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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.


Neil: A test code used in the reception predictor indicated that reception of the first four multiplexes (BBC - ITV - BBC HD - SDN) is far superior from Sudbury (@ 23 mls / 34 degrees) rather than Crystal Palace (@ 32mls / 225 degrees)

I therefore suggest you try a manual tune test on Sudbury's ITV mux Ch41 and see what transpires, as you might receive it on the rear of your aerial, albeit being 10 degrees out.

I will say that this type of test is always best carried out after have factory re-set your TV or box, as if you don't and just carry out the manual scan anything it does pick up from Sudbury (ITV1 etc) will be pushed up in the EPG 800 ranges.

If though the reception from Sudbury proves better than from Crystal Palace then you could also tune in the BBC from Sudbury, it being on Mux Ch44.

Further info supplied on the result of your test.

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Neil: Just a small addition, when I mentioned about any channels picked up from Sudbury being pushed up into the EPG 800 ranges it doesn't actually matter, that is so long as you remember to check up there for a second ITV1.

The only other snag that might occur if a factory re-set is not done beforehand is that some TV (or boxes) do not have a massive programme memory as far as storing anything received is concerned, and if this type of test is carried out on a device with a lower storage capacity anything found can be lost on switching off the set at the end of the evening, other than that it doesn't matter.

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Lee: You should really just split the RF1's output and feed it to the upstairs TV, that is taking it that you aren't using RF2 because you are using a magic eye controller, however you should go into the Sky boxes hidden menu, accessed by pressing "services" then in a quick even succession "0-0-1-select" and check that RF2's power is selected to OFF.

That said though, the RF output on a Sky box isnt strong and so only one of the sockets should be used, and as the Freeview signal is slightly attenuated by going through the Sky box you have to have a reasonable signal strength to start off with.

Unable to check the latter as you havent supplied a location. (pref: post code)

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J
Connecting it all up | Installing
Sunday 8 January 2012 11:23PM

kath: And if I could just second what Dave Lindsay has said! although what you mention about it not working as you envisaged, could I feel have partly been the cause of the problem you were having, but I can assure you that it "is" working exactly as it should be, this is two different systems selected purely by pressing the source input button.

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Lee: Using a two way powered splitter is possibly the best way to get good results as that would help compensate for signal losses with what you are doing, but before purchasing anything you should first of all ensure that you can actually get reasonable Freeview reception upstairs when you couple the aerial directly into the upstairs TV feed, this test advisable just in case your problem is caused by something defective about the link.

If though this proves as being OK, then all you would require to do is connect the Sky boxes RF1 output into the splitters input, then a co-ax jumper from one of its two outputs into your downstairs TV, the lead to the upstairs TV being plugged into the splitters No2 output. (you leave RF2 unconnected)

You might get away with just using a standard non powered splitter if connected in exactly the same way as the powered one, but performance is not guaranteed because they always attenuate the signal slightly, something undesirable unless you are in a good signal area, whereas the powered splitter is guaranteed to work in all cases.

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Peter Brewer: That model of TV was one of the first sets to be able to receive Freesat HD transmissions, and indeed designed before they even started, so "if" you are referring to it not being able to receive HD via satellite it might be because the set is not capable of receiving the new S2 transmissions which started last June, something that caused chaos to not only many users of Freesat TV's but also a range of Sky boxes.

Should you be indeed referring to Freesat, then the best policy is to return the set to its shipping condition, as in some cases the new symbol rate will automatically appear after its scanned "if" it has the rate required stored in its hidden menu, as unfortunately a number of TV's dont.

If though on the other hand you are referring to Freeview via a normal aerial, I cannot see that model being listed as having HD capabilities on Freeview.

Maybe you could clarify on this.

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dot thomas: No, as Sky will disable the recording side of the box as they retain control of this at all times, even after a person has stopped subscribing.

I believe they charge about £10.00 per month to keep it enabled this making a Freesat recorder a better choice, as it can directly replace the Sky boxes position as it uses the same dish without any alterations being necessary.

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J
Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) transmitter
Monday 9 January 2012 8:18PM

John Procter: Thanks for the update. If you see pixilation on the stronger channels then you will obviously have to increase the attenuation, the thing to remember though being that SDN (ITV3 etc) is indicated as being on lower power (123KW) than the main muxes (@ 174Kw) until the end of January, and ArqA (Pick TV / Dave etc) very much so (87Kw) until the same period, so makes allowances for that when judging signal levels.

That said, ArqB (Film4 / ITV4) is indicated as being on 174Kw, although it has also to be appreciated that figures published aren't always necessarily what is happening in real life, as only the engineers at the station know what the true situation is.

Of course I feel that with the attenuator now in place further experimenting with aerial position on the horizontal plane might even out the channels, especially ArqB.(Mux Ch48)

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J
Freeview modes | Installing
Monday 9 January 2012 9:45PM

Jon: If I could just ask for a point of clarification, what type of multi-outlet powered splitter are you using? and forgetting about the bedrooms for the time being, what results do you get if you connect the aerial into the splitter and use "any" of its output sockets to connect back into the TV in the same room?, or is it when you do that problems occur.

The reason I ask is that I cant quite determine if you have tried that or not, or are purely referring to the results observed from TV's in other rooms.

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Digital switch-over problems | Switchovers
Monday 9 January 2012 11:20PM

Morris Gyles: Residing in the West Midlands could possibly suggest Sutton Coldfield as being the station Freeview is being received from, but for more accuracy a post code is required to enable advice to be given.

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