All posts by MikeB
Below are all of MikeB's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Mike Incles: You might not like the tone, but Brianist is absolutely right - using IE9 is a risk for you, as well as inconvienent.
Firstly, IE is the by far the most likely browser to be attacked on the net by hackers, etc, simply becuase its the browser that comes with a PC. Using IE is arguably more risky that using Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari or any other of the huge number of browsers out there. I have to admit I have not really used IE for years, preferring Firefox (although there are some sites that will only work with IE), but whatever you do, upgrade that browser so it a newer and less vunerable version. Yours is almost 4 years old - thats a long time for hackers to find ways of messing with it!
I well understand the idea of leaving well alone if its working , which why its often wise to leave a software update for a couple of days to make sure that any glitch is ironed out first.
However, I'm sure you have your security software updates enabled, and upgrading your browser is no different - its safer, often faster, and frankly, an older browser will not allow you to get the best out of a particular web page, such as this one. I had exactly the same problem viewing this site on Saturday will on a break at work, because the PC I was using was still running IE9 as well.
Hopefully, you will upgrade, and be safer on the net.
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Suzette: The choice is yours, but of course most people want to record and watch at their leisure, so the Freesat option is a good one (and yes, Freeview isn't really an option for you). A Humax Freesat PVR is currently £179 http://www.johnlewis.com/…2135 , and is the one we recommend at work. Since Sky will charge you £10 a month to record, its basically paid for itself in 18 months.
Since that box has both scart and hdmi connections, you could swap it out right now, without changing your TV.
When you do want to change your TV, my advice would be to measure the width of your existing TV, and its depth - you will be surprised at just how big it is. If its a 28-32in deep TV, then your a 40-42in TV (remember the new TV will be much thinner, and will be pushed back still further). As for distance, try this guide - What size TV should I buy? - Which? Technology - it agrees with what I've always said, about three times the size of the screen away from the TV is where you should be.
You should have Freeview HD as standard, and I'd go for one of the major brands (Panasonic, Samsung, Sony or LG) - they do good stuff! Expect to pay around £299 for a basic 40in Buy Samsung UE40H5000 LED HD 1080p TV, 40" with Freeview HD | John Lewis - the more you pay, generally the more equipment (like smart and wifi) you get (the very decent LG42 580 is £379), and around the £450-500 mark you'll go up to the mid level, which has a better picture. The Samsung 40 6400 is excellent value at £449 currently.
Some TV's will have Freesat tuners, but I'm seeing a fair number with generic sat tuners (Sony and LG) - so you will get the channels, but you'll have to hunt around for them.
A great way to compare TV's is to go to a proper shop (not a supermarket or a catalogue), ask questions, and ask them to put on some film credits. They are black, white and they move. A great test for the black/white levels and how well it handles movement - which is what your paying for. Hope you get something thats perfect for you.
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JudithU: I'd be interested to know what the TV was, but I'm afraid to ask the name of the retailer....
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John Martin: Firstly, what problems, and just how many people have reported them? The bulk of problems to do with getting a digital signal seem to be no different to those having a problem with analogue - weather, confusion over tuning or problems with their aerial (check out the questions on this site going back to the start, if you don't believe me).
As for the idea of 'millions' - my local transmitter serves some 600000 homes - so even if 99% of them get a perfect picture all the time, thats 6000 homes which have a problem of some kind. In reality, the numbers having problems are relatively small, and they are seldom to do with actual Freeview, but mostly are a very local problem.
If you dont want to watch Made in Chelsea, then dont. I know I have no desire to. However, look at the actual schedule, and you'll see there is a whole load of excellent programming. If you have a PVR and the ability to stream, you are spoilt for choice.
Please stop handwaving about reception or programming - if there are problems, then they should be addressed. However, vague and unfounded accusations help nobody.
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JudithU: Samsungs (as far as I'm aware) dont 'blink', although there are cases of them having problems like that Samsung TV with periodic black outs - AVS Forum .
It could have been a software fault, or could have been the connection between the TV and the Sky box. But I am now curious, could we have the initials of the retailer in question?
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colin1951uk: The question of IE9 has been explored here: UK Free TV now uses friendly web addresses
Go straight to IE11 is the general advice. You could also try another bit of software for email - I must admit that I used to use Mozilla's, but since its now all web-based, I dont bother.
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John Martin: You actually wrote:
'Most of the problems s have been reported by millions since the 90,s. But in the long run were ignored because it had been decided we were going digital and the old ways would be got rid of whether we like it or not. ' -
your previous complaint was about how analogue supposed ly got worse after digital was introduced.
Frankly, that just doesn't make sense. Is there any evidence that analogue did fall in quality of signal when digital broadcasting was introduced? No. And it would make no sense if it did. You may have perceived a problem, but as the phrase goes 'Correlation does not imply causation'. You may have just had a rubbish signal.
I'm sure your not suggesting that it was all part of some 'plot' to push digital TV and radio on everyone, becuase that would be tin foil hat territory....!
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Brianist: Here are some subjects which might be interesting:
We are seeing new TV formats (4K). What was the reaction when there were changes from 405 to 625 lines, and then to colour, HD, etc. Were the media dubious, and what tipped the balance?
Has the public/media's view of what on TV changed over the years? Was TV really better in the past? Or does nostalgia and the relatively small number of channels in the past colour or view?
How to buy a TV? (I might have something to say about this...!), and also improving the sound.
What tech has survived, and for longest? This could be the little things, like the Belling-Lee connector, or even the coax cable itself.
What change was there when recording was possible? Both for broadcasters, and then for the public. Did we change what we watched, and how? And when did recording become mass market and why?
Smart TV's - what apps do we use (if we use them), and is there a trend?
What can we learn from looking at other broadcasters in Europe. What models seem to work, and what sort of quality programming is there?
How long does it take a technology to take off? Whats the time scale from bench to shops, and then from early adopter to mass market? We've seen people saying how long DAB has taken to take off, but are there other examples? And does it depend on other factors, such as content, etc.
PBS and NPR - how do they compare with the BBC, and do they offer a model or warning for the UK?
Cable and sat wars before Sky - what systems were there, and why didn't they take off?
Whats the tech which failed? Not just things like Ondigital, but also kit like Laserdiscs - any really bad examples? And any good ones just at the wrong time?
Subscription for the BBC. I know we've gone through this before, but since certain members of the cabinet think this a good idea (!) , perhaps setting out the case for or against this might be useful...
When did TV's start getting larger, and why?
And this is a followup to the future map of the London travel map - could we have a comparison with the 19th/20th century plans for London, and how it turned out.
BTW - as far as curved screens are concerned, you can read on Samsung's website why they are so great, although the point that you can see from a better angle actually seems to be true. However, there is another reality. Sony, a very conservative company (arguable far too conservative for its own good for the past decade) is just to bring out a curved version for its lovely (and it is lovely, just check it out) 4K 9005 (the S9005). Why? Becuase apparently 30% of the large screen Tv market is now made up of curved screens. Since the bulk of curved screen TV's are made by Samsung, thats a 30% plus market share for them straight off. Sony will do a curved screen because there is money to be made, as will LG.
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Ok - forgot one - internet radio. How to get it, whats out there, and what are the advantages. (watching The Apprentice on catchup, so slightly distracted..)
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Friday 17 October 2014 8:41PM
Grace: Your signal is so low in power its not registering or is gone completely - usually your aerial system has a problem, which is what its telling you. Read the manual for the TV, and it will tell you this. Check back from the back of the TV (to make sure the lead hasn't fallen out). If it looks OK, your probably going to have to call a professional.