menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Archive (2002-)

 

 

Click to see updates

All posts by MikeB

Below are all of MikeB's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


Briantist: Sorry, but the link to HD TV from the TV menu doesn't work - its a syntax error.

I agree with MikeP, the old layout for emails was possibly a little easier to use, but perhaps I need to just get used to it..

link to this comment
GB flag
M
Full technical details of Freeview
Tuesday 14 October 2014 6:17PM

Lindsey Stevenson: Since your just 9km (ok, with a mountain seemingly in the way!), Digital Uk thinks you should get a great signal.

Two possible things occur. One, you are not tuned to Emley Moor. Thats on channel 49, but Bilsdale in on channel 26, and since the bearing is very similar, you might be getting that one instead. The other is that your aerial has a problem, but since BBC channels are usually the strongest, you'd expect those to disappear last, not first.

link to this comment
GB flag

Sharon: Ask the other people in the block - because that sounds exactly like a problem with your aerial system. If you are the only one with 'no signal', then it has to be between you and the split from the main feed, but if other people are having the same problem, then you need to call the maintenance company. The aerila does not need to have falleen over not to work - its generally the cable between the aerial and you where the problem lies, or it could be the electrics on a booster system, etc.

link to this comment
GB flag

Charles Stuart: Your idea is an interesting one, but its perhaps a difficult solution to a problem that doesn't really exist. 4K via broadband is quite possible - Netflix is already supplying House of Cards in 4K, and it needs about 15Mbps Netflix 4K streaming requires double the bandwidth of U.S. average | BGR - which is certainly fine for my connection, and many other people with fibre. However, if your not on fibre, or we all want to stream at the same time, then yes, that is a problem.

Likewise, using a dish or even an aerial to deliver 4K is also perfectly possible, and the standards have finally been agreed for Europe 4K TV channels on the way as DVB-UHDTV standard is approved | News | TechRadar . The big problem is getting all the kit in place, but its not hugely difficult.

Combining the two together sounds like a nightmare, so I suspect we will get fibre feeds first, with perhaps transmission at a later date.

link to this comment
GB flag

Tina: Your aerial system probably has a problem, so its not surprising they cant help. Call a professional and get it checked.

link to this comment
GB flag
M
Connecting it all up | Installing
Wednesday 15 October 2014 11:02PM

M Bevan: If your getting CBBC HD, we have to assume you've got a T2 tuner, but your just 17km from Pontop Pike, which is broadcasting on Com 7. On the other hand, do you have a smart TV?

link to this comment
GB flag
M
Full technical details of Freeview
Thursday 16 October 2014 6:53PM

Matt: Frankly, indoor aerial are pants, although you might be OK if your pretty close to the transmitter. The whole Gold thing is just marketing, and although there is some gain, its still an indoor aerial.

In general, the higher the aerial the better, and even one in the roof will do far better than something like the aerial you've suggested. Having said that, your pretty close to Haslingden, not that far from Winter Hill, and can probably touch Woodnook! So yes, it might be fine for Woodnook, although I wouldn't bother too much with the amplifying bit. You dont have to just look at the Philex one, there are loads on the Argos website, many of which seem to look very similar.

If you want Winter Hill, which has a full service, at least try a loft aerial.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mike Davison: I totally agree - 10 years is a good age, but you'll get a lot more for your money now. However, try checking your repote first. Change the batteries, and then point it at some sort of digital camera (even a cheap mobile phone). If there is a little flash from the remote, then the infra red transmitter is working. You can also clean up the buttons by using some cotton buds, alcohol (gin will do!) and cocktail sticks. Just clean up the buttons, and they might work.

If none of those work, then a replacement remote is about £9 on ebay. Yes, the same thing is great, but frankly, we are using panasonic remotes from 5 years ago at work - they really havn't changed that much.

Using a seperate box or PVR is a great idea - the tuner gets replaced by the box, and the tv works as normal. Humax or Panasonic is the usual choice for PVR. However, if you wanted to replace a 32 from ten years ago, my customers are going for a 40/42in (not actually much bigger), and decent basic Samsung 5000 in a 40in (Freeview HD, but not smart) is £299, with an LG 580 with those extra functions for £379.95. Both very decent TV's.

At least you've got options, and if something doesn't work, you can try something else.

link to this comment
GB flag

Sharon: Your recorder is probably tuned to the local light transmitter, rather than Mendip.

link to this comment
GB flag
M
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Friday 17 October 2014 8:38PM

Terry: Looking at the back of a 1000S (I couldn't remember exactly what the Freesat ones have, unlike the Freeview ones) View our gallery of photos for the Humax HDR-1000S , you've got the usual scart plus a set of RCA's (which very unusual this days). So you could use one to the DVD, and just use the left right RCA's to the AV .

Can I assume your outputing to a DVD recorder so you can save a programme in much the same way as with Sky plus? You'd have to check if you can output to an external source on a Humax. Since Brianist has one, you can ask him!

link to this comment
GB flag