All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Anthony: For a variety of reasons you can only accurately compare reception between two satellite devices when using the same channel for the test, although on the face of it what you have done would suggest that the connections are OK.
The only sure fire way of determining if the box referred to is OK or not is by trying it out on the other position, or alternatively if your LNB block has a spare outlet try swapping the problem boxes outlet connection over to it.
First of all though, you should carry out a signal strength quality check on the problem box (services - 4 - 6) and the levels seen should be about 75% for both strength and quality, anything under especially on quality, should be treated with suspicion as to the alignment of the dish.
Also try the same test on the HD box.
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ADRIAN: Just in addition to that already fully explained by Dave Lindsay, but regarding your 9.38pm question on ITV & Ch4 both of these are presently available on analogue as well as digital from Crystal Palace and Reigate, but however wont be from April 18th when analogue transmissions cease to exist from both these sources.
Another point to remember regarding digital reception is that no two devices have exactly the same sensitivity, so even although both are connected to the same aerial its possible that a programme can be seen on one device but not the other.
This of course applies more to situations involving weaker signals from lower powered commercial muxes, but if it happens with a BBC channel then its an indication of a low level of signal being received.
Just as a finale, its only your TV thats capable of viewing analogue signals.
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Mr David Eric Garrard: No! as Sky permanently retains access permission to the recording side of the box, and this includes playback as well.
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Annie: Are you purely referring to a TV on its own or do you also have a Sky box? as Sky sports 1 & 2 are on Freeview channels 41 & 42 but require a Sky subscription to view them, this done via a CI+ CAM adapter (@ £49.00) with card plugged into the TV's CI slot, if it has one as many don't! other than that you require a TUTV (Top up TV) box coupled into the TV to view these two sports channels.
The other thing is, referring to your sons widescreen TV, when you said that it took the engineer ages to find a spare channel are you meaning because its (the TV) is connected into a Sky boxes RF output socket whereby he is receiving it on analogue by changing the TV's operating mode from DVB to analogue?
Maybe you could clarify on these points, and also whether or not you are using a new TV? and if so the model of.
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claire dainty: Have you checked that you can receive a picture from the Sky boxes RF2 on your 2nd TV? if you have then does the magic eye to light when connected to the cable from the Sky box but "not" into the TV? the reason for asking being that magic eyes wont work on some types of TV's.
Also the cable between both devices has to be of a continuous nature without having anything in line with it, as if so it can block the DC component that passes along the cable with the analogue signal.
Another thing that can stop them working is if an exceptionally long cable is used between the box and 2nd TV, because to be honest about it these magic eyes just work and no more at the best of times.
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Clive Wilson: Its unlikely that it will unless possibly radiating from very close by like for example a next door neighbours, as low powered analogue TV signals are extremely vulnerable to be being interfered from even the lowest powered devices such as the type you have mentioned, the interference usually resulting in wavy or herring boned lines being seen across the picture.
These devices usually have a channel changing selection facility built into them. but of course this could well be academic unless you know who owns the device, as if you did you could explain the situation to them followed by requesting in a diplomatic fashion if they could change the channel.
The only point to note though is, that when the Digital transmitter does come into operation it radiates in roughly a circular pattern towards the South East, so it depends on wherever you are located in relation to the transmitter as to how good a signal you will receive, as anywhere that's located much outside of the pattern is liable to experience a very poor signal.
This all said of course taking it that you are referring to the Guisborough transmitter?
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maureen: I find it quite amazing that he managed to buy a analogue only TV unless from some second hand source, is he absolutely positive that it is purely an analogue set and that DVB isn't seen mentioned on the remote control?
However, any of these low priced Freeview boxes seen in places like Argos etc should be perfectly suffice for his needs provided the TV he purchased does have a scart socket?
if not then any Freeview box purchased has to be of the type with an RF modulator so that the signal can be fed into the TV's aerial socket.
Of course needless to say he will require a suitable aerial, although advice on this only being possible by having knowledge of his post code, this to enable checking of the signal level expected at his location.
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Clive Wilson: Meant also to include in my reply that there is also the possibility that's its actually interference from distant transmitters that is affecting your reception, this basically caused by atmospheric conditions that allow skywards bound signals from a distant transmitter to be reflected back down to the ground again at distances many miles away from the area where they are transmitted from.
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maggie: Why don't you just end your subscription with Sky and use the box to view normal channels? as that's what lots of people do, although if its a Sky+ box you wont be able to use the recording side of the box without a subscription, apart from that you will still be able to view most (but not all) that's available on proper Freesat, as Sky's "free to view" isn't exactly the same as Freesat as far as channels are concerned.
If though you prefer to use Freeview (via the normal aerial) then Crystal Palace (@ 18mls) is indicated as your main station, and although the signal may be bad just now things should (in theory!) vastly improve in April 18th when Crystal Palace goes over to high power operation.
That said though, I still think you should cancel your subscription with Sky and just use Sky's "free to view" channels as it doesn't cost you anything to do this, but if for some reason you wish to start using Freeview, then you could purchase a Freeview box, or better still a Freeview PVR for recording as well as viewing, keeping the Sky box for use in another room.
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Saturday 11 February 2012 9:17PM
Andy Fraser: Yes maybe so, but thats what I meant about large changes in signal strength being possible over relatively short distances when dealing with locations not really officially predicted to receive any signals of any substance, as in areas like that a person on one side of the street can enjoy great reception whilst the person facing from across the street doesnt.
If you were indeed receiving a good signal "prior" to switchover even with the transmitting masts restriction towards the East and which might possibly has been removed now, then you must be fortunate enough to reside in a "gifted spot" for the RF signal path, and its situations like that which would make it interesting to observe the readings obtained from a field strength meter in a service vehicle whilst driving between your location and tim w's, as I am sure there would be some erratic movements seen on the scale.
I am not of course saying that tim w doesnt have some intermittent fault with his aerial / connections, but just pointing out the facts of whats officially stated as the situation regarding reception in that particular area, as even although slight variations in whats actually obtained always exist the predictions given cannot be totally be discounted.