menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Archive (2002-)

 

 

Click to see updates

All posts by Chris.SE

Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


The bit of missing post (which will appear later :-o ) was... continuity tests or lack of continuity I'd agree. Read my 3.58pm post again carefully, it's worth doing the checks, then when you tell me I told you so I won't mind :)).

link to this comment
GB flag

Oh Grrr.
Briantist: Brian you're going to have to fix this bug that thinks I've typed a post code.

link to this comment
GB flag

Blimey, you've got long arms or fingers :)))

link to this comment
GB flag

Simon: Hi, sorry I missed your post this morning. I've done some further checking and this suggests you don't have signal overload, which seems to concur with your latest checks although I am surprised the signal isn't stronger at your loaction.
It's the breakup on C60 that is bugging me a bit. When you see this on the box, do you see it also on the Samsung? And how does the Samsung report the signal strength & quality on C60 compared to the box (both without the booster).
It is possible that you may get overload with the booster on, but not enough signal with it removed!
I am wondering however whether the -ve offset is causing a proiblem for the box.

link to this comment
GB flag

Simon: OK, it really is smelling like the Sharp box does not like the -ve offset.
How do normally have things setup. I'm guessing Aerial to booster to Sharp box loop through to Samsung.

As you've got no C59 still on the Samsung, try putting the Booster back in and plug directly to the Samsung, ignore the Sharp Box for the moment. Check that the picture and sound on the Samsung is stable and no problems on all muxes, watch for a while for fluctuations & try again for C59. I find it rather odd that you are getting C62 (SDN) which is supposed to be on the same power and not C59.
If all looks ok, put the Sharp box back into the equation and see what is happening to it with C60 only set up and see whether there is any change to the Samsung.
I'm going to do a bit of research and will get back further shortly.
By the way, when you last setup the Sharp did you put in the channels in the order I suggested (and check what was happening after each one was added)?

Haven't heard anything back from Suzanne recently, hope she hasn't fallen from the loft or through the ceiling :( was anticipating a progess report, but then she may have resorted to the G&T's - mines a double :0

link to this comment
GB flag

Boa Gongrui: If you mean EPG - LCN 53 on the HD mux then that is S4C which you only get from the Welsh transmitters as it is primarily Welsh.
If you mean UHF C53 for the PSB1 (BBCA) mux then there are several links in the yellow box below you should try -
Do the "Freeview reset procedure" first and then if you still have a problem look at "Single frequency interference"

link to this comment
GB flag

Boa Gongrui: Double posting on different boards is not helpful. I have replied on the main Oxford board. The DSO at Oxford went ok, The 3 main PSB muxes are now transmitting on full power (100Kw) which means anyone close to the transmitter may now be having overload issues and should try without a booster if they have one.
The 3 COM muxes however, are on restricted power (12.5Kw) until April 2012. This should not be an issue for anyone close to the transmitter as it is only 9dB below the PSBs. Anyone in a fringe or poor signal area may have problems until the power up, but if they has all the muxes before DSO you should have them all now.
In any event, if you've gone to Sky, I don't know why you are posting here.

link to this comment
GB flag

Suzanne: What did you put in the G&T :o I need some asprin ;)
Well I'm glad it's mainly resolved. First, which programmes were pixilating, was it just those on the Arq A C59 mux (Pick,Dave,Really etc) or was it others as well? (are you sure it wasn't the G&T :)))
If it was others as well, you could try the attenuator next time it does it, on the set affected if only the one, or before the splitter if both.

There really isn't any difference between analogue and digital when it comes to aerials or cable, it's just the quality that matters dependant on the circumstances. Your old cable sounds like it wasn't one of the best low loss types and the losses on the higher channels would be far greater. The centre core &/or braid would most likely be tinned copper from your description - I haven't seen any of that about for years.
Double screened Satellite quality (CT100) cable is best, helps reduce impulse interference as well as being low loss.

The weather conditions (tropospheric) are unlikely to affect you greatly unless severe (which they haven't been recently, nor expected to be in the next few days) as you are so close to the transmitter. Very heavy rain/snow may affect the weaker C59 signal but it also should have some effect on C62 (SDN - ITV3,5*,5USA etc).

Keep us posted on any changes or resolution.

link to this comment
GB flag

Simon: Just checking back on everything, what sort of signal did you have on Mux2(PSB2/D3+4) before DSO - that's the ITV,4,5 etc programmes?
It's certainly worth checking the quality of the coax and have a quick gander at the aerial - does it look newish, in particular does the connector box look ok, if that's deteriorating/letting in water it will have a significant effect on the higher channels C59/C62 in particular.

Being further away from the transmiter (as is Tim) tropospheric conditions are more likely to have an effect on the marginal signals but again there hasn't been much of a lift recently. Normal high pressure conditions usually give the better local propagation, but it is likely the very heavy rain on Wednesday evening was what affected your C60 reception BUT if it was on the Sharp box there is another issue.

The Sharp box is a Vestel T810 clone and you need the latest firmware v5.7 otherwise it has -ve offset problems (amongst others). See the following Digital UK Retail - Troubleshooting guides and click on T810 negative offsets.
See also Unofficial Vestel PVR Information (UK) - T810 Freeview Recorder where if you click on the red v5.7 button you can get instructions and a download of the firmware.
HTH.

link to this comment
GB flag

Tim: You've probably read my comments above about weather conditions, the heavy rain being the likely cause of your rubbish reception on Wednesday.
Never did know if your are using a Booster and what sort of aerial have you got?
It's certainly worth check out you coax and connections etc.
If you aren't using a booster, it's possible the Humax may need a stronger signal & conversely if you are using a booster the signal may be too strong for it. If the latter, you can try it without the booster but also check what's happening on the TV - if you start losing stuff you need the booster.

link to this comment
GB flag