All posts by MikeB
Below are all of MikeB's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Joaquim Fernandes: Since your TV must have at least one HDMI (you say you had Sky HD), its likely you have at least Freeview in the TV - why not use that?
You havn't given a postcode, but even an indoor aerial might be worth a go, just so you can get something.
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Frank: 1) You live in North Norfolk, which is well known as a Freeview problem area (my parents-in-law live in Burnham Market, and I get lots of customers from the area as well).
Looking at the terrain plot, there is something in the way about 2.5km from you towards the Talconeston mast, which might account for your reception problems. You seemingly have great terrain for the 'lite' transmitters at Wells or West Runton, but obviously you only get some channels.
You could try what loads of other people tend to do, and try Belmont - nothing in the way, but a fair distance and Yorkshire local news!
2. - See ATV A.T.V (Aerials And Television) FM DAB TV Aerial, plus poles and brackets for everything to do with aerials - very useful. Yes, some aerials are better than others!
3. Could be how your TV signal is refracting around a hill, etc - I'm sure someone more expert than me can explain.
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Frank: According to the Digital UK tradeview, its still active, but greyed out on the terrain plot, so God knows! Burham seems to be OK, but its still lite.
Dave Lindsay will give a much better account of reception problems than I ever can, but if you've got something between you and the transmitter, then even though your high up, there is still going to be a problem (the weather makes a difference as well). Belmont seems to be a better bet (I think thats what my parents-in-law use), but the whole area is a bit hit and miss.
Could I ask how you managed to spend £325? I'm not convinced an aerial was perhaps a perfect option,but its shouldn't have cost that much and the BT box is a package (my parents have the same deal) - its £249 retail.
Easiest suggestion? If you've still got your Sky dish, try Freesat, or at least use your old sky box Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ? | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice at least be able to watch something for the meantime(you might have Freesat in your TV). Humax will do you the oldie but goodie Foxsat 500gb for £129 Manager's specials - HUMAX UK Direct Sales Website so you can watch and record in the same way you could with Sky plus.
Freeview is kind of free, but you live in an area which is a bit dodgy for it, so it works when it works!
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joan brookes: Are you getting your Iplayer via a Freesat box (like a Humax) or through your TV?
The new Humax Freesat boxes should have ITV player (4oD and Five are apparently coming), but the older Foxsat only has Iplayer (as far as I'm aware).
If its through your TV, then only Samsung currently has all four on demand services via TV, blu-ray or PVR. There is a rumour that the Samsung exclusivity might end this month - it thats true, then I'd be surprised is the other brands didn't roll out an app fairly quickly for ITV and the other channels. However, its just a rumour, I've found nothing to confirm it yet.
Obviously You View boxes have all four services, and the Humax T2 just has Iplayer.
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J Potton: Unfortunately, you've not surpplied a postcode, so it very difficult to give advice about reception, nor what transmitter your using. It could be that your aerial has a problem (or the cable from it), or (if you have a booster, splitter), that the storm frazzled it.
One other thing occurs - what is your signal strength? 75% is perfect, while 100% is far too high. If you have a booster, try bypassing it and see if it helps.
As far as the licence fee - it can't guarentee a signal - thats geography and physics.
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Simon: I'm no expert, it it sounds pricey!
If you have a decent aerial, then why not just replace the chimney fixtures? Of course if they are rusty, then the whole thing might be dodgy, but being rusty does not mean they are going to fall off!
Try looking at ATV - at least you can see whay the materials should cost (and for good quality stuff as well) A.T.V (Aerials And Television) FM DAB TV Aerial, plus poles and brackets
Hopefully, someone can give you a better answer, and if you can include your postcode, someone can advise you on what type of aerial you need, and whether you need a DAB aerial at all.
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Rebecca welch: Looking at the Coverage checker (havn't looked at the terrain plot), your only about 18km from Pontop Pike, and 5km from the Fenham lite transmitter, which are only about 10 degrees apart.
Have you checked your signal strength? If its 100%, its just too much for the tuner. Since BBC channels tend to be the most powerful, they might be breaking up first.
See - Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | Digital switchover | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
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Jay: Its just a guess, but try unplugging the aerial from the TV, then trying a scan/retune to clear everything, then plug it back it, and retune again.
You TV's memory can get full up, especially if ita bit old like your Panasonic (Dave Lindsay has a really good explaination of this, but I can't find it at the moment), and it needs a cleanout.
Give it a go, and see how you get on.
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Simon: I think 'overestimate' is a very generous way of putting it!
Looking at where your transmitter is, you certainly don't need a booster/amp for TV signals, and the fact that all you seemingly need is a DAB/FM aerial (which ATV will do for £15) makes his quote rubbish. No written quote or VAT either...
Perhaps someone can come up with an explaination for your poor FM/DAB signal, so at least you know what your dealing with.
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Saturday 3 August 2013 1:02PM
A Lurker: Bush (or rather the brand name) is an Argos 'own brand', as is Alba. Strangely, its seemingly exactly the same as Goodmans equipment, but another company holds the right to that name! (having said that, the back of a cheap Sagem PVR and a Philips PVR look exactly the same..)
Since I have a cheapish Goodmans digibox, I can confirm that its pretty basic, and although it works, its lack of manual tuning is a pain.
BTW - please say more - sounds interesting!