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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.


F Canfield: Its a pity in a way that you re-tuned the TV as by doing so you will have scrubbed its memory of the channels stored, as although your reception might appear to have been lost in 99.9% of the time on any TV / set top box its still there, but is just sitting at a level underneath the reception threshold of the equipment being used for reception.

I think though that by you effectively back tracking on what you have done has somewhat proven the point that the situation is potentially out with your control, because if the panels you refer to on the other property were already there you can really discount them as a possible cause of the problem, albeit that they can have an effect on a signal in exactly the same way as a sheet of metal would, as with any indoor aerials of the same room variety unless a reasonably clear line of site exists towards the transmitter then reflective elements have to come into the equation to be able to receive workable signal in the first place at that distance.

I suggest that to give you a better idea of what's happening you should connect the TV onto the loft aerial again purely for tune up purposes, then once completed and having tested the reception as being OK over a few channels (use BBC / ITV1/ ITV3) go into the TV's tuning menu / signal check screen and observe the level being seen for both strength / quality "if" it has this type of indication, as some only have one indication bar but whatever type note the level its at.

Once that's done take the set back to the kitchen and re-connect the aerial again then select any one of the channels previously checked, and even although the screen might be blank go into the tuning menu signal check area and have a look at the strength indication, leave it on that whilst you move the aerial about observing any changes whilst carrying out this action, as you are really using the TV as a form of electronic signal meter which will at least give you instant feedback on where the best signal is in the room. (if that is anywhere!)

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Malcolm: Have a look in your Toshiba's set up menu and you will most likely see an option to disable these update warnings, if you cant see it mentioned anywhere give an update on the model number of the set and it can be checked on.

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Malcolm: Just to add that, that although you have got it set for automatic upgrades the circuitry used by some brands doesnt have the ability to know the message doesnt apply, this being why when software upgrades are being transmitted the message springs up.

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J
Diagnostics - old version
Thursday 26 January 2012 7:08PM

Nikki: Although the carrying out a re-scanning exercise is generally the immediate reaction taken by most on seeing a no signal indication, it should however never be done as all it results in are the channels already stored in the TV's or boxes memory being scrubbed necessitating frequent re-scans to recover them.

What you report could suggest a possible aerial problem, but to exclude the possibility of the transmitter being down at the time you re-scanned you really have to indicate your location, this preferably in the form of a post code for accuracy.





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Diagnostics - old version
Thursday 26 January 2012 7:51PM

Linda Reeve: As your query is basically involved with reception you really have to indicate your location, (pref: post code) as this would enable the signal levels expected in your area to be assessed as well as any other technical issues that may apply.

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J
Indoor aerials | Installing
Thursday 26 January 2012 8:24PM

kerry: Well although Skelmersdale is located at only 6 miles away from you its not shown as being possible to receive on the trade predictor, Winter Hill at 11 miles away indicated as the best.

However, although Winter Hill is maybe indicated as best on DUK's site indications seen on another predictor gives me doubts about the advisability of purchasing an aerial of the type you mention, as same room aerials are always hit and miss as they can be affected by so many things, so isn't it possible for you to borrow one from someone purely for a test? as it doesn't need to be any of the so-called "super power" types that one can see advertised with fanciful claims attached to them, a standard ordinary one is quite suffice.

By the way Winter Hill is located at 32 degrees from you, that is roughly One O'clock from due North.

Another thing I wondered about is whether or not its possible for you to have an aerial in the loft?

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Malcolm: As regards to the former, its basically because equipment upgrades are always broadcast on the BBC multiplex and not the commercial ones, and as far as the latter question is concerned yes! they will do dependant on the arrangements that have been made with the equipment manufacturers.

I will have a check on your model and give an update, possibly later on failing that tomorrow.

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J
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 26 January 2012 9:19PM

kevin: Try swapping the "F" connectors in the Sky+ box over for a few days, or at least a bit longer period than you would consider it would normally last without the problem showing up.

The point is though as this test is to verify (or not) if its the LNB at fault dont try recording anything after having swapped the connectors in case it cuts out during the recording.

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J
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 26 January 2012 9:29PM

Michael: Although its always possible that the problem could be caused by the cable it is however much more likely that its occurring at the "F" connection to the LNB, so I would unscrew the "F" plug concerned and check that no moisture has crept in, the give away being the copper core having turned black, then once checked coat it with Vaseline before screwing it back in again and giving it another test.

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J
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 26 January 2012 11:21PM

Michael: Just to add, that what was said was based on you "not" having checked the "F" connector at the dish end, if by any chance you did at the same time as the one at the box end then the fault could be either with the LNB or the cable, especially if the latter has an excessively long loop sweeping up to join the LNB which could fracture by flapping about in high wind.

By the way LNB's can be obtained via e-bay sources for as little as £7.00 to £10.00 or so, so any doubts just replace it.

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