Freeview intermittent interference
Brian Butterworth 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?
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
H
helena10:23 AM
hi just got a new 52 inch tv last nite second hand from a friend but have noticed now that i have no reception on my mobile phone have to go outside to use it is their a reason tv would be causing this? thanks
| link to this comment |
C
Christine H3:45 PM
Stroud
I'm experiencing pixilated pictures, freezing in the sound and picture going on a nd off, it began as I recall in mid April, prior to this the picture was perfect, I have retuned my TV but that hasn't made any difference. I'm sure this happened at the same time last year also...any ideas? Postcode GL6 7JA. Thank you for any help you can offer.
| link to this comment |
Christine's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Christine H: Please see Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice - also try My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound or the channel line up is wrong | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
Sunday, 8 May 2011
M
Mrs V Sowerby8:22 AM
Holsworthy
I am writing to enquire why lately the picture seems to stop and the I get the NO SIGNAL only on the BBC, at the moment it is very bad and has ruined several programs to which I was looking forward. When this is not happenning a jarring and little blocks appear with a hopping in the dialogue. I had hoped with the onset of digital viewing would become a pleasure. This problem seems not to occur on any other Channel.
| link to this comment |
Mrs's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
K
KMJ,Derby2:28 PM
Mrs V Sowerby: As the problem is only occuring on BBC channels it suggests that the signal on Mux BBCA could be weaker than that on the other muxes. Are you sure that your receiver has tuned to the correct frequency for the transmitter that the aerial is pointing at.If you are receiving Caradon Hill services (aerial pointing slightly E of due South) you should be tuned to C28+. It is possible that a weak signal from Stockland Hill on C26+ has been found instead. If your aerial is set on Huntshaw Cross (roughly NE) the correct frequency is C62-.In that case signals from Caradon or Stockland may have been found earlier in the scan.Do a factory reset to clear the channel list before scanning or manually entering the correct frequencies for your location. If the correct frequencies are stored and the problem still persists it is possible that trees in leaf are partly blocking the signal path and only affecting the BBC mux or you have interference which only affects one frequency from a device such as a 2 way radio.
| link to this comment |
D
dissgrunteled2:30 PM
Like you we too are having great trouble with the bbc freeviw channels.Which at the moment make all bbc is unwatchable. This is after purchasing digital televisions plus expensive ariel upgrades plus an ariel amplifiers. All other channels are ok the trouble lies with the bbc and we are with sight of the Emley Moor transmitter mast.
| link to this comment |
K
kevin evans10:23 PM
Wolverhampton
which transmitter has the best signal for my area wv44rq wolverhampton
| link to this comment |
kevin's: mapK's Freeview map terrainK's terrain plot wavesK's frequency data K's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 9 May 2011
M
Mike Dimmick1:56 PM
Kevin Evans: The Wrekin should give the best results. You're slightly closer to Sutton Coldfield, which will be more powerful after switchover than The Wrekin is now (having switched), but there's a hill in the way, which substantially reduces the signal levels and the probability of reliable reception.
Some multiplexes will still be a bit unreliable as they're still on low power until the end of September, but it's really not worth changing to Sutton Coldfield for six months.
If you had reliable reception from The Wrekin before switchover, and it's now become unreliable, you may have too much signal. If you have a booster or amplifier, try without it.
| link to this comment |
J
John Frail5:50 PM
I too have been having trouble getting a picture on bbc channels. When I first tuned freeview the bbc picture was classed as good, and was reliable. As the switchovers have occurred over the east midlands the picture changed to being average, and now to either unwatchable or non existent. I thought as nearby transmitters changed over to digital the signal got stronger. In my case it seems to be the opposite.
| link to this comment |
Select more comments
Your comment please