aerial directly into the jumper lead that would normally be connected into the Sky boxes RF1 or 2, this enabling Freeview in other rooms minus the Sky signal.
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Sunday, 21 October 2012
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becky1:33 AM
help please
i have sky+ hd box. no hd subscription. fed up of paying £26pcm for discovery channels that now show unrelated stuff. i'm now out of contract. and am loath to pay £279 for humax 1000s freesat box.
can i use sky+hd box to the same (rewind tv guide excluded) ie. p, rw, record etc?
cheers
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jb387:09 AM
becky: No! because Sky retains access to the recording / playback side of the box on a permanent basis and which will be disabled around the same time as your access to Sky dedicated package programmes.
In other words your Sky+ box defaults back to being a standard box.
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Monday, 22 October 2012
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RON CAMPBELL10:45 AM
I HAVE A FREEVEIW SAT WITH THREE DIGIBOX LNB FEED TWO HAVE WORKED FINE AND FOR A WHILE SO DID THE THIRD ONE -- THEN IT SHOWED AN LND ERROR AND THUS COULD NOT GET ANY CHANNELS. rigged up an apple tv for a time and wathed that then this friday I pluged the hdmi LEAD FROM THS LNB AND HEY PRESTO OFF IT WENT NO PROBS UNTIL I TURNED IT ON SUNDAY SAME LNB FAULT NO CHANNELS - IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT - ANY SOLUTIONS IDEAS ? MY DIGIBOXES ARE HUMAX THREE YEARS OLD
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john4:29 PM
Took a skybox+ to another house, put the cable in, kept coming up no signal, do I have to somehow tune it in, or change settings on box? Many thanks,
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jb385:10 PM
john: When you connect a Sky box to the mains supply it will automatically start searching for channels without having to do anything, if "no signal" is indicated then it simply means that the box could not find the default transponder signal.
Use the following procedure to check if any level of signal is being indicated, as it could still be there but just not at a high enough level to produce a picture, so check on this by using the following procedure.
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.
Both strength and quality should be indicating the equivalent of approx 55% minimum to produce a picture, if under then the dish is slightly out of alignment.
Further advice dependant on reply.
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jb389:03 PM
RON CAMPBELL: If the intermittent reception problem is confined to affecting the same box all the time, then you should unscrew the "F" connector on the LNB used by it, then further unscrew it from the coax to check for any signs of water having crept into the plug, giving its internals a wipe with a cotton bud or similar in case any moisture is lurking around, similar treatment (using a tissue) given to the end of the coax, then making sure that all of the braiding is pulled back over the outer cover screw the connector back onto the coax again and try a test.
You should also check the "F" connector at the box end just in case a single strand of the braiding has caught around the middle core of the coax, matter of fact its maybe best you try this "first" before taking action at the LNB end.
Should though the problem still be there after having carried out these procedures, then try swapping the "F" connector port on the LNB used by the box in question over with a port used by one of the other boxes, as if the port is defective then the fault will show up on another box.
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Tuesday, 23 October 2012
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Gordon5:36 PM
Had a fault with freeview on our tv Called out engineer New wideband aerail now fitted . Now TV Doesnt work at all he said water has got into old aerial cable . and it has got into the tv tuner and buggered it up Up until yesterday we could still get certain bands from the UHF 41-47 NOW A BIG FAT ZERO Is this a common problem?
Have a 5 year guarantee on TV
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Terry brady7:14 PM
I have a HD box in my living room with a magic eye in my bedroom to change channels been working ok for at least 3 years bought a new HD box from sky they also installed the new one now my magic eye does not work I have checked the rf 2 outlet and channel 60 both boxes the same but the new one will not work put the old one back and it is all ok I have remade all connctions as well any ideas as this is driving me mad and my son wants my old box to replace his sky plus
Thanks
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Alan Maybury11:33 PM
How can I connect three sky + boxes to one sat dish
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Stephen P11:37 PM
Gordon water in cable perfectly possible.
affeting tuner barely credible.
only affecting AFTER replacement bovine excrement.
Did he leave you with all working or not?
Have you paid him?
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jb3811:47 PM
Alan Maybury: By changing the dishes LNB to an octo type and running a pair of coax cables (shotgun types neater) from the LNB ports to each of the Sky+ boxes, this leaving two ports spare which is handy for testing should one of the eight ports fail at any time.
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jb3811:58 PM
Terry brady: When you say that you checked the RF2 outlet, are you meaning to make sure that the RF2's power was activated?
If a Sky+HD box press "services" then type in "0 - 0 - 1 - select" and scroll right to select and press on: RF outlets.
Should it already be activated, then for a test try the magic eye connected directly into the boxes RF2 socket and cover the front of the Sky box with a towel so that the box isn't directly picking up the remotes IR signal.
By the way, no need to connect the eyes output to anything.
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Wednesday, 24 October 2012
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jb3812:20 AM
Gordon: Although a person actually on site always has a visual advantage, but I have doubts about the statement that's been made to you, as yes! water can get into a coax cable if the coax to aerial connection has been left exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, although if water had reached the aerial input connection on the box then close inspection of the socket would reveal white corrosion, but I personally have never experienced a waterlogged tuner and I repair all sorts of RF devices including marine use equipment.
I believe that your signal is received from Blackhill? but an idea of your location would have been of assistance (post code or one from nearby, e.g: a shop) as that would have enabled the reception predictor to be accessed, as you "might" be in a location where a test could be carried out using a set top aerial.
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Steven11:51 AM
Nottingham
Hi, I wonder if now that the signal power is up to maximum (post switchover)we will still need the traditional type, directional aerial perched on every roof top or will these be eventually replaced with a simple whip type omni-directional aerial for new installations etc.,the wet piece of string theory springs to mind!?
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Steven's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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David1:48 PM
I currently have tvs which are digital ready. Up until last night I received all channels via a communal aerial which is also an aerial for sky. Reception perfect . Now after changeover last night I have only 30 channels which do not include bbc, utv, itv. First channel is film4. Tried retuning and disconnecting aerial Etc but no luck. I live in Northern Ireland comber. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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Clive Porter4:22 PM
Can anyone tell me what has become of the BBCB Multiplex (BBC One HD, BBC HD ITV1 HD etc.) on Mynydd Machen transmitter Channel 29.
I have virtually line of sight to the transmitter which is 5.6km away.
I used to receive the channel 29 multiplex until around the time of the "re-tune" on 17 October. I've not been able to receive it since that date, maybe earlier as I don't watch HD very often.
I receive channels 23 and 26 from Mynydd Machen perfectly (100% signal 100% quality) but my (full HD) TV now shows no signal at all on channel 29 - which according to the transmitter listings on this site should be operational.
(51.5877,-2.9983)
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Clive Porter5:53 PM
David: I assume that you are using the automatic tuning function. A possibility is that the low programme numbers BBC1 BBC2 ITV1 are being tuned on a low frequency transmitter channel that has poor signal strength inadequate to give you reception. If your correct service transmitter is at a higher frequency the tuning function may well ignore these programmes when it finds them again.
I suggest that you try the following:
Delete all programmes methods differ with each television perhaps a factory reset will do the job.
Identify the transmission channels for your transmitter from the listing on this site. (Find the transmitter on the map and double click on it to see the programme lists and transmitter channel/frequencies.)
Use the manual (not the automatic) tuning function for each of the transmission channels.
Id be interested in your feedback as to whether this helps.
(51.5877,-2.9983)
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serena11:49 PM
Hi. I have brought a sky italia box from italy to london but i cant get any signal from my dish even though its aligned with hotbird. I can however get a signal when using the decoder purchased with the dish. What am i doing wrong? Is there a restriction on using the sky box outside of italy? Your help would be greatly appeciated Hi. I have brought a sky italia box from italy to london but i cant get any signal from my dish even though its alignet with hotbirf. I can however get a signal when using the decoder purchased with the dish. What am i doing wrong? Is there a restriction on using the sky box outside of italy? Your help would be greatly appecia
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serena11:52 PM
Hi. I have brought a sky italia box from italy to london but i cant get any signal from my dish even though its aligned with hotbird. I can however get a signal when using the decoder purchased with the dish. What am i doing wrong? Is there a restriction on using the sky box outside of italy? Your help would be greatly appeciated.
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Thursday, 25 October 2012
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Linda Boyle9:32 AM
I have a dish from switchover scheme , Can I use a secind TV from the dish ?
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Linda Boyle9:33 AM
Can I use a second TV from my switch over dish ?
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Ron Small10:43 AM
I receive my signal from Pontop Pike transmitter and have always had excellent
reception on ( approx ) 140 combined TV and
radio channels on Freeview. Can you tell me
what happened yesterday (24/10/12 ) when I
have lost about half of these (no signal indicated) What can I do to restore the missing channels? Can you answer in laymans
terms please
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Ron Small11:55 AM
Ron Small: Sorry (I told you I was a layman!!) I think I have found the answer to my question posted earlier on the loss of
Freeview channels. The aerial is connected
through a now defunct VHS recorder which was accidentally switched off. On switching this back on and auto-tuning the missing channels
are restored
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Ron Small: Unless you watch your VHS recorder via the aerial lead (rather than the scart lead) then there is no need to daisy-chain it on the aerial lead as it cannot receive any analogue (I assume).
Thus, if you disconnected it from the aerial lead you wouldn't need to leave it powered on.
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Richard 12:47 PM
Camberley
Hi
Prior to the digital switchover, our aerial in the attic was capable of receiving freeview. Since the digital switch over we have lost freeview in all rooms and on all devices. Tv's and digital USB stick.
Post code is GU16 6GP. We live in a relatively new house and the signal is distributed around the house via a "junction box"
I have noticed a few house around us have had external rooftop aerials installed. I don't want to go down that route if possible.
Thanks
Richard
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Richard's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
I am unable to receive RTE 1, RTE2 or TG4. I have a Freeview TV, it is HD ready. How can I rectify this problem. All the other channels have appeared since the switchover.
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Eamon's: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Richard : You need to do some logical "fault"-finding. I say "fault", but it "may" be entirely rectifiable.
Is your aerial directed to Hannington @ 268 degrees, with it set horizontally? If so, confirm that all channels are tuned to Hannington by viewing the signal strength screen when tuned to each:
BBC One = C45
ITV1 = C42
BBC One HD (if applicable) = C39
ITV3 = C41
Pick TV = C44
Film4 = C47
(There are only six multiplexes/signals which carry all the services so there should be no need to check them all - just these six/five will do. They are listed here DTG :: DTT Services by Multiplex )
Having established that the TV/box that you are using for testing is tuned correctly, then connect the feed from the aerial directly to it - that is so it doesn't go via the distribution amplifier ("junction box").
I wonder if the amplifier is set to boost the signal too much (boost it too much now switchover has occurred).
The digital signals prior to switchover were lower than they are now. In particular, the signals radiated by Hannington in your general direction were much lower than in others due to Guildford transmitter using the same channels. Consequently there was a large difference in pre-switchover signal strength versus post-switchover signal strength in your area.
An aerial setup that was installed to pick up the weaker pre-switchover signals may now be too sensitive and providing signals that are OTT. As you have an amplifier, it could be that the feeds from it (to the rooms) are much higher than that going into it. Try turning it down if you can.
The thing with digital reception is that the objective is not to get the strength as near 100% as you can. Providing you have a good *quality* signal, there is a threshold *level* above which it works. Increasing the signal above a safe margin above the threshold will not improve the picture, unlike with analogue. But increase it too high and it is a bit like turning up the volume on a hifi to the point that the sound distorts which is a loss of quality.
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shirley dolphin9:48 PM
Y am I getting no event information on BBC1 and BBC2 on my freeview box
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Vic10:39 PM
For anyone still experiencing Freeview reception problems from the Rowridge transmitter, particularly on UHF Ch 28 (Channel 19 - Yesterday and others on the same COM6 MUX). This evening I moved my TV aerial from a horizontal (polarisation)position to a vertical position. i.e twisted the aerial 90 degrees from the original position while still keeping it pointing in the same direction. Now perfect reception. Fortunately my aerial is only in my loft so easily accessible. My location is Fareham, Hants. This improvement can be explained by the fact that Rowridge has a far stronger signal in the vertical polarisation than the horizontal polarisation for these particular channels. All channel reception is now fine.
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