All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Dan: No! as Freesat and Sky in the technical sense of reception use exactly the same dish arrangements so no alterations whatsoever are necessary, so you simply remove the "F" connectors from the Sky boxes and transfer them over to the Freesat ones.
| link to this comment |
Bill W: Regarding the offset comment in the reply made to Gay Skinner, it was based on the fact that offsets from a channel centre frequency when of a negative nature have caused problems to a number of devices manufactured around three years or so ago, and of course by being unaware of the type of device being used I couldn't discount this possibility.
However the problem referred to is basically due (as indeed touched on yourself) to the tuners PLL off-frequency acceptance range being very limited to the extent that it refuses (or partially anyway) to lock on any frequency that's much under that of the Mux channels centre f, this difficulty as would possibly be expected showing up worse where weaker signals are involved.
The only strange aspect about this problem is that it doesn't seem to affect the same devices in a similar way where positive offsets are involved, or at least I haven't noticed any complaints, my theory on this being (as I haven't been able to prove it as yet) that the channel centre frequency on the devices involved is not actually bang on what it should be but slightly above it, this meaning a negative pull is already on the PLL when tuned to channels that do not have negative offsets, and why when attempting to tune to channel that actually does have an negative offset it struggles to pull much further down, whereas on the other hand never where positives are involved as its already slightly above the centre frequency.
This problem though could really be classed as one of yesteryear, as I haven't noticed any complaints of a similar nature being made where more recently manufactured devices are involved.
As far as the indications seen on your Tevion is concerned they just have to be incorrect, as even on a channel with an offset its only by 176 Khz, for a test I would normally have suggested that you scrub everything stored and manually enter the "frequency" (not channel number) of Sandy's Mux Ch52 then scan it and see what happens, and if it did pick up Ch52 have another look at what offset is showing this time, however on having a quick check at the Tevions manual I don't think it allows you to do that.
Regarding Ch31, as you probably will already know this is temporarily on low power, and it seems of a much lesser nature than originally, (possibly having been backed off slightly because of Crystal Palaces HD problem?) as I coupled up my South facing aerial to enable me to make a check on the 2K issue, but unfortunately the signal being received from it was just too low to register properly so I will make another check from an alternative location, possibly when mobile.
| link to this comment |
sue2201: Just a little correction, its really Sky "Free to view" channels although I do realise that it is shown as "Freesat from Sky" in certain headings including the one on the link below, but there is a difference between the two.
As far as using a card in a Sky box is concerned, you dont require one now except for viewing Pick TV (Ch152) so that isnt really a problem, the only thing I wondered about though is when you refer to your DVD / VHS combi being able to take a sat dish, what model is it? as I had assumed that it would be coupled into a box via a scart lead.
I also think your decision to hold off until April is a wise one, as you never know you might not require to purchase anything, but with regards to the price you have been given for the dish installation, should at a later date you decide to go with it I would first of all have it doubly confirmed to ensure there are no hidden extras, as the price is just too low.
This is a link from the site where you can see the comparisons between the various systems.
All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
Podzak: Pontop Pike @ 16 miles away is indicated as your main station with the aerial mounted horizontally and pointing at 208 degrees.
| link to this comment |
lisa: Its really a case of them moving channels rather than completely disappearing, as from April 18th the only channels that they will apply to is Mux Ch30- (HD service) and ArqB (Yesterday / Film4 etc) Mux Ch28-.
| link to this comment |
Gill: The Freesat box cannot really be referred to as any sort of guide when referring to the problem you have mentioned, it being purely a Freeview one received through the normal aerial.
The only way of checking is by making an enquiry with a neighbour, as you are indicated as being able to receive from three separate transmitters, Mendip / Ridge Hill and Wenvoe, Mendip having the edge on the other two.
| link to this comment |
Bill W: Just to confirm that Mux Ch31 from Sandy is operating on the 2K mode and will be doing so until May 9th this year, as then it switches to high power operation and joins the other SD muxes already operating on the 8K mode, as indeed you have already observed.
| link to this comment |
Swifty: Are you sure it actually says DV3 and not DVB? although if it is DV3 then thats a satellite box and which requires a dish and not an aerial, have a look at the aerial socket and if you see its surrounded with screw threads then its a Sky box.
If though its not, then advice on Freeview reception can only be given if your location is known (pref: post code) as the signal level expected at your location cannot be assessed without it.
| link to this comment |
David Jackson: If its genuinely high powered it will caused most likely by him having a booster in line with his aerial lead, that said though even a normal CB's transmitter output of 4 watts can cause problems if very close to your equipment, and that includes the aerial, that said though CB,s were known more for interference to analogue TV transmissions albeit they can still interfere with DTT reception, but in a different way.
Does this problem manifest itself as a continuous form of picture break up or does it come in bursts? as if its the latter then he is doing what is known as a DXing
| link to this comment |
Friday 17 February 2012 5:26PM
sue2201: Well as far as the cost of setting up a dish is concerned, I suppose its really the case of looking to see if there is anyone local advertising this service, as its possible to purchase a reasonably priced kit complete with cable for around the £30.00 or so mark from numerous sellers on e-bay, then all you would require is someone to install it for you.
As far as cost is concerned I cant really advise on this as it can vary dependant on location, plus because the domestic side of my activities is more involved as one of a trouble-shooter / improver as well as equipment repair so I don't usually get involved with initial installations as such.
As far as your other equipment is concerned it will work "exactly" the same as it presently does, but with the addition of being able to record from a Freesat (or Sky) box via a scart coupling between the two devices in question, "but" could you please let me know the brand / model number of your DVD / VHS device, as I notice that you refer to it as "player".
That being said though, I wouldn't really advise you to do anything until after April 18th as you will then have a better idea of whether or not the super high powered signal from Crystal Palace will manage to overcome the problems you have caused by the trees, as if by any remote chance it doesn't, then you can then forge ahead with the installation of a dish as this will enable you to view Sky's "free to view" channels, which up to a point just about level pegging with Freesat as some programmes are on one system but not the other and vice-versa.