All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
David Power: Just to add to that already mentioned, should this problem have been in existence for a while now I would be inclined to try repositioning your aerial in the horizontal plane, as although the various multiplexes on the TX mast radiate in a reasonably even fashion (albeit from different heights) this cannot be said for the way they are received, and especially so when they have crossed an expanse of water, this being why horizontal repositioning frequently brings results as you can balance the differences out.
What to do is carry out a signal strength / quality check whilst on Film 4 having a look at what's indicated (noting same) and which will most likely be seen fluctuating, then go up into the loft and reposition your aerial a few feet to the side, checking on and noting the result, then return to the loft and try the aerial on the other side, once again followed by a signal check.
Using this procedure will at least give you an idea of what's happening so that you can leave the aerial in the best spot, however should this action have helped the problem by leaving the aerial in a different position from before, then I would advise that before shutting the loft up try some of the other channels like Pick TV (11) and Quest (38) as that will test the other two lower powered multiplexes, as any improvement to the Film 4 situation could possibly have been made at the expense of these other multiplexes, this why its best to check beforehand.
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Pauline: If when your neighbour reports that their reception is OK and they are definitely referring to Freeview and not some other mode like Freesat or Sky, then it suggests that your aerial system requires attention.
That said though, when asking a neighbour this type of question its always best to refer a couple of definite channels, as in many areas ITV3 / Film 4 / Pick TV etc are on lower powered transmitters to that used by the main stations, and an answer like OK could be referring to some of the main stations channels like BBC / ITV / Ch4 / Ch5 etc.
You post code would also have been of assistance for signal checking purposes.
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cathy: Probably a bit late in replying but just noticed your posting, well the immediate thing that springs to mind is if you have fed the normal aerial through the Sky box for purposes of viewing Sky on TV's in other rooms? because if you have then take the aerial out of the Sky box and connect it directly into the co-ax that was in the in the Sky boxes RF1 (or 2) socket.
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Russ G: As that Sony is an older model you should go into the "other settings" menu and check that "automatic update" had been left set to on, and irrespective of what its at try a manual update that should indicate the software number presently installed, which can then possibly be used for cross checking purposes.
I assume that this device is left on standby all of the time and is never completely switched off? which of course it shouldn't ever be, as if it was not only will the automatic updates have been missed it will take forever to populate the EPG listings.
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George: When you say "without connecting to the recorder" are you meaning connecting the aerial straight into the TV and not looping it via the recorder? as if you are then it means that the signal received is at a level on the verges of being too low, this being reduced further by going through the recorder.
Should what's mentioned apply, then you will have to use a two way powered splitter to get over the problem, although your post code would be of assistance for signal checking purposes as you "might" be located in an area that's switching to high power soon, and which would make a powered splitter unnecessary.
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MAGGIE: As this type of question is one involving a reception issue you will really have to indicate your location, (pref: post code) this to enable the signal levels expected in your area to be assessed and the station they are coming from.
Are you viewing on an analogue TV?
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Peter Killner: Unfortunately not, as Westward Ho (@ 2mls / 121 degrees) is a PSB only relay, and which unfortunately is something that is unlikely ever to change, this basically due to the purely commercial interests not being willing to contribute towards the running costs of additional multiplexes.
The trade view reception predictor does indicate that it should be possible to receive Huntshaw Cross (@ 5mls / 322 degrees) on the code provided, but I assume that this is might only be because the code area possibly stretches further up the hill you refer to, as otherwise it might have been worth an attempt to receive the main station.
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Philip Jones: Well the trade predictor does indicate that it should be possible from March 14th as far as all multiplexes are concerned, although I personally feel not as far as ArqB is concerned until April 25th as its power increases on that date to that of the other commercial transmitters, although it should be pointed out that the latter mentioned will always be running at half the power of the main PSB transmitters.
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Mike Attfield: As these channels are usually always from the higher powered multiplxes in a group you really have to indicate your location (pref: post code) to enable the signal levels expected in the area to be assessed, but though you should try carrying out a complete re-set on your TV followed by an auto-tune, just in case some glitch has developed in the sets tuner system.
By the way, the signal level checking referred to is necessary because some equipment can cope with high powered signals better than others, so this possibility has to be eliminated.
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Saturday 3 March 2012 12:08PM
Dave Lindsay: Yes, you are quite correct and something I was aware of, that being why I said that further advice would be given dependant on reply, as if by any chance it was facing Mendip then I was going to request that a test be carried out by manually tuning in a BBC and ITV mux, as although the aerial (if not that old) would most likely be out of group it will "still" receive a signal just the same, but just not quite so good as it would do if on the correct grouping, and its somewhat more prudent to try a test doing things this way rather than going to the trouble / expense of changing an aerial before trying a test.
Just another minor point whilst on the subject of Mendip, as although as far as I am concerned its neither here nor there, but DUK indicates that its only SDN that switches to high power on the 27th with ArqA / ArqB doing likewise the day after on the 28th.