All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
James: The WF3 post code area is indicated as being only 10 miles away from Emley Moor plus within range of other possible sources of reception, so if you have an non digital analogue TV all you require is a standard Freeview box coupled into your TV's scart socket, this said taking it that you have a normal aerial.
Regarding the Sky box, this will work as far as BBC is concerned, but you might not be able to view ITV in your area without a £25.00 "Free to view" card from Sky.
If you provide a full post code this will enable your reception possibilities to be checked on more accurately, as its appreciated that you might well be in a black spot for reception. (deep valley etc).
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Nick: Using your post code Hannington is forecast as being variable on any of the Muxes that can be received in your area, as only four is indicated. Crystal Palace (or even Oxford) is forecast as good though, so you should blank out what you have stored by scanning without the aerial being connected, then after reconnecting try a manual tune on BBC1 from Crystal Palace on Mux Ch25 to see what comes up.
If nothing is shown then try the same test on Oxford, BBC1 being on Mux Ch53.
I have to say though that Panasonic TV's have excellent tuners as far as sensitivity is concerned, and I suspect that the Panasonic has picked up a different BBC1 from that used on your Sony TV's, so did you verify the actual BBC Mux channel thats being received on your Sony to cross check it with the Panasonic?
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James: I see now what you mean about the Sky HD box and also with regards to your TV, my confusion was because you had originally mentioned "non digital", this making me think that it was an analogue set you had, and why I had suggested using a Freeview box.
Although you obviously favour using the Sky HD box for reception once you have a dish fitted, I wondered what kind of Freeview reception you you getting? that is if you have tried tuning it in, as the trade predictor gives a glowing forecast for your location, maybe even to the extent of having problems with the signal being too strong which can cause blocking in the tuner, this resulting in either no reception at all, or anything that is frequently breaking up.
Maybe you could come back on the Freeview issue, as my interest was because of you mentioning that you could not receive it because of the switchover.
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john barker: Unfortunately the question is not easy to answer without having a post code for reference, as the reception possibilities associated with your exact location cannot be checked on.
In general terms though, when one person gets more channels than someone else, its either because channels have been picked up from a different station, or that the area concerned is a difficult one for reception where one side of a street can receive a different level of signal from the other, this not being uncommon!
Of course the sensitivity of the tuners fitted in equipment can vary between different brands of TV's / boxes, and that can also make a difference to whats picked up.
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Dave: Sky boxes have a rather high level of audio output, and if the sound level bar is set anything above 33% it can be too high for many TVs, this resulting in their volume controls having be set at a very low level for normal listening.
Humax boxes on the other hand have a lower audio output level, with fully advanced being roughly equivalent to the Sky boxes 33%, but this shouldn't be looked at as a fault, as this is in line with the output levels found in many other Freeview boxes including PVR's.
In other words, its because the Sky box is designed with a rather "punchy" level of audio output that it makes other devices seem lacking in this respect.
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Dennis Wilson: At that distance from Belmont you should really have any problems, except maybe by the signal being over powerful to the extent that its overloading some devices tuner, as this will cause picture break up in exactly the same way as a weak signal would.
I would leave your distribution amp in circuit so as to guarantee each TV is receiving the same signal as well as isolate them from each other, but do as you have suggested by fitting an attenuator in line with the input to the distribution amp.
This being said provided that the aerial itself doesn't have an amp powered from the distribution one.
Your aerial by the way should be perfectly OK, as the Freeview channels are roughly in the same range as was used by the analogue ones.
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Dennis Wilson: Meant to add, remember that Mux Channels 53 & 60 are on low power (4kw) until November 23rd, and so they will indicate considerably less signal strength when compared to the other main Muxes on 150Kw. (SDN Mux Ch30 on 50Kw)
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Dennis Wilson: At that distance from Belmont you should really have any problems, except maybe by the signal being over powerful to the extent that its overloading some devices tuner, as this will cause picture break up in exactly the same way as a weak signal would.
I would leave your distribution amp in circuit so as to guarantee each TV is receiving the same signal as well as isolate them from each other, but do as you have suggested by fitting an attenuator in line with the input to the distribution amp.
This being said provided that the aerial itself doesn't have an amp powered from the distribution one.
Also note that Mux Channels 53 & 60 are on low power (4kw) until November 23rd, and so they will indicate considerably less signal strength when compared to the other main Muxes on 150Kw. (SDN Mux Ch30 on 50Kw)
Your aerial by the way should be perfectly OK, as the Freeview channels are roughly in the same range as was used by the analogue ones.
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Nicky: Plus, it would have been of assistance to know what type of box you were referring to, although "services" could indicate that you are referring to a Sky device? maybe not though!
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Sunday 25 September 2011 8:56PM
Stuart: If it has a black cap then there is nothing to worry about, as black indicates wide band.
Not of course that at distance from the transmitter you would have much to worry about if it wasn't, as even although it would not strictly be technically correct, at close distances from main transmitters the proverbial coat hanger would usually be found to work.
Not of course that I would advocate using that sort of thing!!