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All posts by jb38

Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


Mrs W Lovell: Yes I do, as being located at only about 20 odd miles away (in Stamford area) I also use Waltham / Belmont as well as Sandy for Anglia news.

However as far as an alternative PVR is concerned although you will obviously see quite a few brands being advertised such as Bush and likes (modern Vestels) being perfectly OK by the fact of them being up to date software wise etc, but being an engineering person I personally favour Humax devices, as although every PVR can suffer problems now and again Humax is just that little better plus its a brand with a really good back up facilities, basically because by it being an enthusiasts brand there are web sites dedicated to it, or even phone contact Humax themselves.

I would therefore suggest that you have a look at standard models such the 9150T which is a twin tuner model with the same size of hard drive as your present PVR, or alternatively a more upmarket (and likewise higher priced) twin tuner HD capable model called a 9300T, this being available with a range of hard drives, the usual being 500Gb.

You local store(s) will probably have the 9150T in stock but its very unlikely they would the 9300T, although websites such as Amazon offer a better range of choices or even from Humax Directs own website, John Lewis another source with the addition of a two years guarantee, albeit under EU law everything electronic is although in most cases with a fight, as stores try to insist its 1 year.

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Mrs W Lovell: Also meant to add, that although Humax devices are technically superior to most other brands, and in particular their tuners, they're not near so user friendly as Vestel chassis based PVR's as far as their remote control operation is concerned, somewhat clumsy!


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Parish: You only really have one test left to carry out, being to couple the old Sky+ box back onto the two dish feeds used by your new box, as if you find that it still doesnt work then the old Sky box has failed after having been disconnected from the mains.

This is something that can happen with electronic devices that are generally powered up all the time thereby being at the same temperature, then are allowed to cool down by being unpowered, this even being a test used to detect intermittent faults on integrated circuits etc, e.g: alternate use of a hot air blower and a freezer aerosol.

The fault is most likely in the power supply.


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Paul Johnston: That indicates that the same thing has happened as before insomuch that you are picking up the same station from two sources, try carrying out a reset as was previously mentioned in my reply then a manual tune but "only" on Mux Ch54, then leave the tuning menu and check if you are receiving anything on EPG50/54.

You can find out where the HD on 800 etc is coming from by carrying out a signal test whilst on the channel, because as well as viewing the signal strength scale the multiplex channel associated with it will be shown which can be used for cross checking with other transmitters.

Needless to say carry out this procedure before the reset etc.

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Paul Johnston: Just to add to that said, the reason I request you try this procedure is that you have a number of low powered relay stations close to you, two for example being Manchester Hulme @ 2mls / Stockport @ 3mls although neither is predicted to be receivable on your p/code, but another PSB only station called Haslingden @ 19mls is, so if Mux Ch29 is seen on a signal check that's where its coming from.



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Paul Johnston: And another possibility to keep in is that the signal you are receiving is too strong and this can block reception, or if received is likely to suffer from continual glitches, so if you use any form of amplification on your aerial you will require to by-pass it, or use an attenuator in line with the aerial socket if you cannot like in the case of a mast head amplifier.

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J
Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) transmitter
Friday 3 February 2012 5:07PM
Huddersfield

John: Anyone experiencing problems with their Freeview reception can get advice by just by entering their post code in the box at the top right hand side of every page and posting a question (rather than a statement) and someone will check the reception predictions for the location as well as any other factors that might apply, advising accordingly.


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J
Can I use my ex-contract sky digital satellite receiver to get
Friday 3 February 2012 5:30PM
Huddersfield

Pic: You should try re-setting your box by removing the mains lead for about 15 seconds or so before re-connecting again, then once it starts to respond to the remote control again let it go through the usual "searching for listings" procedure.


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J
Feedback | Feedback
Friday 3 February 2012 7:49PM

don g: With certain qualifications possibly yes! although its necessary to have knowledge of your location (pref: post code) so that the signal levels expected in your locality can be assessed via the reception predictor.

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J
Bilsdale (North Yorkshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Friday 3 February 2012 9:42PM
Huddersfield

Ronnie: To answer but one part of your question, there is engineering work taking place at Bilsdale (@ 21mls) nearly all of the time in preparation for the station switching to high power operation between 12th to 26th of September this year, and unfortunately until then nothing can really be done to help the situation, and which at times is likely to get worse due to the normally occurring seasonal atmospheric changes.

Come late September there should be a vast improvement in the signal, as the present maximum operating power of 6Kw (BBC1 4.8Kw) ranging down to 1.6Kw (MuxD Ch42) will be changing to 100kw for PSB channels and 50Kw for all commercial Muxes.

Depending on your circumstances of whether or not you are one storey or more high, you "might" benefit from the use of an amplified log aerial (about 700mm long) but you could maybe give an update on whether or not you could accommodate this in your flat, the aerial pointing at 124 degrees.


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