All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Iain Sherriff: Its difficult to say exactly what could be causing your problem, this because the reason for could be at either end of the signal strength scale.
Firstly, as you are only 3 miles away from the transmitter (albeit only 400W) and are using a masthead amplifier, then you "might" be receiving a signal that's on the verges of being too strong, and which can cause problems in the tuner.
I would normally say to try a test by-passing the booster, but this is obviously not possible if its mast head type, so (if available) try a test using a set top aerial, should you still be able to get a reasonable (although not perfect) picture by using it then the mast head amplifier requires by-passing, or alternatively you could purchase a simple attenuator to place in line with the aerial socket.
The second reason is, if there are any local obstructions between you and the transmitter then the signal could be hovering just above the reception threshold of your equipment and that's the reason for the problem, try a signal strength / quality check on your Humax and watch if the quality is erratic, as if is then you are in the realms of requiring the aerial system to be investigated, and with this possibly meaning the slight repositioning of it, an action which sometimes works wonders.
Give an update on the signal strength though!
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neil: The lock indicator will be showing that if no satellite signal is being received, as it needs one to lock onto. Have you just coupled this up? or was already working OK and this has just happened?
Whatever the answer, you should carry out a re-set by removing the mains plug, waiting about 15 secs or so, then re-connect it and let the box go through its usual start up procedure.
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Iain Sherriff: Thanks for the update, and yes! a report on what's seen when it isn't OK would make it easier to assess the situation, and as aforementioned the signal checking being done on the Humax as they are one of the better boxes to use for tests.
I will say though, that the signal strength you have reported doesn't suggest that its likely to get to the point of being over the top, that is "if" its presently at its best.
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Kay Farmer: Humax boxes have sensitive tuners, and so are amongst the best around for "not" suffering from this problem in the same way as does some other equipment.
No location (post code) has been given and so your fathers reception possibilities cannot be checked on, this to give an idea of the signal strength he is liable to be receiving, and of course from where!
The other point is the method being used to feed the aerial into both devices, and also where the aerial is installed. (loft / roof or communal)
Maybe you could also indicate the model number of the Humax in question, likewise the TV.
These things really have to be known in order to be able to assess what's liable be causing the problem.
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Iain Sherriff: Ah! Now you have mentioned this Iain its added a somewhat different dimension to the possible cause, especially when there's a Hitachi PVR in the equation, as although these chassis do indicate as being compatible with 8k transmission modes they are still prone to playing up in various ways.
One of being, sometimes no picture is shown when first switched on even although strength / quality (combined) are indicated as being OK, the only way of rectifying the situation being to nudge up to the next channel then back down again, this obviously not being possible when a recording has been programmed to start which results in it being missed. (this being your problem)
One thing that can sometimes help is to carry out a first time installation but do NOT carry out an auto tune, entering the Mux's individually, in the case of Malvern its Mux Ch's 53 - 57 - 50 - 59 - 55 (HD channel 60 obviously N/A) You will NOT lose anything already recorded by doing this, but will anything else you may have pre-set.
Maybe you could have a look at the software version and give an update on what's seen, this shown under the "configuration" menu, also if you could give the actual model of the Hitachi in question.
There is an update for these chassis but its a long winded process involving a download into the PC, then the use of an RS232 cable from it into the PVR, this always coupled to the danger that if anything goes wrong during the process then a non rectifiable disaster strikes.
The Humax mentioned was also known for various problems (lock ups etc) although if this has always been kept powered up (in standby) then you could have received over air updates, although similar to in the case of the Hitachi, the scrubbing of everything stored in the EPG and entering channels individually has been reported to help in the case of odd problems, cant confirm though because I use a pair of 9200's.
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MrC: Its quite amazing that an indoor aerial works at all, especially at 34 miles away from the nearest high power station, namely Emley Moor, with the only cure for the problem being to fit an aerial into the loft.
As your Nana is obviously in a good signal area the aerial does not need be anything complex, an ideal one for loft installations seen on the link.
Online TV FM DAB Aerial sales
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Ben: When you re-set the Sky box did you go into the Sky boxes installers menu and select "power on" again for the RF2 output socket? and whilst in that menu did you also re-set the RF output channel to the same as you were using before?
As unless you did, the magic eye will not illuminate nor will the 2nd TV will be able to pick up the output from the Sky box.
Also, if the 2nd set is a dual standard digital / analogue type, make sure its on analogue or you will not pick up the RF output from the Sky box.
By the way, the red light only indicates that DC power from the Sky box is being received via the co-ax and not an actual RF signal, although if neither works and they are set as aforementioned, then either the co-ax has a break somewhere or the Sky box is faulty.
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Ben: Meant to add, the menu referred to being accessible by pressing "Services" then "4 - 0 -1 - select" without a gap, best done whilst not looking at the screen.
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John Osborn: Unfortunately I cannot say for sure whether or not it would lose the previously recorded channels, as on some boxes it does whereas on others it doesn't, however it would have been of assistance to know what model of Goodman's you are actually referring to.
The other point is, and with reference to the problem you mention, it would also help in assessing possible reasons for your intermittent reception if you had provided your location, (post code) as this would then enable checking on the strength of signal you are liable to be receiving,
especially when you have mentioned its from the high powered Sutton Coldfield transmitter.
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Sunday 16 October 2011 3:41PM
jim: It depends on exactly how you have connected the second TV, as if its via the Sky boxes RF output socket then you have to remember to scan the additional TV to pick up the Sky boxes signal when its (the TV) set to "analogue" or you wont receive the Sky box, all Sky box RF outputs being analogue and not digital.