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?
Thursday, 30 October 2014
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MikeB10:00 PM
Jan: Your only 13km from Crystal Palace, so check the lounge TV's signal level - if the Samsung's are different models, their tuners may have slightly different thresholds when it comes to signal strength. Its likely that the signal strength is just too high. Search for 'too much of a good thing' on this site, and go from there.
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Monday, 10 November 2014
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Michael10:18 PM
Cambridge
Normally the picture is good from Sandy Heath in post code CB231HR using our Freeview box with new attic aerial, but recently:-
- on Friday evening 7th November, something was causing intermittent picture break-up while watching Nashville Music (ch 9?)
- and on Saturday morning 8th November, it was much worse, with a lot of picture break-up, especially BBC1 and 2 and some channels were showing "No signal".
Can you advise please if there were any known transmission problems or adverse weather conditions.
Thank you
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Michael's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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MikeB10:36 PM
Michael: If your getting 'no signal', then it means just that! Since checking R & T Investigation says everything is fine (no surprise), its your aerial system with the broble. Could be a loose connection, moisture in the system, a frayed/broken cable. etc.
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J
jb3811:15 PM
Michael: Although that said by MikeB is quite correct for the dates referred to, but be aware of possible interruptions to the service occurring at any time during this week starting today, as engineering work is being carried out at the Sandy transmitter.
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Tuesday, 11 November 2014
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MikeB5:45 PM
Michael: JB38 is quite right, there might be interruptions on Sandy Heath this week.
However, when I checked your position in relation to the transmitter, your only 16km away. Since too high a signal can look a lot like too low, check your signal strength first. If its 100% or close, then look at this page: Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you
If its continually really low, then its probably your aerial system.
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J
jb3811:25 PM
MikeB: There is of course another factor that has to be taken into account when referring to Michaels location, insomuch that the signal being received from the Sandy transmitter suffers from a rather sizeable line-of-sight obstruction starting from approximately 2 miles down to 1 mile prior to the Great Eversden area, a somewhat lesser one existing at around 0.5 miles, signals received via an element of diffraction being far more vulnerable to reacting in an adverse way to any slight changes in levels, such as caused by atmospheric reasons or even minor changes that might be made at the transmitter.
The L.O.S obstruction referred to as seen by opening the link.
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
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Wednesday, 19 November 2014
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Kevin Ross6:51 PM
Hi there. I have had my tv & Talktalk youview box for only 9 months and both been working perfectly until almost 3 weeks ago when the picture, in particular HD channels, intermittently freezes or pixelated an breaks up. It happens rarely on SD channels but frequently on HD. I have fitted a 4g filter to no effect and retuned the digibox and tried the TV with just the aerial and nothing works. Please could someone help me
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MikeB7:48 PM
Kevin Ross: You havn't given us a postcode, but I willing the bet your signal strength is too high. Check it, and look at this page :https://ukfree.tv/article/1107051892/Freeview_signals_too_much_of_a_good_thing_is_bad_f
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Kevin Ross10:11 PM
Glasgow
Hi mike b. My postcode is G42 7JG. GLASGOW.
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Kevin's: mapK's Freeview map terrainK's terrain plot wavesK's frequency data K's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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MikeB10:27 PM
Kevin Ross: Your about 25km from Black Hill, so not that far. Have a look at the signal strength...
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