All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Alan: Well the question was based on the assumption that as the second TV was being used to pick up the "analogue" RF output from the Sky box on one of its channels it would also be used to view other non Sky analogue channels as well, that being the commonly done thing "if" a persons Sky box has a normal aerial connected to its "aerial in" socket.
This is a very convenient way of doing things for people with analogue bedroom TV's, as the normal aerial signal passes through the Sky box from its "aerial in" to "RF out" but along with an additional channel from the Sky box modulator (just like another channel!) this enabling people to either select to view the Sky box channel or just choose any of the other normal analogue broadcasts, (BBC / ITV etc) however now you have asked this question it could suggest that the second TV is just being used as a single channel monitor for the Sky box and you don't actually have a normal connected anywhere?
It should be appreciated that you haven't mentioned anything about your set up except the problem, and so an element of guess work based on normal procedure has to be involved.
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Gordon: Should you be making this request with reference to the procedure described in the previous posting (to Alan) could you please clarify the type of box being referred to, (1) Sky HD box, or (2) Virgin V+ box.
It should be said at this point that the Virgin V+ box involves purchasing either a video sender or a separate modulator to feed to other rooms, plus what is actually possible being dependant on whether its an old version or bang up to date model involved, the older version being somewhat easier!
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Alan: Yes! what you have done is quite correct if the second TV is being used purely as an extension for viewing Sky programmes, however if the two cables you refer to includes the sat dish input then it doesn't appear you have a normal aerial connected to the Sky box "aerial input" socket, this being necessary to enable your second TV (or even main TV fed from RF1) to view other analogue TV channels.
Of course I do appreciate that you may possibly reside in a freeview only area where the analogue signal has been switched off, or that its just that you do not have an operational normal aerial and view entirely via satellite, this being why you cannot test the second TV's analogue reception.
Sky box modulator is the prime suspect though! and so the test referred to in one of my previous replies (Jan 27th / 3.32PM) should be carried out and if this proves OK then the second TV is at fault, although you should "up" the channel you are using for the Sky box RF output and likewise re-tune your second TV so that it picks up the new channel setting, as this procedure could possibly help alleviate the problem in either device. (second TV or the Sky box)
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Denver: An unpowered two way splitter should never be used where freeview is involved as these type of devices reduce the signal strength, the very last thing that's wanted!
You should really use a powered booster / splitter in the loft as this amplifies the signal before any interference can be picked up in the downlead.
There are lots of different types about but for safety reasons don't go for the cheapest when it will most likely be kept permanently powered by the mains, as some of the cheaper "obscure branded" types available from sources such as e-bay etc can run rather hot if left on for lengthy periods of time, that said though there is nothing whatsoever to worry about where it involves well known brands such as Antiference or Labgear, to name but a couple of Brands.
Most people have these type of devices powered year in year out and are never switched off.
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Gordon: The most likely reason is that the RF2 output socket is not powered up and to do this you will have to enter the engineers menu.
You select - "Services" then press (in reasonably quick succession) 0-0-1 and then "Select", the menu should show RF outlets (power and channel) so just switch the power on.
(Older Sky boxes used 4-0-1 then select)
Bye the way only the reason I queried the actual box type was because V+ refers to a Virgin cable box, Sky is only Sky+HD.
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Gordon: Are you sure your lead to the other TV is connected to RF2 as its the only one that gets powered, RF1 never does even although the menu suggests otherwise.
I am also taking it that you can actually view on the other set and that its just the magic eye that doesnt work? as when you swapped boxes over the second TV would have to be re-scanned unless you knew what the RF output channel was on your other box.
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Gordon: If you can see Sky on the second TV without having carried out a re-tune then the old box must also have been set to 68 the default channel, although you can set that to any channel you please to avoid clashing with an analogue broadcast channel then re tune the TV so that it follows the change.
However as far as your problem is concerned, if you have coupled up things correctly and made sure that no slackness exists in the co-ax connections (most important!) for test purposes I suggest you couple the magic eye directly into the RF2 output on the Sky box and see if the eye responds to commands, keep the eye behind the TV so that the Sky box doesn't directly pick up the control and by-pass the eye.
You are not alone with your problem as numerous people experience problems with magic eye units, this especially so when they change boxes as they can be quite critical devices which in many cases just work and no more at the best of times, that is even when used in a perfect continuous cable run without any links.
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NMF82: Bit of a baffler this one! you shouldn't be able to get anything on your second TV with your Sky box off unless you reside in an area with an exceptionally strong analogue signal enabling it to filter through the Sky box in the same it does if a booster is switched off.
Leaving the magic eye off, try using the Sky boxes RF1 (not 2) output to feed your second TV and see what results you get, if its not very good give your second TV a re-scan to make sure it is locked onto the Sky boxes output, and once that is established reconnect the eye as before as well as changing the second TV's feed back to RF2 and check the results.
Just for my info, do you view other analogue TV stations on the second TV by having an normal aerial connection into the Sky box?
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Keith Thacker: Purely on the Humax HDR issue, are you sure that when you were going through the original set up procedure you selected "two dish input", as although it might not apply in your case but anyone who updated to a dual or quad input who had originally stated off with a single input looped to LNB2 will not get correct operation until a complete reset is carried out, as the Humax box is unable to recognise a change to a proper twin input.
Another point is, you should test each of the Humax's LNB inputs individually by carrying out a "freesat" scan (this chosen at installation menu) on LNB1, note what you receive including the signal strength / quality, then using the same input lead swap it over to LNB2 and scan again noting if anything has changed, as that's the only way to verify if both inputs are performing properly.
As far as postcodes are concerned, pick a few from your local phone book as the Humax wont always recognise every one, and once your problem is rectified should you find that the BBC/ITV news service isn't correct for where you reside just enter a postcode chosen from the phone book applicable to an area closer to the district you require, the reason I say this is that numerous people put up with viewing what's supposed to be their local news but isn't! simply because they don't realise they can quite easily rectify the problem this way.
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Friday 28 January 2011 8:28AM
Andrew: Judging by your location of only being approximately 12 miles away from the main Emley Moor transmitter and yet your area is being served by a relay station makes it rather obvious that the terrain around your area causes severe reception problems, so if after switchover Emley Moor is still out of the equation I would suggest that an easy to mount / low wind resistance log periodic aerial be fitted externally and with this being fed into a standard (not high gain version) 3 way booster / splitter fitted in the loft.