All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
timothy: Grundig box model numbers start with GDS, the number given of 286_542 corresponding to a GDS200/1 which is an extremely old model of over 10 years old.
However, as far as the "wrong card for this box" message is concerned, it all depends on whether or not the channel you are trying to view is part of a Sky package hence "subscription only", if though you are referring to channels such as the BBC / ITV / ITV3 / Pick TV etc, and are still able to view same by pressing the "back up" button and cancelling the message? then OK, the message just being an inconvenience that you will have to live with unless you purchase a new viewing card from Sky, if on the other hand you are unable able to pass this point? then just leave the card out of the box, as all its really required for in a non subscription box is to enable viewing of the news services / adverts etc appropriate to the area you happen to reside in, otherwise the default area is London.
By the way, its really a bit amazing that your box actually works, as the internal power supply fitted in these boxes has an unenviable reputation for failure, bearing this in mind, I would strongly advise against thinking along the lines of purchasing a new "free to view" viewing card, as apart from the correct news services, the only channel it would enable you to view is Sony TV on 157.
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Helpintom: If by "don't have any special channels" means any that are part of a Sky package?, then why do you bother using a card? as a standard Sky box will operate perfectly OK without any card having being installed, a card used in a non subscription box only enabling the viewing of news channels or adverts appropriate to the area that a person resides in, other wise London is the default, the only other programme channel, which although free cannot be viewed without a card, being Sony TV 157.
If though any channels are viewed that does require a subscription, then Sky will only issue a card to UK based residents, Sky at time of registration, requesting the serial number of the box the card is intended to be used in, data containing the serial number of the box being electronically stored in the card, whereby anyone trying to use it in another box will trigger an "incorrect card for box" or similar message.
Needless to say, that if you do not subscribe to anything, then this will enable you to purchase a standard Sky box from anywhere of your choosing. Although please note, that the aforementioned is not applicable to Sky+ devices, a subscription always being required for Sky+ devices in order to access the recording or playback side of the box, otherwise they operate as a standard box, likewise non subscription channels can still be viewed!
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Tina: As you are located in an area notorious for poor reception from the Sandy transmitter, the problem basically being caused by the signal path from this station being obstructed from just over 1 mile or so prior to your location, line-of-sight blockages close to the reception area being the worst possible situation and generally resulting in any signal that is received not being particularly much above the lower threshold for reception, a situation not being helped any by the fact of numerous trees seen dotted around the area, trees being another thing detrimental to Freeview reception.
Have you made any local enquiries in order to ascertain if others are also suffering from similar problems with reception? although in areas such as yours reception can change over a relatively short distance such as from house to house, or even between houses facing each other across a street.
However, as mazbar (a professional aerial installer) has requested, it would be interesting to know the aerial installers findings after having checked your installation.
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MikeP: If the model Chaz is referring to be a Technisat HDFV, then this, to my knowledge anyway, was the only Freeview model Technisat brought out back in the 2009/10 era. A quick browse through its manual indicating that its a reasonably sophisticated device capable of being connected into the internet, although according to a number of Amazon's customer reviews, certainly not a device without problems.
This is a link for the manual, albeit that the device is described as Freesat in the heading.
http://www.superfi.co.uk/….PDF
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john evans: As far as your problem is concerned, maybe you could clarify on the following points.
(1) : If the reason for temporarily moving the aerial involved builders, was it them who actually moved it?
(2) : Were the coax cables disconnected from the aerials before the pole was moved?, or was the whole structure (inc aerials with cables attached) just temporarily moved out of the way?
My only reason for asking being, that my initial suspicion would be along the lines of the problem being caused by a faulty coax to aerial connection, or that the cables have been damaged, because by being located at just under 2 miles away from the high powered Divis transmitter, reception should be possible (in theory) with only a short length of wire (3-4 feet or so) connected directly into the aerial socket (circular middle) of your TV or box. (Black Mountain excluded)
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David Nash : The problem referred to was likely to have been caused by reasons related to atmospheric pressure, as according to last Thursdays (19th) tropospheric index map, a wave of high pressure swept (diagonally) over most of the Anglia coverage area on that day, with it stretching right across Southern area's as far as the Isle Of Wight.
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David : Due to a lack of capacity on the relatively new COM7 HD transmitter Film4 (LCN15) is presently transmitted in SD on PSB2, if you wish to view it in HD then you have to select its +1 (Film4+1) service on LCN45 which is broadcast on the PSB3 HD transmitter, as used by such as ITV HD / BBC3 HD etc.
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David Nash : You should try a test by connecting the aerial downlead directly into the feed that goes to your TV? in other words bypassing the distribution amplifier, as an amplifier having developed a fault whereby it cuts the signal out "when powered" is something which is virtually unheard of, that is unless the amplifier is taking the signal slightly over the top strength wise resulting in the tuners input being overloaded, as this will block reception.
Your location of being at just under 7 miles from the Sandy transmitter, and with, according to the terrain indicator, with a clear line-of-sight to same being the reason for mentioning this.
I would though be interested to know the brand / model of the amplifier in question.
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David Nash : In addition to that said, another possible reason for the problem could be that of a 4G transmitter having been installed in your area, the signal from said transmitter being received at a level just under that required to interfere with your Freeview reception, the powered distribution amplifier lifting it above this.
Of course, actual distribution amplifiers themselves "can" block reception, that is if the level fed into their aerial input socket is above a certain level whereby triggering instability (self oscillation) in the amps input stage.
That said, its still a bit puzzling as to how you are able to receive anything with the amplifier unpowered, that is if you are? and I am not just misinterpreting what you mean, as the output from most amplifiers when unpowered is almost negligible.
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Wednesday 18 February 2015 11:18PM
catherine birch : In addition to that said. Erratic reception can also be caused if the incoming coax cables copper core retaining screw, on the "rear" of the aforementioned socket, has not been sufficiently tightened at time of installation, problems usually only being experienced after a period of time once that the copper core starts to become slightly oxidised.
Once again, the problem being easily resolved by removing the wall plates two fixing screws, then easing the plate from the wall just enough to be able to check / tighten the cores retaining screw with a small screwdriver.