All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Paul Brennan: The Hertford transmitter doesn't carry the Commercial channels like Dave and Film 4 and probably never will. Those broadcasters work on a profit basis only. See here for a fuller explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The predictor suggests that you may be able to receive the full Freeview service directly from Crystal Palace or Sandy Heath.
A look at your road on Google Streetview rather confirms these possibilities as there is a mixture of aerials on Hertford, Crystal Palace and Sandy Heath.
If you wish to retain London programming, then Crystal Palace is best if you can get it.
| link to this comment |
Prof. R Pollock: You can watch that programme on BBC iPlayer:
BBC Four - Beautiful Minds - Upcoming episodes
It also says that it will be transmitted again on BBC Four at midnight on Tuesday 24th.
| link to this comment |
margaret price: Look for ITV1 in the 800s (i.e. from programme number 800). If you have Channel 4 and Channel 5 then you would be expected to have ITV1 as well because they are in the same group.
| link to this comment |
margaret price: My apologies, I was thinking of Freeview rather than Sky. I can't help with getting your Sky box to show ITV1. Hopefully someone who can will be along soon.
| link to this comment |
Steve Flynn: I remember when you raised this issue a couple of months back:
Haslemere digital TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
I'm surprised that the Haslemere transmitter has been given channels that are used by another transmitter that will clearly interfere in its designated service area.
Whilst you could use Crystal Palace for PSBs only, it is London region whereas your nearest "designated" transmitter is Meridian.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor just gives a guide to reception but does not give any indication of where this may be limited by interference and crucially, which transmitter providing the interferce.
In some cases it is clear; for example Crystal Palace which is "good" where you are is likely to be the culprit for degradation of Haslemere's signals.
I suggest that Heathfield might be the reason why DUK suggests that reception of Hannington's COMs and PSB2 will get worse in June.
See the "After Switchover" maps for C41, C42, C44 and C47:
UK TV Frequency map - channel C41 (634.0MHz) before switchover map | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Heathfield would surely be the likely candidate as it uses these four channels but not C45 and C39 as used by Hannington's PSB1 and PSB3 which aren't forecasted to change in June.
What this doesn't mean is that you "will" have an issue. Hannington and Heathfield appear to be roughly 180 degrees apart for you.
If, for example, there are trees or a building in the direction of Heathfield, then this will probably work in your favour; helping to block Heathfield's signals.
Can you pick up Hannington's COMs now that they are on their full final power. Note that Hannington's PSBs are 50kW and its COMs are 25kW. The latter use a less robust mode which allows them to carry more services at the expense of some viewers in fringe areas.
| link to this comment |
Steve Flynn: I should also point out that as Heathfield is at 180 degrees to the direction your aerial is facing, the degree to which your aerial can "reject" signals from the back will probably play a part.
The pros that frequent this site can probably tell you more, but perhaps there are some types of aerial that have better rejection of signals from the rear than others.
| link to this comment |
Bob: The range of channels available from the Luton relay transmitter is not likely to increase. The Commercial broadcasters don't transmit from Luton and nearly 1,100 similar small relays because, evidently, it isn't worth their while (from a cost/benefit point of view). They broadcast from 81 of the largest transmitters (largest by population) and achieve a 90% coverage of the population. Transmitting from all the small relays would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding a further 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base. They were asked if they wish to increase coverage and they declined. See Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for a fuller explanation.
The mention of "ITV3 (CI)" on the other page means that ITV3 is carried on transmitters on the Channel Islands and this is in lieu of ITV1+1 because there is no +1 feed of ITV1 Channel Television region.
In some cases where one is on a "lite" transmitter, it is possible to receive from another station that carries the Commercial ones. Obviously this will mean a change of roof-top aerial where it faces the local "lite" relay.
If your roof-top aerial points to Luton, then you aren't going to pick up the Commercial channels. Alternatively, if it faces another transmitter, it may perhaps offer the Commercial services.
Or you may be in an area where you can get sufficient signal on the Commercial channels using a set-top aerial. The thing with aerials, and particularly so with set-top ones is positioning. That's why knowing what might be receivable is worth checking on before you set out trying to tune in.
| link to this comment |
Clive: What transmitter is your aerial directed to and which you are attempting to receive from?
If you don't know, they what direction does it face and is it horizontal (elements flat) or vertical (elements up/down).
| link to this comment |
Sean MacIntyre: Or perhaps the problem is not sufficient signal from Divis, but interference from another station.
Another thing to point out is that C33 and Mux A on C23 is in 64QAM mode which isn't as robust as the rest which are 16QAM. From what you say, these would appear to be the two that you're having difficulties with.
| link to this comment |
Wednesday 18 April 2012 3:51PM
mh: Any box will do, particularly if you just want to watch programmes as they are broadcast. I can't give you any recommedations.
If you want a recorder such as one with a hard drive (that stores the programmes within itself), then if you get ones with two tuners in you can watch one channel on the TV whilst recording another, or you probably can record two channels at the same time (depending on the model).