All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Richard: If you haven't already done so, you should try disconnecting the box from the mains supply and after about 30 secs or so reconnecting it again and allowed it to go through the usual searching for listings procedure, as that might correct the problem.
If it doesn't then please indicate the model number printed on the label on the underside.
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Eileen: Although this isn't always generally known about, but when a signal being received has (or relies on) an element of reflection attached to it this can suddenly alter when the signal gets stronger, as the beam angles change slightly in sympathy with the power levels meaning that a signal might start to reflect off something it didn't before, likewise "not" from something it did!, and that aspect "might" be a contributory factor with your particular problem.
The other aspect is that HD signals are far more critical as far as reception conditions are concerned, this being why they will always falter first in situations where the signal being received is slightly too strong as well as in the case of the reverse, the difficulty being that the symptoms seen by the viewer are identical in both situations, picture break ups, freezing, pixilation and all sorts.
Just out of curiosity, what signal levels (strength / quality) do you get indicated on the normal channels? BBC(Ch58) - ITV(Ch54) and ITV3(Ch50)
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John: In my experience no! and indeed some Sky HD boxes can have the opposite to the desired effect.
Taking into consideration the number of outlets that's being fed if you feel that the signal could do with a boost then the item on the link is perfect for this purpose, as although this device is capable of amplifying to a level far in excess of what you require it is variable from zero to 20db, and so a happy medium can quite easily be found.
Argos item number: 534 / 4235 (£11.99) on page 565.
Buy Plug-In 1 Way TV Aerial Signal Booster at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Television aerials and boosters, TV aerials, boosters and accessories, TV aerials, boosters and accessories, Television aerials and boosters.
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Vicky: Adjusting a satellite dish requires extreme precision, and unless the dish has been leaned on in any way moving it downwards then its likely just out in the horizontal (left to right) plane.
If the dish can be seen from the TV then the box should be left on its signal check menu (services - 4 - 6) and the dish arm clamp screw loosened just enough to enable it to be moved "very slowly" from slightly left or right of its present position whilst observing the signal bars for the slightest of movement.
If this doesn't work then the elevation has likely been knocked out and that really requires a meter for success.
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WILFRED SWAIN: If you are referring to actual Freeview and not Sky's "free to view" channels on satellite then you will require a normal aerial, as satellite and terrestrial systems are not compatible.
If though you just wanted to view the same channel as on your Sky box then you could run a normal coax from the Sky boxes RF1 socket to your kitchen TV's aerial socket, retune the TV whilst on analogue, and that will enable the programme on the Sky box to be viewed in the kitchen.
This said provided your Sky box is not an Amstrad DRX595 which does not have a modulator.
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irene: When the aerial specialist stated that there is nothing wrong with either your aerial or TV, then did he give any possible explanation for your problem?
On checking I see you are indicated as being able (in theory) to receive signals from a few stations, so did he check to make sure that your TV or box was tuned to the correct one? and which would appear to be Pontop Pike, although if an auto tune was carried out there is a great possibility that some of the alternative stations would have been picked up and stored, as Pontop Pike transmits on high channel numbers, and TV's and boxes scan from low numbers upwards.
The alternative stations referred to being Fenham, Bilsdale and Sunderland.
Maybe you could give an update on this and also the model of TV that you use.
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Aime: Are you in effect stating that the aerial being used is communal to the four apartments? because if it is then that inclined to indicate a problem with the apartments aerial distribution amplifier system, as in your location Bilsdale would appear to be the only station that you can receive, but though according to the predictor at a good strength.
It would also be of assistance to know the model of TV being used.
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Iain: If your in laws are having a problem and yet they are using a satellite dish then their problem, and without knowledge of what it is, is not in any way related to yours, as there is no connection whatsoever between the two systems.
As far as your mast head amp problem is concerned did this fail after some thundery type weather? as high levels of static rain is about the only thing that can knock these amplifiers out, and of course if you are using a roof aerial and as you have said, are located on top of a hill then that's the recipe for this type of problem.
On looking at the reception predictions for your location I see that only the PSB muxes are indicated as providing good reception, and with these being from either Sudbury (Rouncefall), Crystal Palace or Dover, and so it depends on where your aerial might be directed towards?
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Alan Brown: Basically no! at least as far as the operation of the remote control is concerned, are you sure that the batteries fitted in the remote control are OK?
On the subject of reception when moored up at various points along the waterways, the problem as you will know doubt be aware of is that many of these locations have an abundance of trees dotted along the way, and trees act like a blanket to Freeview signals.
Just out of interest what type of aerial are you using for reception? and does it have the addition of a booster? the reason I ask is that friends of mine tour about in the areas referred to with their narrow boat and haven't really reported any great difficulties, that is except when in a tree lined type of situation.
By the way their aerial being a DM log used in conjunction with a variable booster.
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Thursday 4 October 2012 9:34PM
Leslie Mcintosh: I would suggest around the 55 / 60cm size absolute minimum as that would cater for the more Northern reaches of Scotland, although 50cm is OK (just) for the Central belt downwards.
Its always best to err on the larger side as they are far less critical when it comes to aligning them up than the smaller types that just manage to capture a signal and no more, likewise of course the minutest of movement on their mounting stand or whatever knocks them right off.