My ITV/C4 Freeview channels have disappeared - what can I do? Is it my SCART ca
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV It is a feature of television signals that they can be effected by the weather. Aside from the obvious damaged that can be caused by wind or torrential rain, the onset of summer can cause a more intriguing problem called "inversion".
Basically, when the sun heats up the land, the hot air can get trapped below cold air at high level. This creates an "inversion layer" which acts like a polished mirror to TV signals. This causes two problems: you can receive both the original and a reflected signal from your own transmitter (on analogue TV this appears as "ghosting") or interference from TV transmitters that are normally too far distant.
The ITV/C4 multiplex of channels (ITV-1, ITV-2, ITV-3, ITV-4, CITV, C4, More4, E4, Quizcall) use a transmission "mode" called 64QAM, and it is sadly much more prone to these problems.
So, whilst a loft-mounted aerial will provide reception at some time, it will fail at others. The only real solution is to mount the aerial (or a new Class I aerial) outside on a pole, but some people report that changing the cable from the aerial to the set-top box to the high-grade satellite cable can also help.
The SCART connection, by the way, only carries a single TV picture, not the Freeview transmission multiplexes, so if this is disconnected it will result in degradation to every channel at once.
All questions
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Sunday, 14 September 2014
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jb385:33 PM
Dan: Numerous viewers using Goodman's boxes, as well as other brands which use the same chassis, have been suffering from this problem since the recent channel update, the reason for the problem being suspected by some as yet, undetermined change having been made to the structure of the BBC signal, and which has shown up a deficiency in the software used by Goodman's boxes, as to my knowledge only they are being affected.
Unfortunately, nothing can really be done about the situation, that is unless Goodman's provides an over air download to update the software, or alternatively, that the BBC reverses any changes suspected as being responsible for the problem.
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ian8:37 PM
jb38: we had a power surge in the ne296xz area and now have no signal even though we have an amplified system any help would be realy appreciated
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jb389:03 PM
ian: Well, much as many are understandably loathe about doing this, but before checking anything its always advisable to try and make a local enquiry (neighbour etc) to find out if others are also being affected.
That said, as Pontop Pike is indicated as being the transmitter that covers your area then its unlikely that any power surge would have affected the station, and if its ascertained that the problem is purely confined to your installation then if possible? try bypassing the booster by connecting the aerial directly into your TV, retuning not necessary unless you have already tried this since the problem occurred, because if you have and the booster has blown, then nothing will be stored in the tuners memory.
Further advice dependant on reply.
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jb389:35 PM
ian : Also meant to say, that before carrying out the booster bypass test, try switching the power supply to the booster off for a few minutes before powering it up again, as "some" types of boosters can cut out if any overload is detected, with switching off then on again being the only way of resetting them.
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jb389:59 PM
ian : By the way, on having carried out a quick Google earth check on given location, should by "amplified aerial system" you are really referring to a receiving the signal via an outlet point from a local communal aerial distribution system? then its essential to find out if any others are being affected as the problem could be due to the distribution amplifier having failed.
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Monday, 15 September 2014
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Nightjar12:32 PM
I have to say that I can make the BBC channels to work if I simply decide to watch that one channel.
For example, I love University Challenge and Only Connect so will tune into BBC2 just before 8pm and, barring any initial freezing (wherein I'll dis/re-connect the plug repeatedly until it stabilises) I'll simply watch that channel for an hour before un/re-connecting the plug again and changing to an unaffected channel.
Absurd I know, but it's amazing how I'll adapt to inconveniences like this.
God I'm stingy.
People here have been saying I shouldn't have to buy a new TV, and I do broadly concur, but the fact I'm watching a cruddy 15-year-old Matsui cathode-ray thing rescued from a skip should tell me something about my attitude to spending money (on anything other that fine wines) and where I'm going wrong.
*looks shifty*
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Isla5:41 PM
@Nightjar I did the exact same with Bakeoff on Wednesday last week, but I don't see that as a long-term solution...!
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MikeP
8:56 PM
8:56 PM
Nightjar
In your case replacing the TV will not be a solution as the problem may be with your freeview box or aerial system. A CRT TV will be too old to have any built in Freeview or Freesat facility. That is provided by a separate box.
What make of box do you have?
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MikeB10:06 PM
Isla: ' I don't see that as a long-term solution...! '
Indeed - you put with this sort of thing for a little while, but it is a pain. I'm still waiting to hear back from the BBC, and I'm probably going to email Goodmans, mainly on the basis of 'why not?'
Until there is either a patch from whoever actually cares about Goodmans/Bush etc's software, or a change from the Beeb, we are sort of stuck.
Nightjar: At some point that Matsui is going to die (even if the box comes back to life).
My professional advice is to find the right size for the room, buy one of the four major brands (LG, Samsung, Sony or Panasonic), and get Freeview HD, Full HD Wifi & Smart. Get the best picture you can for your money. You can get the full monty in 32in for less than £300 or less. And dont be afraid to ask questions in a proper shop - we like helping!
In the meantime, hopefully things will get sorted out soon. And there is nothing wrong in spending money on good wine!
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Isla10:34 PM
@mikeb I sent an email to Barb asking if they were aware of the problem and if they had any sway in asking the BBC for a fix. No response thus far but they are usually pretty good at getting back to queries. I'll let you know when I hear.
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