All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
David Newton : Thanks for the update, although now its known that the Humax in question is a HDR2000t model its possibly not the best to use for signal checking purposes, as adverse reports have been seen with regards to the sensitivity of the tuners used in this particular model.
However, I have updated the test post code used for signal assessment purposes in your area to that of the old library, this still indicating that excellent reception should be possible in your area from Mendips COM7 on Mux Ch33, also by the way, including Wenvoes COM7 on Mux 31 on a reverse pick up on your aerial (only 2 degrees out) albeit that a line of sight obstruction does exist at around 1 mile prior to your area.
As far as the next stage of action is concerned, although I do realise that your local TV shop has verified that COM7 is received OK where they are located, its really best to try and check with someone located as near as possible to your own property, this being to avoid the remote possibility of a dead spot coming into the equation, if though COM7 is being received nearby then this is inclined to point to a fault on the aerial system such as a defective connection, as its not exactly unknown for a defective joint to be frequency selective.
The ideal test of all would be if you could retune any of your HD devices whilst connected into another aerial system, as once connected back onto your own system this would instantly reveal if yours was indeed faulty.
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David Newton: In addition to that said, and although a long shot, but as the aerial system referred to dates back around 20 years check the coax route to the actual aerial itself to make sure that it doesn't pass through a small box of any sort such as a diplexer, as back in the analogue years the previous owner of the property might possibly have been using a twin aerial system to enable viewing of news programmes from two areas via a single downlead, and if a diplexer had been left in the system it would block signals of a lower frequency, Mendips analogue transmitters always having used channels in the higher end of the band.
By the way, although diplexers were usually always installed attached to the aerial mounting pole, in some cases they might even have been installed in a loft.
Could you also confirm that you are "not" able to view EPG 124 / 134 or 64?
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David Newton: Aerials will receive anything within the range of frequencies they are designed to cover irrespective of whatever the transmission mode might be, and so if you have an old set top aerial of the powered variety kicking about it could be used for a "manual tune" test of the type described in a previous reply.
That said, I wouldn't put too much reliance on the outcome of the test, as set top aerials even of the powered variety, might not detect anything in your area when installed at only a few feet above ground level.
Of course, should you manage to find the aerial, it goes without saying that you would first of all try it out on the channels that's known to be receivable on the main aerial, as the outcome of that test would at least give you an idea of whether or not you are liable to be wasting your time using an aerial of that type for tests.
By the way, the reason for emphasising the "manual tune without pressing scan or search" procedure, is simply because that this procedure effectively uses the receivers tuner as a form of signal meter free from threshold cut off levels, meaning that extremely low level signals will still be shown on the strength bar even although the strength of anything indicated might well be under a level that's capable of resolving a picture, plus the quality will be zero. But though, it doesn't really matter about this, as you are only interested in knowing if any RF signals exist from Mux33.
I would also like to say, that even although I have referred to issues concerning the sensitivity of tuner used in your 2000t, the Humax is still the best device to use for tests of this sort, always remembering to select DVB-T2 for HD signals.
Pity you are unable to access the loft, but have a look up at your aerial just to make sure the coax coming down from same is not seen to be passing through any small boxes strapped to the mast, or brickwork.
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Mal: Searching for channels on a Humax Freesat PVR using the manual tune method automatically activates the "set top box" mode whereby the Freesat default transponder responsible for providing the EPG listings is not stored, this resulting in the box performing in exactly the same way as these low cost "free to air" satellite receivers sold by outlets such as Aldi's or Lidl's etc, owners of such devices usually finding it a bit of a nightmare finding where the Freesat programmes that they normally view have been stored.
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steve tames: Any box that loses channels when the mains power supply is switched of is usually caused by the number of channels picked up exceeding the capacity of the tuners memory.
Carry out a "reset" or "default setting" on the box to delete everything stored in the memory system prior to carrying out another retune, "first time installation" (should your box have it) being a more straightforward method.
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les rigby: What model of Samsung are you referring to? as the TV's tuning menu accessible when you select and click on "aerial" usually offering a choice of either Terrestrial, Freesat, Cable or Satellite (not necessarily in that order), the latter able to receive transponders covering Europe as well as the UK.
Unless you specifically wish to receive a foreign channel? always carry out an auto tune with Freesat selected, if though nothing is received, then your dish might be pointing at 19.2 degrees instead of 28.2, the difference in physical terms being fractional.
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les rigby : Just to clarify, when I referred to 19.2 and 28.2, this was referring to the satellite positions and not the compass bearing that your dish should be set to, although your dish cant be that terribly far out in the horizontal (left / right) plane or you would not be able to receive anything.
Have a look at the guide shown in the link, choosing the setting most appropriate to wherever you are located.
Aiming a dish at Astra 2.
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Fred : Stockland Hill at just over 8 miles / 90 degrees is indicated as being the transmitter that covers your area, albeit with a line-of-sight obstruction to the signal path being seen at just over 1 mile prior to your location.
Although DUK's reception predictor does suggest that good reception is possible, L.O.S obstructions to a signal path can cause variations in the level of the signal being received, and its possible that your problem "might" just be down to the signal level hovering at just above the threshold for reception.
Therefore, you should carry out a signal check on the channels in question, monitoring the strength, but particularly the quality of over a few minutes or so, if both levels are seen to dip slightly now and again then a variable booster is liable to improve the situation, however if the quality is seen to drop to almost zero (if not vanish completely) then the problem is likely to be out with your control, and of course boosters would not be of any assistance as they cannot compensate for loss of quality.
Further advice dependant on feedback.
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R.E.Bigwood: Nothing has changed as far as the programme guide numbers for ITV3 and ITV2 are concerned, with ITV3 being on guide list 10 and ITV2 on 6. If the problem still exists then carry out a "manufacturers reset" on your box (or TV) prior to retuning same, man / reset also being known as "default setting" or "first time installation".
By the way, knowledge of your location would have been of assistance, this preferably being in the form of a post code or one from nearby such as a shop / post office, as this info would enable access to details of the transmitter that covers your area
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Saturday 27 September 2014 9:28PM
kerry: Properties in your area would appear to be connected into a communal aerial system, should your TV or box be connected into such a system then the problem is really out with your control, as its really in the domain of the properties maintenance department.
I should say though, that the communal aerials fitted on the properties in the area are seen to be facing towards the Wenvoe transmitter, and although being only 4 miles away, this transmitter is not indicated as providing the best reception due to the signal path from same being blocked relatively close to your location, Mendip being far in a way superior in this respect by having a clear line of sight between the transmitter and your apartment block, of course, that is should the location referred to apply? as its fully appreciated that a post code can cover a number of properties in an area.
By the way, are any of your neighbours suffering from similar problems with reception?