All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Alan Bramwell: It's very difficult to say with absolute certainty, my trepidation being brought about due to the fact that you are probably low down, what with being near sea level and your aerial possibly being just above the height of a caravan. You may also have other buildings and trees around you that might reduce your chances.
However, you should be aware that the transmitter at Perranporth is a Public Service one only. The Public Service Broadcaster ("PSB") multiplexes carry BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD services and a few others. Therefore, if your receiver has tuned in the Commercial ("COM") multiplexes you will have ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday. Don't be surprised if they're poor because they are being picked up from a different transmitter.
For Perranporth your aerial should be vertical. If it is horizontal then that could be your problem.
It is also worth confirming that the receiver is tuned correctly. For Perranporth BBC One is on C46, ITV1 on C43 and HD services on C50. This information is usually given on the signal strength screen.
As for which other transmitter might be worthy of a shot, Redruth is perhaps the best at 11 miles, although the fact that you are low down will reduce your chances. Redruth is a full Freeview transmitter, albeit that the COMs are at lower power than the PSBs.
The existance of the Perranporth transmitter suggests that the area may have difficulties in picking up from Redruth. It is a relay of Redruth rather than Caradon Hill.
Caradon Hill at 33 miles is predicted as being almost as good as Redruth. It is in a different direction and if you have a clearer view in that direction then that may be better than Redruth. Again, Caradon's COMs are lower power than its PSBs. The power of all its transmitters are greater than that of the closer Redruth's.
For Redruth or Caradon you need your aerial horizontal. If your aerial is a wideband one, then you will be OK (albeit that widebands are less sensitive to lower frequencies as used by Caradon). If your aerial is a Group B one then you will only be able to use it on Redruth and not Caradon. This is because Redruth uses Group B channels, just as Perranporth does.
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Simon: I wondered whether there could be two amplifiers. I'm not an installer so aren't familiar with these things.
Or perhaps some neighbours are watching satellite services only or maybe they have receivers that are more tollerable to the (seemingly) poor/distorted signal. That said, usually people have a TV and a recorder and for both to be OK would seem possible but less likely than just one being OK.
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M. Blake: Where is your aerial pointing? To which transmitter? In which direction?
The transmitters that serve your area haven't switched over to full power digital yet, so the digital signals aren't as strong as the analogue ones.
Looking at the Digital UK Tradeview predictor, no transmitter is predicted as being great until switchover.
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steve: My initial reaction here is surprise that the current pre-switchover digital signals from Blue Bell can be picked up in Clacton!
It then occured to me that the new Public Service relay of Sudbury, Rouncefall, is in roughly the same direction from Clacton as Blue Bell is.
Blue Bell's pre-DSO services are also co-channel with other transmitters; I have noticed that the Clacton relay uses channel 42 which is also used by Blue Bell Mux C (albeit with a negative offset).
As Rouncefall does not carry the Commercial multiplexes, I wonder if your receivers keep tuning to it. It will probably be stronger, particularly as it's on full post switchover power.
It's best to check which UHF channels the services are coming in on; see if they match those of Rouncefall or Blue Bell or a mismatch of both.
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Brian Springthorpe: You have previously posted on this site about the fact that your mum can receive from Llanddona and Winter Hill, the aerial pointing in the direction of the former.
If this is the case and it is Winter Hill reception that failed, then this is probably a result of the aerial facing the wrong way.
There has been high pressure which is causing signals to travel much further than normal, so this could be the cause, not helped by the fact that the signal being received isn't from the direction to which the aerial faces (and which it is most sensitive).
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Jay: If you receive analogue television now, then you will receive Freeview afterwards.
However, if your aerial is directed at the Bishop's Stortford transmitter, which is on Raynham Road Industrial Estate, then you will only receive Public Service multiplexes. These carry BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD services and a few others.
In order to get the full Freeview service you will have to direct your aerial to a main station, most probably Crystal Palace. Signals in the loft will be lower than outside both due to the fact that it's lower down than roof top level and the roof itself weaking the signal as it passes through it before hitting your aerial. Whilst you are receiving an adequate signal in the loft from Bishop's Stortford (if that is where you are receiving from), you may (or may not) be pushing your luck to pick up Crystal Palace in the loft.
Don't regard what any post based system says as gospel; it is simply a guide. It is more apt to consider such systems as being a guide to likelihood of success.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that you may have a good chance of picking up Crystal Palace.
Examination of the rooftops in your road using Google Streetview shows quite a few Crystal Palace aerials. I couldn't spot a single aerial on Bishop's Stortford transmitter, so you mustn't be in that bad a area as far as reception from main stations goes.
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mike: What is the model of the set?
What happens if you don't retune?
What transmitter is your aerial facing? Or what direction is it pointing?
Sometimes this happens when a set stores more channels than it can handle. This usually happens as a result of it storing the signals from more than one transmitter (where they are available). The trick is to prevent it from storing other transmitters' signals which is why I asked you which transmitter you are using.
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Alma and Brian: It's likely to be the weather. The high pressure has meant signals travel much further than they normally do.
Someone else from Thanet posted on this website earlier today complaining of the same issue:
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion" | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Nigel Smith: The situation with Hannington is that the Commercial (COM) multiplexes remain on low power as Guildford is presently using the same channels until its switchover.
On 4th April, ArqA multiplex which carries Pick TV and others and is on C44 will go on to its full final power.
Two weeks later on 18th April, SDN (ITV3 etc) and ArqB (Yesterday etc) will go on to their full final power.
Which channels is it that you're having issues with?
I should point out that a similar situation is in play at Oxford; its COMs are on low power until 18th April.
Note that the full final transmission power of the COMs from Oxford and Hannington will be half that of their respective Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) muxes.
The PSBs being BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD and a few others.
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Albert Whitehouse: This issue is usually caused by the device finding more channels that its memory can hold. Fear not though, because its usually caused by signals from other transmitters taking up the memory.
When the automatic tuning scan runs through it searches signals from low frequency to high frequency. My guess is that the transmitter that you are served by uses high frequencies and that you are in an area where another transmitter or transmitters overlap on lower frequencies. Consequently, the scan stores those and fills up the memory.
If you let me know where you are, preferably in the form of post code or nearby post code, then I can work out which signals your transmitter uses and which may be causing the problem. Depending on what it is that you need to avoid and what it is that you need to pick up one possible workaround might be to run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged for part.
Do you know what transmitter you are supposed to be receiving from or what direction your aerial is pointing in? And what is your location?
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Andy Duncan: It is likely to be OK after switchover in three weeks' time.
As your daughter can get all the other multiplexes (groups of programme channels), then perhaps the one she is missing is just not quite strong enough at her location. The increase in transmission power at switchover on 18th April should see to this.
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Mrs Aspin: Which channels are you or have you had issues with?
It may be helpful if I point out that Kendal Fell transmitter is a Public Service one only (carries BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD and a few others).
If you are receiving Commercial channels such as ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Dave, Film 4 and many others, then you are not picking them up from Kendal Fell. If your aerial faces Kendal Fell and you pick up these channels, then poor reception of these channels may ensue.
The solution is to have an aerial fitted for another transmitter which carries these services, *if* you are in a location where such signals can be picked up reliably.
See also the postings from "Transmitter engineering" above and before yours. It is from the BBC and says "Wrong Region" from 23:37 to 03:13. I wonder if this was your cause. Has the problem corrected itself?
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Mike Dimmick: I hadn't noticed that it was paler.
Perhaps dashes would be clearer with a little explanation as to what it means.
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steve: There are two main reasons that different or missing channels may occur with different pieces of equipment connected to the same aerial:
a. Different receivers have differing sensitivities: Put simply, some may "hear" weak (borderline) signals whilst others may not.
b. Having completed the automatic tuning scan, different receivers have different methods of deciding which channels to store: Some just go with the first ones they find, others are a bit smarter and go with the stronger ones and others allow the user to choose the "Region" which is effectively asking the user to select the transmitter to use.
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If a. is the reason that some channels aren't being picked up, then there is probably little you can do (barring perhaps changing the aerial, which may work sufficiently after switchover [three months' time] and thus may be deemed a waste of money). It could be, of course, that you have a bit of both.
However, if the issue is exclusively b., then there may be a solution. I wonder if your Samsung and your Sagemcom have tuned exclusively to the Rouncefall transmitter. I think this because it does not provide the full range of Freeview channels. It would be useful to know which channels you are missing.
Some newer receivers allow the user to select the "Network" or "Region" from a list. This is essentially a list of transmitters, each being identified by the principal area which they serve.
I wonder what Region Blue Bell Hill identifies itself as. Looking at the map, perhaps it could be "West Kent". Similarly, Rouncefall (which operates along with Sudbury) could perhaps be "Essex & Suffolk". If you are presented with such a choice, then you need to select the one which sounds most applicable to Blue Bell Hill and not which fits where you are. Such options could either be presented to you during tuning, or you may have to go through the menu to find it (or they may not be present at all).
This is by far the most straightforward thing to try which is why I suggest it to you first. However, depending on the design of the Samsung and Sagemcom, it is not forced to be available to you.
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If these options are not available to you, then I can suggest other things to try.
In particular, it would be useful to know which of these services you have and which you don't on each device (the Samsung and the Sagemcom):
- BBC One
- ITV1
- BBC Four
- ITV3
- Pick TV
- Yesterday
Don't be concerned about missing other services as they are transmitted in groups (known as multiplexes or simply "muxes"). So, for example, if you are missing BBC One, then you will also be missing BBC Two, BBC News and some others as they are all in the same group. Those I have listed above all come from different groups.
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David Hall: In addition to what jb38 has said, you may (depending on your setup) already have a modulator that you could use. If you have a video recorder which contains a modulator, you could (theoretically) feed the signal from the Tivo to the video using a scart lead and then select the scart input on the video and then feed that to the TV in the kitchen using the video's modulator.
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steve: Never assume that a receiver has tuned to the transmitter to which the aerial faces.
The short answer is that I would be looking to work out what transmitter(s) the Toshiba has tuned to for each of the signals (multiplexes). I would then see what the Sagemcom and Samsung have tuned in and whether they are the same. I would them try the manual tuning option on those devices to see if I can add the missing multiplexes.
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I was surprised to learn that you are receiving from Blue Bell Hill at your location. Sudbury would seem to be the most likely in your part of the world.
The situation with Sudbury is that the Commercial channels are on low power until 27th June. In particular, ArqB group (Yesterday, Film4 etc) is severly restricted in your direction and is proving impossible to pick up as reports on this website have shown.
If you are on Sudbury (north west), then either the Toshiba is more sensitive to Sudbury's weaker signals, or it has opted to go with Sudbury for the signals it can receive and tuned to another transmitter for those it can't pick up from Sudbury.
If you are on Blue Bell (south west), then it is on pre-switchover power which is much lower than its current analogue. It is also the case that due to the shortage of spare frequencies, the frequencies that are used are those which are reused by other transmitters in some areas. So it may be that it is unusable not because its signals aren't receivable, but because they are interfered with by another transmitter. Some receivers are more tolerable of this than others.
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steve: No problem. I hope you get it sorted. You know where we are if you need any more help.
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Char: Are you using one aerial for a number of rooms and if so, how is the feed distributed/split? Is there an amplifier to split the signal?
I'm not quite sure how likely it will be that you may be suffering from too high a signal level at your location, but it has certainly crossed my mind:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
That said, the aerial man as a pro (I'm not), would surely have considered it as a possibility if he thought it might be.
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Soxs: Indoor aerials, by their nature, are hit and miss. The best location for an aerial is on the roof due to as few a obstructions as possible and conversely, the lower you go, generally the more obstructions you get. I say this so you don't expect too much. Whilst design of aerial is important, so too is its location and you will have to try it in various places to see which is best. You may also have to try different transmitters to see which is best.
Personally, I have one of these that I use where there is no fixed aerial:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
You will probably prefer to receive Meridian TV and your best bet is probably Blue Bell Hill, but this may only be available to you after switchover on 27th June. As it is west from your location, bear in mind that reception will probably be best on that side of the house as on the opposite side, the signal must go through more walls.
You have analogue from Blue Bell until digital switchover and you might connect up your analogue TV and move the aerial to find the best spot. Remember where that is and that may be the best spot for digital reception after switchover.
In the mean time, Rouncefall (Anglia) transmitter which is to your north may be your best bet. This only carries Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD and a few others).
Whilst you are in a rural area with few houses, there are a few trees that could reduce your chances which you may have to be mindful of.
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Derek Sanderson: As part of switchover, the power of the Findon transmitter was increased. This now provides a greater coverage and it still broadcasts BBC South as it is a relay of Rowridge.
Depending on your location you may be able to receive either from Findon or directly from Rowridge.
Be aware that Findon is a Public Service only transmitter so you will not get all the channels, so you may need to retain your current aerial for them.
Whilst it's probably not quite the news you were hoping for, it may nonetheless give you an opportunity to receive BBC South again.
If you provide your location, preferably in the form of post code, an assessment can be made as to the likelihood of reception from another transmitter that carries BBC South.
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May: What's the nature of the problem? Is it "forgetting" some channels when you switch it off?
To suggest a workaround to the problem, we need to know what transmitter you should be picking up and those that you are probably picking up that you need to avoid. To work this out, please can you provide your location? And the direction of your aerial (or transmitter which it is directed at) ?
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Paul Butler: One of the simplest workarounds might be to unplug the aerial lead for part of the scan in order to avoid the receiver choosing the unwanted Wales transmitter.
You've said that your aerial is on the roof, but have alluded to which transmitter (or direction) it is facing, which is crucial to any plan to avoid the unwanted and get the wanted.
The most likely transmitter for your area would appear to be Storeton which is to your south east (and the aerial will be vertical). If this is where your aerial is pointing, then Storeton Granada's channels are low ones; all others that you be picking up are above those used by it.
So run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial and unplug it at 25%, or once it has passed channel 30, if it gives channel numbers whilst scanning.
There may be other methods, such as the software may allow you to configure it manually or having stored the incorrect (Wales) channels, alter it to the correct ones.
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Deryck Hughes: A directional aerial would be likely to improve the signal, as by it's nature, it has a better gain. What in fact happens is that the sensitivity of a directional aerial is greater in one direction at the expense of the other directions. So that is where the improved "gain" comes from.
Obviously the downside to such an antenna is that it won't be as sensitive picking up signals from other directions. However, if you are in an area where the only services that you could possibly receive (or only those you want) are coming from one direction, then that's probably not such a great issue; the improvement in gain where the signal is weak is what you want.
For lots of information on aerials, see ATV Sheffield's site:
FM / DAB Radio Aerials
BBC Radio Scotland is on Freeview in Scotland, logical channel number 719. As you're using a roof-top FM aerial I take it that you're listening on a hifi rather than a portable radio. You could either use your existing Freeview receiver (connecting it to your hifi), or purchase a cheap set-top box to site adjacent to your hifi which will allow you to receive Radio Scotland and other BBC national radio stations. Once it has been set-up, there may be no need to have it connected to the television, although the only issue might be that they don't usually have a display on so you won't know easily what channel its on.
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A: For stuff all about aerials, see ATV Sheffield's site:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
A poor signal which results in blocky picture will not damage your set. It is much more likely to damage your health due to members of the family being unable to view Strictly or the X-Factor without interruption.
Where an antenna is directional, it is more sensitive in one direction at the expense of other directions. So an aerial with greater "gain" in one direction must have less in other directions. A directional aerial is therefore not absolute; i.e. it doesn't mean that signals can only ever be picked up in one direction and not in others. Theoretically, I suppose that you could reduce its ability to pick-up signals from other directions. However, cost, size and other factors are likely to come into play.
So it's really a question of degree of directivity rather than absolute directivity.
With digital reception, quality is what you need. So long as the TV is "seeing" the digits reliably (good quality), the strength isn't really an issue.
The software that runs in your TV is really called "firmware". Digital receivers are computers. The firmware does lots of things, including giving you the on screen menu which allows you to operate the receiver. It controls what the receiver does.
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John: Clicking the link next to your posting for Digital UK Tradeview confirms that the above is in fact incorrect. ArqA is on C56 and ArqB on C52, and not the other way around as shown.
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Andy: I to think that the "Freeview Lite" transmitters will be one of the biggest let-downs for a silent minority.
The new Freeview advert does not make clear that not all services are available in all areas.
Due to the way in which things are done these days, private commercial interests are allowed when decisions as far as coverage are being made. For an explanation of why the Commercial multiplexes won't broadcast from 1000 or so relays like Wooburn, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
In some cases, reception may be possible from another transmitter that does carry these services, but this will of course, require a new aerial. Indeed, in some cases (with some transmitters), because of frequency planning, new aerials will be necessary to receive the Commercial multiplexes (but not the PSBs).
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Dave Greenaway: The power increase will coincide with changes in channels for the Commercial multiplexes which will occur on 18th April.
Rowridge will transmit all multiplexes horizontally and vertically. Prior to switchover it was horizontally polarised only.
The Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 etc) are all on their full final power of 200kW in each polarisation. The Commercial channels' vertical component will be introduced on 18th April and it will be 200kW. However, the Commercial multiplexes will only have 50kW horizontal signals.
I imagine that at your distance and with line of sight, 50kW will be ample.
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Andy: The broadcasters that rely on revenue from advertising are likely to base their decisions on what they consider to be maximising those revenue streams.
Evidently, one assumes, showing ITV1 an hour later (in Freeview Lite areas) is seen a better earner than ITV3.
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J Baxter: Please provide your location (preferrably in the form of post code) and we should be able to assist with the channel you need to manually tune to. Also, the direction your aerial may be useful, particularly if there are a number of possibilities.
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Joseph K: Examination of the images of your appartment block taken by Google Streetview clearly show what could well be the communal aerial and it is directed at Emley Moor:
bd1 5bl - Google Maps
You shouldn't need a booster with *any* communal aerial system (unless perhaps you're feeding more than one set from a single aerial outlet) because the system should be supplying the signals at the correct level (as communal systems contain amplifiers/boosters). If it's not, then that is a matter which needs addressing by whoever is is responsible for the system.
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todd: Having tuned the set in that you're using when setting up your aerial, check that it is tuned to Belmont for all its channels and not another station such as Waltham which would appear to be very strong in Great Gonerby.
For each of the following, check the signal strength screen and ensure that it is tuned to Belmont:
BBC One = C22
ITV1 = C25
BBC One HD = C28
ITV3 = C30
Pick TV = C53
Yesterday = C60
You should not have Waltham whose channels are:
BBC One = C61
ITV1 = C54
BBC One HD = C58
ITV3 = C29
Pick TV = C56
Yesterday = C57
Try pointing the aerial in the direction of Belmont from a first floor window.
Maybe the roof tiles are affecting the signal too much. I read on here comments about some modern tiles having greater metallic content which inhibits signals.
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Harri Ackone: No, the Commercial broadcasters don't wish to be bothered with 1000 or so small relays like Luccombe. See here for an explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
I tried the post code for Shanklin Theatre and it suggests that Rowridge will be best:
Postcode Checker - Trade View
If your Luccombe aerial is a Group one, then you will need a different aerial. A Group A aerial is probably the best for you for Rowridge which is a Group A transmitter. The gain of wideband Yagi aerials is lower at Group A frequencies.
If you're looking at DIYing, then I recommend that you look at ATV Sheffield's site. They have an encyclopedia of aerial knowledge and they make their products available mail order:
Rowridge Transmitter
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Rob Hayward: The channels listed under "Rowridge transmitter Freeview broadcasts" are correct now, up until the end of 17th April.
Those shown under "Transmission frequencies" for "After Wednesday 21st March 2012" are in fact those that will be used from 18th April onwards (with the exception of 30, 31, 36 and 37).
The significance of 21st March was that was when the second stage of switchover occured. In many cases there are now further changes. However, in the case of Rowridge, the Commercial multiplexes stay on their pre-switchover channels until 18th April.
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Rob Hayward: The penultimate sentence of the last paragraph should say "In many cases there are *no* further changes."
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james: It is the decision of the Commercial operators not to broadcast from Girvan and 1000 or so other small relays because (evidently) they do not consider the outlay to provide a worthwhile return.
They cover 90% of the population from 80 transmitters and to broadcast from the relays would roughly double their transmission costs for an additional coverage of 8.5% of the population. For a more in depth explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The projected coverage of Divis by this website suggests that it will be receiveable in your general area. As Northern Ireland does not switch over to digital until October, you may have to wait until then (if you can get it then).
The Girvan transmitter uses Group C/D channels (top third of the band of frequencies used for TV) and Divis will use Group A ones, so you should be able to diplex (combine) the two aerials into one downlead to provide you with Scottish regional programming and the Commercial multiplexes from Divis.
Your location, preferably in the form of a post code, will allow your likelihood of reception of the Commercial services from transmitters. Or you can go to Digital UK, input your post code and tick the box to say you're in the trade:
Digital UK - Postcode checker
The only thing to be aware of is that other regions such as Northern Ireland might not be shown. I've noticed that even though it appears that a transmitter will serve a particular area, it isn't always shown because it is a different region (although often they are).
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james: For all lots of information about aerials, see ATV Sheffield's site www.aerialsandtv.com
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James: It's worth reading ATV's site about aerials. In particular, wideband Yagi aerials have less gain at Group A frequencies:
Gain (curves), Again
Probably best to use a Group A aerial for Divis.
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gary: The switchover dates for Crystal Palace are 4th April (BBC standard definition goes to full power) and 18th April (the other multiplexes follow).
According to the predictor, Heathfield is your best bet (after the limited channels from Steyning) and will also give you Meridian regional programming, but that will only be available to you when it switches over on 13th June.
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rickh: If I were you, I'd wait until 18th April when Crystal Palace and Reigate have switched to digital. Then you can see how Crystal Palace fairs and whether it's worth changing the aerial for Reigate.
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Steve: Looking around your road using Google Streetview there are quite a few talls trees which could be an issue. I can't see a single aerial on Sandy Heath, but a few have an aerial on Sudbury and one on Crystal Palace.
This perhaps suggests that the trees put paid to reception from Sandy Heath. Maybe your neighbours could advise as to how good their Sudbury reception is.
If you do go for Sandy Heath, then its Public Service (PSB) channels are Group A (first third of the band) and Commercial (COM) channels are Group B (middle third of the band). Thus, if your current aerial is a Group A one (which all of Crystal Palace's channels are before and after switchover), then it will work for Sandy Heath's PSBs.
If you go for Sudbury, then its PSBs are Group B and its COMs are Group C/D (top third of the band).
Wideband aerials trade sensitivity within each Group with increase sensitivity across the whole band, particularly being less so on Group A channels. See here:
Gain (curves), Again
In summary:
- Crystal Palace would appear to be your best bet from a signal strength point of view on all channels. However, it gives you London programming.
- Sandy Heath may be blocked by trees; you can perhaps see much better whether this is the case than Streetview shows.
- From what I can see, no one has an aerial on Sandy Heath. You could perhaps take a walk around your area and see if this is the case, perhaps identifying why it may be the case (e.g. trees).
- Whilst the Digital UK Predictor suggests that reception of Sudbury's PSBs will be "poor" and its COMs "variable", there are a number of aerials on it. The predictor's calculation of poor PSBs could be as a result of another transmitter using the same channels. Aerials have greater rejection of unwanted signals in some directions than in others, so this may be less of an issue, depending on that factor.
- For full service from Sandy Heath or Sudbury, Group aerials that cover a third of the band will not be sufficient. Either a single wideband aerial (perhaps a less favourable option for Sandy Heath with its PSBs being Group A) or two Group aerials diplexed (combined) together into one downlead. Or for Sudbury, a single Group E aerial (top two thirds of band).
- If you do go for Sudbury, then its COMs are on low power until 27th June, so will probably be unavailable at your location until then.
- Sandy Heath's SDN multiplex (ITV3 etc) is on low power until 9th May, so may be unavailable until then.
For lots of information about aerials, see ATV Sheffield's site www.aerialsandtv.com
See the page on aerial Groups Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
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Malcolm Ward: No, you cannot convert signals from a satellite into ones that a "Freeview" receiver can work with.
You will need to either:
1. Purchase satellite receivers (e.g. "Freesat") for all rooms served by the dish, or;
2. Install a terrestrial aerial.
It is likely that for each wall outlet, there is a cable (or perhaps two cables) from the dish to the outlet. You could therefore use the existing cabling for terrestrial services. To do this you would need to remove the cables from the satellite dish. Then install a terrestrial aerial which goes to a splitter (either powered or non-powered). Each output of the splitter would then connect to each cable you've removed from the dish. At each aerial point replace the threaded F-connectors with coax ones. This would save you having to re-cable.
The only thing to be wary of is that not all areas can receive all Freeview channels. If you are in an area served only by limited channels, then you may decide to go down the satellite route.
If you give your location, preferably in the form of post code (or perhaps nearby post code) then an assessment can be made as to the likelihood of reception of all Freeview channels.
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L Sperring: You're picking up the Welsh transmitter Wenvoe.
Run the tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up until 60% (then plug in).
This will hopefully miss out Wenvoe.
Having done this, you will probably be missing ITV3. Go through to manual tuning if your receiver allows and tune to UHF channel 48. If you're missing Yesterday, then do the same for UHF channel 52 and for ITV1 it is channel 54.
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Malcolm Ward: I should point out that if you are in an area served by Mendip, then you will be likely to be able to receive all Freeview channels.
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A: "ArqB" is an abbreviation for "Arqiva B" which is the name of COM6 multiplex. Arqiva is the name of the company that owns and runs all of the transmitters. It has two multiplexes, hence the A and B suffixes.
For a full list of services by multiplex, see DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
The transmission power does not vary by time. The days of God Save the Queen being played and then the transmitter being taken off of the air are gone.
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Steve: I hope that I've gone in at too high a level. If I have, let me know.
If you are considering getting in a professional rigger, then can help to have an appreciation of the potential issues.
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NewForest: It is done in two stages so as to allow those who do not have equipment that will work after switchover time to purchase without leaving them without any television.
In some cases, people may have digital receivers that will not work using the new post-switchover transmission mode. There will also be some others who do not have any digital receiver whatsoever.
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Qwerty: The answer is because you are on a hill and can therefore receive from Crystal Palace.
The High Wycombe transmitter does not currently broadcast digital services and after switchover it will be a Public Service only transmitter. That means it will carry only BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD channels and a few others.
So those in the valley who consequently can't receive directly from Crystal Palace will not get ITV3, Film 4, Dave, Pick TV etc.
The only possibility you may have when switchover happens is that your receiver may tune to the High Wycombe transmitter for the services that it carries. The way around this is to only have the aerial plugged in for only the first 30% of the automatic tuning scan. I am assuming here that your aerial is directed to Crystal Palace (it will be horizontal) and not High Wycombe (it will be vertical).
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John: In circumstances such as lost channels due either to interference or reduced signal level, the outcome of retuning can only ever mean that those channels are lost from the receiver's memory, thus necessitating repeated retunes. If the outcome is that the channels have returned, then they would have returned anyway.
In an effort to restore remaining channels, you need to manually tune to the respective channel numbers as rescanning just wipes what you have and leaves you at risk of effectively loosing more:
ITV3 = C25 (SDN)
Pick TV = C22 (ArqA)
Yesterday = C28 (ArqB)
These transmission power of these services from Stockland will increase on 18th April to their full final power of 25kW. They are all at 10kW at the moment.
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Jack Hughes: Yes, on 18th April (which is the final switchover date for Crystal Palace) the power the Commercial multiplexes from Stockland will rise from 10kW to 25kW.
Because the same channels and modes are being used, it will not be necessary for you to retune.
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Mike Miles: Yes, the restriction will be lifted on 18th April when they will go up to their full final power of 50kW each.
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Mike: I must point out that the multiplex that carries Film 4, ITV4 and others is on low power until 27th June from Sudbury. Therefore, it is likely that the problem will rectify itself then (if not before) and therefore that any remedial work (and expense) will be to provide reception of those channels between now and 27th June.
What has probably happened is that the level of the signal has dropped slightly, putting it below the threshold that your receiver needs to resolve a picture. You will need to keep manually tuning to channel 63 until it comes back.
Had you not carried out a rescan, you could have simply switched over to one of the affected programme channels to see whether they are back. In circumstances such as yours, the outcome of rescanning usually only serves to loose the programme channels from the receiver's memory.
Where a signal is below the level at which the receiver will work, retuning won't make any positive difference. If the signal level increased a little to produce a picture, it would do it irrespective of the retuning and if it didn't, then you loose it from the listings.
For Sudbury, there is no need to retune until 27th June, it will not achieve anything.
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Rob R: In addition to the above question, go to BBC One and then bring up the signal strength/quality screen and let me know what UHF channel it is tuned to. It may be 24, 41 or 60.
Do the same for ITV1. It may be 27, 47 or 53.
If it doesn't give a channel number, it may give a frequency in MHz instead.
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Helen: Because those services are on low power until 27th June. On that date it will be necessary to carry out a retune to continue watching them. Don't carry out any retunes until then as there is no need to and you may just end up loosing them from your TV altogether.
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David Parker: 4seven is carried on COM6/ArqB, so it is only available from the full Freeview transmitters.
See DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
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David Parker: It probably depends on the design of your machine. My Sony RDR-HXD870 had stored 4seven as LCN804 as there was another in 47, so I just swapped them and skipped the 804 one. I also skip the shopping channels, adult channels, data channels (UK Racing etc).
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David Parker: If your receiver doesn't automatically add them, then manually tune to channel 48 and it will hopefully add this new service.
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Rob R: Yes, that is correct, Whitehawk is by the racecourse.
41 and 47 are from the "Brighton Central" transmitter which is a filler-in that doesn't carry all the services now and did not carry any Freeview before. Brighton Central is on the top of Theobald House, so your aerial will be pointing roughly in the direction of the railway station.
If you are to ever get all the channels, you need an aerial on Whitehawk.
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Ben Ward: Check that the receivers are tuned to the channels used by Mendip and not Bath.
You should only need to check BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday. The UHF channel numbers are at the top of this page.
Mike Dimmick: For some reason the DUK Tradeview predictor suggests four digital transmitters at Ben's location, but only gives a reception prediction for Mendip.
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Linda Parsons: What's the make and model of the box?
This reminds me of a Panasonic box that I have. Having tuned, there was, it seemed at first, no way to get rid of the on screen display window. Eventually I figured out that the only way forward was to select the option to program in a code (IIRC a house code), but it didn't make that clear! Most people would have probably given up and thrown it away.
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Andrew Benham: This is because at switchover those BBC services move from one multiplex to another. Thus, they are presently duplicated until 18th April. This happens from all transmitters as part of the switchover process.
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Linda, Thea, Matt: Just out of interest (maybe a long shot at a fix), when you run the tuning scan, unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%. Once completed plug the aerial back in. Then let us know whether this works or not.
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Linda, Thea, Matt (and others with the same issue): In addition to knowing whether my suggestion of unplugging the aerial at 30% solves the problem, it would be useful to know the make and model number of the problematic box or TV.
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Hugh: "HD Ready" means that it is "ready" to display HD pictures, but does not have the means to receive HD signals. It will therefore need a separate HD receiver box.
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Big Mart: I suspect that the 14 comes from the BBC duplicates that exist inbetween the two stages of switchover.
Prior to switchover BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC Parliament and BBC radio are on Mux B but move to the main BBC standard definition mux at switchover. This is the one you have now, along with the pre-switchover Mux B.
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Daphne: Please can you give your location (preferably post code) as what can be picked up varies.
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aron: High Wycombe is now on full strength for BBC. Indeed, BBC standard definition digital services are the only digital ones it carries now.
On 18th Wycombe will carry the other Public Service multiplexes which include ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD services and a few others. It will not be a full Freeview transmitter.
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Cliff O'Garro: What's the make and model of your receiver? If you are only picking up these, then I wonder if it won't work after switchover.
Could you receive other channels before?
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Matt: Only BBC standard definition channels go on full power today. The rest, including HD, will follow in two weeks' time.
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Stephen: ONdigital boxes will not work after switchover because they do not comply fully with the DVB-T standard as they do not work in 8k mode which is what is used after switchover.
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Alex: Before switchover digital services are on lower power than after switchover. BBC standard definition services are now on full power and in two weeks time the rest will follow.
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Corin: This is correct. Wales transmission are 2kW horizontal. Granada's are 560W vertical.
As the photographs of the mast shows, each Wales transmissions are directed towards Wales and similarly Granada's are in the opposite direction:
mb21 - The Transmission Gallery
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aron: I would count yourself lucky that you can receive directly from Crystal Palace, even if it is at roof level only. Those in the valley that can only receive from High Wycombe transmitter aren't so lucky as they only get limited channels.
If you are in an area where you get a good signal from High Wycombe transmitter, such that a set-top aerial will work, but not where it will pick up Crystal Palace, then you could consider having limited channels on your second set.
For High Wycombe your set-top aerial should be set vertically.
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Roger: Being in such close proximity to the transmitter it is probably the level of signal which is overwhelming your receiver. At the moment only one multiplex has gone on high power (although at a few miles even the "low" ones are pretty high). In two weeks time when the rest follow, the problem could get worse.
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Get yourself an attenuator for a few pounds off eBay, although with the bank holidays you may be waiting a week for it.
In the mean time, to reduce the level of signals going into your TV, as a temporary fix you could try:
- a set-top aerial.
- if the aerial connector is one that screws together, unscrew the outer part so there is just the inner pin protruding. Then insert that pin into the socket on your TV.
- try just an aerial lead (not connected to the aerial). You may have to move it about to best effect and fasten it on the wall.
- a wire coathanger in the inner part of the aerial socket may do the trick.
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Gillie: The Commercial channels (which include ITV3) increased in strength from Mendip on 28th March. Have you tried a full retune since then?
If that still doesn't work, then if you can manually tune, do so to channel 48. Indeed, you could even try doing it before you retune.
Alternatively, take the downstairs TV upstairs (if you can) and tune in and bring it back down.
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sparky: Where abouts are you? If you are close to the transmitter, it could be overloading your receiver. See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Dale: Transmitter engineering work in preparation for switchover is taking place at Pontop Pike. The answer in such situations as you found yourself is not to retune as that simply wipes the receiver's memory leaving it without the channels. You will now have to repeatedly tune until you get them back. If you have manual tuning, then you should use it (HD services on channel 63).
For Pontop Pike it is not necessary to retune until 12th September and you would be best advised to refrain from doing so.
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Karen: The simple solution is probably to run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial at 30%.
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Edward: ONdigital boxes won't work after switchover:
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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CJH: What's the model number of the Sony TV?
Some models won't work after switchover. See these links for some lists (which aren't exhaustive):
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
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Pam: Yes, that won't be a problem.
The only thing you should be aware of is that if you replace any TV it must have an analogue (as well as digital/Freeview) tuner, the analogue being needed for viewing the Sky box. However, manufacturers will probably stop making them. You will have to be wary of this if/when you do buy a new TV.
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Pam: Only BBC standard definition services (on C23) are at full strength. The rest will increase in strength on 18th April.
Refer to the Crystal Palace page (click the link) for the UHF channel numbers to tune to. 22 is indeed ITV1, C4, C5 etc.
Different receivers have differing levels of sensitivity (i.e. some might "hear" a signal that others won't in borderline cases). Also, any aerial lead will have a degree of loss, so the signal level will be lower where it comes out to when it went in; there's nothing you can do about this. These points may explain why one TV works whilst another doesn't.
It's likely that everything will work fine come 18th April. However, you probably wish to get it working in the mean time.
You could take the kitchen TV to the lounge where the aerial cable comes in from the roof and connect it directly to that. Then manually tune in (i.e. add) any missing channels. The objective of this is simply to get the channels stored in the TV's memory.
If you find that ITV1 doesn't work on the kitchen TV when you get it back in the kitchen, then don't retune as it won't get the signal back and will just result in the loss of the service from your TV.
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Mr. B Thomson: There are some older models that will no longer work after switchover. BBC channels have switched and the others haven't.
Some sources of affected equipment are:
TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
These lists are not exhaustive.
If your TV isn't on these lists, then post its make and model and those on this site may be able to advise you as to whether it will or won't work after switchover.
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Andy Seaward: Not likely! See here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Unfortunately due to the fact that Ventnor is at the bottom of a steep slope, there is no likelihood of being able to receive directly from another transmitter such as Rowridge that carries the Commercial services.
Also, there is no possibility of receiving them across the water from the mainland either.
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Karen: Inversion will always happen and has always happened. The question I think you're asking is whether it will happen to such a degree as to make your TVs unwatchable.
That's a difficult, if not impossible, question to answer.
What I will say is that you appear to be in an excellent area with regards level of signal from Crystal Palace once it has switched over to full power on 18th April.
A lot of the issue comes down to the level/strength of the signals you wish to receive (i.e. those of CP) versus the level/strength of those which are interfering. The level of CP's will go up on 18th April.
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Jemma: I don't know whether you know, but there have been power failures in the area over the last few days due to the weather.
This report, posted at 0721 this morning, says that power has been restored to all affected areas in Derbyshire:
BBC News - Power restored across Derbyshire following snow storm
Give the main BBC Derby switchboard a ring (01332 361111) and see if anyone knows when it might be back on. Then post on here to let others know.
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sparky: The BBC standard definition channels from CP are now at full switchover power whereas the rest are not.
Check that BBC One is coming in on UHF channel 23 as at the first stage of switchover relays begin broadcasting BBC digital for the first time and being high up your receiver could have tuned to one of them for BBC.
Also ensure that the RF out (if there is one) does not clash although I doubt it as C23 was used previously for ITV analogue anyway.
Depending on what you find, worst case scenario may be that you will have to use the set-top aerial for one and the roof-top one for the other until 18th April when you will see if it rights itself.
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sparky: Also, does your recorder have two tuners in and if so does the problem occur when recording from one mux and watching (via the recorder) from it? Or is it just when watching another mux via your TV's own in-built tuner?
Without the blind in the way, how does your set-top aerial fair with respect to recording BBC One and watching ITV1 or vice versa?
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m kinsella: The simplest method to get it back on to Crystal Palace is probably to run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial plugged in and then unplug when it gets to 30%. Once completed plug the aerial back in and it will hopefully have tuned to Crystal Palace.
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The transmitter network is operated by Arqiva. On its contact page there is a link to click if you have problems with reception:
Contact Us - Corporate Arqiva
However, this simply provides links and phone numbers for the broadcasters!
As Arqiva is the company responsible for getting the transmitter back on the air, one would assume that it will be best placed to tell you.
Arqiva has a monitoring station at the Emley Moor transmitter, tel 01924 508100. Whilst Buxton is not part of the Emley Moor group, perhaps they can advise.
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m kinsella: Crystal Palace uses low channels and Dover higher ones up. Unfortunately Blue Bell Hill uses one the is within those used by CP, so the unplugging aerial trick isn't so easy. Now you've supplied your post code it can be seen what's possibly causing issues. When the second switchover happens on 18th April, this may not be a problem.
At the present moment in time there are the following channels (in ascending order):
22 CP ITV1
23 CP BBC One (full power)
24 BB ITV1
27 BB ITV3
28 CP BBC Four
29 CP Yesterday
32 CP ITV3
34 CP Pick TV
CP= Crystal Palace BB=Blue Bell Hill
If your TV allows manual tuning, then use it. You may have to wipe everything stored in it first. If it will allow manual tuning but only once it has completed a scan and found something, then aim to pick up at least one of the CP multiplexes and then add the rest.
In any case, if you do scan, have the aerial unplugged after 30% as there are no CP channels higher than that.
By the way, the scan runs from channel 21 to 69, so you can calculate a percentage from that if your receiver does not give UHF channel numbers as it's scanning.
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john tatman: If you have not received Freeview before 4th April, then the rest will become available to you on 18th April.
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Martyn Smith: From the description of the fact that you have turned your aerial away from where it used to face I suspect that your aerial is way OTT which is overloading your tuner.
Before switchover the power of Crystal Palace was/is 20kW. Where line of sight to the transmitter is good, a small set-top aerial is likely to be sufficient.
I used a non-powered set-top aerial at 25 miles from Emley Moor before switchover when transmission power was only 10kW. This worked quite well. I have one of these Labgear aerials:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
The fact that signal quality is so low may have come about due to the signal level being way too high for what the TV can cope with. It's a bit like turning up your hifi to full blast and then amplifying it a bit more. The outcome is total distortion which could explain the poor signal quality in your case.
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Mark T: What about the additional electricity of all the set-top boxes that are on standby that would not be needed had TVs had digital tuners built-in? What about all the plasma TVs? And all the flat-screen TVs that don't bother with hard power switches, instead taking power in standby?
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Ray Buck: This problem usually comes about because the device does not have spare memory for some channels. There is usually a workaround because the device is likely to be picking up and storing channels from other transmitters (that in practice you probably don't watch). It's a bit like children eating sweets and then not having room for tea.
Examination of the frequencies used by Reigate shows that the new BBC channels use C60 which is at the high end. Indeed, Yesterday etc is even higher, so I wouldn't be surprised if that behaves the same. The automatic tuning scan goes from low frequency to high.
The workaround is to prevent the device from picking up those other signals that waste its memory. If manual tuning is available, then wiping the memory and manually tuning should work.
In some cases you can unplug the aerial lead during part of the scan to avoid picking up some signals. However, I'm not entirely sure how likely this might be effective here as interleaved with Reigate channels are those of Crystal Palace and possibly Midhurst.
The automatic tuning scan goes from channels 21 to 69.
My advice would be to run the automatic tuning scan and pick up ITV1, C4 etc on C21 and then unplug the aerial.
Then manually add C60 (BBC), C24 (ITV3 etc), C39 (Pick TV) and C66 (Yesterday etc).
Come 18th April, do the same. This time C21 (the first channel it will pick up) will be ITV3 etc. Then add C60 (BBC), C57 (ITV1, C4 etc), C24 (Pick TV etc) and C27 (Yesterday etc).
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Ray Buck: To clarify my first paragraph, what happens is the scan progresses and stores the channels as it finds them. This includes channels from transmitters other than the one you want. Then it gets to the channel(s) used by the transmitter you want by which time there isn't any memory and, evidently, these Philips receivers don't have any "intelligence" to disguard those channels you don't want in order to store some of those that you do.
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sean: Chelmsford used to transmit only Channel 5 analogue but was switched off last July.
Due to all BBC standard definition services moving into a single multiplex after switchover, there are duplications between first and second phase of switchover. This happens at every transmitter during switchover.
BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC Parliament move to the BBC multiplex that was switched on at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. But they exist in the pre-switchover Mux B. The same is true for BBC radio.
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Paul: I put goodmans gdb3 into Google and the second link was to a Digital UK "Equipment Issues" leaflet for this model:
http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf
It won't tune to a multiplex that has a negative offset and is in 8k mode. Whether that means it will stall as it is doing I don't know, or maybe it would be expected to just miss out channels with negative offsets.
Before switchover all multiplexes are in 2k mode. After switchover the are in 8k mode. So BBC standard definition channels are now in 8k mode, but they don't have a negative offset.
On 18th April all standard definition multiplexes will have no offset except ArqB which carries Yesterday etc.
As for solving you problem, I came across the user manual here:
http://www.remote-control….pdf
It has "manual search" tuning so I presume you can tune manually. Try doing that by adding the following UHF channels: 23, 22, 32, 34, 29.
I assume here that you are receiving from Crystal Palace.
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sparky: BBC Four, CBeebies and BBC Parliament along with BBC radio stations will be duplicated between first and second stage of switchover. This is because before switchover they are carried in a different mux and at switchover all BBC standard definition services move into a single mux. Thus you have the new BBC standard definition mux (C23) and the old Mux B (C28). Go to the signal strength screen to hopefully identify which is which.
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Big Mart: Yes, they will disappear at the second switchover.
I'm not too sure whether different times of day makes a great difference. Evidently you're on the margin for HD channels which, BTW, before switchover are on lower power than standard definition channels and therefore have a smaller footprint of coverage.
After switchover all channels are on the same power.
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Sophiw: What's the make and model of your TV or box? Some won't work after switchover; the BBC channels have "switched" whereas the others haven't which is why I ask.
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AndyH: It's pretty likely that the situation will resolve itself on 18th April. Until then, keep manually tuning to C22.
Longer explanation:
Digital receivers have a signal threshold above which they will show a picture and below which they won't. For analogue receivers, the quality of signal is proportional to the signal strength and there is no threshold.
So let's suppose that when you previously received ITV, C4, C5 etc that the signal level coming down your aerial lead was "only just" above that which your tuner needs to resolve a picture. Now it is "only just" below that which it needs. The difference between the two may be quantified as being "tiny".
Perhaps with the other channels you were a "tiny" bit *above* "only just" having enough signal level and thus a "tiny" drop would leave you still with "only just" enough above the threshold and thus to use your description, "perfect" reception.
Signal levels vary a bit all the time due to changes in atmospherics.
Before switchover, digital signal levels are lower which means that whilst some will have good reception, others (on the outside of the transmission area) won't have any at all and those inbetween will sometimes have it and sometimes not.
For the ITV, C4 mux, with the aerial as you have it, you are evidently borderline now. The situation will change on 18th April.
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Aaron: There are two main possibilities I can think of here:
1. Some older receivers cannot resolve the mode of the post-switchover signals, of which the BBC channels are broadcast in now. The mode used by them is known as 8k mode and before switchover transmission use 2k mode.
What's the model number?
2. At 3 miles away from the transmitter, your receiver could be suffering from signal overload due to the strength of the signals. BBC channels are now on their post-switchover high power, the rest will follow likewise on 18th April.
For more information and an explanation, see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If this turns out to be the problem, then get yourself an attenuator for a few pounds.
I would rule out number 1 first and then assume number 2. Try manually tuning to UHF channel 23 if your set allows manual tuning.
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MRW: The transmission power of the Commercial multiplexes from Rowridge, which include ArqA and ArqB, will increase on 18th April.
I am note sure whether there were any changes to ArqA and ArqB that would have been to your detriment that took place on 21st March.
There is probably little you can do in the mean time as well as little point as the situation will change on 18th April.
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AndyH: It is surprising that you get nothing on C22.
The Tradeview predictor for your post code says 92% served for C22 whereas the other standard definition pre-switcher multiplexes are 99%. There must be a reason that it has calculated it like this. There appears to be no other transmitter on C22 that could be interfering at your location.
I can only think that perhaps CP throws out in your direction less signal on C22 than on the other pre-switchover channels. Thus the contrast between the low C22 and C23 may be greater than another side of the transmitter that throws out more signal on C22.
Based on the predictor, try tuning to C41 for the equivalent multiplex from Sudbury and Rouncefall (which broadcast this together on the same channel as a single frequency network). This might give you some degree of service until 18th April.
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Sandra Jackson: Could you be more specific with your location and/or the transmitter you are receiving from if you know it?
There are some areas that Film 4 and the other Commercial channels are not available. GU27 includes Haslemere which I know is one of those areas where reception of these channels is problematic or not possible at all.
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Ben Ward: Hopefully the signal strength screen gives the UHF channel that the receiver is tuned to (most do, although some don't).
As services are transmitted in groups known as multiplexes or "muxes", you only need check one service from each mux.
Bath only transmits only Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc) so if this is the problem then it will only affect them.
BBC One should be tuned to C61 for Mendip and not C25 for Bath. ITV1 should be tuned to C54 for Mendip and not C28 for Bath. If any of these receivers are HD, then BBC One Hd should be tuned to C58 and not C22.
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Ben Ward: If this does turn out to be the case, run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 50% and you'll miss out channels used by Bath and those immediately above it but be plugged in for Mendip.
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Sandra Jackson: If you receive from Holy Cross, then you will not get any of the Commercial channels because it does not transmit them. So if you have ITV3 and Pick TV, then you must be receiving from Midhurst.
The multiplex (ArqB) which carries Film 4, Yesterday, 4Music, ITV4 and others is on low power from Midhurst until 25th April. If you receive it now (albeit intermittently), then you shouldn't need to tune it in on that date as it is only an increase in transmission power.
If you have manual tuning available on your receiver(s), then there is likely no need to do a full automatic tuning scan, but instead manually tune to UHF channel 50. You could try this now as that is what it is on now, albeit at lower power.
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Eric Ogilvie: I don't think that you have chance of receiving all the Freeview channels at your location. I believe that you will only be able to receive the Public Service channels. You would probably be best advised to look at Freesat (or maybe Freesat from Sky) if you would like more channels than the basic Freeview which is available to you.
The issue is that the Commercial broadcasters (known as the "COMs") operate to make a profit first. It's up to them where they transmit from and they decided to broadcast from 80 of the biggest transmitters (by population) which gives them a 90% coverage. To broadcast from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters would roughly double their costs of transmission whilst only adding a further 8.5% of the population. When asked, they declined to increase their coverage.
For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Unfortunately, due to the terrain, you are unable to receive from Stockland Hill which is one of the main stations that carries the COMs. Your area is served by the Preston and Weymouth relays which are Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) transmitters only.
PSB services are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD and a few others).
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Dave Hunter: Have you had your C/D aerial replaced with a wideband one? SDN is the only out of Group C/D channel from Waltham.
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Dave Jones: There are two types of terrestrial broadcaster: Public Service Broadcaster and Commercial.
The channels that are not broadcast from Newtown transmitter are the Commercial ones. The Public Service Broadcasters are BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
The Commercial broadcasters choose where to broadcast from. They broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by population) and achieve a 90% coverage. In order for them to transmit from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters such as Newtown would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and they declined.
That is capitalism for you; if it isn't likely to produce a return it won't get done. For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
In answer to your question, the law requires payment of the Licence Fee in order to watch television broadcasts. It does not guarantee reception of any television signals by any method. The Licence Fee goes to the BBC and as the BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, it is available to you.
So why should the BBC receive less from you because the Commercial operators do not wish to transmit from your transmitter? Why should those who the Commercial operators broadcast to have to pay more to the BBC?
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m smith: There are two types of terrestrial broadcaster: Public Service Broadcaster and Commercial.
The channels that are not broadcast from Aldeburgh transmitter are the Commercial ones. The Public Service Broadcasters are BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
The Commercial broadcasters choose where to broadcast from. They broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by population) and achieve a 90% coverage. In order for them to transmit from the 1000 or so small relay transmitters such as Aldeburgh would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and they declined.
That is capitalism for you; if it isn't likely to produce a return it won't get done. For a more in depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The law requires payment of the Licence Fee in order to watch television broadcasts. It does not guarantee reception of any television signals by any method. The Licence Fee goes to the BBC and as the BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, it is available to you.
The only thing you can do is investigate the feasibility of receiving from a main station such as Tacolneston or Sudbury that carries the Commercial channels. At 10kW, Aldeburgh must be one of the most powerful relay transmitters that don't carry the Commercial multiplexes.
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maggie reavill: If this is an analogue only VCR (i.e. it could only receive analogue broadcasts when they were available) then the only way to record digital is to use a box. However, whilst it is possible, it will mean that in order to record something the digital box will have to be set to the correct channel *and* the VCR will have to be set to record from the input that the box is connected to, e.g. the scart "AV2" or whatever it's called.
Where it is not necessary to have removable media, then a hard drive recorder would seem the best way to go.
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David J: See here for a posting from someone near to you with a similar problem (loss of ITV1, C4, C5 etc):
Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
I wouldn't change aerials as the problem may well right itself on 18th April and therefore any money spent is simply to provide television between now and that date.
Try a set-top aerial if you have one. Or as you have swapped the aerial, try the old aerial at ground level, indoors and maybe outdoors.
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Guy: Based on those channel numbers, you are receiving from Hannington. You should be aware that SDN which carries ITV3, ITV2+1 etc on C41 and ArqB which carries Yesterday, Film 4 etc on C47 are on low power until 18th April. This is so as to guard against interference with those receiving from the Guildford transmitter which uses those channels until it completes switchover.
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Alex Gumbrecht: Until 18th April Hannington's SDN (ITV3 etc) on C41 and ArqB (Yesterday etc) on C47 are on low power (particularly low in your direction) so as to protect against interference with Guildford transmitter which uses the same channels and which relinquishes them at final switchover on 18th.
If you prefer Hannington, then I would point the aerial at it and attempt retune.
By the way, due to the channel allocations for those two transmitters, you should be able to get one and not the other during the scan. To get CP and not Hannington, unplug the aerial lead when the scan gets to 30%. And to get Hannington and not CP start the scan with the aerial unplugged and plug in at 30%.
If you are testing each for signal strength, then the aerial should be facing the one you are tuned to.
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Barbara Abbosh: These channels are on low power until 18th April when you will have to do a retune for them. You will probably have to sit it out until then.
This is the nature of digital transmissions. Whereas analogue will fade in that it will be grainier when weaker, digital pictures will either be there or not there. So a slight fluctuation in signal level could result in loss of picture which of course could come back at some point.
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Noddy: The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that your reception of Rowridge's vertical PSBs will be "good" but it COMs "poor", probably owing to the fact that Stockland Hill's COMs are co-channel.
As Stockland is in the opposite direction to Poole and Rowridge, you may be able to mount the aerial such that the signal from Stockland is reduced. For example, put it on one side of the house, although this will probably reduce its height.
If your Poole aerial is a Group C/D one (top third of the band), then this will be less sensitive for Rowridge which uses Group A channels (bottom third of the band). So the lower signal strength from Rowridge may be increased by use of a Group A aerial.
Wideband Yagi aerials have lower gain (less sensitive) at Group A frequencies, so this may perhaps not be the best bet. A Group A aerial on Rowridge may be the solution, although this will depend on its COMs being reliable as if they're not, then it's a waste of time and money.
Failing picking up COMs from Rowridge, you would appear to be in a good area for Mendip, albeit that it transmits West regional programming. Unfortunately due to the channels used for its COMs and Poole's PSBs, combining two aerials into one downlead is not an option.
However, if you can receive PSBs from Rowridge but not COMs, then you could perhaps pick-up the COMs from Mendip. A PVR may not function well when receiving from more than one transmitter. If faced with such circumstances you could perhaps used Mendip as your main transmitter and switch over to Rowridge for BBC One and ITV1 Meridian during regional programming.
These are just some thoughts I'm throwing your way. The first preference must be to investigate receiving all services (including COMs) from Rowridge or perhaps the COMs from Rowridge and PSBs from Poole.
NB: PSB stands for "Public Service Broadcaster" and it is the PSBs only that Poole transmits. The Commercial broadcasters are the "COMs" and they transmit from the main stations like Rowridge and Stockland Hill.
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Loraine Hurd: I Googled the word Viera followed by "invalid system time" (in quotes). This brought up a raft of links to user manuals for Panasonic Viera models.
One says that the meaning/action for this message is "Cannot get the time information and cannot edit Timer Programming screen. Check the connection of the RF cable."
The RF cable is the aerial lead and I presume that as you've tuned, it is connected correctly.
"Invalid system time" suggests that the clock has not been set. Have you checked that the time and date are set correctly?
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m smith: The only thing you can do is investigate the possibility of receiving the full Freeview service from one of the main transmitters, probably Tacolneston or Sudbury.
Switchover saw a taller mast come into service at Tacolneston, so it will reach places it didn't before.
Go to the Digital UK Post Code Checker, enter your post code and house number and tick the box to say that you're in the trade for a prediction of coverage:
Digital UK - Postcode checker
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J Tate: I think that you have answered your own question because you say that your aerial is directed at Mendip and that you can't alter it. So the answer would seem to be you can't!
Without knowing your exact location it is impossible to be certain, but if an aerial in Wales is directed at a transmitter in England, then surely that will only be done where there are is not a Welsh transmitter to receive from.
The taller the block of flats the more unlikely it would seem to be that a Welsh transmitter is not available.
So if the aerial installers couldn't find a spot (presumably on the roof) to receive from a transmitter in Wales, then you won't pick up such a signal with an indoor aerial. So the only route would seem to be satellite.
Having written the above, I am now confused and wondering whether you are actually receiving from a Welsh transmitter (e.g. Wenvoe) and not Mendip.
The reason I say this is because there are less ITV1+1 regions than there are ITV1 regions. Thus some ITV1 regions have to have others' ITV1+1 regions. According to what I've read, ITV West which is what Mendip broadcasts, carries ITV1+1 Wales. So if this were the case, then you would get ITV1+1 Wales anyway. Alternatively, if Mendip has swapped and now broadcasts ITV1+1 West, then perhaps Wales has swapped as well as they are (or were) both one region as far as ITV1+1 is concerned.
Have you looked at the aerial and can you see that it is pointing at Mendip rather than Wenvoe?
If it's the latter, then perhaps it is picking up sufficient level of Mendip's signals that your receiver goes with them when it performs it automatic tuning. The higher the aerial and the clearer the line of sight to Mendip, the more likely it is that this may be the case. In the aerial systems of larger blocks these "other" signals are usually filtered out so never make it to tennants' receivers.
First off, never assume that any receiver has tuned to the correct transmitter.
If you receive ITV1 Wales, but ITV1+1 West, then I would suspect that this is correct as they are both on the same multiplex (the same signal from the transmitter). Go to ITV1 and bring up the signal strength screen. It will hopefully give you the UHF channel number that it is tuned to. For Wenvoe it will say C44 and for Mendip it is C54. Do the same for ITV1+1 if you like.
Do you get BBC Wales or BBC West?
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Nick John: A non-HD tuner will not "see" HD signals. So if you automatically tune the HD services will not appear on your receiver's list of those available and if you manually tune (to UHF Channel 21 for Rowridge) it will say "no signal" even if a HD signal is present.
If you can get standard definition services, then you will be able to receive HD ones. It is the Commercial channels that don't reach all areas; the HD services are "Public Service" channels.
The coloured coverage map is simply indicating where the signal will be at or above a particular level. That does not mean that outside the area no reception will be possible.
You are probably not in the best reception area, but if you can receive all the standard definition channels now, then you should be able to receive HD no problem.
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David Brinkman: Does your Panasonic Freeview HD recorder receive all the channels?
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Rod Craig: What's the model number of the set? Google it; often in cases such as this others have been along the same road.
The lists of defunct equipment are not exhaustive.
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Lesley: I presume that you are referring to the Hemdean transmitter. Digital UK Tradeview doesn't even give a prediction for it, so I guess that you're not in the difficult area.
Some of the Commercial services are on low power from Hannington and this includes ITV3. These will go up to full power on 18th April when Guildford transmitter switches to digital and vacates the two channels use by Hannington.
This probably explains the issue you have been having.
Refer to this page: Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Under "After switchover", SDN and ArqB are the ones on low power.
There will be no need for you to retune, assuming that you have ITV3 and Yesterday stored in your receivers. Don't re-scan if they are lost; this will simply result in them being lost from the channel listings.
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Ben Ward: C61 is that used by Mendip for BBC standard definition, so it is tuned to Mendip.
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Keith Smith: The Commercial multiplexes (which includes the on currently on C33) are on low power until 18th April when you will have to retune.
You may or may not need to switch your aerial to veritcal after that date.
Rowridge's transmission power for the Public Service channels is 200kW horizontally and vertically (and that is the case now). The Commercials will be 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically. Therefore if reception issues are experienced with any of the Commercials, changing the aerial to vertical may help.
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Mick Triggs: It is difficult to say to for certain, but if you have good line of sight to the transmitter, your receiver could be suffering from signal overload.
See:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Nadia: Without knowing your location (preferably in the form of post code or nearby post code) it is impossible to give an answer.
The only thing that can be drawn from what you've said is that you are in an area that has yet to switch to digital (due to the fact that analogue is still present).
It may be that you are not in an area where you can receive digital now or a different aerial may be necessary.
However, when switchover has happened, generally speaking current aerials (that function with analogue) will work fine, although in some cases upgrades will be necessary in order to receive Commercial channels.
If you provide your location a more specific answer may be possible.
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Nadia: Crystal Palace has undergone its first stage of switchover and will complete on 18th April.
You should be able to receive BBC standard definition services as they are now at full transmission power. You should not need to do anything with your aerial.
If there is a manual tuning or manual search function on the set, then you could try it and tune to UHF channel 23.
Have you received Freeview before at this location and using this aerial?
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Nadia: That sounds right, although I am surprised that auto digital tuning hasn't worked.
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Mike Dimmick: Is there a list available of the region names you refer to that transmitters identify themselves as?
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Simon Darlington: If your aerial is directed to King's Lynn transmitter it will be vertical. All other transmitters that you can pick up at your location are horizontal.
King's Lynn transmitter is situated in the grounds of the Royal Estate at Sandringham. If your aerial does not point to it and if it isn't vertical then good reception may not be available to you.
You are picking up Yorkshire from Belmont in Lincolnshire. This uses low channels, so run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged for the first 30% and unplug again at 61% so as to scan for King's Lynn and avoid others.
Once completed, go to BBC One bring up the signal strength screen and it should be tuned to UHF channel 49 for King's Lynn. Do likewise for ITV1 and it should be tuned to C46 for KL.
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Simon Darlington: It is perhaps worth pointing out that King's Lynn is not a full Freeview transmitter. It only carries Public Service channels which are BBC, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5, HD and a few others.
If you would like all channels, then you will need either a second aerial (and perhaps third aerial, depending on how it's done) *or* if possible, a single aerial on Tacolneston which provides Anglia programming.
This is the same as King's Lynn as King's Lynn is a relay of Tacolneston; that is it receives its signal from Tacolneston and re-transmits it.
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Penny: Some Freeview boxes and TVs will not work after switchover.
From Crystal Palace, BBC standard definition services have "switched" and others have not.
What's the make and model number of your box or TV that does not receive BBC channels?
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Mike Dimmick: Is the "600MHz Band Auction" that you say won't go ahead the auction of channels 31 to 37?
And if so, what will it be used for?
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Michael Brockwell: Perhaps this could be the issue: Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Julie Stacey: Can you be more specific?
I gather you received Freeview before switchover which means that you should be able to get the full service afterwards.
Rowridge transmitter which is on the Isle of Wight is currently on low power for Film 4 and other Commercial services. The power will increase on 18th April when a retune will be necessary. This leads me to suspect that your receiver is tuned to Rowridge now.
What direction is your aerial pointing in? Is it towards the Isle of Wight or is it eastwards towards Brighton?
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Donna: Aerials are best on the roof for the simple fact that signals are of best quality up there.
However, in some places it is possible to get reasonable reception from an indoor aerial.
It would appear that you have good line of sight to Durris which is to your south west. This increases your chances of getting a set-top aerial to work.
Always be mindful that reception may not be perfect. Any suggestions I make here are not guarantees that you will get it to work.
I have one of these which I use where a fixed aerial is unavailable:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
There is a transmitter at Balgownie which may serve your area, but it is not a full service one. For this reason it is worth checking, having tuned the TV, that you are tuned to Durris and not Balgownie. That way when you point the aerial in the direction of Durris, you know that that's what you're tuned to and not Balgownie.
A simple solution to ensure that the receiver picks up Durris (if available) and not Balgownie is to run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial at 30%. If you have a fixed aerial for your main room *and* this faces Durris, then use it tune in the TV, unplugging at 30%.
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Mark Heselden: The reason that the instance of the word Reigate is not a hyperlink is because of the way the site applies hyperlinks to certain words. Transmitter names become hyperlinks and where subsequent instances of the same word appear, they don't become hyperlinks. Reigate appears further up the page and is a hyperlink there.
If you look at this posting of mine, you will see that only the first time I mention Reigate does it become a hyperlink.
In answer to your question, yes, Reigate is scheduled to have been completed by 6am. The reason for greater delay on some transmitters is due to the fact that the engineers have to commute to them in order to make necessary adjustments. As Reigate is one of the full Freeview transmitters, it will be likely to be up there as a priority to get it done by 6am.
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Briantist: Reigate appears in the Public Service only list of transmitters, as well as further up the page as a full Freeview transmitter.
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Cass Sully: This is right; you should get all other channels come 18th April.
If your aerial is directed at the Crystal Palace transmitter it will be horizontal and pointing north north west, you should get the full Freeview service come 18th April.
If your aerial is directed Forest Row transmitter which is to your west and the aerial will be vertical, you will only get the Public Service channels. Thus, you may wish to investigate the viability of replacing your aerial with one on Crystal Palace.
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Dacr11: See Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM) | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Frank: It means "64 metres above Ordnance Datum (OD)". Thus the transmission antennas are 64 metres above OD.
See Ordnance Datum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Steve m: ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5 and other services within that group (on the same multiplex) are co-channel with one of Reigate's multiplexes which I believe upped its transmission power a few weeks back.
Reigate is due to complete switchover on 18th April, but UHF channel 24 will continue to be used then. The same goes for C27 which is presently at 1kW from Reigate and will go up to 2kW. C27 is Mux A from Blue Bell which is ITV3 etc, so don't be surprised if you loose it on Wednesday.
See here for a list of multiplexes and services they carry:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
It looks like you may have to wait until 27th June to get all these services back.
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Ken: ITV4 and other services carried on the ArqB multiplex from Sudbury are on low power and will remain like that until 27th June when a retune will be necessary. ArqB has proved problematic for many since it changed in November.
For a list of services carried on ArqB, see:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Steve m: Unfortunately you appear to be in a bit of a pre-switchover no man's land. At different times different neighbouring transmitters are likely to interfere with your reception of Blue Bell Hill.
Here is a summary of how I read it having looked at Digital UK Tradeview predictor (click the link next to your posting):
- Blue Bell will become the best one after 27th June.
- Come 18th April you are predicted to get full service from Crystal Palace. It is, however, London region.
- Some of Tunbridge Wells' pre-switchover muxes are co-channel with Blue Bell and therefore probably aren't possible.
I suggest that come 18th April you try manually tuning to those muxes you are missing from Blue Bell (it's perhaps a long shot).
Failing that, for each of the muxes you can't get from Blue Bell, try manually tuning to their counterpart from Crystal Palace. Your aerial is facing the wrong way, but it's got to be worth a shot. Reception may be hit and miss (if at all).
Be aware that some recorders don't work well when picking up signals from different transmitters.
Or if you can adjust your aerial and you don't mind going with London programming for a few months, then go with Crystal Palace and change back to Blue Bell on 27th June.
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Steve M: If you do move your roof aerial temporarily to Crystal Palace, then that will give you full Freeview.
You may be able to receive BBC South East and ITV Merdian on analogue using a suitably placed set-top aerial directed at either Blue Bell Hill or Tunbridge Wells.
That way you will only revert to analogue when watching the local news programmes and any other local programmes.
Set-top aerials are hit and miss, but you would appear to have good line of sight to both BB and TW (no local obstructions permitting). I see that the college is in the direction of Blue Bell Hill, so you may have to experiment.
Some receivers have different aerial inputs for analogue and digital so different aerials can be used. You might be able to take advantage of such a facility. Or if you TV is analogue only, you may decide to connect the set-top aerial to it and connect the Crystal Palace aerial to a Freeview box of some kind.
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Steve M: I have one of these set-top aerials:
Set Top Aerial Labgear | eBay
It is adjustable and can be set horizontally or vertically.
For TW it needs to be vertical and for BB and CP it should be horizontal.
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Michael Brockwell: If the problem is signal overload, then a perminant solution may be to install an attenuator inline with the lead from the roof-top aerial. Attenuators are available from eBay for a few pounds (other sources are available).
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m kinsella: Please turns off Caps Lock - typing in capitals is akin to shouting and is therefore rude!
It may help others who may wish to help you that you have already asked the question once and a suggestion has been provided. The previous discussion is here: Crystal Palace digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
You say you have Meridian, but from which transmitter? It would help to know what you have so as to know what you are seeking to avoid!
Select ITV Meridian, bring up the signal strength screen and see if it says what UHF channel it is tuned to. This will tell us what transmitter it is. I am anticipating it is C24, providing that the last time you ran the automatic tuning scan you unplugged the aerial when it got to 30% as I suggested.
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Steve Brown: Try manually tuning to UHF channel 23 if the set allows. If it gives a signal strength/quality reading when you do this, see if it is there but very low.
If so, I wonder if it is signal overload. See here:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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m kinsella: If you run the scan and unplug at 30%, you should have the aerial unplugged for channels/frequencies above CP. If you are still picking up Meridian then, without confirmation, I would assume that it is picking up the Meridian from Bluebell Hill which is within the window you have your aerial plugged in for. Channels are as follows:
22 CP ITV1 [Mux 2]
23 CP BBC One (full power) [BBC A]
24 BB ITV1
27 BB ITV3
28 CP BBC Four [Mux B] - probably not needed
29 CP Yesterday [Mux D]
32 CP ITV3 [Mux A]
34 CP Pick TV [Mux C]
Channel scan is 21 to 69. Unplugging at 30% is around C35.
I suggest that you are seeking to avoid C24 and C27, as above. This is why I suggest you check which channel ITV Meridian is on.
If so, then I would run the tuning scan with the aerial unplugged, plug in at 15% and unplug at 30%. This will have your aerial unplugged for 24 and 27 (which you don't want). It will also have missed out BBC from CP, so you need to go to manual tune and tune to C23 to add this.
Likewise, ITV1 will be missing, so go to manual tune again and go to C22. If you are missing Yesterday on number 12, then manual tune to C29. And ITV3 is C32.
See here for list of services on each mux:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Mux B on C28 is probably not needed as it duplicates services already on BBC A (C23).
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M D Tomlin: That model will not operate in 8k mode which is used after switchover. On 18th April all services will be in 8k mode and so the TV's in-built tuner will be of no use.
Your model appears on Digital UK's list of 2k equipment http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment
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Andrew P: There are two categories of terrestrial television service in the UK:
- Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) which BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and whose transmitters also carry ITV1+1, ITV2, E4, More 4 and HD variants.
- Commercial broadcasters (COMs), such as Film 4, Dave, ITV3, Pick TV and so on.
The PSBs broadcast from all transmitters that were in service prior to switchover (barring a tiny few) and at transmission powers that allow the signal to serve the same areas as the former analogue.
The COMs on the other hand broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (by viewer population). They cover 90% of the population this way. They were asked if they wished to transmit from more sites and declined. The cost of them transmitting from the 1000 or so small relays like Haslemere would roughly double their cost of transmission. As there objective is profit from advertising it is little wonder that they did what they did.
For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
To come back to your original question, Haslemere relays Midhurst's PSBs, but not its COMs. Thus, if you can receive the PSBs from Midhurst you would be watching the same programmes.
What I suggest that you do is use the Midhurst aerial exclusively. It's an "aerial" by the way; "arial" is a computer typeface.
The COMs from Midhurst are lower power than the PSBs. So if you can get the weaker COMs, then you should be OK with the PSBs.
See here the "After switchover configuration":
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The COMs are SDN, ArqA and ArqB. ArqB is on low low power until 25th April, so you may not receive it until then. If Yesterday and others don't appear in your receiver's listings by that date, then don't perform a full re-scan then, just use the manual tune function (if available) and tune to C50 to add those services.
The only possible thing is that the receiver might decide to receive PSBs from Haslemere and COMs from Midhurst even though you are only using a single aerial on Midhurst. To avoid this possibility, run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial lead unplugged up to 55%.
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Steve Cheshire: I think that your exclamation mark after the mention of "booster box" says it all!
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
It may be that the signal level going into the amp/booster is too high (for the amp itself), therefore reducing the signal level going into your TV by use of an attentuator probably won't cure the problem.
Is the purpose of the amplifier to provide multiple outlets? If so, then perhaps a non-powered splitter will be better.
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Alan: Pick TV is one of a number of services in the ArqA multiplex (or group). See Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for others.
On 28th March ArqA changed UHF channel (frequency) so I wonder if this had an affect on your reception.
Some sets require a factory reset whereas others don't in order to cope with this sort of change. The concern being that remnants of the old services stay in the memory.
Before you do this, try manual tuning (if you receiver allows) to UHF channel 56 as that is what it is on now.
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Eddie: If you be more specific about your location, preferably full post code.
It would also be useful to know exactly which groups (multiplexes or "muxes") of programme channels that you are missing.
See "Before switchover configuration" and identify which you have and which you are missing, including which you had in the past and perhaps those which you have never had:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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AJ: Can you be more specific as to your location, preferably in the form of post code so as reception possibilities may be checked upon?
For Reigate your aerial will need changing to vertical. If your aerial on Midhurst is Group C/D then that may well not pick up some of Reigate's channels, even if they are available at your location. Until 18th April, analogue is available from Reigate and may be a better test to see if you can receive from that station. The remaining analogue channels (except Channel 5) are in Group C/D.
Reigate completed its first stage of switchover on 4th April and completes on 18th April. Thus its full power post switchover BBC multiplex is now on the air on C60. This is within Group if your aerial is a C/D one. So if you can pick this up, then this might bode well come 18th April.
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Terry NG: I would wait until Wednesday before doing anything as then all services will be on full power from Crystal Palace and Reigate.
That said, BBC A multiplex (standard definition) services are on full post-switchover power now. Try manually tuning to C23. If the manual tune screen shows signal strength/quality when you enter 23, then see whether it is there but low. Not all receivers have manual tuning.
See this plot:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
In the direction of CP, the ground goes upwards and blocks the signal path. The transmission attennas for the pre-switchover multiplexes are lower down than the post switchover and analogue ones, so the obstruction is likely to be greater for them.
How is your analogue reception of BBC One, ITV1 and Channel 4 (and BBC Two previously)?
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AJ: Ah, it's an equipment issue!
If you're looking to try and receive from Reigate, and you want to DIY it, then have a look at ATV Sheffield's site for information and products: Digital TV Transmitters Nationwide Page 2
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Idris: I went to Google and put in <<formula 1 broadcasters>>
List of Formula One broadcasters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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John Stone: Rouncefall is not a full service transmitter as it only carried Public Service channels. I see that Sudbury and Rouncefall are only 14 degrees apart from your location and of course Rouncefall broadcasts on the same channels as Sudbury.
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Chris Burmajster: It is right that Marlow Bottom transmitter will not provide the full range of Freeview channels as it will only carry Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels.
The Commercial broadcasters (the "COMs") transmit from 80 of the largest (by viewer population) stations and achieve a 90% reach. For them to transmit from nearly 1,100 relays like Marlow Bottom would roughly double their cost of transmission. If they did this, that outlay would give them an additional 8.5% of the population. They were invited to increase their coverage and declined. For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
In some cases there are ways of getting the Commercial channels. These usually entail additional cost as new aerials will be required.
I had a look and have come up with the following shortlist of permutations. Not all may be possible as what can be received can only really be determined by an installer on site.
I went to the Digital UK (DUK) Tradeview predictor and put in post code in Marlow Bottom. This was to give an idea of what may be receivable.
1. Receive all services from Crystal Palace. At the test post code, DUK suggests PSBs are "good" but COMs "variable". The point being that there is a difference and the COMs aren't as good.
As Marlow Bottom is a relay of Crystal Palace, regional programming is the same.
2. The predictor considers all services (PSBs and COMs) from Hannington to be "good" at the test location. One option is to receive all services from Hannington, but this would mean changing to BBC South and ITV Meridian.
3. Use Freesat in combination with a terrestrial aerial on Hannington. You can watch BBC and ITV London programming via Freesat. Your Hannington aerial will allow you to watch terrestrial Commercial services that are not on Freesat such as Dave and Pick TV.
4. You may be able to combine ("diplex") into one downlead, your current aerial on Marlow Bottom with one on Hannington. In order to do this a diplexer must be used so that only one of the aerials supplies the signal on each channel. See here Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
Marlow Bottom uses C49 to C58 and Hannington's highest COM is on C47. So you would need a diplexer that splits at C48 (if such a thing is available - I'm not an aerial installer so I don't know).
This is probably a last ditch possibility where all others have been eliminated.
I should point out that some receivers (recorders/PVRs) don't function well when receiving services from different transmitters with regards to recording programmed programmes. You could use your Hannington aerial as your main one, so the services from that transmitter will be in the "proper" logical channel numbers, i.e. 1=BBC One from Hannington 2=BBC Two from Hannington. The only use your Marlow Bottom aerial will have is for BBC One London and ITV London which you could put on 800 and 801, for example.
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As I say, what's actually possible will have to be tested on-site. The village is surrounded by trees and these can affect reception. They will probably not be taken into account by the DUK predictor.
At the test location, the road is not flat and the houses on one side are higher than on the other. It's a fair assumption that chances of reception are likely to be greater the higher up the aerial is. The size of aerials and tall masts tells the story!
I did spot a couple of houses on the low side of the road with large aerials on Crystal Palace. These are in the direction of the other side of the road, so the higher houses will probably be causing a shadow. However, what I would say is that if those lower houses can get a signal from CP, then the chance will probably be greater if you live in one of those higher houses!
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m kinsella: I would second David's suggestion!
It should sort itself out then. In the mean time, switch to analogue to watch BBC and ITV regional programmes.
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Chris Baldwin: Try tuning to Dover's analogue services which are 50, 56, 66 and 53.
It does depend on whether there are any French transmitters that are co-channel that may interfere at your location.
The green coverage area above suggests that along the French coast it may be possible to pick it up.
Due to the fact that the powers that be will not release the radition patterns of Dover's post-DSO multiplexes, the above is an assumption.
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tim welby: I believe that the above is not entirely correct.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor says that the positive offset is on PSB3 (i.e. C39+) and not PSB2. Furthermore, COM4 does not have a positive offset either. Briantist, you might like to look at this.
The Ofcom document, apparently updated January 2012, also says that Hannington's channels are not offset except PSB3:
http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf
Also, COM5 is on its full DSO power of 25kW. COM4 and COM6 remain on low power until 18th April when the Guildford transmitter relinquishes use of these channels.
Tim, before I started, having simply looked at the channels at the top of this page, I was going to suggest that your problem may be that your receiver can't cope with the positive offset employed by PSB2, but I don't believe that this is the case.
I have been reading through your earlier postings that you made since switchover. You seem to have been having alot of issues since switchover.
As Mike Dimmick explained ( Freeview on Hannington TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ) the difference between pre-switchover signal strength and post-switchover strength in your direction is huge. You may have had an aerial installed that was sensitive enough to pick up the pre-DSO signals, but which is now drawing in too much signal and overloading your tuner.
The reason for the marked difference is due to the fact that pre-DSO signals were considerably weaker in the general direction of Guildford (the "Guildford notch") in which you reside. This was so as to protect those using Guildford transmitter against interference as the two shared channels. So you have gone from having low low low signals to high ones.
Have you tried fitting an attenuator?
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Lynne Sayers: Can you give some more information such as location as it is impossible to be very specific. Is the aerial used for the bedroom the same as used for (I presume) the lounge?
What I will say is that if your neighbour is served by any of the London transmitters, then this will likely right itself on Wednesday.
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kim stevens: Switchover at all transmitters is carried out in two stages, usually two weeks apart.
At the first stage BBC standard definition services go on to full power and two weeks later the rest follow.
So if you're receiving from High Wycombe transmitter, independant channels will become available to you on Wednesday.
By the way, if you do receive your TV from High Wycombe, then you won't get the full Freeview service as it's a Public Service transmitter only.
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markyb: Cables can interfere with one another when in close proximity. The lower the level of signal the greater chance that any interference will have a negative impact on reception.
So come switchover when the signal levels from Heathfield are higher, you may find that such interference does not result in loss or poor TV reception.
I have a USB dongle TV tuner and I know that if the RF aerial cable is put next to the USB lead then it causes problems with reception. that is, the signal carried along the USB lead interferes with that in the RF lead.
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Marion Bristow: It is difficult to be specific only knowing that you live near Bedford. However, it is quite close to the transmitter and your could therefore be in a situation where the aerial is picking up too much signal and overloading the tuner. As signal levels vary over time due to atmospherics, perhaps at times it gets too high for your receiver to cope with.
Unless the channels stored in your receiver's memory are incorrect, then retuning is a waste of time and can only ever leave you without the channels being stored in the memory or with the channels stored in the memory as they were before you retuned. Therefore the affect can only ever be negative or neutral and not positive.
Have a look at this page:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If you have a signal booster, then remove it. If not, then try fitting an attenuator to reduce the signal levels.
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Ben Ward: It's possible that other leads are interfering with the signal carried along the aerial lead. Notably HDMI and USB leads
If they are in close proximity, try moving them away from one another and see if the signal improves.
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MAPMAN: The loss of Pick TV, Sky News and other services on ArqA was expected as it changed channel and increased transmission power on 28th March. Thus, a retune was necessary in order to restore it.
When channels don't display (i.e. "no signal") and it is not caused by a change of frequency by the transmitter, then one of the worst things you can do is retune. All you can ever achieve is loss of those services from the TV's memory or they appear as they were before. Thus the affect can only be negative or neutral and this is therefore a waste of time.
Have you considered that it may be too high a signal level and a bit of attenuation could be required? See
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Jim: SDN (ITV3 etc) and ArqB are on low power from Hannington until Wednesday. They do not change channel on that date so no retune should be necessary.
The reason for this is because Guildford transmitter uses the same channels until it completes switchover on Wednesday.
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J Fergusson: The channels that aren't available in your area (from your transmitter) are the Commercial ones which operate purely on a commercial basis.
They transmit from 80 of the largest sites (largest by viewer population) and this gives them 90% reach. To transmit from nearly 1,100 small relays would add about 8.5% of the population to their potential viewerbase but it will roughly double the amount they spend on transmission. They were asked if they wished to increase their coverage and declined. For a more in-depth explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Freesat is probably your only way to get more channels.
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Andy Seaward: Refer to the Sharp website: LCD TV - Sharp
The specification says that it does not have the ability to receive DVB-T2 (HD) signals. It is also described as "HD Ready" which means that it can show HD pictures, but does not have in-built means to receive them over-the-air.
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Alex: This should right itself on Wednesday when the non-BBC channels go on to full power.
In the mean time, if your receiver allows manual tuning then try to tune them in that way.
ITV1, C4 etc = manual tune to C22
Dave, Food Network = manual tune to C34
For a full list of channel numbers for tuning to, see the Crystal Palace page (click the link).
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Derek: The problem could be caused by the period in between first and second stage of switchover where BBC standard definition channels are at their full final power and the rest remain at low pre-switchover power. Thus, it should hopefully right itself when you retune on Wednesday.
If you are receiving from Crystal Palace and your receiver has manual tuning, then tune to channel 32.
If you are receiving from Reigate, then manually tune to channel 24. If it's the Hemel Hempstead transmitter that you are using, then it's C68 and for Guildford you need to tune to C41.
If, having attempted to manually tune, it doesn't find anything or what is found is not strong enough, then I think you'll have to wait until Wednesday.
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jinxy209: I assume that tennants' contracts may state who is responsible, if at all, for provision of any communal aerial system.
Do you not have an aerial system already? If so, have you tried tuning in Freeview and if so, what do you get?
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Richard: I guess that it is the Commercial channels that you do not receive. These services are broadcast from 80 of the largest transmitters (largest by viewer population). They achieve a 90% coverage of the population.
You are served by one of nearly 1,100 small "filler-in" relays which the Commercial operators don't wish to transmit from. For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Google Streetview shows what appears to be the communal aerial on the end of Newmarket Court (November 2010):
NP7 5NB - Google Maps
The aerial is pointing at Abergavenny transmitter. There is also a satellite dish, FM aerial and DAB aerial. The fact that these are all together suggests that they will be distributed throughout the building.
Have you looked for a satellite socket? There may be two sockets to enable satellite recording equipment (e.g. Sky+, Freesat hard drive recorder) to be used. I would have thought that there would be a plate with several different types of socket on for each type of aerial.
You say that the reception you have is poor. Check that it is tuned to the correct transmitter. Do this by going to BBC One and bringing up the signal strength screen. For Abergavenny it will be tuned to C49. Then go to ITV1 and bring up the strength screen and it should say C42. If your receiver is HD, they are on C45. There is no need to check the rest because, for example, BBC Two is the same as BBC One and Channel 4 and Channel 5 are the same as ITV1.
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Richard: Channel 60 is BBC from the Llanfoist transmitter, so it's not surprising that reception is poor as the aerial faces the wrong way for it.
To correct this, run the automatic tuning scan and unplug it at 61% (this should prevent picking up Llanfoist). Then having done this, check that BBC One and ITV1 are tuned to the correct channels for Abergavenny.
Satellite seems like your only bet for extra channels. If there is only one satellite socket, then I believe that this means that you can only receive one channel at a time (via satellite). In the days of recorders, I would expect that there will be two.
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Davud Bolton: Yes, the signals from Brougher Mountain will increase considerably at switchover, and yes it will be one of three transmitters in the North to carry RTÉ. See Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM) | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Mike Payne: Where signals from more than one transmitter are found, then receivers put these in the 800s. Different receivers have different methods of deciding which to go with as the "main" transmitter (i.e. those that get the proper logical channel numbers, 1=BBC One etc).
With such a marked difference in signal strength, it would appear that this doesn't go on signal strength! Maybe it is one of those that goes with the first it finds during the scan (and then throws the rest into the 800s). So if your transmitter happens to be on the lowest frequencies, then it is found first and you are OK.
All of Oxford's channels are at the high end...
The thing to do is to see what transmitters your receiver is picking up. It will hopefully tell you the UHF channel that it is tuned to on the signal strength screen. (I say "hopefully" because not all do and if it doesn't it rather leaves you guessing.)
Refer to this page:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Under "After switchover configuration" you will see six rows. These are the groups of services known as multiplexes or "muxes". What I would do is survey one of the services in each of the muxes. These are usually BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday.
The signal strengths you have discovered perhaps suggest that Oxford is in the 800s and another transmitter is the main one. In which case poor reception on the main transmitter may ensue because the aerial is probably facing the wrong way (for the signals being picked up).
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that Sandy Heath may be a possibility at your location. Click the link beside your posting for the list of transmitters and UHF channel numbers.
The automatic tuning scan runs from channel 21 to 69. So if it doesn't give these channel numbers as it scans, and only give a percentage, you can convert target channel number to percentage.
As Oxford's start at 53, then I calculated that to be 66%. So if you run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 60% you should get it. If you do not get it in in time and the receiver has manual tuning, you can manually add missing multiplexes. E.g. the lowest channel is that of BBC A, so manually tune to C53 to add it.
The only thing you've got to watch for is if there is a transmitter that is being picked up uses channels within the range of the target. This is why I suggest you survey what you have beforehand. A way round this may be to have the aerial unplugged for longer so as to avoid the other transmitter, and then manually add any missing ones.
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kc: Your most likely transmitter is probably Crystal Palace and certainly not Midhurst!
If so, then wait until tomorrow when Crystal Palace switchover completes and HD services become available.
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george: 4seven is broadcast on one of the Commercial multiplexes which don't wish to invest in transmitting from Merthyr and around 1,100 other similar small transmitters. For an explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Your best bet for additional channels will probably be Freesat, and according to the posting above, 4seven will be on there.
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john merchant: On the basis that you say you can see the transmitter, I wonder if the issue is that the levels are on the high to too high side.
See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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kerry: Switchover completes tomorrow when all other channels should become available.
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IKG: Google "Full HD" and it says that it is 1080p. It does not qualify that the in-built tuner can receive HD services over the air.
It is correct that the set will "show" Freeview HD channels from Rowridge, or any UK transmitter for that matter. A separate tuner will be needed to receive it.
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Jo: I think that the most likely answer is that the Alba has put the channels from Whitehawk in the 800s and another transmitter in the "proper" positions.
The fact that you have 800s is testament to signals from more than one transmitter being received. When a receiver picks up signals from more than one transmitter, it has to decide which it makes the "main" one (i.e. the BBC One that gets put under number 1) and which it throws in the "other" pile (i.e. puts in the 800s).
The simplest ones just take the first ones they find as the main and put subsequent (duplicates) in the 800s. As it happens, Whitehawk uses high frequencies and Rowridge uses low and can be picked up in your area.
So just run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged for the first 50%.
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Jo: Before you carry out a rescan, you can look at what you have now.
While on BBC One, bring up the signal strength screen and it will (hopefully) show the UHF channel that it is tuned to. If it says C24 then it is tuned to Rowridge and C60 is Whitehawk.
ITV1 Whitehawk=C53 / Rowridge=C27
ITV3 Whitehawk=C57 / Rowridge=C30 (C25 from tomorrow)
Pick TV Whitehawk=C56 / Rowridge=C37 (C22 from tomorrow)
Yesterday Whitehawk=C48 / Rowridge=C33 (C28 from tomorrow)
If you find any of these are Rowridge and you have poor reception, then that's the cause.
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IKG: With respect, I don't see as there is anything you can do.
If the person said "I think you will be able to receive Freeview HD transmissions at switchover", then that is a statement of opinion rather than statement of fact (as it starts "I think").
If the salesperson told you that "you will be able to receive Freeview HD transmissions" when Rowridge switches over, then they made, what turns out to be, an incorrect statement. But I wouldn't think that in law a customer can hold a retailer to what they said would happen in the future (when it hadn't been finalised), particularly when the decision of what happens is down to someone else and certainly not after four years.
If they said that it will "show the Freeview HD channels" when switchover happens, then that is what you have. That is, it will "show" them.
As I say, it's four years ago so I don't think that there's a lot to be done.
And in any case, if this was all verbal then it's your word against there's or perhaps the person that sold it to you has moved on.
I appreciate that the marking people band about terms like "Full HD" and "HD Ready" and that some will have interpreted (prior to switchover) that the latter meant that it is ready to receive HD when it comes on the air. That's marketeers for you. I'm certainly not a marketeer so would have never used such ambiguous phrases.
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Corin: I am not "claiming" anything; merely stating information found elsewhere.
Two sources quote 2kW for Storeton Wales:
- DTT licences V7 (27/01/12):
Ofcom | Supplementary licence documents in relation to DSO
- Digital UK Tradeview. Take this sample post code and then scroll down to the Storeton Wales transmitter. Then hover your mouse over the channel numbers and a tooltip will appear stating 2kW:
Postcode Checker - Trade View
The Digitak UK Installer Newsletter you linked to is dated December 2008. Page 7 of the Ofcom document you refer to was last updated in January 2011, although the "Document History" on the last page doesn't mention that the reason for update was Storeton's ERP.
The author of this site has commented before that those Ofcom documents don't seem to be up to date and has been relying on the licences document instead.
There is of course no reason to suspect any are incorrect; it may have been 500W when it was put together.
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Wednesday 28 March 2012 12:58PM
Fred Flange: No, last night ArqA multiplex which carries Pick TV, Dave, Sky News and others changed channel. You will need to perform a retune to get it back.
At the same time, it, and the other Commercial channels, went on to full power from Mendip, so your reception of them should hopefully be much better.