All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
kevin: For anyone to be able to assist you really have to provide info on the model of the Freeview box that's being used as well as the recorder in question, plus of course the post code so that the expected signal strength being received at the location can be evaluated.
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Alan Thompson: You don't really have to search about for a dedicated 12 volt Feeeview box, as any of these cheap types you see around that use a separate power supply are in effect just 12 volts operation boxes, as that's all the separate power units are for, to supply them with 12 volts.
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Keith: As far as I can see there shouldn't be any problems with that model of TV, and although the temporary appearance of HD could of course be due to tests being carried out, it could however also be because the TV has picked up a weak HD signal from elsewhere that is hovering just under the reception threshold of the set, the "elsewhere" referred to being either Sudbury / Rouncefall / Belmont or Sandy, as these are indicated as possibilities under the category of being "variable".
A simple way to check this possibility being, if the EPG has anything stored in the 50 / 54 range click on it and carry out a signal check, as even although the screen may be blank, should any weak signal be in existence just under the reception threshold then the multiplex channel number associated with it will be shown, anything other than Mux Ch62 not being Tacolneston.
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MikeB: Are you absolutely positive that the TV and the Humax are receiving BBC channels from the same station? this obviously checked upon by noting the Mux channel number being indicated on each device associated with the signal strength being shown. (Waltham BBC Mux Ch61)
This possibility is only mentioned because you haven't given your location, (post code) and its known that numerous people in the Waltham (as well as other) reception areas are capable of picking up signals from more than one station.
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alan: Unless you are located in some horrendous black spot for reception, but with you being at only 2 miles away from Sudbury its a wonder you can receive anything with the aerials you are using without them being fitted with in line attenuators, as the tuners in your TV's are liable to be on the verges of being completely blocked for reception due to excessive signal strength.
Try a test retune using a set top aerial, or even a short piece of wire pushed into the middle of the aerial socket.
I will say though, that because of the temporary use of low power on the multiplexes used by Russia today etc many people are having severe problems in trying to receive them, but you shouldn't have this problem unless its because your tuners are being affected by receiving an excessively strong signal.
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alan: Just to add, that the problem many are having in areas such as Sudbury or Oxford etc is in general terms basically due to the massive differential in power between the main multiplexes and the rest, as excessive signal strength on some channels is liable to desensitize some tuners of their capability in receiving weaker signals on other channels.
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Dale: Speaking as an engineer, I can tell you that boosters such as you have described used in the correct circumstances "do" in most instances make a large difference in the positive sense as to whether or not a signal is received at a level that can resolve a reasonably glitch free picture, that is high enough above the so called "digital cliff" level effect so that the usual slight fluctuations in signal strength that's always in evidence (due to reflections etc) keep it from intermittently dipping down into the cut off zone, albeit this being a tall order in some areas where vegetation (trees etc) or other movable objects exists.
I would therefore respectfully suggest that any comments that you may have seen to the contrary are liable to originate from sources that are inclined to dwell too much along theoretical lines, because as any experienced engineer of the longer term variety knows, when dealing with RF signals whether it be for transmission or reception, theory of what's liable to happen compared to the reality of actual practice, can (and is!) in many instances quite altogether different.
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Kevin Hodges: You have to remember that no two devices have the same sensitivity, and the fact that you say that the two TV's are fine can in reality be simply because their tuners are slightly more sensitive than the boxes, and likewise are receiving a signal that's reached just enough above the cut off threshold to resolve a picture, the box likely being just under.
This coupled to the fact of the multiplex concerned (ArqB) being a few hundred watts less than the other low powered one (ArqA) does not make a good combination.
As the situation at the transmitter is not due to change until mid next year, you could try a factory re-set on the box then manually tune in Mux Ch63, if you get results then use the add channels or whatever its called on your device, to capture the other Muxes.
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M Culham: Assuming that you cannot get Ideal World or Yesterday either (these also on Mux Ch63) then your sets tuner could be getting seriously desensitized by the Main high powered multiplexes at only 4 miles away, this making the very much lowered powered Ch63 multiplex difficult to receive.
Its really a case of a balancing act, whereby reducing the excessively high signal strength being received from the BBC and ITV1 Muxes operating at 100Kw, but without overdoing it and completely losing the lower powered Mux Ch63 on only 1.1Kw.
Try a factory re-set then scan using a set top aerial and see what comes up, although it has to be said at distances such as yours from the transmitter its a difficult exercise to get right, if indeed at all! even with the aid of a variable attenuator with a range of about a 0-20dB minimum if using a roof mounted aerial.
Another thing to try though is after carrying out a factory re-set manually tune in Mux Ch63, if results are obtained then use "add channels" to regain the remaining Muxes, as sometimes a dedicated tune will capture a channel that can be by-passed on an auto-tune.
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Sunday 13 November 2011 8:08PM
Paula: Apart from the possibility of your actual TV having developed a fault, "if" the indoor aerial you are using has a separate booster try removing it, or if its one of these types with a variable control turn it down, as unless you are located in an area somewhat screened from the station, but by you being located at only 12 miles away from the transmitter you should (or could) be getting blasted with a signal from the main high powered muxes, and if reaching a bit "over the top" in signal strength it can block your TV's tuner killing all reception, even with an indoor aerial! because of it being of the boosted variety.
You will of course have to do as suggested by Dave Lindsay and retune the TV again, but after you have attended to what was mentioned, if though it is a boosted set top type with no control over its amplification then sit it on the floor to restrict its signal picking up properties.
This only being suggested to eliminate this always present possibility when problems of this nature occur relatively close to a high powered transmitter, but if it makes no difference and you have tried everything else as suggested by DL, then the reason for the problem is liable to point at your TV.