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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.


R Watts: That said by Dave Lindsay, including what you have discovered for yourself is the plus point about Freesat, as exactly the same thing can be experienced by viewers who have taken out a contract with Sky.

The problem they have being, that the viewer has no way of altering the situation except by phoning Sky and trying to convince them ("not" always an easy task) that the news services associated with their post code, which is programmed into their viewing card, is not in reality correct for their location, the task being made somewhat easier if the viewer is able to provide the Sky operator with an alternative post code, for example, some premises (large store or Post Office) based in the nearest town known to be well within the area covered by the news services desired, said premises having been chosen from such as the yellow pages.

Once Sky have accepted the basis of the complaint, they will proceed to alter the data programmed into the viewing card via an over-air download, this on some occasions taking a couple of hours or so, the viewer being instructed to leave the box on BBC1 and "not" to alter anything until the screen blanks out for 10 seconds or so, returning with the new info having been programmed into the card.

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Dave Lindsay: The post code system is incorrect for various areas as far as news coverage etc is concerned, as even in my own area of Stamford West, the post code associated with the area results in East Midland news which mainly covers what happens in Nottingham, or in some cases even Derby, likewise the weather affecting same, whereas most who reside in Stamford are involved with Peterborough and surrounding areas.

This by the way, is exactly the same whether it be Sky, Freesat or Freeview.

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Ian: Yes, that correct as far as BBC programmes are concerned, and as you have also mentioned, the same as far as ITV programmes are concerned provided that you have previously tuned them in using the Sky boxes other channels facility, although this would pose as a bit of a problem for some older viewers of the less able variety who are unable, if not indeed incapable, of using other than 101 and 103 for their news channels.

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J
QVC
Saturday 13 December 2014 12:00PM

Ray: Although there is always the possibility of a software issue being involved when dealing with receivers of the older variety, something which in the case of the DTI 6300-16 cannot be rectified as over-air updates have not been available for a few years now, however a more likely reason for your particular problem is down to a defect in the boxes internal power supply, the fault referred to caused by the main electrolytic capacitors having dried out and losing their capacity, this resulting in the tuner being supplied with a lower voltage than it requires to operate correctly with the effect that it becomes insensitive.

The reason for the problem only being revealed after a rescan being that the EPG information was already stored in the boxes tuner, this having been erased by the rescan, and with the insensitive (suspected) tuner being unable to recover the data.

That said, and although a long shot as the box is obviously defective, try leaving it disconnected from the mains for an hour or so to allow the power unit to cool down "then" carry out another retune, as "sometimes" the voltage will have recovered enough to allow the tuner to operate correctly enabling the channels to be recovered, albeit all it does is to place you in the same position as before the initial rescan, as the voltage will drop off again.

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Steve: What EPG number are you receiving Heart Radio London on? as the only one listed is on Freeview 728 which has National coverage with no regional variations being possible, hence why you hear London being mentioned.

However Heart Radio North West is available on an FM radio tuned to 105.4Mhz, and dependant on location, might also be possible to receive on the DAB digital radio service, unable to check unless a post code is provided.

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J
Made in Cardiff
Sunday 14 December 2014 5:09PM

Peter John: If the BBC and ITV channels were being received perfectly OK prior to the start of Made in Cardiff, their has to be an element of the coincidence involved with what you have reported, a point I am not sure about with what you have said being, are you receiving Made in Cardiff but nothing else? or is it that all channels have vanished after you retuned for the purpose of storing the new channel?

If its the latter, then that is inclined to point a problem with your aerial system, when you refer to a "booster aerial" what exactly does this involve? is it some form of "same room" type, or an aerial with a booster having been fitted in line etc, if the latter check that the power supply to same is still switched on.

Further advice on clarification of that said. It would also be of assistance if a post code was supplied, as this would enable details on the transmitter that covers your area to be checked out.

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Pauline: Try disconnecting the box from the mains supply, followed by waiting for around 30 seconds or so before reconnecting it again. If though the box being referred to is of the Sky+HD variety, place it in standby for a minute before disconnecting it from the mains, other than that proceed as aforementioned.

Any problems, give an update on the model involved, as printed on either the rear or underside of the box.

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John Ross: If you are referring to high rise properties in the SA70 7ET post code area, then Carmel @ 29 miles / 71 degrees is indicated as the station covering that area, with a clear line-of-sight to said station.

As your reception is via a communal aerial, then this obviously limits your options for reception by not having any control over the aerial system, the point being, have you checked with any of the other apartment dwellers to find out if they are also suffering from BBC reception problems?

If though they are, then the matter should be referred to the building maintenance department as its their responsibility to have the problem sorted out, that said, the problem might not actually be caused by anything connected with a fault in the communal aerial system, as the possibility always exists that interference being picked up from such as a 4G mobile phone base station could be responsible, should any be located nearby?, a communal aerial mounted on top of a high rise apartment block being in an ideal position to pick up interference of this sort, 4G having a greater affect on the reception of channel 60 more than any others.

Apart from that, there really isn't much that you can do unless the property is fitted with a satellite socket?, because should it have a satellite outlet point then this would enable you to purchase a Freesat receiver box, as those outlet sockets are suitable for use with either Freesat or Sky, although satellite "recorders" do require twin outlet points, as they are fitted with two tuners.

One final point, should any enquiry reveal that others are "not" experiencing any problems with the reception of BBC, try and find out if their BBC is also being received on Mux C60 and not Mux C56, as C56 is from the local Tenby transmitter.

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John Ross : That said was on the assumption that because of your location having a clear line of sight with the Carmel transmitter, the communal aerial is likely to be facing towards that station to enable the full range of channels to be received, however it may not be!, a simple way of telling being whether or not ITV3 can be received, should it not be, then the aerial will be facing towards the local Freeview "light" Tenby transmitter located @ 1.8 miles / 243 degrees, the Mux channels used by this station being: BBC1 C56 / ITV1 C48 / HD service C52, the transmissions from the station radiating on Vertical polarity, (receiving aerial elements facing up & down) whereas the undermentioned Carmel transmitter is on Horizontal.

Channels used by the Carmel transmitter being : BBC1 C60 / ITV1 C53 / HD C57 / ITV3 etc C54 / Pick etc C58 / 4Music etc C49.


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J
Darvel (East Ayrshire, Scotland) DAB transmitter
Thursday 18 December 2014 8:29PM

Frank Noonan: The Kilmarnock area is served by the Darvel transmitter and which is fully operational, therefore your problem has to be caused by a fault on your aerial system. When you refer to your TVs having different inputs, are the TV's in question fed from the output sockets of a powered splitter? if they are, then check that the splitters power supply is still switched, should it be OK? then try bypassing the amp by connecting the aerial down lead directly into one of the TV's output feeds followed by retuning the TV, although "only" if you have retuned it since the problem first occurred? otherwise don't!

If bypassing the splitter results in a picture of sorts, then the splitters internal power supply has failed.

That said is based on you "not" being connected into a communal aerial system? if you are, then consult the maintenance department of wherever you reside as they are responsible for rectifying the problem.

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