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Freeview intermittent interference

When you get occasional sound loss or picture freezes

When you get occasional sound loss or picture freezes
published on UK Free TV

There are several different types of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:

  • Freeview reception is perfect or near-perfect most of the time
  • The audio on TV and radio channels mutes momentarily a few times each minute
  • The picture on a Freeview channel freezes a few times each minute


There are two main causes of this type of intermittent interference:
  • 'Induction' interference
  • Mobile phone interference


Induction interference

Induction interference is caused by mains-powered household devices that contain a large motor, such as:
  • Washing machine;
  • Tumble dryer;
  • Central heating pump or combination boiler;
  • Fridge;
  • Freezer;
  • Power tools (drills, jigsaws etc)
  • Vacuum cleaners;
  • Water pumps;
  • Automatic doors


You can identify if one or more of these devices is causing the Freeview reception problem by powering off the devices.

If one of these devices is causing the problem, then the reception problem can usually be solved by using a mains filter device and use it on the Freeview boxes mains connection.



Such as device is this: Maplin: 6-Way Flat Screen and HDTV Surge Protector and Mains Filter.

Mobile phone interference

If you keep a mobile phone by your Freeview box or digital television, keep it further away!

This also applies to other transmitters such as baby monitors, video senders, walkie talkies, and portable phones.

Help with Freeview, aerials?
How do I get a test card with Freeview1
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In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
Digital Region Overlap4
Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Thursday, 21 April 2011
H
helen
7:55 AM

Many thanks .... yes I have a booster,will remove.

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helen's 3 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:57 AM

helen: Let me know how you get on.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
H
helen
4:25 PM

Hi.... I tried without booster ... still freezes :(

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helen's 3 posts GB flag
B
Brian Springthorpe
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

5:37 PM

We are getting a bit of breakup, (i.e. pixellation), on certain Freeview channels.

We are receiving Freeview by way of the transmitter at Llandonna on Anglesey.

We have 3 TV sets around the house all running off the same aerial but we are not getting the same problem with all of them. It is only happening to the old TV that has a separate set top box.

I reckon its an atmospheric problem associated with that set top box.

It only seems to happen when high tide occurs.

link to this comment
Brian Springthorpe's 76 posts GB flag
S
Steve
8:14 PM
Cannock

Hi - I live in WS12 4TU. I am receiveing my signal from Sutton Coldfield. I have a Samsung TV and a Humax PVR. I have a recommended digital aerial in the loft and this is connected to my PVR which then connects to the TV. The TV signal is excellent with no issue. The PVR signal is shown at 100% but the quality goes up and down all the time. Anything recorded is unwatchable due to breakup. I have replaced cables and put in a surge/main protector but cannot solve the issue
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

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Steve's 1 post GB flag
Steve's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
M
Michael Stark
11:05 PM

This week has been a nightmare regarding the TV. The picture starts to break-up, the sound begins to go and eventually the whole thing goes. Tonight we have been without ITV, BBC1, Channel 4 for the whole evening! What is going on, has anyone any ideas??

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Michael Stark's 1 post GB flag
Friday, 22 April 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:52 AM

Steve: Move your aerial to the roof and use it unamplified.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:52 AM

helen: Please see the top of the page.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:57 AM

Brian Springthorpe: I would start by changing the aerial cable connecting to your problematic box, this is often the cause of such problems.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
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