All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.Michael: In addition to that said by MikeP.
Purely on the subject of the viewing cards, they basically are all the same! but with the exception of the data programmed into I.C. embedded within the card.
If a viewer has just had a Sky system installed, then the viewing card that they receive will have been pre-programmed by Sky with the data codes necessary for the decryption module to allow the viewer to access the programme channels associated with the package that they had agreed to pay for, if though they happen to select a programme that is out with the package, then the code for said programme will not be recognised by the boxes decryption module when it compares it to the access code data loaded into it from the viewing card, this being what triggers the message you refer to, i.e: "this is not the correct card for the box" etc, although in this case its not so much the card but the data stored in it.
As far as the pre-programmed data on the viewing card is concerned, Sky can change this at any time via an "over air" download, and so if a viewer wanted to add a particular "special interest" channel to their package then the access code for same would be downloaded by Sky into the viewing card to allow the programme to be viewed.
Likewise if a person cancels their subscription, Sky will delete (over air) the pre-programmed access data for anything received if its of an encrypted nature.
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Brian: Although this test is not completely 100% accurate, but the best way to check for a power supply defect on one of the older models of Sky box such as the type mentioned, is to disconnect it from the mains for about 20 minutes to allow it to cool down, followed after said time by reconnecting it again and allowing it to go though the usual "searching for listings" procedure.
If the box had actually failed before is was disconnected from the mains, but now works (even for a short while) after having carried out the aforementioned procedure, then in 99% of cases this indicates that the power supply is indeed faulty.
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Brian : That said is in addition to Les Nicol's advice, as 29 can be caused by either of the two possible reasons mentioned.
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Michael : Re: The aforementioned (@ 11.28PM), please ignore my reference to " this is not the correct card for the box" etc, as that said by MikeP is totally correct when referring to warning messages associated with that seen on Sky boxes if the viewing card being used in same was originally registered for use in another box, because before it can be used in an alternative box Sky has to alter the data on the viewing card referring to the serial number of the previous box and enter that of the present one.
Sorry about the confusion! I was mixing my messages up.
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Ann Bartlett : The problem as described, can only be caused by one of three things.
(1) The signal to the dish being partially obstructed by such as tree foliage, should any trees be located nearby?
(2) The cable from the LNB mounted on the end of the dish arm has not been clipped properly onto the arm and has possibly got fractured at some point, this usually being near to where it leaves the "F" connector on the LNB.
(3) Although less likely, the screws holding the dish mounting plate onto the wall are slack, and this is allowing the dish to move slightly every time there is a gust of wind.
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michele: In addition to that said by Dave Lindsay, especially on the issue of excluding the aerials from being faulty, but on the subject of your signal check on ITV Ch44 indicated poor, its really a case what it is on BBC Ch41?, because although your reception was OK before the actual signal received "might" just have been high enough and no more to resolve a picture, this having now dropped slightly due to seasonal vegetation growth reasons (trees) thereby taking it under the critical level for reception, even although the BBC is still OK.
My reason for suspecting that this "might" be the case is due to the number of trees seen in your area, and "if" the premises referred to is located just off the Abersoch Road (Craig Y Glyn?) or another premises near to?, then reception being a bit on the iffy side is not entirely unexpected under these circumstances from a 2Kw transmitter located at around 14 miles away.
By the way, what type (brand/model ) boosters are being used?
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michele: Mains powered boosters being placed under floorboards is not a good idea when looking at it from a fire safety angle, plus of course its impossible to test them.
However, a signal strength of only 37% on Mux Ch41(BBC) is inclined to suggest that my suspicion with regards to the cause of your problem could well apply, because if the BBC's 37% dropped off any lower then its also liable to vanish, the critical level before cut off (on your receiver) possibly being around 35% or thereabouts.
To be honest about it, I cant really see you getting over this problem without gaining access to the boosters for the purpose of finding out what the dB gain rating is on them, because should it be found that the booster's (signal splitter?) in question are rated under 10dB, then increasing this to 15 -20dB could well lift the ITV signal to a level capable of resolving a picture.
By the way, I also suspect that if a signal strength check had been carried out on the BBC prior to ITV vanishing, then the reading obtained would likely have been much higher than 37%, likewise ITV's 31% also being higher, and the reason why you could view it.
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michele: I would certainly follow the advice given by MikeP / Mike B and steer clear of seeking assistance from such as Sky engineer sources, as digital reception of a terrestrial nature can be fraught with a multitude of problems compared to the merest handful of same that can be responsible for satellite reception failures.
As far as your problem is concerned, if you are unable to receive ITV on "any" of your TV's no matter which of your two aerials they happen to be connected into, then if it can be verified that the aerials in question are "not" physically connected at any point and are running as totally separate systems, which is the norm!, then signal level drop off caused by reasons "not" connected with your installation just has to apply.
Needless to say that this is why its essential to gain access to the booster(s), because as previously mentioned, "if" they are found to be minimum amplification / splitter types, then changing them for more powerful versions might solve your problem, if though on the other hand its found that they are already higher powered types (e.g:15dB or above) then unfortunately there isn't much that can be done about the situation as repositioning of the aerial, which does help in some situations, is not really an option when you already have a twin aerial system "not" installed on the same mast.
Re: Clarification of "any" mentioned in second paragraph, this means to ensure that any retuning tests you carry out are "not" all being made on TV's connected into the same aerial, because if the TV's in question are all of the same brand / model? then you only really require to carry out a test on two TV's, that is one connected into each aerial system.
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Bill McDonald: According to info, yes! on Mux C33 (570.0 Mhz) from the Mendip transmitter, the programme listed as being operational from 1900 - 0530 hours on LCN / EPG number 106.
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Monday 14 July 2014 6:46PM
Ferryside
Dave Lindsay: Thanks for the update on this, as its something which I was totally unaware of including possibly DUK's (trade) reception prediction site, because after having read Graham's posting I carried out a reception check using SA17 5RN as a test code (Ferryside Post Office) and the SDN Mux was not listed, however I have just tried the test again using the same post code and low and behold it is now..