All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
D.Attridge: The point of the "+1" channels is that they are one hour behind. So ITV+1 shows what ITV showed exactly one hour before. Channel 4+1 shows what Channel 4 showed one hour before. Thus, there is no need for separate listings for them.
If it's confusing you that much, put your clock by one hour and then only watch the "+1" channels.
| link to this comment |
H J Hill: Of course UHF channel 31 will not appear on your SD-only Sony machine because it does not contain a DVB-T2 tuner!
In the UK, standard definition broadcasts use a DVB-T signal mode. High definition ones use the later DVB-T2.
COM7 uses DVB-T2 and is available quasi-nationally. Evidently it won't be exclusively for HD services, but will, of course, require a HD receiver to view.
| link to this comment |
Andrew Robinson: At such close proximity to the transmitter, unless there is an issue with the aerial, then the most likely issue is too high a signal level:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | Digital switchover | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
A wideband aerial isn't required for Crystal Palace as all channels are still within Group A, and even if they weren't, at your distance it may well not matter.
| link to this comment |
glenn: "Only" if you wish to view the output of the box on a TV in another room - this using an analogue signal.
If not, then don't connect the terrestrial aerial via the Sky box.
| link to this comment |
Paul Gilbert : The new HD multiplex is on lower power than the rest. A wideband aerial may be required:
Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
Evidently reception of the new channel on the main TV is "marginal" and the other is below what is required.
| link to this comment |
Paul Gilbert : Good grief! Look at the radiation pattern on the page for Winter Hill (under the map). The purple line shows that of COM8 (the second "new" HD multiplex); I assume that COM7 is underneath it. There is a notch in the direction of Southport. The bearing to Winter Hill from your location is 102 degrees (according to Digital UK). The notch starts (going anti-clockwise) at 280 degrees and you are at 278 degrees (or thereabouts). So those immediately south of you are probably going to be disappointed.
You "might" find that a booster will help.
If reception of COM7 (the one which is on the air now and which carries BBC News HD etc) isn't possible from Winter Hill then you "might" be able to receive it from Moel-y-Parc when it comes on air, although to get BBC North West/ITV Granada you will still need to use Winter Hill so some faffing with combining feeds from more than one aerial will be required. You would also probably be looking at installing a distribution system (to feed more than one room) so you don't have to have two aerials (and combiners) for each room.
| link to this comment |
Paul Gilbert : On the Sony TV go to the manual tune screen and select/enter UHF channel 31, but don't press the button to scan/add services, instead wait and see if it gives an indication as to strength/quality on that channel. If there is an option for signal mode, as in DVB-T or DVB-T2, then it must be set to the latter in this instance.
| link to this comment |
paulk: Judging by the Digital UK predictor this could perhaps be something beyond your control.
Whilst predictors should always be taken with a pinch of salt, it does appear that it "thinks" Hannington may cause difficulty at your location at times, it also broadcasting on C42. I'm guessing it's Hannington that may degrade your signal, judging by the map of transmitters which use C42 click the "C42" hyperlink in the previous sentence to see.
I would, going by the predictor, suggest that you consider using Tunbridge Wells transmitter instead. Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells were made a Single Frequency Network at switchover which means they broadcast on the same channels, this being permitted with the digital system. However, Tunbridge Wells' signals are vertical which may allow some degree of "rejection" of Hannington's which are horizontal (as are Heathfield's).
This terrain plot shows you can't see Tunbridge Wells as you are at the bottom of a short drop and have trees in the way:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
This is why you may not be able to receive from Tunbridge Wells, although you may already know this.
| link to this comment |
trev: With a reception query an idea as to location is imperative, preferrably in the form of a postcode or that of a nearby property such as a shop. This allows predicted reception conditions to be checked.
Digital is an all-or-nothing technology whereas analogue is gradual. So the effect is often see to be "sudden" even if the cause was gradual.
| link to this comment |
Monday 3 February 2014 8:02PM
Margaret : If your TV has manual tuning then a manual scan of the UHF channel (frequency) which these services are broadcast on should restore them. Knowledge of your transmitter is required in order to say which UHF channel you need to tune to, or an idea as to your location plus probably direction of your aerial.