All posts by Eric Brett
Below are all of Eric Brett's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Hi, I have an unexplained problem which is evident in both Satellite and terrestrial HD channels (Postcode:
S45 9EQ). I will try to explain my setup as briefly as possible, and then outline the problem(s).
1. The aerial system in my house is comparatively complicated. I have a loft-mounted, high gain aerial directed to the East Midlands transmitter, which is out-putted through two in-line boosters, the second of which has several output sockets which feed to points in my living room, master bedroom, computer room and dining room. Because I also have satellite boxes, the living room and master bedroom pass through two separate duplex arrangements (one cable through the wall in each case). I have for years used Fortec Star Passion+ sat boxes, updating their software / firmware from time to time. My digiboxes have varied but, concentrating on my living room, my latest digiboxes have been the August DVB-400 and DVB-415, the latter being an "improved" version of the 400.
2. Fortec Star (FS) no longer support the Passion+, although their website still has old downloads available. Their October 2010 software worked OK for all free HD channels until some time in 2014, when the BBC and Ch4 channels no longer gave a satisfactory viewing experience in that the picture was 'jerky' and often held one frame for anything from 1 second to several seconds, the sound being continuous. I found that the FS software dated September 2009 did not have this problem, but is unacceptable for other reasons. I have been unable to find anyone who can explain what changed in the broadcasts that caused this problem to manifest itself!
3. Having 'discovered' the August DVB-400 digibox, I found that my free HD channels were OK but, there is another problem with this box, so I purchased the DVB-415. Unfortunately, with the DVB-415 I get the same 'jerky' effect with BBC and Ch4 channels as I do with my sat box. Both models claim to receive "TV DVB-T2", but the DVB-415 gives a choice of auto-scan (DVBT/DVBT2 or DVBT), the instructions tell me to use the first of the options.
Can anyone explain why I do not get consistently good reception?
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I have used Passion+ satboxes for some time. At some time in the past, my reception of BBC and CH4 HD channels has been less than good (ITV HD is ok). The picture is "jerky"; i.e. it tends to freeze for short periods, although the sound is reasonable.
Do you know why there could be a difference between ITV and the other HD channels?
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Thank you Mike. As I quoted Passion+ satboxes, I thought you would have known that a I was referring to satellite channels. Why is there a difference between the 'reception' of ITV HD (good) and BBC and CH4 ("jerky")?
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I've decided to try attenuator(s) in my co-ax TV aerial lead. I remember seing some simple in-line attenuators (probably on this website), but I have failed to find such a product on the internet. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
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Thanks for the responses; I now have 3 differently rated attenuators. I found that using an attenuator with the August media player (tuner) DVB-415 failed to stop the 'jerking' picture. (Note, the picture is fine without an attenuator when using the sister August DVB-400).
Another problem with my Passion+ satboxes, where I get "jerky" pictures on BBC and CH4 HD channels, but not ITV HD when used with my Tevion TV, was NOT apparent when I watched "The Open" on BBC HD on my Sharp TV (newer than the Tevion).
The Passion+ has the option of selecting the rastor (there's a term we don't see very often now!) lines. This leads to the question: if the Passion+ is set for the maximum 1080i what is the effect if the TV operates at 1080p?
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Response to Neil Bell:
You definitely need to update your Passion+. Start with a print of the data on website http://www.lyngsat.com/As…tml, which I will call your paper list. This gives you the details for each of the frequencies transmitted by Satellites Astra 2E, 2F and 2G which you will need to check for (and possibly add) in your Passion+.
On your remote control, press the 'Menu/Exit' button and scroll down to 'SAT/TP Edit' (press). Find 'Astra 2A
or 2F 28.2E and press the 'OK' button. You can select 'Edit' to change the name of the satellite if you wish, and then the 'return (curly arrow)' button.
Press the 'Right' button to highlight the data on the right of the screen. You will notice that the frequencies listed may or may not correspond to some of those on the paper list. In any case, it would be worth checking an entry, even if that frequency is listed on screen. So, press the red button for 'Edit Mode', select 'Edit'. You now have a window with the frequency, polarity (Hor or Ver), the sampling rate (S/R), the 'DVB Standard, 'Modulation', 'FEC' and 'Pilot' (this could be set to 'Auto'). Check your paper list of data and change the settings if necessary.
If you find that one of the frequencies on your paper list is not in the screen list, you will need to add it. Press the red button again and you will see the same window as before. Enter the required frequency, polarity, sampling rate, DVB Standard, Modulation (if you need to), FEC (the figure given or 'Auto') and Pilot (can be 'Auto'); press 'OK'.
When your happy that your screen list is up-to-date, press 'Return' and select 'Multisat Scan'; select your satellite (Astra 2E,2F,2G) by pressing 'OK'. Press 'Right' button and select 'Channel type' (say TV) and 'Scan type' (say Free). That done, press the red button to start the scan.
Unfortunately, this does not remove previously located channels (you can do this elsewhere); newly-found channels are just added to the end of the stored data.
Another thing to consider before you scan; the system information. This can be found by pressing 'Right' until you find 'Other Settings', then down to 'System Information', then 'OK'. The key here is the 'Software Date'. If the date is 10Sep2009, then BBC HD is okay, but there are annoying defects. For example, the 'User Setting' of the time, if set to 'off' does not stay as set, so the time "wanders" and recordings are not what they should be. On the other hand, if the 'Software Date' is later, the time setting is retained, but the BBC and CH4 HD channels are "jerky".
So, if you do not do any recording, you need the 2009 software. Changing that is warned-against in the manual, but I have the procedure and I have downloaded all versions of the software (just in case Fortec Star remove them from their website).
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Supplement to 'Response To Neil Bell:
You will note from the Paper list (off the website) that some of the frequencies are used for SKY channels only. Stating the obvious; unless you want SKY channels, there is no need to enter these in the Passion+.
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Second Response To Neil Bell
Thanks for your resonse on 23 July, which I have just seen. You mention 3Sat HD; is that something you can get with your motorised dish (not 28.2E setting)?
I also have a quad LNB, feeding 4 Passion+ boxes. I have previously avoided recording to built-in HDDs and move my USB drives about, as required. This has been important with the Passion+ because of the occasional sudden re-booting, which renders the drive unreadable. However, connecting the HDD to my computer and going through a 'play file/disconnect safely' procedure would render the drive readable on the Passion+ again.
I note your interest in Amazon (Germany). I don't want to teach granny to suck eggs, but I seem to remember that equipment sold on the continent MAY not do all that you want in the UK. Whether this applies to satellite transmissions as well as terestrial ones - probably not.
One last point: as my 'collection' of Passion+s diminishes with failures, I would like to know if you have come across any other sat boxes which have USB recording facilities?
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Hi Brian,
There is something wrong: when I try to log on to your site, I get a warning about "security certificate" and a recommendation NOT to proceed, which I ignore.
This may put off more-timid souls!
What is the problem?
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Page 1
Wednesday 14 January 2015 3:40PM
I have a rather complex aerial system for reception of digital channels. I have a loft-mounted, high gain aerial, which is out-putted through two in-line boosters, the second of which has several output sockets which feed to points in my living room, master bedroom, computer room and dining room. Because I also have satellite boxes, the living room and master bedroom pass through two separate duplex arrangements (one cable through the external wall in each case). I have an 'August DVB-400' box in the living room, so the RF signal reaches my TV through a 'pass-through' arrangement.
Several weeks ago, I found that certain channels (BBC particularly) were no longer received properly (if at all) through my living room TV tuner, but there is no problem with the DVB-400 through which the TV signal passes. I have the same poor reception of these channels on my dining room TV and on my Bedroom TV.
Am I correct in assuming that the DVB-400 reception is OK because it has a superior amplifier? Or is there another explanation?