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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.


Big Mart: Selecting "channel update" can in many cases add to whats already stored in a TV or boxes memory and can, dependant on the box or TV, result in the frequently heard complaint of a person losing channels when the device is switched off over night, this in most cases caused by the devices memory capacity having been exceeded during a re-scan.

The thing that has to be remembered is that memory system used to store / alter channels varies across different brands of equipment as there isnt a standard for this, and with this fact being why the blanket statement made of "carry out a factory reset" is usually always given as it "does" guarantee a fresh empty memory irrespective of brand.

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Ray Robinson: As you are located at only 15 miles or so away from the high powered Rowridge transmitter (high power on PSB only) and are using an outdoor aerial then its possible that you are receiving such a powerful signal that its desensitizing or partially blocking your tuner, so if you have access to a set top aerial then for test purposes I would plug that in and carry out a retune.

Should you not be able to access that type of aerial, then you could try another test by using a short piece (about 12") of copper wire connected into the aerial sockets inner section, and as before carry out a rescan.

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sam: If your box "always" works again for a limited period of time after having been temporarily disconnected from the mains supply then that generally points to a defect in the boxes internal power unit, not exactly an uncommon thing to happen.

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Laura: A sky box can work without a card being inserted so take the card out and try disconnecting the box from its mains power supply, then after about 30 seconds or so reconnecting it again and letting it go through the usual procedure of searching for listings etc.

If you do not have a contract with Sky then the only purpose the card has is to enable the correct ITV region to be viewed in certain areas plus view Pick TV.

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Martyn: When your neighbour is also suffering from the same problem then it limits the possible causes to being due either to localised interference, or the much more likely reason of it being caused by the normal and seasonally related atmospheric condition changes that takes place in the evenings, as dependant on conditions this in some instances can actually result in the signal strength rising, whereas in other cases it falls off slightly whereby its sitting at a level not high enough above the reception threshold of your TV's tuner capabilities, something which always results in glitches.

Carry out a signal strength check on a particular channel when there isn't a problem making a note of the strength / quality seen indicated, then do the same on the same when the problem re-appears and compare the differences between the two readings.

The other possible atmospheric related cause is that of the "inversion" effect, as this causes channels from distant stations (sometimes continental) to be received on the same channels as Belmont's (or any other station) and which once again results in exactly the type of problem you are experiencing, although this latter effect is more associated with a particular channel rather than overall.

Needless to say, there really isn't anything that can be done about this problem, and its something that has been causing random problems to numerous people right across large parts of the bottom half of the UK, at least I haven't seen any complaints from North of the border, as yet anyway!



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J
Digital switch-over problems | Switchovers
Sunday 15 April 2012 4:50PM

tina: If you previously received Freeview OK prior the 4th but cannot properly now, then that suggests that you "might" be located in an area where its possible to receive an excessively high level of signal and this can cause problems of the nature you have mentioned.

Just for a test, should you have access to a set top aerial (simple non-amplified type) plug that in and give your TV or box a retune with that installed.

You should really provide your post code (or one from nearby) with queries of this sort, as it enables the signal levels expected at your location to be assessed, although I suspect that you are possibly receiving your signal from Crystal Palace, and if you are then the BBC transmitter is on full power.

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Jean: The channels Mendip uses are as follows: Ch61 (BBC1) - Ch54 (ITV1) - Ch58 (HD service) - Ch48 (SDN) - Ch52 (ArqA) - Ch56 (ArqB)

If you had mentioned a specific EPG number programme I could have given the mux channel it uses.

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Andrew: You really have to provide your location (pref: post code or one from near by) for anyone to be able to answer that type of question, as although a weak signal could be the cause, but on the other hand it could also be caused by a signal that's too strong, as the symptoms experienced can be exactly the same in both these situations.

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jane66m: I would hold off trying to do anything for another three days, as Crystal Palaces commercial multiplex transmitters that the programmes you mention are on will be switching over to high powered operation on the 18th.

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KMJ,Derby: Apologies KMJ unaware that you had already answered, this is my second screen again!

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