All posts by MikeB
Below are all of MikeB's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Sarah Hine: If I understand correctly, your TV remote doesn't work properly, and you'd like to plug in an old digibox to use instead? Thats OK - the TV is ultimately just a screen. However, it would be easier just to make sure you can use the TV with its remote. The TV's manual should have a troubleshooting section, and it will have the following regarding the remote: Change batteries, make sure the emitter at the front isn't dirty, and make sure that the buttons are not sticking. Do those first. If the buttons are stiking, it could just be that there is grime around them, and cocktail sticks/cotton buds dipped in some alcohol should be able to clear it.
To check that the whole thing isn't toast, get a digital camera (a phone is fine) and take a picture whilst pointing the remote at the camera and press down on the channel 1 button. If there is a little flash where the emitter is, its working OK. If there isn't, its had it, and get another one. There will often be a parts number on the remote somewhere, and that and the make can be put into Google and will bring up sellers on Ebay plus dealers who will supply a new one or one that will work. If the TV is about to be replaced anyway, then dont bother, and just use the digibox for the moment (it will change channel and volume).
I paid 89 pence plus 3.99 postage from an ebay seller for a replacement remote for my TV the other day, so they dont have to cost that much.
| link to this comment |
John Couch: Remember that the kitchen usually has more electrical stuff than almost any other room in the house - washing machines, boilers, microwaves, freezers, etc.
Of course it might be more than just one thing. If your TV's feed has started to develop a fault (frayed cable, etc), then that combined with a source of interference which wasn't a problem before might be enough to bring on the problem. You can check if the TV is at fault by putting it on another feed - if the TV in the main room is fine, then connect the kitchen one to that feed for a while - if there is a problem, then you know its the TV. If not, then its the system/external interference.
If you have one of those cable indicators that use for DIY, try seeing whats live etc around where the feed is - you'd be surprised whats in your wall sometimes!
And there is nothing to be lost by getting another aerial lead - they are really cheap, even for a decent shielded one, and that might stop the problem. I'd certainly follow JB38's advice and use a radio to try and see what interference there might be, and keep a diary of when the problem happens - its often the little things which cause the problem, and if you can find out where the problem lies and when, you can generally deal with it.
| link to this comment |
David Hewitt: You havn't given a postocode, so we have no idea where you are in relation to the transmitter.
BT boxes etc are all Humax, which are known for their sensitive tuners - so are Panasonics! Could just be that your signal strength is a little on the high side for the tuners. Check your signal strength. Your TV might just be less sensitive.
| link to this comment |
Dave Lindsay: I have to admit that my knowledge of the area is a bit hazy! It would be interesting to see what the signal strength is though..if only to narrow down the possible problem.
| link to this comment |
Mike: You havn't given a postcode, so we have no idea of your location. However, unless your in a very isolated area, with a booster and very close to a 4G station, you very unlikely to have a 4G problem.
On the other hand, Talcneston is in Norfolk, and much of that area is a right pain as far as Freeview is concerned. Lots of little hills, a curving coastline which blocks off many people's line of sight from the transmitter, etc. Its why my parents in law watch via Belmont and have Freesat for local news.
Remember that Com 7 is on much lower power than the rest of the mux's, so thats why you were out of area. Once we have a location, the signal guru's (not me) can have a look. However, check your signal strength, and of course make sure your actually tuned to Talcneston. Your signal could be just too poor to get those muxs, or it could be too good (happens a lot more than you might think), or you might have a problem with your system - perhaps a loose/frayed cable, moisture in a connection, or interference from an external source.
| link to this comment |
jb38: True, the frequencies are possibly prone to 4G interference, but looking back at all the people who say they have 4G problems, and then look at the number of people who actually have had 4G problems, the actual number is really very small.
So its certainly a possibility, and A800 should be able to say, but is it likely? On the other hand, there are various explainations for picture breakup, especially in a possibly marginal area.
| link to this comment |
Mike: Firstly - you dont know if its a 4G problem - just because a mast isn't that far away, does not mean its causing the problem. In fact, unless those masts have become active at exactly the same time as your problems started, then its probably nothing to do with it. And if At800 had thought it a problem, its strange that they wouldn't have sent you a card warning you (I got one, for reasons I cant fathom), and sent you a filter for free. You do have three O2 masts (according to Ofcom sitefinder ), but it would be interesting if anyone else is having a problem in the area as well.
So they will send you a filter, and providing its installed properly, thats the end of it. If it does not work, then either At800 will deal with the problem in the way Brianist describes, or (more likely), its nothing to do with 4G at all.
I managed to find your postcode (its much easier to simply put it into the website, so that everyone has the data), and if its NR3 4TL, your just 18km from the transmitter, and basically next door to the Norwich Central light transmitter. So its quite possible that your signal strength is just a tad high! And 4G tends to hit those with low signal strength and a booster.
| link to this comment |
sue Hickerson: What transmitter are you tuned to? Fortunately, you've included your postcode, and as you can see, you should be fine for Sutton Coldfield, but less good for others. If you are tuned in somewhere else, then you will get poor recption, even with a booster. Of course, if your tuned into the very local transmitter, its so close (and with a booster) that your TV might find the signal too strong.
| link to this comment |
Tuesday 31 March 2015 3:55PM
Eve: The tuner in the Samsung should come up first automatically. Its only if you switch on the Humax will the TV then go to that source. So make sure there is an aerial lead coming from the back of the Humax (the out) into the back of the TV.
I dont know why your TV isn't picking up the Ext 2, but frankly, if you have HDMI imputs on both the box and the TV, you should be using HDMI - its a better (HD) picture and is a more reliable connection.