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
Saturday, 11 June 2011
i am going to ghana east legon on thursday i want to see sky tv can u tell me ,
1 will i be able to receive it and how??
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drew jamieson9:39 PM
Want to install DTV on my sharp lcd tv. Signal coming from satalite dish but cannot get signal from sky HD box. Iam not sky subscriber so only getting free stations. N.I.not digital till 2012 is that the reason?,Ithought dish gave me digital signal, can you advise,Thanks Drew
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Sunday, 12 June 2011
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Lynn1:00 PM
Faringdon
No reply to my question of the 31st May,so here goes again!I am moving house and leaving Sky,I am taking my sat dish with me which has 4LNB, I will be getting an installer to set this up. I have bought a Humax + freesat box for my lounge. I will be wanting freesat in both bedrooms (these rooms both have ariel sockets as its a new build house). I will therefore be left with a sky+ box with viewing card, and another sky box with viewing card that was used in my daughters bedroom. ( I also have another 2 sky box's without viewing cards)!!!! My question, can the box's be used in the bedrooms without having to pay Sky 1 more penny, they,ve had enough cash from me! I have been told conflicting things some have said I have to pay sky £25 for the card? But on the other hand have been told I can cancel my sky subscription and just carry on using the box's as a freesat receiver. Sorry to make this so long winded, but I,m a female who hasn't much knowledege about all of this. many thanks
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Lynn's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Maurice2:25 PM
Glasgow
Hello Lynn
Your Satellite dish installer should be able to explain and answer all your questions. Your dish is able to receive any signal that are available from the the satellite that it is looking at. Assuming you are going to be using Astra satellite system at 28.2 degrees east you will be able to receive freesat ( run by BBC/ITV) The sky boxes( without card) will receive all free to air channels that are available via a sky box
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Maurice's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Maurice2:30 PM
Glasgow
Lynn you will see the full answer at the top of page under "ALL FREE CHANNELS"
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Maurice's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 13 June 2011
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Bill10:30 AM
Hi
I wonder if you can help me. Do the help scheme fit aerials or freesat dishes on roofs I am having a terrible time as Carrilion the installer for the help scheme say that they do not go onto roofs I live in a two storey building in shawlands glasgow and wanted freesat installed they wanted to install the dish on the front of the building this is not allowed
Bill
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NottsUK11:53 AM
Briantist: BBC HD is now testing in 3D. Two pictures side by side on my 2D television.
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NottsUK11:57 AM
Briantist: BBC HD is now back to 2D. The test seems to last for a couple of minutes.
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Mike Dimmick2:27 PM
Bill: The help scheme offer an aerial replacement if necessary. If reception through an aerial is really not possible, or prohibitively expensive, then a satellite system may be suggested.
Satellite dishes do not need to be fitted on a roof. They should go on a south-facing wall, where they have clear sight of the sky to the south. If the landlord objects to this, see
Information on new or replacement aerials for rented properties | Switchover Help Scheme .
Any reputable installer should have the necessary training and insurance to fit roof aerials. The help scheme has unfortunately contracted the lowest bidders - Carillion are not themselves TV installers or experts, they're just arranging the contractors. Contact the scheme using any of the methods listed at
Contact us | Switchover Help Scheme .
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Mike Dimmick2:47 PM
Briantist: There is no page for the Budleigh Salterton relay (SY043825). This is a relay of/SFN with Beacon Hill.
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Mike Dimmick: Thanks for noting that. I've created the page here - Budleigh Salterton digital TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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NottsUK: Yes, the 3D (actually it's stereoscopic, not 3D) service uses half the frame for the left eye and half for the right. So, any 3D you see will have "half HD" resolution. There is a outband flag in the service to tell 3D display equipment to show the left hand side whilst the left eye shutter is open and then the same with the right, in effect at double the frame rate.
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NottsUK4:17 PM
Briantist: Have you noticed any difference in the quality of the 2D BBC HD picture now it has been increased from 1440x1080 to 1920x1080 pixels.
Also if a transmision uses 720 instead of 1080 for a stereoscopic (3D) picture, will the two images on a 2D television be horizontal. One image in the top half of the screen, and the other in the bottom half of the screen.
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Bill4:26 PM
Thanks guys
For your reply
Avc Aerials Falkirk is the firm dealing with me they say that they are not insured to go onto roofs. why did they get the contract?
I would like to hear if any one in the glasgow area has had a freesat dish installed on the roof of a two story tenement
They say that they are not insured to go onto roofs
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Bala4:31 PM
I have a sky standard digibox. I seem to get all the channels very well, except for 797. This channel picture freezes, breaks. When you toggle between channels it gets back to normal relay at times. But most of the times it is a scarmbled picture. This is a Asian channel. Could anyone suggest remedies
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jb385:27 PM
Bill: AVC's "not insured for roof work" excuse seems to be widespread, as a friend of mine in the Lincolnshire area was also given the same story, with me thinking exactly the same as you when I heard about it, quite outrageous!!
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jb38 / Bill
The "not insured line" is often used by the cheapo contractors to get out of doing jobs that will take more time than they are paid for to do the job.
They are paid a pittance & have to do so many jobs a day to make a living that they dont want to know about doing extra / difficult work.
This is not a defence of their behaviour just a explanation of what is going on.
Over a year after switchover we are still clearing up & putting right work done my the digital switchover contractors.
Bill, they got the contract because they bid cheap, too cheap in some peoples view to do the job properly.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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NottsUK: I thought BBC HD has always been at full HD resolution?
Normally the 3D (it's NOT 3D, it's stereoscopic) is provided as two 960x1080 frames in the 1920x1080 HD frame, but there are other modes that use 1920x540. This is called "HD Frame Compatible (level 2)".
There is a "HD Service Compatible (level 4)" which is a 2D 1280x720 frame for normal display and the 3D "right eye" encoded as three part frames, one 640x720 and the other two blocks of 640x360.
Like so:

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NottsUK9:46 PM
Briantist: According to the internet blog that Mick Dimmick pointed out on this stream on Wednesday 8 Jun 2011 at 7:50pm it states, "As we are trying to fit two images into the current BBC HD Channel's signal, one of the temporary changes is change the horizontal resolution from 1440 pixels to 1920 for the trial period".
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Tuesday, 14 June 2011
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Paul11:20 AM
Brian, Glad you are having a well earned break. I hope that wherever you are going you have a really fantastic time
Best Wishes,
Paul
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Mike Dimmick4:32 PM
NottsUK: It's my belief that the BBC's use of 1440x1080 is using the Kell factor, to try to avoid annoying artifacts caused by the sampling rate matching the black/white transitions of high-density patterns. 1440 is a Kell factor of 0.75, matching the Kell factor used for analogue SD transmissions and close to that for digital ones.
See Kell factor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and More than just a pretty face... for descriptions of the Kell factor, and the factors used for UK broadcasting (we are/were CCIR/ITU-R System I). The digital factor is a little wrong because the BBC are required to use 720x576 for the main channels, a factor of 0.703, while for 4:3 broadcasters are allowed to save some capacity by using 544x576. A 1.0 ratio would be 768 pixels per line (multiply 576 by 4/3) so 544 is a Kell factor of 0.708.
That said, broadcasts on a system using solid-state CCD cameras and generally viewed on LCD or plasma sets should probably have a higher Kell factor, though the broadcast 1080i is of course interlaced and therefore would suggest a lower factor. Perhaps the fact that the BBC generally still use CRT monitors, for their colour reproduction capability, has affected their thinking here. The Kell factor is stated as being subjective, so it is a matter of taste.
Of course 960x1080 is a factor of 0.5, on the low end even for interlaced pictures, but 720x1080 (factor 0.375) would not have been acceptable.
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Daniel6:05 PM
You do know your channel list is out of date?
Tv News on freeview 90 Multiplex D closed ages ago.
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Rob Shorts8:26 PM
I just want to know why the signal for BBC 1 and 2 is so poor at the moment? the weather conditions dont seem to be bad and there has been no info about work on the transmitter.
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Wednesday, 15 June 2011
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G.Hodson2:05 PM
Lincoln
I live in Lincoln LN5 9UE and because of our position most of our estate have aerials facing Waltham including myself. Have wideband aerial and a new LCD tv. Over the past year on digital I pick up all the stations from Waltham but I am also able to pick up a number of BBC channels from Belmont even though my aerial is facing Waltham. When the transmitters increase there output after August will I be able to pick up other stations from Belmont. Gordon
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G.Hodson's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Mike Dimmick3:03 PM
G.Hodson: Yes, it's quite likely you will be able to. Depending on the software on your box, when you retune, it might ask you which set of channels to store, it might store the strongest (presumably Waltham if your aerial points that way, although Belmont is more powerful and closer), or it might store the first version that it encounters. The second set might be stored somewhere else in the EPG.
If it stores the first version, you would probably get BBC A, D3&4 and Arqiva A from Belmont, and SDN and Arqiva B from Waltham, as the Belmont frequencies are generally lower than the Waltham ones.
See Digital Region Overlap for thoughts on how to get the services you want.
Note that Belmont Arqiva A and B don't reach full power until November, as they clash with services from Tacolneston. However, SDN, Arqiva A and Arqiva B have the same content at every English transmitter.
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Peter Buxton5:13 PM
Using a freedsat dish and box, can I re-tune a freeview tv set?
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Thursday, 16 June 2011
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Ray Nye9:55 AM
Hi I have just (last week) bought a Toshiba combi box obviously with freeview.
The tele has gone bust now and will buy a nerw one at the weekend.
Will it matter in the television also has buit in freeview?
Or will this cause any problem.
Cheers Ray
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Friday, 17 June 2011
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E. Challand12:02 PM
Kettering
I am in Kettering with a max strenth signal both via aerial and dish. I've been getting BBC HD channels for some time but two weeks ago started receiving dialogue biox 'no signal'. Why?
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E.'s: mapE's Freeview map terrainE's terrain plot wavesE's frequency data E's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 18 June 2011
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NottsUK9:04 AM
Briantist: I see REAL DIGITAL will test the signal within four weeks with a possible launch in early September.
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S Arthurs11:59 AM
Bourne End
I am sure this question has been asked before but here goes.
Can I still use my analogue tvs with Freesat until they expire with time.
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S's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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KMJ,Derby12:34 PM
S Arthurs: Yes, if the tvs are equipped with scart sockets simply connect up using a scart lead. If the only means of connection is via the aerial socket, however, a freesat box would need to be connected to an RF modulator to supply an analogue UHF signal to the tv (or connected to the scart socket of a VCR which would modulate the signal). Alternatively use a Sky box (which has a built in modulator) without a subscription , to watch free to air channels.
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S Arthurs
Yes.
If your TV has a SCART socket, then it should work with all satellite receivers.
If it only has a UHF aerial socket, then it may only work with some satellite boxes.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Leslie forbes2:30 PM
Before digital changeover I received all stations. Now despite system reset, scan for new chanells, etc, I stll have many stations missing.
Why has this happened when nothing regarding my system has been changed or altered.
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jb383:33 PM
Leslie forbes: Its impossible for anyone to assist when you don't mention your location, this being because the information on transmitters covering wherever you reside cannot be checked on.
Should be said though, that your problem is by no means uncommon, as there will be lots of losers throughout the country with the switch to digital television, as reception of it is not near so tolerant to weaker signals in the way that analogue reception was.
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Nedbod6:04 PM
Leslie : Try a retune with the aerial out to clear your box, then try again with the aerial in. If this does not work you may need an atenuator to reduce the signal strength which may be too strong for your equipment to cope with post switch over.
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Sunday, 19 June 2011
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Alan Cooper11:30 AM
Jarrow
i have a ross satelite system with a 65cm dish will it work in sunny beach in Bulgaria or will i have to buy a bigger dish also which channels can i expect to recieve.
Thx
Alan
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Alan's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Les Nicol
11:55 AM
11:55 AM
Alan Cooper - Your Ross FTA (Free to Air) receiver will work OK but I doubt you will have a lot of success in reception of UK channels without a much larger dish. Might be possible to pick BBC World on a Satellite focused on Eastern Europe but that would be about it with the 65cm.
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Alan Cooper12:28 PM
Jarrow
Thax Les
Wot size dish woulld u recommend as the dish can only be mounted on the balcony.
Thax again Alan
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Alan's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Les Nicol
5:12 PM
5:12 PM
Alan Cooper - If possible I would try to find this out from a local source - but I would think around a 1.2 metre and above. I wouldn't purchase anything until you can get a definitive view locally.
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Monday, 20 June 2011
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DAVE DICKINSON5:26 PM
i would like to use a UK TV with built in freesat at my appartment in France. we have a dish set to astra 2. as i often rent to French speaking clients could i also install a French TNT sat box so they can watch French TV on the same UK set
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Richard6:34 PM
June 20 PM.Has anybody else noticed that the DOG on BBC1HD has moved from the top left to the top right.I must admit that if we have GOT to have it I think it seems less noticeable there.What do you think?
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NottsUK11:01 PM
I'm watching A Question of Sport on BBC One HD and the DOG is in the top left corner of the screen.
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Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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Mike Dimmick5:21 PM
Dave Dickinson: A freesat box should work with any dish pointed to the Astra 2 cluster, though it may need to be larger than usual to ensure that adequate signal is received from the 2D satellite. The 2D satellite carries most of the Freesat service (the same transmissions are included in the Sky service, they are not duplicated) and it is designed to only cover the British Isles with normally-sized dishes. The closer you are to the UK, the smaller a dish you're likely to need.
French-language transmissions come from a different cluster of satellites - looks like Astra 1 at 19.2°E. Some dishes do allow more than one LNB to be carried. You then have to set the dish up so the signals from one cluster are deflected to one LNB while the signals from the other, go to the other. It's possible, but the dish has to be adjusted more precisely. Separate dishes may be easier!
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pappyon5:45 PM
I have two identical DVD recorders, one set up in the living room and the other in the bedroom.
The bedroom machine gets all the epg listings, but the living room machine invariably has listings missing.
What is the cause of this please, and is there anything I can do to remedy this problem?
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Mike Dimmick7:49 PM
pappyon: Usually this has something to do with the length of cable between the two boxes and the aerial.
If the aerial splitter is near the aerial itself, and the working box is on the shorter cable, signal levels may be slightly too low at the non-working box. Add a small amount of additional amplification or replace the aerial with a slightly higher-gain one, of the appropriate type. Warning: if your transmitter uses Group A, and you have a grouped aerial now, a wideband with a high quoted gain may turn out to have less gain in the place you need it.
If the working box is on the longer cable run, signal levels are probably slightly too high.
If you're splitting at the back of the living room recorder, the added drop in the cable run to the bedroom is probably too much. Try to split the cable as close to the aerial as possible. Again, an amplified splitter can result in too *much* signal - ensure that amplification only just offsets losses in the splitter. Also, amplification adds extra noise, which can be a problem if the signal-to-noise ratio is marginal.
Make sure you're using proper splitter devices, not just twisting cables together.
Ensure all cables are satellite-grade, double screened, copper braid over copper foil screen, and ensure that if you're building them yourself, that you're fitting the connectors properly.
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Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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pinu7:55 PM
hi where I can buy on line a satellite box where i can see italian tv ive got an old one and i did the manual scan but nothing appen can somebody help me please thanks
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rose10:12 PM
Hi I am thinking of cancelling my Sky subscription having been with them for many years. I have sky hd+ downstairs and sky+ in bedroom upstairs (multiroom). I have viewing cards in both boxes. Will I still be able to receive and watch different free to air programmes in both rooms?
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Thursday, 23 June 2011
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A MAMANIYAT1:49 PM
Hi
have sky but not subscribed.have got sky card also.
how to i get my receiver to register/recognise card so i can view free to ai r channels?
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Friday, 24 June 2011
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Nedbod4:29 PM
Is it possible to watch the full range of BBC Red Button digital coverage on line (i.e. the additional matches not on FREEVIEW ? If so how ? For some reason the BBC are not showing the premium mens tennis matches on their main channels and FREEVIEW this afternoon ?
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Nedbod4:55 PM
Is it possible to watch the full range of BBC Red Button digital WIMBLEDON coverage on line (i.e. the additional matches not on FREEVIEW ? If so how ? For some reason the BBC are not showing the premium mens tennis matches on their main channels and FREEVIEW this afternoon ?). As always SKY seem to get more than the FREEVIEW receivers for the same BBC Licence Fee ? We have had more in the past for some reason. We used to have 301 & 302. Couldn't they shut the Parliament channel down for two weeks (or even just the earlier rounds where more players are on court) to provide a more balanced coverage on all platforms. After all the cameras are and commentators are there using up the licence fee. It would be nice to see and hear them + the players of course.
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Saturday, 25 June 2011
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john owen4:49 PM
Belper
I am at postcode DE56 can get chan 5 (poor reception) via analogue but cant get any sign of freeview chanells on dtv via internal freeview box.How do I program the freeview facility ?
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john's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:05 PM
john owen: Unfortunately the first part of your post code isn't sufficient to obtain any reasonable level of accuracy concerning what's possible in your area, as there are large variations in the predictions dependant on what is entered for the second part of the code.
You cant as such really programme Freeview, as it depends on what is picked up during a scan, the channels stored only applicable to what was obtained at that particular time, as Freeview is not like analogue insomuch that something might appear later on that wasn't there before.
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KMJ,Derby9:17 PM
john owen: According to the Digital UK postcode checker you are not expected to receive Freeview until switchover. Two transmitters (Belper relay and Ambergate) offer excellent reception from switchover, but on PSB muxes only. Mux BBCA will be available from 17th August; Mux D3+4 and Mux BBCB (Freeview HD) from 31st August. The COM Muxes might be receivable from Sutton Coldfield in September, but reception goes from variable to poor as time progresses. A carefully aligned group B aerial might still prove successful with reception of these muxes however as the deterioration in reception appears to be caused by interference from other signals using the same frequencies, rather than signals not being available from S/C.
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Robert Aquilina10:15 PM
Hi I am trying to help a friend whom is getting no signal. I am sure there is signal on the cable cause I tried it on another stb. I found the problem actually but I can`t find the way to change the Lnb to Unieversal. I have entered the secret menu by pressing 001 select but I couldn`t change it. It is a skybox Hd. Thanks for any help
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Sunday, 26 June 2011
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jb3810:01 AM
KMJ,Derby:(Re: john owen's posting) This has shown me that I really will have to refrain from using a split screen whilst on this website, as that's more than once I have missed the links on the RHS of the posting by them being obscured by the masking, hence reason for my comment re post code.
(Or of course I could alter the split to the left!)
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Sandy Rattray10:58 AM
Perth
Good morning,
I have just put up a large high gain group c/d aerial pointing to the Angus transmitter. It seems to pick up all of the stations available other than the HD Channels. They do not even seem to register as an option. The information from Angus is that they are being broadcast with as much power as some of the others. Can you tell me how to get them. The big Sony TV in the sitting room has an HD Freeview tuner.
kindest regards,
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Sandy's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Lynwen Davies6:33 PM
I have cancelled my sky TV subscription and bought a freesat box and I am trying to add nonfreesat programes when I scan I can only get obscure channels but not Dave, yesterday,five USA, 5* can you help?
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Monday, 27 June 2011
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Michael5:29 PM
I've read that after the analogue services close down the free bandwidth is to be sold to the G4 Neworks. Ofcom says that a very large number of Freeview viewers will then experience interference on their TVs from the G4 data passing between mobiles and masts around the country. Ofcom also say that most of the problem could be solved by viewers installing filters on their aerials. But about 30,000 will not be helped in that way. Apparently those who have an amp fitted to their aerial will be most affected. So far as the 30,000 who cannot be helped by filters are concerned: do you know which regional transmission areas will be affected?
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Tuesday, 28 June 2011
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dave bridges8:23 AM
we just got a tv with built in freeview, are we able to still set up our freeview box to the tv so that we can record of the box?
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jb385:29 PM
dave bridges: Are you meaning that you have Freeview box that you have been recording from (on whatever), or is it a PVR?
The main thing is that you can use both at the same time with the aerial either looping through one and on to the other, or each device being separately fed via a two way splitter, latter being the best but powered if not in a strong signal area, both the devices being coupled using a scart connection.
Maybe you could come back though with what the devices are, TV, box and recorder, as other connection possibilities exist.
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Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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John Fisher9:26 AM
Spalding
Briefly mentioned this before but have now seen it for myself and hoping for some advice.
Visited a friend yesterday to confirm what he had told me.
His freesat box is set up with the correct post code PE15 8QJ, which is March in Cambs,
and he gets ITV1 Anglia on 103 but on 101 he gets BBC1 London for his local progs.
We both think he should be getting BBC1 East on 101.
Any ideas please.
Thanks
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John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:59 AM
John Fisher: Are you sure he did actually enter his correct post code when setting up the box? as what you say suggests he hasn't.
However if indeed it was set up using the PE15 post code I would try giving it another factory reset scan and see what transpires, as something could have glitched along the line when the original was taking place, if still no joy try picking another post code from the yellow pages, maybe something from the Peterborough area.
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John Fisher10:26 AM
Thanks jb38
The reason I went there yesterday was to make sure he had the correct postcode in the setup.
The box had originally been setup by the dealer but on advice a factory reset was done with the same result.
The confusing thing is that he gets the correct ITV1 local area.
I was wondering about using another postcode and a you mention this I will suggest this to him.
Thanks again
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jb3812:30 PM
John Fisher: Yes, as it would be interesting to know the result of using an alternative post code.
That said though, if another factory reset scan has already been carried out and this problem still persists, then its inclined to point to a problem being with the actual box itself, especially as the post code has been recognised as far as Anglia TV is concerned.
Matter of fact I have to use a post code picked from the PE6 area (PE6 7ZX) to guarantee I have Anglia as my news area, as using my PE9 area one results in Central TV.
(Ask your friend to try using PE6 7ZX)
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Mike Dimmick2:21 PM
Michael: Whether you are affected will depend on exactly where the 4G transmitters end up being sited, and how powerful they are (how large an area they are intended to service), and the aerial group and polarization of your target transmitter.
The problem that will occur will be intermodulation, which is caused by having too much signal overall. Transmitting the 4G signals in a band that many aerials are *designed* to pick up well (Groups C/D, E and Wideband) means that, when the 4G signal is added to the TV transmissions, it could cause distortion in amplifiers and/or in the receiver's front end (which contains an amplifier). That distortion results in frequency-shifted copies of each transmission appearing as well as the original, which when added together, result in too many errors to be automatically corrected.
If you are using a transmitter that uses horizontal polarization, which most of the main transmitters do, you are less likely to be affected, as the 4G transmitters are expected to be using vertical polarization. Aerials pick up much less signal from the opposite polarization (Digital UK's predictor conservatively assumes 16 dB less, about 40x, most real aerials are better though it varies across the frequency range).
Vertically-polarized aerials generally have a wide acceptance angle in the horizontal plane, that is, signals arriving to the side of the aerial. If you're using a relay, you're more likely to be affected.
People using a transmitter that transmits in Group A or Group B should use a Group A or Group B aerial. In Group A the gain for a grouped aerial is far better than a wideband, for the same size aerial. If your transmitter uses Group A *and* Group B, a semi-wideband Group K covers both groups but cuts off well before reaching the 4G frequencies. Often Group K aerials are sold as Group B or Group B/K.
If you start to have problems after 4G services start up, the first step would be to remove any amplifiers you have, or turn them down, depending on whether the intermodulation is happening in the booster or in the receiver itself. If that doesn't help, add an attenuator to reduce signal levels.
I suspect Ofcom are saying that filters may not help if your transmitter uses C60, because filters steep enough to cut off all of C61 while avoiding C60 would need to have many tuned elements and are likely to be expensive. You would only need a filter if the received signal strength from the 4G transmitter was substantially higher than from the TV transmitter. With the clearance programme still in the early stages of planning, it's hard to say exactly who would be affected.
I do think their 30,000 homes is likely to be an underestimate, due to the overuse of extra-high-gain wideband aerials (frequently where a smaller grouped aerial would have delivered more gain, and where high gain wasn't even necessary) and viewers' tendency to add a booster when any reception problem occurs.
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Mike Dimmick2:29 PM
Michael: I see from your previous posts that you're using Waltham. This is mostly a Group C/D transmitter but SDN will be transmitted down at C29, Group A, so you do need a wideband aerial. When the transmitter switches over at the end of August, I would recommend removing any boosters at that point.
Digital UK's trade predictor already shows a prediction of 100% across all six multiplexes, so you're likely to have problems with too much signal at switchover if you do have a booster, or a high gain aerial.
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David Hughes6:25 PM
My TV is HD Ready, If I get a HD box will all the programs watched be in HD or only the ones that are shown in HD?
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Thursday, 30 June 2011
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Shar11:35 AM
I have just returned from caravanning in France. My Philips DVDR5500 worked very well in all areas of the country. It tuned in to lots of French TV stations just as Briantist said it should. I was able to get the local weather forecast,my main need, and plan where to go next. Many thanks for the help.
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Ian Hill6:19 PM
with a new sky package you have to leave the box connected to a phone line for the first 12 months. Do you have to leave the card in the box as well or can it be removed?
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Mike Dimmick7:35 PM
Ian Hill: The card in the box contains the decryption keys necessary to decode encrypted subscription and free-to-view channels. If you take the card out you won't get the service you're paying for.
Assuming you're not just paying for the ability to receive the BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 channels via satellite, that is. You can do that for free. Compare freesat with Sky's free offer at Compare Freesat and Freesat-from-Sky TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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John Fisher8:45 PM
jb38
Thanks again.
I have passed on your information but they leave for Corfu tomorrow so he is leaving it until he gets back.
Using the information I did a rescan on my box and put in their postcode and got BBC East OK.
It appears that they have had BBC London since installation and thought nothing of it
through lack of knowledge of the Freesat setup.
However as the installation was 18 months ago I think they are unlikely to get any satifaction from the installer who must have left them with the wrong channel.
Next episode in 14 days or so.
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jb389:21 PM
John Fisher: Many thanks for the update as I was wondering how you got on, maybe you could give a further one when your friend returns.
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Friday, 1 July 2011
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NottsUK8:13 PM
Briantist: A news item on the SES Astra web site states, "ASTRA 1N is scheduled for launch tonight, July 1st, 2011. The satellite will be launched into space from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana onboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket between 23:43 and 1:06 am (July 1-2, 2011 Central European Summer Time)".
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Saturday, 2 July 2011
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NottsUK1:27 AM
Briantist: Unfortunately the launch has been postponed.
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daniel10:58 AM
Some changes are needed on your channel list.
Tv news freeview channel 90 closed a few weeks ago.
Gems tv1 has moved to MUX C, vacated the MUX A slot and went 24 hours a day.
Because of the changes to gems tv quest now broadcasts 24 hours a day.
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daniel: I'm sorry I've been on holiday and broke my ankle, so I have not had the opportunity to check the listings.
It would appear that there have been some multiplex changes to those channels and a couple of adult ones, and also Channel Zero has moved to D/ARQB.
Also Luxury Life has gone from satellite, and JML Cookshop has been replaced by Argos TV. Sport XXX Babes is now Bluebird 5, 40+ Readers Wives now Bluebird 1 and Club Paradiso now Storm TV.
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Sunday, 3 July 2011
NottsUK:
ASTRA 1N satellite will be for German, French and Spanish channels and will move to 19.2' east.
See; DTG :: News :: ASTRA 1N satellite to launch on 1 July (RH163LB)
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NottsUK6:22 PM
Mark A. This can be found on the SES Astra web site. "The satellite offers 52 Ku-band transponders and will first provide interim capacity at 28.2° East. Subsequently it will be moved to 19.2° East, from where it will mainly serve the German, French and Spanish markets". I assume it will be staying at 28.2 East until Astra 2F launches next year.
Brazil have just scored another goal against Norway on the ZDF HD channel making it Brazil 3 Norway 0.
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apasc8:57 PM
Hi, I currently subscribe to sky but i am considering stopping as too expensive. Will i be able to use my existing sky dish and digibox to get freesat or do I need to buy a new digibox?
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Monday, 4 July 2011
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Mary Hopkin9:37 PM
I agree with listeners to BBC Radio 4's FEEDBACK programme (Fri 13:30 rpt Sun 20:02) that complaining to the BBC is a nightmare and often a total waste of time and effort. I have rung 03700 100 222 over ten times to complain that the savings pages on the TV digital text services accessed from text page 200 and pressing savings are displaying gobbledigook for one type of savings accounts with the columns not lined up with the titles I think its INTERNET ACCOUNTS NO BONUS and have they corrected this after TWO YEARS, have a guess !! I remember the days when you could ask for the CEEFAX department and the BBC would correct mistakes while you watched !! THOSE WERE THE DAYS
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daniel11:24 PM
@apasc You will be able to get all the freesat from sky channels, have a look at this website channel list to see what's available. You can get these channels with your existing equipment after your sub is cancelled. However once your subscription to sky lapses if you have sky+ or sky hd you will not be able to record the free channels as the recording trigger is part of the sky sub. If recording is a must you will need to check the same channel list to see whether the freesat channel list has all the channels you wish to view. If they do they you can buy a freesat+ box which will record without any sub.
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Tuesday, 5 July 2011
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James2:43 PM
I am about to cancel my Sky subscription but before I do I just tested to see if I can still access my Freeview channels without the SkyBox connected.
I disconnected everything and plugged in the roof aerial.
The EPG button on the tv remote does not work and re-reading the instructions it says press 'Digital menu' (to install Freeview channels). Nothing happens when I press the Digital menu.
Is there a way that Sky could have scrambled my TV's software and Freeview programmes? I wouldn't put it past them!
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daniel2:56 PM
@James Your sky box is designed to work with a satellite dish only. Even when your subscription lapses this will give you some free channels.
However if you want the freeview service which works though the roof aerial you are going to have to buy a freeview set top box. Standard ones are cheep as chips usually around 20 quid from a supermarket. A hd one that does not record can you to between £50-100 quid roughly. A record freeview is usually £150+
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daniel2:58 PM
@Brian
Just thought I would give you a heads up, freeview have confirmed the food network is coming to freeview on there website. It will be on channel 49 starting on 7th July. Broadcast hours will be 6pm-10pm. No word on what multiplex it will be on yet.
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abby gillespie9:31 PM
Can someone please help me with a problem. I have a Humax PVR9150T which I used to use with a roof aerial. My new apartment only has an aerial point for a freeview digibox so I bought one to watch tv but can I somehow link the Bush freeview digibox with my Humax so I can watch and record tv through my Humax or do I have to pay for yet another rooftop aerial to use my Humax?? Please make your explanation as simple as you can as I'm not very technical!!! Many thanks
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G GUY11:04 PM
What channels and at what frequency can I get on my analogue receiver. on Astra 19
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Mike Dimmick11:15 PM
abby gillespie: The Humax PVR 9150T is a full Freeview digital box as well as a recorder. However, it only has one tuner, so you can't necessarily watch one channel while recording another (although my 9200T allows you to watch channels that are part of the same multiplex as one being recorded).
Even if the box does not add its output so it can be tuned in as an analogue TV station - the component is called an 'RF modulator' - it usually does reproduce the input on an output socket so you can chain devices together. It should be possible to plug the RF output of one box into the input of another, you should have received a cable ('fly lead') with the box. If not you can buy a fly lead.
Alternatively you can buy a splitter to split the signal from one outlet to multiple boxes. This often produces slightly better results.
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Wednesday, 6 July 2011
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Mike Dimmick12:33 AM
G GUY: See Astra 1H/1KR/1L/1M/2C at 19.2°E - LyngSat for frequencies and channels. You should be able to get anything marked as 'PAL'.
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Thursday, 7 July 2011
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daniel10:57 AM
@Mike Dimmick
Thats incorrect, I know loads of people with a 9150T humax box. Its twin tuner. They have been able to record one thing while watching another to its built in HDD.
Are you thinking of the T2 single tuner in error?
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daniel2:27 PM
Food Network has now been added to MUX C. This is a welcome channel to freeview in my opinion even if it is only on air a few hours a day.
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Mike Dimmick2:31 PM
daniel, abby gillespie: Sorry, my error, the 9150T is indeed a dual tuner. I was assuming that it was a follow-on to the PVR-8000T which my parents have, which is indeed a single tuner, and that it was inferior to my 9200T.
(The 9200T has a USB download port, separate video/audio jacks and a S/PDIF digital audio output, which the 9150T doesn't. The 9300T drops the USB port but gains an HDMI port.)
abby: In that case my advice changes, you don't need the Bush box at all, unless you want to watch something else when *two* other programmes are being recorded, and what you want to watch isn't on the same multiplex as either of the recorded programmes.
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daniel3:36 PM
Just noticed tv news is still listed on the channel list. This is right at the very bottom of the list. Surly this should be removed as the channel is closed down
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Friday, 8 July 2011
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John Vincent12:09 PM
Chelmsford
HELP! I have a digital t.v. with hardrive built-in. I was unaware anything was happening this year(2011).
Should I be re-tuning my set?
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John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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KMJ,Derby12:57 PM
John Vincent: If, as seems likely, you are receiving signals from Crystal Palace (BBC London news) no re-tunes are required for DSO until 4th April 2012 and 18th April 2012. If you are receiving analogue transmissions from Sudbury and have lost BBC2, then yes, re-tune now for Mux BBCA, then again on 20th July 2011 for DSO stage 2 and also on 27th June 2012 when the COM muxes change frequency and switch on their high power transmitters. The Digital UK postcode checker makes no prediction for reception of Freeview from Sudbury at your location until high power working is adopted.
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Paul3:33 PM
Chelmsford
I live in Chelmsford (sudbury transmitter).
Can get BBC 1 BBC2 ITV1 and Channel 4 through tv ariel, but can only get the BBC channels on freeview.
How do i get ITV 1 and C4 on freeview?
Any advice?
Thanks
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Paul's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 11 July 2011
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John Fisher9:37 AM
Spalding
Getting ready for switchover in PE11 2EF Belmont - I have purchased a Panasonic BWT700EB Freeview HD+ unit.
After setup I was surprised to find I had all the HD channels as I understood these were not to be available until switchover.
However later when going through the various menus I found Signal Condition which also has an entry called Network Name and in this it had East Yorks & Lincs but when I checked the HD channels the network name changed to Cambs & Beds.
All four HD channels were shown to be on CH 21 - 474mhz.
When I went to ITV1HD the banner on the screen, or whatever the correct name is, was showing Meridian News but was in fact showing London News.
All very confusing and I am assuming at switchover these HD channels will be cancelled out by a stronger signal from Belmont.
Which transmitter is my unit picking these HD channels up from which are shown to have a signal strength of around 7.
One other query is that on the normal channel the screen banner shows MPEG but on the HD channels it shows HE-AAC.
Thanks
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John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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KMJ,Derby10:54 AM
Paul: The Digital UK postcode checker makes no prediction for current reception (from Sudbury) of ITV1 and C4 on Freeview at your location. However good reception is shown for Mux D3+4 from Sudbury after DSO stage 2 on 20th July 2011. Good reception of Mux ArqA (Sky News etc) and Mux ArqB (ITV4, Film4 etc) is not expected until 27th June 2012.
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KMJ,Derby11:20 AM
John Fisher: You are receiving Freeview HD from Sandy Heath. After DSO stage 2 at Belmont on 17th August 2011 the HD mux will be transmitted on C28. If your tuner continues to place Sandy Heath channels in the "normal" positions in the channel list (these are found first when scanning for channels) and then puts Belmont HD channels in the 800s it will be necessary to enter the Belmont channels manually. Some tuners ask for a preferred region to be entered where more than one transmitter is available, others might choose the strongest signal.
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