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?
Monday, 15 October 2018
C
Clayton Taylor8:32 PM
Hi Mike,
I checking again on Digital UK - Coverage checker with my post code, like you said as I type. There are two areas I'm checking, PLANNED MAINTENANCE & RECEPTION FORECAST & RETUNE DATES. It says, Planned engineering work this week on 22 main transmitters and 106 relays. When I looked at the detail, CARADON HILL isn't listed under Westcountry, so I assume all is o.k.
However, looking at the RECEPTION FORECAST it says under standard reception, GOOD for 21 CAHNNELS. Then under a tab below that, a tab called, CHANNELS AVAILABLE AT YOUR ADDRESS, which gives more detail. Under general entertainment only, I counted about 69 channels of which 17 channels are only rated GOOD = GREEN DOT & the rest, POOR/NO RECEPTION = BROWN/RED DOT.
So not so good after all for today & all still a bit confusing. The only thing which looks good is the retune date around APRIL/JUNE 2019, where all the channesl seem to have GREEN DOTS.
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Saturday, 24 November 2018
I use the Westwood Transmitter on Freeview. Several mornings, most BBC Channels have pixellation and sound noise but other Channels do not experience this. This happens mostly in the mornings. Is there a problem with the Transmitter?
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Sunday, 25 November 2018
MikeP
11:14 AM
11:14 AM
Brian Oliver:
Please provide a full posy code so that we can examine the reception conditions at your location.
There are n o reported propblems with the transmitter at Westwoo, Bradford-on-Avon. So please check all you aerial connections. If there are plugs/sockets please unplug and then refit, that will clear any corrosion/oxidation from the contacts.
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Sunday, 9 December 2018
G
Gilberto10:44 AM
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It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's tough to get
that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appeal.
I must say you have done a very good job with this. Also, the blog
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Friday, 21 December 2018
A
Anne Roberts5:56 PM
Still getting intermittent 'tv no signal' is it due to inclement weather or 4G? as far as I know all cable connections ok
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MikeP
9:40 PM
9:40 PM
Anne Roberts:
To enable us contributors to offer any meaningful advice we need you to provide a full post code so we can see what the expected receptions should be like at your location. You coiuld be usong any one of the over 1100 transmitters and we need to identify which using your post code.
Please also recheck ALL the aerial cables and connections, unplugging any coaxial plug/socket and then refitting. That will clear the corrosuion/oxidation from the contact surfaces which is the most common cause of the problems you report.
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Monday, 24 December 2018
Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing if you are not understanding something
entirely, however this article provides good understanding yet.
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Friday, 28 December 2018
P
prace na zamówienie11:57 PM
Super strona i jeszcze lepszy artyku. Ciekawy, przemylany, nowatorski.
Czekam na wicej
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Tuesday, 15 January 2019
R
Robin4:43 PM
I have two televisions, both had perfect Freeview last week, both have problems now, I have changed Nothing in my house. What is wrong with the transmitter. live in Almondbury and have direct sight line to the new tower
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S
StevensOnln15:20 PM
Robin: Most likely nothing is wrong with the transmitter. There is currently high atmospheric pressure over various parts of the UK, which causes signals from distant transmitters which would not normally be receivable to interfere with the signal which you are trying to receive. This is an entirely natural phenomenon which has been known about and understood by broadcast engineers for over 50 years and there is nothing that can be done about it. If the problems continue after the high pressure has ended then further investigation is needed to find the cause of the problem. In any case, do not attempt to retune as this will not fix anything and will likely make the problem worse.
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